INTER-FAITH DIALOGUE

Inter-Faith Dialogue

Outline

Inter-Faith Dialogue

Introduction

History Of Interfaith Dialogue

Interfaith and different religions

Christianity

Bahá'í Faith

Judaism

Islam

Zoroastrianism

Interfaith Organizations

United Nations Support

References

Inter-Faith Dialogue

Introduction

The terms interfaith or interfaith dialogue refer to cooperative and positive interaction between people of different religious traditions (i.e., "faiths") and spiritual or humanistic beliefs, at both the individual and institutional level with the aim of deriving a common ground in belief through a concentration on similarities between faiths, understanding of values, and commitment to the world. (McClay, Wilfred and Virginia , 2001)

It is distinct from syncretism or alternative religion, in that dialogue often involves promoting understanding between different religions to increase acceptance of others, rather than to synthesize new beliefs. There is a view that the history of religion shows conflict has been more the state of affairs than dialogue. (McClay, Wilfred and Virginia , 2001)

Throughout the world there are local, regional and international interfaith initiatives; many are formally or informally linked and constitute larger networks or federations. The often quoted "There will be no peace among the nations without peace among the religions. There will be no peace among the religions without dialogue among the religions" was formulated by Dr Hans Küng, a Professor of Ecumenical Theology and President of the Foundation for a Global Ethic.

The United States Institute of Peace published works on interfaith dialogue and peacebuilding including a Special Report on Evaluating Interfaith Dialogue

The term interreligious relations refers to relationships between religions (rel. comparative religion). (McClay, Wilfred and Virginia , 2001)

History of Interfaith dialogue

The history of interfaith dialogue is as ancient as the religions since men and women when not at war with their neighbours have always made an effort to understand them (not least because understanding is a strategy for defence, but also because for as long as there is dialogue wars are delayed). History records many examples of interfaith initiatives and dialogue throughout the ages.

Interfaith dialogue and action have taken place for many centuries. The Emperor Akbar the Great for example, encouraged tolerance in Mughal India, a diverse nation with people of various faith backgrounds, including Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Christianity. Muslim Spain is an additional historical example of great religious pluralism.

Another example of historical coexistence between people of different faiths has been in the Balkans under the administration of the Ottoman Turks from 15th to 19th centuries. Catholic and Orthodox Christians as well as Muslims, Jews and Sufis have dwelled in harmony for hundreds of years in this region (despite some small incidents). Today the region is shaky and very sensitive. Especially following the dissolution of former Yugoslavia, ethnic and religious wars have been waged, massacres and other horrors have been recorded in the last decade in 1990's. The UN peacekeeping forces are in the region today to ensure the safety of the general population against attacks. (McClay, Wilfred and Virginia , 2001)

Early 20th Century - dialogue started to take place between the Abrahamic faiths - Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Bahá'í

The 1960s - Interfaith movement gathered interest.

1965 - the Roman Catholic Church issued the Vatican II document Nostra Aetate, ...