Note from Editor Walt Brickman: We’ve received a surprisingly large number of inquiries from Outland visitors to the Realm of Bricklyn asking about our religious values and places of worship. Henry Tiler Harrison, who teaches comparative religion, among other subjects, at the University of Bricklyn has submitted the following to us, which we’re pleased to publish as key Muslim, Jewish, and Christian holy days are approaching.
February 25, 2024
From Henry Tiler Harrison for The Bricklyn Eagle
As most readers of The Bricklyn Eagle know, Bricklyn’s earliest settlers came from Denmark, whose official state religion was and remains Evangelical Lutheran.
Since Bricklyn’s disassociation from the Realm of Denmark and re-association as the Realm of Bricklyn in 1981, Bricklyn’s population has steadily grown more diverse. This is due, in part, to immigration from other Inland realms, but also owes to The LEGO Group’s decision to produce more LEGO minifigures who are racially and ethnically diverse.
Certainly some Bricklynites have chafed at the resulting demographic changes, but I think it is fair to say that the Realm of Bricklyn has been a welcoming place for those of different faiths and ethnicities, including Bricklynites who identify as atheist, agnostic, or unaffiliated with any religious tradition.
I asked three key religious leaders who meet together over tea each month if they would discuss with me how their respective faiths seek to promote tolerance, mutual understanding, and concern for social justice.
The three are: Pastor John Plater Neuman, who leads the First Lutheran Church of Bricklyn; Rabbi Rachel B. Weinstein from Temple Beth-Shalom in Bricklyn Junction; and Imam Ibrahim B. Hassan, from the Islamic Center of Bricklyn.
Unfortunately, due to recent surgery, I was unable to join them for tea. But they graciously agreed to record their conversation about the question I had posed. So let me turn the balance of this post over to Pastor Neuman.
Pastor Neuman: Our good friend Henry, who is recovering from surgery, has asked us to discuss the following question: “In what ways do the religious faiths you represent seek to promote tolerance, mutual understanding, and concern for social justice here in the Realm of Bricklyn?”
Pastor Neuman: Let me start off by sending all our best wishes to Henry for a speedy recovery.
Tolerance and coexistence is essential in a society with diverse beliefs. Lutherans fully agree with that, and believe that our Christian faith stresses the importance of the values Henry cites in his question. Did not Jesus preach of their significance?
In the Gospel of Matthew, we see how Jesus highlighted the importance of caring for the poor and marginalized when he taught: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Matthew 25:35-37.
Rabbi Weinstein: Certainly, our three faiths share much in common, including the core principles you just set out Pastor.
One thing our congregants at Temple Beth-Shalom have done, and it has been in conjunction with members of the Bricklyn Islamic Center — in fact Imam Hassan has been one of the organizers — is for members of both our synagogue and the Islamic Center to meet at each other’s homes for dinner.
It’s a great way to start growing personal connections. And, as we all know, there’s no better place to do that than over food!
Imam Hassan: Yes, Rabbi, the dinners have been, praise be to Allah, joyous occasions, and they are already leading to better understanding among congregants of our respective communities.
While we all are part of the Inland LEGO world, we’re also not unaffected by what is happening to our brethren in Outland communities. In these dark Outland times, we can only try to model cooperation and understanding in our own Inland realm.
Pastor Neuman: I hope I’m not the only one quoting scripture, but as Christians we also draw on Luke 10:25-37, The Parable of the Good Samaritan, which emphasizes the importance of compassion and helping those in need, regardless of social or cultural differences. It encourages a sense of social responsibility.”
Imam Hassan: Pastor, the actions of the good Samaritan also resonate with Muslims.
I should mention that our community took pride last month in the words of Bricklyn Judge Marnya Brickerlan, who allowed young Patricia Perry, the Bricklyn High School track star visiting from another realm, to rejoin the track team.
The judge spoke of the important Muslim principle and practice of “welcoming the guest,” even quoting from two Islamic scholars who said — and I brought their words here with me today:
“Honoring the guest is among the most significant values and rules that have great input in the welfare and righteousness of the Muslim society. … Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon himself) considered honoring the guest one of the major signs of strong faith.”
It was an honor to Muslims to have one of our practices recognized in this court decision.
Rabbi Weinstein: Imam, I was also going to bring up that Court ruling. We’re proud to have Judge Brickerlan as a member of our congregation. She also cited, as you know, from Leviticus: “When strangers reside with you in your land, you shall not wrong them. The strangers who reside with you shall be to you as your citizens; you shall love each one as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” (Leviticus 19:33-34).
Pastor, you see you’re not the only one quoting from scripture today!
Let me also mention another thing we all have in common, and that is our support for that wonderful young peoples’ organization, One Bricklyn.
Pastor Neuman: First Lutheran Church is so pleased to provide meeting space for these teenagers. They come from each of our congregations, and from other congregations in the Realm. They not only get to know each other and build friendships, but also take actions to promote the welfare of those in Bricklyn who are most in need.
Imam Hassan: Yes, both a nephew and niece of mine also participate, along with other teens from the Islamic Center. Young people can really lead the way!
One Bricklyn shows us that our youth can be leaders in finding practical ways to help those in need — whether from organizing food drop-offs to visiting the homes of elders who lack family support.
As my niece just told me the other day, she believes that by volunteering with One Bricklyn, she has also been changed, and feels she now has a real stake in the broader Bricklyn community.
Pastor Neuman: Excellent comments! But I’m afraid we’re out of time, as our tea pot has run dry. Let me stop this recorder, and I’ll get it over to Henry. Hope to see you, Rachel and Ibrahim, back here for tea a month from now … and let’s invite Henry to join us!
Rabbi Weinstein: Shalom to all.
Imam Hassan: Peace be upon you. ✥
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