It has recently been suggested our group should set up interfaith guidelines to help other organisations. Although it saddens me whenever there is exclusion, misunderstanding or unhappy  debate,  this is not a complicated situation to put right. There are (as the song puts it!) just three steps to heaven.

An initial clue comes from the Abrahamic faiths. Since the prophet Jacob's vision of angels involved climbing up and down a ladder it suggests these steps to heaven are not going to a level route. However we might visualise the outcome, according to faith background or belief, steps to heaven require a sense of direction and are not always going to be easy.

Before beginning, it may be helpful to note how stairs are constructed. That crucial difference between each horizontal step and its vertical riser may refer to the actions we are take by ourselves contrasted to those of other people. Those individuals who rely upon approval for every step, do not place their feet firmly where it matters so not surprisingly at some point either stop in their tracks or fall off.

Step 1- You find a girl to love

Wisely, the song-writer approaches Heaven on an individual basis, otherwise it could so easily be mistaken for a chemical effect in our brain, state of health or simply from feeling happy. As this is Reading Interfaith Group with its commitment to inclusion, it may be helpful to specify that this search for Heaven involves everyone and our unsuspecting "girl" in the song could and should be anyone. Whereas finding someone to convince or overwhelm is the first step to power, finding something loveable in every human being involves humble commitment and you cannot find heaven without it.

Step 2- She falls in love with you

Here it is important to note that the songwriter has moved past the next step to describe the riser beyond. Before attracting it is necessary to first become attractive! Life is a journey of discovery. We should not try to avoid this challenge by wallowing in guilt, or consider ourselves exempt because all religions, beliefs and philosophies are available to make us better people. On an individual basis this process of becoming attractive will involve recognising our failings to modify our attitudes and behaviour. Humble honest scrutiny may also challenge organisations so preoccupied with their own interpretations of the truth as to forget  their true potential or how they relate to others.

Step 3

Part a- You kiss!

This instruction is all about communication and so providing proof that you really are both that attractive.  It is also about courage because at times there is a need for someone to make the first move in caring. At this point of giving, the world usually becomes a very much better place to be in!

Part b- and hold her tightly.

Three steps to Heaven do not just apply for the good times. Even in the best relationships there will be challenges and obstacles to work through. It can be very hard indeed to communicate with someone who is angry and apparently does not love you. This is the time when you become particularly aware of belief. It is like a creed in being a list of reminders. Our refusal to lose sight of the worth and potential in another human being allows us to forgive.

Any reward, including that of Heaven, reflects the degree of effort. It may not always feel good holding our enemies tightly through thoughts, prayers and practical assistance but for the needs and opportunities of our present world I honestly believe lt is the best and bravest thing to do.

A thawing of attitudes and the weather

From a very frosty spell in both weather and the football league,  I hope very much that an apology will lead to a thaw. Shaking hands may seem like a very small gesture but it is a form of communication none the less.  After all the recent debate on racism, it was very good to be at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday, where there is a strong culture of support and inclusion.

As promised I spoke to Jem Karacan to tell him all about the Friendship Dialogue Society, how they were also of Turkish origin their work for peace and the  wonderful evening I had with them last week. Playing football does seem very much like creating a Noah's Pudding. Not surprisingly, it is just like the rest of life. There are so many different ingredients all coming together, complimenting each other in a way that tastes sweet and certainly does you good!

Jem passes on his very best wishes to the group, From his recent interviews, I think he would also like everyone reading this web page to know that he has been playing particularly well lately and Reading won their match that day!