One of the advantages of insomnia is that you find yourself watching TV at the oddest of times. Usually, the only programs available are hour-long commercials extolling the virtues of diet-programs, hair-loss remedies, car wax and the like. But it is also the time when some of the most interesting news programs are on.

Recently, I was privy to an international news hour that explored a report out of the Church of England that claimed to deny the legitimacy of Christians who worship with people of other faiths. That is, Christians are not to worship with anyone other than other Christians. No Jews, Buddhists, Muslims nor anyone else allowed. The premise being that if God is only accessible through Jesus, then our friends of other faiths are engaged in a futile task and we had better not encourage them.

Interesting. Since it was 2:30 in the morning and I was wide awake, I decided to spend some time pondering this very un-Christlike premise.

What do I want?

Why, I want to be in control, of course. I want to be able to call the shots and guide the action in everything, including the work of God. I want God to be on my side and no other. I want to be always right and never wrong. I want to have all the truth and all the answers.

That’s all I want.

Such an attitude, it seems to me, permeates the Christian Church. Somewhere along the line, we have so twisted and perverted the all-inclusive love of Jesus into an exclusive club for people just like us.

Believe like us or be damned.

With even the slightest bit of scholarship, one can find a link between all the great faiths and it isn’t one of doctrine but of action.

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

That’s what binds us together. It is, I am convinced, the very heart of God.