The faith club has been changing Suzanne, Ranya, and Priscilla in ways that reveal their many differences, but still allow them to feel very closely connected. Priscilla, who is a Jew, has invited her friends to come celebrate Yom Kippur, which is considered to be the holiest day of the year for Jewish people. Priscilla wrote that this day is spent fasting and praying, in order that God might let them live one more year and leave their names written in his metaphorical Book of Life. Ranya believes in a different book of life, where a record is kept of all the good and the bad things that one has done in his life; on the judgment day that person is judged and his fate in eternity decided on the basis of what is recorded in this book.
I would disagree with Priscilla and Ranya because I believe that the book of life contains one set of names of those people who are saved by the blood of the Lord Jesus through grace and will live with God in Heaven. The Bible teaches us that there will be judgment of those people that do not have their names written in the book of life.
Suzanne has a seven year old son Thomas who is called a “doubting Thomas” because he doesn’t believe in the existence of God based on the fact that he has never seen him. I believe most children and adults go through this doubting experience at some time in their life. I remember when I was young I had thoughts that the story of Jesus might have all been made up because it was such a long time ago. I thought there was no historical evidence to prove what was written about Jesus. In spite of these doubts, I realized how important it is to teach a child the truth from an early age, in order that they might be equipped to deal with their questions about faith.
Christmas is celebrated differently by different people. Typically, Muslims do not celebrate this holiday at all. Ranya, who is a Muslim, has added this religious practice into her own traditions because she says “there is no contradiction to my faith.” These three women in the faith club have changed their religious beliefs and traditions to try to find a way to include all of the religions. This made me question child development issues and what messages the child might get. Would the child be confused about what the truth really is?
This book has inspired me to realize that there are many people who find ways to find mutual respect for all of the religions. Instead of saying “Merry Christmas,” people say “Happy Holidays.” This holiday is celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, but because not all people believe in him, “Happy Holidays” is a universal way to wish someone the joy that this celebration brings.
Through reading this book, I felt that I got to experience what it feels like to be a Jew, a Muslim, and a Christian. I realized that it is important to teach children the truth from an early age, as well as how to relate to others who do not believe exactly what you believe.
I appreciate your comments about using the phrase "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas," as I think it's an interesting topic, and one that has been a "hot button" issue for people. I celebrate Christmas, but have friends who don't, and so when I send cards during that season, I like to send something that's neutral so that it will also apply to friends of other faiths (last year, for example, my cards said "Health and Happiness, This Season and Always"). I have Jewish friends and Muslim friends who celebrate their own holidays during the same time of the year, so this enables me to wish them a happy season, too. I know that some people are offended by this, and believe it's an attempt to take away their right to worship as Christians, but I think it's just a nice way to appreciate all of our different faiths.
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