Rules for Teaching Comparative Religion

Developed by Professors Krister Stendahl, Harvard Divinity School

and Todd Lewis, College of the Holy Cross

1. People represent themselves. Bear no false witness. Read original texts. Hear from believers directly.

2. Compare like to like; match level to level. When comparing ideal teachings, carefully match your ideal with the others’ ideal(s). Beware of comparing your ideal to the other’s real, and vice versa.

3. Base comparisons on the center of the Bell Curve, not those at the far ends.

4. ‘Holy envy’ is OK. How could world religions survive so long without offering sources of inspiration? There is much to admire in other faiths’ scholasticism, spiritual exercise, ethical stands, etc. In other words, one need not hate all others to love one’s own spouse faithfully.

5. Faith in the Golden Rule. Loving kindness was articulated by the Indian an Chinese sages centuries before Christ. The Golden Rule of treating others as one would like to be treated is universal. Extending oneself with empathy and respect will be reciprocated by similar attitudes from all people of good will.

6. Hypothesis: God may enjoy diversity. Half a millennium of Christian missionizing later, all the world’s great religions have held their centers. Witness the lilies of the fields an the witness of all species in creation. Take the pluralism of God’s creation seriously.