Tuesday, November 08, 2005
THE ALL-FAITHS SEMINARY
Among the names listed as participants in the 2005 Conference, "At The Dawn Of A New Light," of Fr. John Rossner's International Institute of Integral Human Science is Rabbi Joseph Gelberman, Ph.D.
Rabbi Gelberman was also listed on the Summer 2005 program of The Sivananda Ashram Yoga Camp. He was scheduled for September 19-24. The brief bio. at this website indicates "Rabbi Gelberman is a master-teacher in the tradition of neo-hasidic mysticism and kabbalah, and founder of the New Synagogue and the All Faiths Seminary International in New York.
The All-Faiths Seminary International website indicates that the motto for the organization is "Never Instead, Always in Addition," and shows symbols for the Bahai, Buddhist, Christian, ACIM, Hinduism, Islamic, Judaic, Mystery Shamanism, Sufism, Taoism, and Wicca faiths, which it says are "but a few of the faiths studied at the school." It's interesting to note that the symbol for "Mystery" religion is the Masonic square and compass.
At this seminary the student is provided "the key to unlock the doors of all religions" according to Rabbi Gelberman. "All religious and spiritual healing practices are taught by experienced practitioners of the particular modality within the interfaith context.
On another page in the website the six guiding principles are listed:
1. the truth in all faiths and religious paths
2. belief that seeking attunement to Spirit is the highest goal of conscious living
3. an inclusive vision of "we."
4. the essential goodness of the human being
5. each person, indeed all life, is a part of the healing of the world
6. the value of Interfaith interactions as enriching our awareness of Spirit in the world
Rabbi Gelberman has been training interfaith ministers since 1971 when he founded the New Seminary in New York City, a seminary which he says was the first of its kind in the world. He began the All-Faiths Seminary International in 1998. Fr. John Rossner is Chancellor of All-Faiths Seminary International.
It's difficult to decipher what exactly they are promoting. According to the Philosophy and Purpose webpage, the seminary is "modeled on the ancient schools of wisdom" where training is imparted through "personal association" and is intended for those who "feel a calling to ministry but who do not feel that the doctrinal focus" of more conventional seminaries is right for them. They hope to produce a "spiritual practitioner" rather than a "functionary", though that is hardly descriptive of a difference in objective.
Students are expected to learn to "lead worship services and other group activities or act as a spiritual counselor in private practice." They see their graduates as having Living Room Ministries, hospital and prison chaplaincies, and interfaith service project leaders.
How would you feel about being seriously sick in the hospital and being visited by a chaplain who was equally adept at leading a Wiccan service as he was a Christian one, and who had probably done both?
The description of the emblem used to represent this seminary is striking. The palm tree represents an oasis for people lost in the desert. The four leaves represent the four parts of the body in pairs: "two feet, two arms, two ears, and two eyes. The single leaf in the center represents the single parts of our body: the mind, the heart, the mouth, and the sex organ." The last one is intended to be "used in collaboration with the spirit". The circles below the palm tree represent the three Abrahamic religions.
At the end of the description of the emblem Rabbi Gelberman attempts but fails to reassert the Judaic belief, saying "no matter what faith we practice, or by what name we call God, God is One."
There are related organizations, including The New Synagogue, The Interfaith Temple, and The Rabbinical Fellowship International. The Rabbinical Seminary International is a "Modern Rabbi Program." Graduates of this seminary are intended to teach the Divine Wisdom and offer Spiritual Guidance to the Jewish community and the general community as well.
How exactly the "Modern Rabbi" differs from the Rabbi is hard to say. According to the webpage "Along with traditionally ordained rabbis, cantors, and educators, there is a need and place for the Modern Rabbi to offer his or her own contribution toward the spiritual renewal of the human community."
Clearly this Modern Rabbi is up to something the traditional Rabbi is not doing. Considering that Fr. John Rossner, who is a medium, is closely associated with Rabbi Gelberman who is President of this Rabbinical Seminary International, could that something different be channeling?
Interesting that the word "renewal" appears in the website considering the trouble that renewal has brought to the Roman Catholic Church through Call to Action.
The Lakeshore Interfaith Institute is another organization which Rabbi Joseph Gelberman founded. According to their website, this group believes that "Interfaith is an expression of spiritual concern and love that serves as a bridge for members of all religions and spiritual teachings to reach out in understanding and communion with each other." What does that mean? Does it mean that on the human level we can all treat each other with love and respect as the Gospel teaches us, or does it mean that we can all treat each other's religion as a channel of truth different but equal? The institute says that it "believes in the validity of all religions as paths to Truth."
How does a Catholic engage in interfaith dialogue with an institution that believes all religions are valid paths to Truth?
According to Joyce L. Gioia, who provides a multifaith wedding service and who attended Rabbi Gelberman's "The New Seminary": "On the Board of Directors of The New Seminary are a Reform Jewish rabbi, a Catholic priest, a former Roman Catholic priest....
Rabbi Gelberman was a participant in InterSpiritual Dialogue, an outgrowth of Catholic Contemplative Monk Bro. Wayne Teasdale's book THE MYSTIC HEART: FINDING A UNIVERSAL SPIRITUALITY IN THE WORLD'S RELIGIONS. Bro. Wayne Teasdale was a member of the Board of Monastic Interreligious Dialogue.
