Tim Firth (Horsham 2012). Pbk. 343 pages. £12.50.
Tim Firth believes that there are many paths up the spiritual mountain but asks why the different paths people take often end up in division, intolerance, or even violence: we all share the same spiritual nature but always seem to be divided by our religions. He says that he has never believed that any one religion possesses all of the truth because truth is far wider than any religion.
After studying at Oxford and the Gregorian University in Rome, he was ordained a Catholic Priest in 1967 and worked in parishes. He taught theology at Allen Hall Seminary, was involved in youth and adult education and was one of the Vicars General of Cardinal Basil Hume, Archbishop of Westminster, who influenced him greatly. However, after a three-month sabbatical on Iona, he realised that all he had learnt was no longer working for him and he could no longer, in conscience, continue to serve as a Catholic priest. He therefore left the priesthood in 1985 and worked with Deloitte as international human relations manager. He now writes and gives talks on religious reconciliation and is active in Inter-Faith work.
God's Favourite Colour is Tartan is the product of a lifetime's experience. The book suggests two ways for overcoming religious fragmentation. One is to have a 'Both/And' rather than an 'Either/Or' or 'Us and Them' mind-set. The other is to set religions in a wider context and 'to go upstream to their common source and get beyond their divisions'.
I was greatly impressed by the number of sources on which Tim draws to support his argument. Over many years, he has gathered together the accumulated wisdom of the ages and seems to have the facility of finding the perfect quotation or reference to illustrate and clarify the point he wishes to make. He calls on a rich mix of philosophers, theologians, scientists, writers, poets, mystics, religious leaders, sacred texts and various other writings. As a result, the book not only makes a contribution to the important task of fostering inter-faith dialogue, but is also a valuable source of reference.
I was favourably disposed to this book from the outset, as the author makes it clear that he shares my personal difficulty with the word 'God'. In the introduction he says: 'I try to avoid using the word "God" except in quotations or where it is appropriate. This is deliberate. The word "god" carries with it so many different meanings and associations for different people and triggers different pictures in their imagination. Rather, I will use words like "divine" or "the sacred" in the sense that Charles Davis did when he described the word "sacred" as indicating "the unknown beyond". I leave it to the reader to decide what words, images or symbols to use to give a glimmer of understanding of that divine/sacred reality which is beyond our comprehension.'
Tim Firth shares with SOF Network the philosophy that religion is a human creation and that humanity should not therefore be imprisoned by outdated rules which are no longer helpful to human flourishing. SOF gets a mention in this context. As I read the book, there were many occasions when I thought, 'That's the Unitarian way,' and noted his conclusion that: 'It is significant that religions such as the Quakers and Unitarians – which have a minimum of structures and doctrines and low-profile authorities – are often the most open to inter-religious dialogue.'
Whenever I read a book (provided I am the owner!) I use coloured highlighters to mark passages which strike me as particularly memorable and to which I wish to refer at a later date. By the time I had finished reading, my copy of God's Favourite Colour is Tartan was a rainbow of colours from beginning to end.
This would be an excellent book to stimulate discussion by interfaith groups. It transforms the 'compare and contrast' approach into a search for the fundamental values which underpin all religions. However, members would need to be willing to set aside time to read the book – and it needs reading more than once. Tim Firth is publishing the book himself and it is available direct from him or via his website.
The book is available from: TJ Firth, Box 256, 24a Carfax, Horsham, W Sussex, RH12 1BF. £12.50 plus £2.80 p+p. www.godscolouristartan.co.uk
Carol Palfrey is a SOF Trustee and co-ordinator of the Norwich SOF Group.