Majestic Views

Most people know that Jerusalem is holy to three major religions—Christianity, Islam, and Judaism—but we often forget to talk about the other religions that consider Israel to be a holy spot.  Andy and I visited one of these holy places a few days ago when we spent some time in Haifa.  I am talking, of course, about the Baha’i Gardens.  The gardens are considered one of the holiest places in the world to the Baha’i religion, and surround the Shrine of the Báb, which is the final resting place for one of the prophets of the Baha’i faith.  The gardens are carved into 19 terraces, which extend all the way up the side of Mount Carmel.  The gravel paths, stone walkways, indigenous trees and plants, and the fountains of flowing water all lend to a view that is serene, relaxing, and extremely moving.  More than once, I was almost moved to tears.

Our visit to the Baha’i Gardens was not the first time that I have had a deeply moving and spiritual experience at a site considered holy to a religion other than my own.  When I visited Israel in May 2011, I was fortunate enough to experience the Church of the Holy Sepulcher through the eyes of one of my Catholic friends.  We toured the church with the group, and then split up, waiting in line with a few others to enter what Christians believe to be Jesus’s tomb.  The art, the architecture, the structure and design of the church lend itself to an imposing and awe-inspiring image, which is enhanced when, at various intervals, monks from different sects enter the church together humming hymns of praise which echo throughout the building.

Both of these experiences help remind me that religion is fluid—a way of relating to a power higher than yourself as a means of explaining the unexplainable, and finding comfort in the unknown.  I think one of the most powerful things a religious person can do is to be moved by the religious experiences and holy sites of other religions.  After all, we are all just lost souls sharing the same journey and the same path, trying to make sense of a very confusing world.  I hope to have more deeply moving and spiritual experiences throughout my year here—not just at Jewish holy sites, but at holy sites to many different religions.