Eve Levin, member of an Interfaith Dialogue and the Lawrence Jewish Community Center, 917 Highland Drive:

As a professor of religious history (particularly Russian Orthodox Christianity), I am accustomed to learning about other faiths from books. Conversations with living believers provide an additional, complementary dimension.

First, I learn more about religious traditions from listening to ordinary persons who practice them. When they tell me about the tenets of their faith and the meanings they ascribe to their religious observances, I gain an understanding beyond the pronouncements of sages and scholars. So, for example, Victor and Nadia explained their adaptations of centuries-old Orthodox fasting rules over the Lenten meals we shared, expanding my knowledge beyond the bare precepts I read in ancient texts. I am struck by the diversity and vitality of living religions, manifested in the individuals I know.

Second, I learn more about the individuals who are sharing their faith with me. I hear how their traditions shape their perceptions of the universe and of human beings’ place in it. As they talk about how their religion’s teachings structure their lives and inform their ethical decisions, my respect for them deepens. I admire how Asra’s commitment to the Islamic pillar of charity motivates her to devote her energies and resources to better the community — a pious calling that Jews recognize as tikkun olam, healing the world. Whether our conceptions of the transcendent turn out to be divergent or similar, we invariably share many of the same values.

Third, I learn more about myself from discussions with persons of other faiths. Cathy, an Episcopalian, who so readily sees divine providence in the events of her life, has taught me to trust in God’s presence, too. Although she and I conceive of God in the light of different theological systems and worship according different traditions, I have grown spiritually in her friendship.

— Send e-mail to Eve Levin at evelevin@att.net.

Benny Rosell, pastor, Lone Star Church of the Brethren, 883 E. 800th Road:

Faith may refer to one’s religion or to beliefs one upholds. I, for one, am very interested in different religious beliefs. When conversing casually with a stranger, I certainly would like to know someone’s faith.

One day, I happened to stop at one of the restaurants in Dodge City by Wyatt Earp Blvd. It must have been lunch time; the place was so crowded. No table for me. I was brave enough to sit at the counter. I found a seat beside a bearded Middle Easterner; he could tell I was an Asiatic — a Filipino.

I told him I have always been interested in the Jewish people because I am a Christian. Our Bible was written by Israelites, guided by the Holy Spirit. He admitted that he is a Jew.

“Well, is that why you have a well-grown beard?” I asked, smiling.

“No,” he said, “I just like to grow a beard. Makes me look better.”

“Are you a Pharisee or a Sadducee?”

“I am neither. I’m just a special Jew.”

“So, could you tell me your special belief?”

“Well, I just want to be good,” he affirmed.

“In order to be saved?”

“I really don’t believe in life after death.”

“What then is your reason for being good?”

“Being good has its own reward. I am happy when I’m being good — and that’s good enough for me.”

Well, I don’t know what I ate that noon, but it was very satisfying to converse with one son of Abraham. A special Jew with a special faith. I did not pursue the point that just by being good is not good enough to find eternal life with God. May the Lord bless that Jew, and may God continue to bless Israel.

— Send e-mail to Benny Rosell at bennyandpat@gmail.com