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The story of Abraham divides Jews, Christians, and Muslims. How can the story unite them?
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Connected to Islam's Roots (October 1, 2004)
The program on the figure of Abraham was intensely beautiful and deeply thoughtful. It was the first time in a long time that I felt connected to the actual roots of Islam, which I have increasingly been regarding, to be charitable, as an increasingly dangerous force in the world. The idea of Abraham as our common father — Christians, Jews, and Muslims — was deeply moving as presented. The show prompted me to send a larger contribution than I ever have to my public radio station. I was asked by the donations operator what programming was at issue. She told me I was the only one to have mentioned Speaking of Faith. How wonderful to have a radio station where religious ideas are discussed in an open intellectual forum.

Claudia Rousseau
Silver Spring, MD (WETA, 90.9 FM)

Similar Experiences (September 12, 2004)
I just finished listening to the "Children of Abraham" segment with author Bruce Feiler. I'd never heard of the Speaking of Faith program before but was so impressed I now plan to tune in regularly. The mixture of interview, prayer passages, music, and commentary was attention-grabbing not to mention beautifully choreographed.

In regards to this particular program, I just have to say thank you for such a timely, thought-provoking, thorough, and wonderfully inspiring piece. I'm a Catholic with strong Jewish ties who just returned from a 10-month stint in Jordan where I had the opportunity to learn about Islam, a religion I had very little previous knowledge of, but have grown to love and respect. I traveled into Palestine and Israel, and had very similar experiences to those described by Mr. Feiler, such as armed guards escorting me into Rachel's Tomb (my namesake) in Bethlehem, and the "pinch me, I must be dreaming" feeling while gazing over Jerusalem.

It would be impossible to describe in words the range of emotions I felt or the many thoughts that ran through my mind. I'm still trying to digest it all. Your program has definitely helped me put my journey—both physical and spiritual—into perspective, and I deeply appreciate that. Keep up the wonderful work!

Rachel Fedewa
Washington, DC (WETA, 90.9 FM)

Driveway Moment (September 15, 2004)
I heard this conversation on the radio while driving home about Abraham. I sat in my driveway for a full 20 minutes just to finish listening to your program! I thought, "Here is this intelligent discussion about a topic I am struggling to make sense of myself." Amazing! Some of the fear and apprehensions experienced since 9/11, the terrorist threats, the undermining of personal security and certainty I once felt were echoed in Bruce Feiler's commentary. I found both a stunning personal recognition and a breath of relief as I listened. Your program was just plain wonderful. WE sorely need such a diverse forum to nurture what faith we have now and for our evolving future belief. Thank you so much for bringing your friends and perspectives to my humble ears.

Mary Robinson
Milwaukee, WI (WUWM, 89.7 FM)

Inter-faith Dialogue (September 30, 2004)
I just finished listening to the program for the second time, and ordered Bruce Feiler's book today, as I believe it may be an important one for those interested in inter-faith dialogue. Our inter-faith committee brought the powerful "Children of Abraham" play by the Mosaic Theatre of Detroit to Duluth this month, as the first local collaboration of Jews, Muslims, and Christians. The play is performed by teenage-to-young-adults from the three traditions, discusses our different beliefs, but emphasizes our commonalities and that we are all children of Abraham. Thank you for your fine program and for continuing the conversation between the different faiths as a means of bringing peace to the world.

John Sillanpa
Duluth, MN (WSCN, 100.5 FM)

Insightful (September 12, 2004)
Today was the first time that I had heard your program. Thank you so much for this enlightening presentation. The entire Arab/Israeli conflict and the incidents of September 11th now make so much more sense after hearing the background from the author's perspective. A family feud, how insightful!

Mary Borders
Nancy, KY (Listens via Web)

Six-and-a-half Billion Abrahams! (September 19, 2004)
This was a marvelous program. I heartily concur with all who have sung its praise. But I don't feel as comfortable with the established institutions of religion as does the guest, Bruce Feiler. He compares them to parents with whom one can disagree, but still ought to honor; yet, he himself pointed out the ways in which each of these religions has interpreted Abraham to serve its own purposes, selfishly writing out the other religions. Yes, as an inspired way of belief each of these religions has much to offer and for that deserves to be honored, but it is also essential to point out that narrow, self-serving interpretations are not religion. The established institutions of each of these three "Abrahamic" religions continue to put forth interpretations of their own religion that are inimical and destructive to those "outside the fold." For this reason, while I myself have profited greatly from the teachings of each of these great religions, I find it hard to share Mr. Feiler's warmth toward the institutions that represent them.

A related thought. The United States is rightfully called a Judeo-Christian society. This being the case, we might consider that American attitudes about other cultures may well derive from our attitudes about our religion. Note that each of our major religions—Judaism and Christianity, as an established institution, has a persistent history of seeing itself as the one true religion, both to the detriment of others, and antithetical to its own core teachings, which counsel, respectively: "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor," and "Love your neighbor as yourself." While the modern-day religious establishments of Islam sometimes foster a similar exclusivist attitude, throughout most of its history Islam has been light-years ahead of the other "Abrahamic" religions in tolerance and acceptance. Noting these things, we might want to encourage ourselves toward greater humility, both as Americans and as Jews or Christians.

To take one more exception, Bruce Feiler said he feels that the 1970s surge of interest in religious alternatives (which he termed "new age") has "lost currency," particularly after 9/11. Perhaps he himself might reflect that this was an unfortunate pronouncement. The huge 70s wave of disaffection with established Western religions and its accompanying enchantment with more inclusive ways of spiritual belief, while not front page news, has in no way subsided, nor has it disappeared from people's lives. To the contrary, it has become more pervasive, having become much absorbed into common thought. In fact, its spirit is precisely that which you celebrated in this program: the spirit of inclusiveness, the spirit that allows each religion and each person to claim Abraham as his own: 6-1/2 billion Abrahams!

Bob Salmon
New York, NY (WNYC, 820 AM)

Hope for Peace (September 12, 2004)
The premise that Abraham is the central figure of three great faiths provides enormous hope for the future of peace on earth in these troubled times. I truly believe what the author suggests, that if the people of the book (Jews, Christians, Muslims) find common ground as the seeds of Abraham, they may be able to stand together and mutually respect one another. This book should be translated into many languages and shared with people around the world.

Susan Chenard
Middletown, CT (WPKT, 90.5 FM)

Britten's Music (September 15, 2004)
Congratulations on the (as usual) splendid program on Abraham. Rather than revel in everything about it that was provocative and intriguing, let me add a couple of suggestions. I was delighted to hear the Britten piece—one (no doubt of many) I'd never heard of. But I couldn't help thinking that a similarly excellent selection might have been an excerpt from his War Requiem, where he tells the story of Abraham and Isaac (with similar harmonies) but switches the story to have Abraham go ahead and murder Isaac—an apt choice to reflect Britten's message of war's hell (and especially the carnage of the Great War). It would've been a fine choice to show how artists adapt a Biblical narrative for polemical purposes.

Along the same lines, I believe Kierkegaard has a discussion of the Isaac story. I still recall the phrase from a college course on existentialism: the "teleological suspension of the ethical." He raises a sort of proto-existential notion that what was going through Abraham's mind was a genuine conflict between divine charge and known ethical norms. It might have made a meaty hour even meatier. I have a thought about another possible topic, but I'll submit that in a separate posting.

Jamieson Spencer
St. Louis, MO (KWMU, 90.7 FM)

Other Religions (September 12, 2004)
I read the book Abraham and listened to your program this morning. I understand the connection of the three major religions of the world. I just wonder where some of the other religions fit into this paradigm. What about Buddhism, Taoism, and other beliefs that many people follow?

Gail Ladwig
Jackson, MI (WUOM, 91.7 FM)

A Personal Abraham (September 17, 2004)
First, let me thank you for providing such an informative and broad-scoped show. I just finished listening to the "Children of Abraham" discussion with Bruce Feiler. He communicated a very unifying message on the importance of Abraham—basically that all three monotheistic faiths have some claim on Abraham, yet are in disagreement in other areas, therefore, the best route is to focus on how Abraham is great for everyone. I think this is a wonderful approach for people who are interested in the figure of Abraham, and looking for ways to unify the three monotheistic faiths.

However, If we are to look at the rest of the Bible and Quran, in a wholistic manner, we can assess that there are big discrepancies in the essential doctrines. All three tell us very important things about the nature of God, the afterlife, and what we are to do in this life. Considering their contradictory nature, it is not possible that they are all right, and of course, it is possible that none are right. People are free to come to these conclusions in a personal manner.

Nathan Rudd
Minneapolis, MN (KNOW, 91.1 FM)

More About the Land (September 13, 2004)
I wish Krista had explored a bit more how the "land" seems to be the major problem in bringing peace to the Middle East. The brief discussion of land as a reality, not a metaphor, wasn't enough for deep understanding for me. How is it possible for God to promise land already occupied and what does that say or point to as a way of finding a peaceful solution today when so many religious Jews insist that ALL the land promised be theirs? I was intrigued that 9/11 somehow brought that "land" here to the U.S., not just as a metaphor, but reality. More needs to be said, questioned, and explored for this to really open up to me and become more accessible. Thanks.

Judith Hehl
St. Louis, MO (KWMU, 90.7 FM)

Interesting Program (September 17, 2004)
I found the discussion of Abraham very interesting, as I was pretty much unaware of most of the history and story. I liked and agreed with the conclusions of your guest and author: that these three religions need to find a way to acknowledge their shared backgrounds — and still be able to respect their differences in interpretation, belief, and theology. It seems to say something about belief, that the world's three main monotheistic religions are at the focus of terrible hate, land disputes, terrorism, and war; both amongst each other, and other countries.

Steve Lindlbauer
Burbank, CA (KPCC, 89.3 FM)

Hinduism Is Monotheistic (September 16, 2004)
The interviewer spoke of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as "the three monotheistic faiths." This would imply that Hinduism, for instance, is polytheistic. It is not. An uneducated villager in India understands that "the gods" are representations, images suited to various temperaments and ethnic groups, of the one Supreme Deity, known as Brahman. Hinduism is monotheistic in the same sense as are the others she mentioned. This is a very common misunderstanding and a kind of accusation, often made by persons of the Abrahamic faiths.

Swami Yogeshananda
Atlanta, GA (WABE, 90.1 FM)

Theory and Practice (September 17, 2004)
In this program, and in many places, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are said to have enough in common to form a basis for reconciliation and peaceful coexistence. They are called something like "the three great monotheistic faiths." However, don't all three posit supernatural powers in various individuals? I'm no expert, but I've heard that supposedly Mohammed lived after death, rising from the site of the Dome of the Rock. Christianity allows that Mary and many saints live somewhere, and perform miracles. Aren't there some superhuman devilish and/or angelic beings in Judaic lore also?

I guess monotheism to me means that there is a God who is supernatural, and that's it, period. I wonder if the commonality of Abraham as just a man can overcome, for example, rationalizations for violence against non-Muslims that appear in the Koran. I wonder.

Paul Simons
Levittown, PA (WHYY, 91.0 FM)

Abraham's Journey (September 15, 2004)
I do enjoy your program. The program this evening was most interesting (although I did not get to hear all of the program). So, my main comment may be incorrect. I do not agree with author's comment at the end of the program when he stated something to the effect that "Abraham is our hope and the center of our faith." Our hope is in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

The Lord used Abraham as an instrument to illustrate what He can accomplish through someone like Abraham who had unwavering faith in his Lord. We can use the life of Abraham as a standard for our life to accomplish the same "mission" for Christ in the community around us every day. Also, a committed life for Christ is not open to compromise. It is true that Jesus accepted everyone. But, there was a significant qualifier to His acceptance of them. It came after one "turned from his sin, acknowledged and accepts Christ as his Savior". Thank you!

Steve Wehunt
Fayetteville, GA (WABE, 90.1 FM)