Guest Post: Peter Dybing shares a 9/11 Ritual for Tolerance

911 Ritual for Tolerance and Remembrance

Many in our community have expressed shock and dismay at the trend towards religious intolerance that has developed as the anniversary of 911 approaches. As a response, the following short ritual is provided as a way that we can express our collective intent for a peaceful and tolerant world on September 11, 2010.

In calling the quarters and inviting the Lord and the Lady care should be taken to summon deities and energies that represent openness, compassion, understanding, knowledge etc.

Items needed

One bowl

Tea lights

Five candles

Small pieces of paper

Small piece of string

On a table or altar, place the bowl in the center, place the candles at five equal points around the bowl to be lit as each blessing is brought forward. Around the five points place a circle of tea lights; each will represent one of the world’s religions. Write the names of world religions on the small pieces of paper to correspond with the number of tea lights placed.

All present are asked to begin by invoking the divine to be present. (Quiet contemplation). Then start lighting the candles.

“This Candle of Tolerance is kindled in support of all who believe that love and acceptance are gifts of the divine. May the Goddess bless them with compassion and patience.”

“This Candle of Understanding is kindled for all those who seek interfaith cooperation. May the Goddess bless them with courage in their ideals and success in their efforts.”

“This Candle of Unity is kindled for all who seek the divine in its many manifestations. May understanding of divinity bring unity in seeking the freedom for all to worship as they choose.”

“This Candle of Peace is kindled for those who respond with trust, kindness and charity when faced with anger, suspicion, and misunderstanding. May the Goddess bless them with eloquence. and protect them from harm.”

“This candle of Remembrance is kindled for all who have been lost in religious conflict. May their sacrifice be the altar upon which the world builds a tradition of Tolerance, Understanding, Unity, and Peace. May the Goddess bless the journeys of those we have lost.”

So Mote It Be

Ritual Leader:

“Goddess and God we place now the names of many of the great traditions of divinity at the center of our ritual and our intent. May they practice their faiths in a meaningful way. May they all enjoy the freedom to worship the Divine as the please. May they go forward in Tolerance, Understanding, Unity, Peace, and Remembrance?”

(Participants step forward, read the name of a faith and place it in the bowl and then kindle a corresponding tea light)

Ritual Leader, collects the pieces of paper from the bowl and ties them together with a string.

“May this binding represent a new commitment on the part of all traditions to manifest their faith in the forms of Tolerance, Understanding, Unity, Peace and Remembrance.”

So Mote It Be