The term interfaith or interfaith dialogue refers to cooperative and positive interaction between people of different religious traditions (ie. "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.
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. The history of religion shows that conflict has been more the state of affairs than dialogue.
The term interreligious relations refers to relationships between religions (rel. comparative religion).
History of Interfaith dialogue
- Interfaith dialogue and action has 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.[1] 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.
- Early 20th Century - dialogue started to take place between the Abrahamic faiths - Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Baha'icitation needed
Interfaith and different religions
Bahá'í Faith
-
Interfaith and multi-faith interactivity is integral to the teachings of the Bahá'í Faith. Its founder Bahá'u'lláh enjoined his followers to "consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship."[3] Bahá'ís are often at the forefront of local inter-faith activities and efforts. Through the Bahá'í International Community agency, the Bahá'ís also participate at a global level in inter-religious dialogue both through and outside of the United Nations processes.
In 2002 the Universal House of Justice, the global governing body of the Bahá'ís, issued a letter to the religious leadership of all faiths in which it identified religious prejudice as one of the last remaining "isms" to be overcome, enjoining such leaders to unite in an effort to root out extreme and divisive religious intolerance.[4]
Judaism
-
Reform Judaism, Reconstructionist Judaism and Conservative Judaism encourage interfaith dialogue. Interfaith dialogue is a controversial issue within the Orthodox Jewish community. Some Orthodox Jews refuse to participate in interfaith dialogues because they believe that Judaism's prohibition of proselytism, combined with other religions' "missionary zeal",[5] creates an unbalanced power dynamic such that the "dialogue" effectively becomes a monologue.[6] However, some Modern Orthodox Jews participate in interfaith dialogue.
Islam
Islam has long encouraged Interfaith dialogue and action, with historical examples coming from Muslim Spain, Mughal India, and even starting as far back as the Prophet Muhammad's time, where people of the Abrahamic Faiths loved in harmony.
Many traditional and religious texts and customs of the faith have encouraged this, including specific verses in the Quran, such as: "O people! Behold, we have created you from a male and a female and have made you into nations and tribes so that you might come to know one another. Verily, the noblest of you in the sight of God is the one who is most deeply conscious of Him. Behold, God is all-knowing, all-aware." [Qur'an 49:13]
Interfaith organizations
The Institute of Interfaith Dialog has been very active in the different states of the US. With about 15 branches in several states, including Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi and Kansas, the IID organizes interfaith dinners, inter-cultural trips, conferences and panel discussions.
While there are many basically religious organizations geared to working on interfaith issues (see Interreligious organisations) there is also a less common attempt by some governmental institutions to specifically address the diversity of religions (see Australasian Police Multicultural Advisory Bureau for one example.)
In India, many organizations have been involved in interfaith activities because of the diversity of religion in the nation.
Minhaj-ul-Quran International is a non-sectarian and a non-governmental organization (NGO) working in over 81 countries around the globe. Its main aims and objectives are to promote interfaith dialogue and to live peacefully within society. [7] Minhaj ul Quran was founded by Shaykh ul Islam Prof. Dr. Muhammed Tahir ul Qadri
See also
References
- ^ Progressive Scottish Muslims: Learning Interfaith from the Mughals: Akbar the Great (1556-1605)
- ^ Saudi Gazette - Let concord replace conflict – Abdullah
- ^ Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh, page 22, Bahá'u'lláh, From the "Bishárát" (Glad-Tidings).
- ^ *Universal House of Justice (2002). Letter to the World's Religious Leaders. Bahá'í World Centre.
- ^ L'Chaim: 672: Beha'aloscha
- ^ L'Chaim: 673: Sh'lach
- ^ Merry Christmas Interfaith Festival
External links
|
