Scholars have also been in the fore front to bring to the understanding of interfaith dialogue. Perelman and Olbrechts- Tyteca (1969) explain dialogue as follows: "it is not supposed to be a debate but rather a discussion in which the interlocutors search honestly and without bias for the best solution to a controversial problem" (196, 37). Related to this description, Gulen (2000) describes interfaith dialogue as seeking to realize religion's basic oneness and unity, and the universality of belief. Religion embraces all beliefs and races in brotherhood, and exalts love, respect, tolerance, forgiveness, mercy, human rights, peace, brotherhood, and freedom via its Prophets" (The Fountain, September 2000).
Another major proponent of dialogue was Seyyed Hossein Nasr, a professor
In addition, Rev. Allman states, "The ability to discuss our religious and cultural differences is more than an extra-curricular activity; it is a skill which is vital for participants in democracy, especially a democratic society such as ours, which is filled with people whose differences are deep and complex" (The Network, 1999). These statements show the importance of interfaith dialogue for the improvement of humanity and the goodwill of societies. Pinto (2003) also gives the role of interfaith dialogue as an inevitable fact of our being with other faiths. Ecumenism on the other hand is the idea of Christian unity that is the need to have a one united Church. The word ecumenical comes from a greek word (Oikoumene) with a meaning of a whole inhabited world. The mission of ecumenical is has two folds i.e. to search for the visible unity of the Church as stipulated in the book of Ephesians 4:3, “Enduring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”, and “the whole inhabited earth” as revealed in Matthew 24:14. Ecumenical dialogues
Ecumenism, in the sense of Australian Christianity, is the religious initiative towards unity within the Christian church. It is the promotion of co-operation and improved understanding between distinct religious groups or denominations within Christianity and other religions.
I believe that religious pluralism is more relevant in today’s society than ever before. Religious differences have been a major source of conflict in the world for thousands of years, ranging from the Christian Crusades to the Holocaust. Today we have the War on Terrorism, directly related to the Islam. People, often blinded by patriotic media, government propaganda, and even biased news outlets, are unable to see the situation happening around them from multiple perspectives, creating segregation, prejudice, and hate. I feel religious pluralism will open people’s eyes to the entirety of the situation, allowing them to make an honest and educated opinion. Therefore, by promoting religious pluralism, I will be guiding people towards self-exploration and religious growth, while simultaneously helping them to assess relevant events and politics through their own unbiased
Douglas, J.D., 2nd edn., The New International Dictionary of the Christian Church. Exeter: Paternoster Publishing. 1978
Oxbrow, Mark. "Anglicans And Reconciling Mission: An Assessment Of Two Anglican International Gatherings." International Bulletin Of Missionary Research 33.1 (2009): 8-10. Religion and Philosophy Collection. Web. 2 Nov. 2013.
Many conflicts have arisen over the years about the topic of religions. Some of these disputes have come because of the conflicts between the Muslim, Christian and Jewish peoples. Since these religions are based on the God of Abraham, are monotheistic, and all believe God created the universe, many disagreements and fights have come from the idea that one religion is more superior than the others. So the question has come: Can the Muslim, Christian and Jewish peoples peacefully coexist together in a diverse society? Although the Islam, Judaism, and Christian religions are all Abrahamic based and very similar, they cannot really coexist together in a diverse society because of their ideas of praying, lifestyle beliefs and saviors/holy books.
There has been over hundreds of international forum has been made that held globally by many countries from different civilizations, including Islamic-Catholic Forum, Annual Meeting of (Religions for Peace) International Trustees, International Conference of the International Association for Intercultural Research, International conference on Dialogue of Civilizations, Regional Forum of National Commissions on (Rapprochement of Cultures), International Conference of the Global Movement “Youth for the Alliance of Civilizations”, Summit Meeting of the Leaders of World Religions, International Symposium on “Dialogue and Coexistence among Civilizations and Cultures” and many more, these international forum have been held throughout the world, from Africa, America, Europe, Asia which all of these region hold to various civilizations (ISESCO,
Throughout the years, religions have come together to bring about a new age of interfaith and interconnectedness. There are countless of examples where people have adopted two or more religions as there own, seeing and respecting the relationships and similarities between the two. In hand with this, people are now beginning to understand other religions and respect their practices. There is sort of a hybrid coming about of religions, where communities will pray with each other in a sort of collaboration of respects. However, this change in religion did not come about easily, it took much strife to bring about an interconnectedness that everyone is now a part of. Now that this interconnected and respect occurs in some areas, this can open up
...e & cooperation ” ReligiousTolerance.org 7 Oct. 2007: Onatrio Consultants on Religious Tolerance. Web. 22 Oct. 2011.
... of talking to and working with each other, of talking and working with the non-Muslim world. We must go into the world in all of its dimensions, all of its every multiplying spaces and experiences and find within them a vehicle that would allow those ideas and values that we cherish to take root. There are no formulas here, no pre-mapped practices to specify how such experimentation at interchange should be conducted. Although steeped in a very particular "American history", much can be learned from the experiences of Black Americans and the generosity of spirit which has often characterized everyday relationships between Muslims and Christians. Whatever steps we as Muslims take, we should have sufficient faith in the power of our faith to know that we will persist through this and all things. We should know that it is within our capacity to bring America to Islam.
On the Harmony of Religion and Philosophy gives us insight to the philosophical views of a certain sect of Islam, and how it influenced it 's followers to view the world around them. Although it is helpful, this is written from a very biased position and it cannot be said that the views of the author are the views of Muslim culture as a whole. There is a constant attack on another religious group throughout the article that helps us to understand what this specific sect deems right and wrong through comparison of the groups.
The word ‘ecumenical’ is a widely used term among Protestant Christians since 1910. The Greek term oikumene is derived from the word oikos meant the whole inhabited earth in geographical sense especially to denote Greek inhabited lands, later included the non-Greek lands. During the Roman period the term oikumene was used to refer Imperium Romanum or cultured world.
Avery-Peck, A. J., & Neusner, J. (2009). Judaism and Christianity: New directions for dialogue and understanding. Leiden: Brill.
Ecumenical spirits influence various religions to lay aside theological differences, and accept and tolerate diverse beliefs coming together and forming ecclesiastical bonds. Historically, Catholics and Protestants fought each other, and not only through verbal exchange, but through physical means as well. World and religious leaders today advocate accepting all faiths and tolerance of differing viewpoints. For the most part they reflect the ideals of the general consensus. Popular opinion suggests that there are various paths to God, and it is narrow minded to believe there is only on...
Lutzer, Erwin. The Doctrines That Divide: a Fresh Look at the Historic Doctrines That Separate Christians. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1998.
Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen is associate professor of systematic theology at Fuller Theological Seminary and holds a teaching post at the University of Helsinki and Iso Kirja College in Finland. He is the author of Christology: A Global introduction, Pneumatology: The Holy Spirit in Ecumenical, International, and Introduction to Ecclesiology: Ecumenical, Historical, and Global Perspectives (Back Cover). Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen presents the latest, comprehensive introduction to the various opinions about Christology from around the world. His book presents three main perspectives on Christology (biblical, historical, and contemporary).