The Pope’s words were perceived as quite a setback to the goodwill and relationships we have been steadily building among Christians and Muslims in Orange County.

And because the statement was made in Regensburg (where the Regeners are from), I felt my very name tied me to this sad event.

Now skip ahead to the open letter that 138 Muslim clerics, theologians and academics recently sent to international Christian leaders to mark the anniversary of their response to the Regensburg address.

The purpose of the Muslim letter was to highlight theological ties between Islam and Christianity and promote peace among believers.

The final form of the letter was presented at a conference in September 2007 held under the theme of "Love in the Qur’an," by the Royal Academy of The Royal Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought in Jordan, under the Patronage of H.M. King Abdullah II.

Indeed, the most fundamental common ground between Islam and Christianity, and the best basis for future dialogue and understanding, is the love of God and the love of the neighbor.

This seems like a wise choice, unlike in the past when we have chosen to emphasize what divides us.

Since religion shapes our perceptions and even our identities, it is easy for each side to cocoon itself in history and tradition, making the divisions deeper.

No one wants to leave his or her comfort zone to explore a path to peace.

However, a new starting point of "Scriptural Reasoning" is being suggested.

This allows those of different faiths to reason together on a particular contemporary issue, such as the Prophet Abraham, or the legal and moral issues of property holding. According to Wikipedia, "The key to Scriptural Reasoning is the element of relationship among the participants. This enables honesty and openness; it also inculcates in the practitioners a ‘feel’ for the other’s scriptures, while remaining committed to one’s own. Scriptural Reasoning sessions display passionate commitment in the context of careful listening to the other, and so occasionally even feature argument."

I recently experienced getting a feel for another religious tradition while listening to a lecture on Sufism at the Garden Grove, Westminster, Stanton interfaith meeting.

Before the presentation, I thought Sufism was some form of extreme cultic practice.

My image of Sufism was contained in a picture of a whirling dervish. I had never even bothered to investigate Sufism, and had just written it off as being irrelevant.

But after the lecture and the discussion period that followed, I began to see that Sufism is very similar to the concept of pietism that was advanced through the holiness movement at the turn of the century here in America.

I began to see it as a form of spirituality that I could relate to. It was no longer just an amusement to me, but a sincere effort to touch the holy.

Sufism. Who knew?

I am thankful for the lead the Muslim community is taking in suggesting a better framework for future relationships.

I look forward to the mutual understanding, trust and respect that Scriptural Reasoning will produce.

And that’s where I find that the cross meets the crescent.