You’ve seen the bumper stickers encouraging coexistence, the ones that fuse together markers from the world’s major religions. What sane individual could be against tolerance? But does that mean a bland, homogenized form of multiculturalism?

Two of the Abrahamic faiths are evangelistic. That is, both wish to spread their faith to others. I once read about a Christian pastor and an Islamic imam who attended a multi religious gathering. The two amicably shared afterwards. Both agreed that they wished to spread their faith and were uncomfortable with the mantra of accepting one religion as just as good as another.

Yet, wanting to spread faith can become an arrogant “I have all the answers” polemic. At its worst, zeal leads to murderous inhumanity, as we know all too well. (Of course, religion is not the only reason for acts of murderous inhumanity.)

But if you believe you have a message to benefit humankind, surely you are not evil for wishing to share it? The problem comes with the methods used.

Competition doesn’t have to be brutal. Religions can compete to provide both an inner and an outer journey. An inner journey aims for purpose and meaning. An outer journey seeks justice and mercy for all, regardless of religious affiliation.

We might call it “compassionate competition.”