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Interfaith Relations

Interfaith Relations. Why?. At the dawn of the 21 st century, religion plays a central role in public life, and has become a significant identity marker.  

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Interfaith Relations

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  1. Interfaith Relations

  2. Why? • At the dawn of the 21st century, religion plays a central role in public life, and has become a significant identity marker.   • In our increasingly pluralistic societies, more inter-religious dialogue and cooperation are needed if conflict fueled by religion is to be constructively addressed.   • Spiritual and religious traditions are a source of values that can defend dignified life for all; these traditions need to be explored.   • We need new ways to understand both particularity, universality and plurality; we must learn to live our faith with integrity while respecting and accepting each other.

  3. Simply- • The new commandment is to love God, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. • To truly love our neighbors, we need to understand them, and the burden is on us to educate ourselves and build those relationships- on the basis of trust, respect, and shared humanity.

  4. History • 1893- Episcopal presence in the first World Parliament of Religions “From now on, the great religions of the world will no longer declare war on each other, but on the giant ills that afflict [humankind].”- Charles Bonney • 1910 Edinburgh Missionary Conference- TEC and Anglican Communion presence, gave birth to modern ecumenical movement. • 1965 Nostra Aetate (In Our Time)- Pope Paul VI, inaugurated modern interreligious dialogue. www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decl_19651028_nostra-aetate_en.html

  5. Nostra Aetate §2 [O]therreligions found everywhere try to counter the restlessness of the human heart, each in its own manner, by proposing "ways," comprising teachings, rules of life, and sacred rites. The Catholic Church rejects nothing that is true and holy in these religions. She regards with sincere reverence those ways of conduct and of life, those precepts and teachings which, though differing in many aspects from the ones she holds and sets forth, nonetheless often reflect a ray of that Truth which enlightens all men.

  6. Anglican Communion • 1988-Lambeth Conference issued a major report commending dialogue with people of other faiths as part of Christian discipleship and mission, mainly concerning the Abrahamic traditions. www.anglicancommunion.org/the-holy-land/info/lambeth.cfm • Also produced “Jews, Christians, Muslims: The Way of Dialogue” www.nifcon.anglicancommunion.org/resources/documents/lam88_ap6.pdf

  7. “Jews, Christians, Muslims: The Way of Dialogue” “Whilst dialogue with all faiths is highly desirable, we recognise a special relationship between Christianity, Judaism and Islam. All three of these religions see themselves in a common relationship to Abraham, the father of the faithful, the friend of God. Moreover these faiths, which at times have been fiercely antagonistic to one another, have a particular responsibility for bringing about a fresh, constructive relationship which can contribute to the well-being of the human family, and the peace of the world, particularly in the Middle East. Dialogue is the work of patient love and an expression of the ministry of reconciliation. It involves understanding, affirmation and sharing.”

  8. 2006/2007- “A Common Word Between Us”, an open letter from 38 scholars and representatives of Islam in response to comments by Pope Benedict XVI regarding Islam in the Middle Ages. First document of its kind. www.ammanmessage.com/media/openLetter/english.pdf • 2007 Response from ABC Williams “A Common Word for the Common Good” www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/articles.php/1107/a-common-word-for-the-common-good

  9. 2008 " Generous Love: the Truth of the Gospel and the Call to Dialogue," issued by the Network for Interfaith Concerns (NIFCON) of the Anglican Communion www.nifcon.anglicancommunion.org/resources/documents/generous_love_A4_with_foreward.pdf  2008 Lambeth Indaba Reflections, § F -‘The purpose of dialogue is not compromise, but growth in trust and understanding of each other’s faith and traditions. Effective and meaningful dialogue will only take place where there is gentleness, honesty and integrity. In all of this, we affirm that Christianity needs to be lived and presented as “a way of life”, rather than a static set of beliefs.’ www.lambethconference.org/reflections/document.cfm

  10. The Episcopal Church • 1999 National Council of Churches Interfaith Relations and the Churches unanimously approved a policy statement giving a theological rationale for participating in interreligious dialogue. www.ncccusa.org/interfaith/ifr.html • International efforts through the Anglican Communion Office, including the Network for Interfaith Concerns.

  11. The Episcopal Church • Task force initiatives, first the Presiding Bishop's Advisory Committee on Interfaith Relations (through 1997) and then the Standing Commission on Ecumenical Relations (from 1997-2003). Also, particular initiatives taken by the Presiding Bishop as primate and chief pastor of the church. • Diocesan, congregational and individual efforts in peace making and interreligious dialogue.

  12. 2001- In response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, Episcopal Relief and Development funded the Interfaith Education Initiative, a three-year program in conjunction with the Office of Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations that surveyed the interfaith work of The Episcopal Church and developed educational resources for interreligious dialogue.

  13. The Episcopal Church • Statement on Interreligious Relations, 76th General Convention (2009) “We commend to all our members: dialogue for building relationships, the sharing of information, religious education, and celebration with people of other religions as part of Christian life, 1. dialogue begins when people meet each other 2. dialogue depends upon mutual understanding, mutual respect and mutual trust 3. dialogue makes it possible to share in service to the community 4. dialogue is a medium of authentic witness by all parties and not an opportunity for proselytizing. We believe that such dialogue may be a contribution toward helping people of different religions grow in mutual understanding and making common cause in peacemaking, social justice, and religious liberty.” www.episcopalchurch.org/sites/default/files/interreligiousrelations.pdf

  14. Islam • Good starting point is the letter “A Common Word Between Us” www.acommonword.com

  15. Judaism • DabruEmet, “Speak the Truth”- A Jewish Statement on Christians and Christianity www.jcrelations.net/Dabru_Emet_-_A_Jewish_Statement_on_Christians_and_Christianity.2395.0.html -The statement listed eight points on which Jews and Christians could base dialogue, including "Jews and Christians worship the same God," and "a new relationship between Jews and Christians will not weaken Jewish practice."

  16. Other Faiths • We’re working on it- most of this work is being done at the local level, and this is where all of us come in. • Not always easy to find folks from other faiths in your area- plan a study group at your parish, check with local colleges for chaplaincies or student groups, or plan a field trip for a special celebration.

  17. So now what? • Eboo Patel, “Acts of Faith”- Religion is a bridge of cooperation rather than a barrier of division. -Appreciative knowledge of diverse religious traditions and philosophical perspectives. -Meaningful encounters between people of different faith and philosophical backgrounds. -Common action projects between people of different backgrounds.

  18. Start With the Basics • Take advantage of the secular holidays on our calendar to plan co-sponsored events- Thanksgiving, Earth Day, Labor Day, Int’l Women’s Day • Take the opportunity, if you have it, to attend celebrations of other religions- Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, Buddhist, Ba’Hai, etc. • Common Interests: Hebrew translation group, cooking classes, service projects.

  19. The Question of Evangelism “Among all the nations and peoples there has always been the saving presence of God. Though as Christians our testimony is always to the salvation we have experienced through Christ, we at the same time cannot set limits to the saving power of God.” Baar Statement on Theological Perspectives on Plurality World Council of Churches, www.oikoumene.org

  20. Helpful Resources • Mission belongs to the very being of the church. Proclaiming the word of God and witnessing to the world is essential for every Christian. At the same time, it is necessary to do so according to gospel principles, with full respect and love for all human beings. Christian Witness in a Multi-Religious World: Recommendations for Conduct World Council of Churches, Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, World Evangelical Alliance

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