Why Interfaith Dialogue?
I saw two groups demonstrating against the Parliament of World Religions at Cape Town University in South Africa in 1999. One was of white Christians and the other of Indian Muslims. They were standing apart from each other despite their common cause against the Parliament. What probably inspired them to oppose the Parliament was also that which kept them away from each other.
After a couple of days, I noticed that they were standing closer to each other and even talking to each other. Ironically, it seemed like the Parliament had even forced its opposition into dialogue.
Silence may not kill, but dialogue definitely heals.
The two groups of protestors thought the Parliament was attempting to create a new faith. This was not true. Those of us who had convened in South Africa that day were and remain proud followers of our respective faiths. However, we also believe dialogue among faiths is essential for the benefit of all.
Almost daily, our news media hits us with a barrage of negative news about Islam and Muslims. This explains why a large number of Americans hold negative views about Muslims. This negative opinion is not just a statistical reality but it has some real life implications. But the poll that confirmed this dislike for Muslims in the United States also noted that there are a large number of Americans who continue to hold a positive opinion of Islam and Muslims. They are the people who have met a Muslim in real life. That is power of dialogue.
In Chicago, I have seen how interfaith conversations have led to churches, mosques, and synagogues working together for real civic change. Illinois used to ranked 47th among states in terms of healthcare. Today, it holds second place in the nation, thanks to the power of interfaith dialogue engaging each other in action.
The Parliament of World Religions is in essence a big conversation. About 8,000 people are expected to gather in Melbourne, Australia at our next meeting this December. They will spend one-third of their time sharing information about their faith -- honest, straightforward perspectives from believers, not pundits or detractors. They will spend the next third of their time talking about the state of their relationship with people of other faiths, interfaith that is. The last third of the time will be used to discover concrete ways to change the world with a focus on poverty, climate change, the rights of indigenous people, and peace.
Climate change, hunger, and peace are issues that concern all of humanity. These challenges are also large enough to require focused attention from all religions and spiritual traditions. But how can faith help when people of faith are not in conversation with each other? Dialogue is crucial for the tremendous changes needed for humanity to move forward, especially today, where conflict and war have become a lifestyle for millions around the world. We cannot promise that we will resolve all of the conflicts. But we do believe that dialogue will reduce the chance of warfare and increase the possibility of reconciliation. It was a series of dialogues that Nelson Mandela started with his captors at Robben Island that convinced them of a brighter, apartheid-free future for both whites and blacks in South Africa.
Dialogue opens minds and the human touch opens hearts.
With open hearts and minds, the Parliament's participants will be returning back to their neighborhoods in our shared global village enriched with new experiences, new friendships, and new success stories after a joyful six-day long intensive listening and learning experience. Many of them will be making their personal commitments in writing on how they plan to change the world.
by Abdul Malik Mujahid for patheos.com
Originally published here
After a couple of days, I noticed that they were standing closer to each other and even talking to each other. Ironically, it seemed like the Parliament had even forced its opposition into dialogue.
Silence may not kill, but dialogue definitely heals.
The two groups of protestors thought the Parliament was attempting to create a new faith. This was not true. Those of us who had convened in South Africa that day were and remain proud followers of our respective faiths. However, we also believe dialogue among faiths is essential for the benefit of all.
Almost daily, our news media hits us with a barrage of negative news about Islam and Muslims. This explains why a large number of Americans hold negative views about Muslims. This negative opinion is not just a statistical reality but it has some real life implications. But the poll that confirmed this dislike for Muslims in the United States also noted that there are a large number of Americans who continue to hold a positive opinion of Islam and Muslims. They are the people who have met a Muslim in real life. That is power of dialogue.
In Chicago, I have seen how interfaith conversations have led to churches, mosques, and synagogues working together for real civic change. Illinois used to ranked 47th among states in terms of healthcare. Today, it holds second place in the nation, thanks to the power of interfaith dialogue engaging each other in action.
The Parliament of World Religions is in essence a big conversation. About 8,000 people are expected to gather in Melbourne, Australia at our next meeting this December. They will spend one-third of their time sharing information about their faith -- honest, straightforward perspectives from believers, not pundits or detractors. They will spend the next third of their time talking about the state of their relationship with people of other faiths, interfaith that is. The last third of the time will be used to discover concrete ways to change the world with a focus on poverty, climate change, the rights of indigenous people, and peace.
Climate change, hunger, and peace are issues that concern all of humanity. These challenges are also large enough to require focused attention from all religions and spiritual traditions. But how can faith help when people of faith are not in conversation with each other? Dialogue is crucial for the tremendous changes needed for humanity to move forward, especially today, where conflict and war have become a lifestyle for millions around the world. We cannot promise that we will resolve all of the conflicts. But we do believe that dialogue will reduce the chance of warfare and increase the possibility of reconciliation. It was a series of dialogues that Nelson Mandela started with his captors at Robben Island that convinced them of a brighter, apartheid-free future for both whites and blacks in South Africa.
Dialogue opens minds and the human touch opens hearts.
With open hearts and minds, the Parliament's participants will be returning back to their neighborhoods in our shared global village enriched with new experiences, new friendships, and new success stories after a joyful six-day long intensive listening and learning experience. Many of them will be making their personal commitments in writing on how they plan to change the world.
by Abdul Malik Mujahid for patheos.com
Originally published here
Comment
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Comment by Mike Ghouse on December 26, 2009 at 9:26am -
Dear Mujahid,
I re-read your item and want to hightlight this particular sentence, "The two groups of protestors thought the Parliament was attempting to create a new faith."
INdeed, this is the most common misunderstanding, when I was on NPR a few days ago, one caller thought Pluralism was about conversions to a new religion. I am glad he asked, as it gave the opportunity to clarify the most commont mistake. that is, pluralism is not a religion, it is simply developing an attitude of respecting the other faiths, giving value to their belief as you would give to your own. Safety and security of every one is our individual responsibility, and to be religious is to mitigate conflicts and nurture goodwill.
Thank you.
Mike Ghouse
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Comment by AUDREY MILLER on December 26, 2009 at 9:11am -
It is sp encopuraging to read your reflection. I am working o a new project for Jubilee Debt Campaign- "Global Poverty, Seeking Justice: - People of Faith in Action."
It is open to all faith groups to share their ideas on ways we can combat poverty, particular reference will be made to the worlds poorst countries that are suffering the injustice of debt re[payment to the rich countries.
Audrey Miller
Birmingham uk
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Comment by Peace Seeker on December 5, 2009 at 1:19pm -
In order to bring unity into religions we must accept that truthfulness and rationality in religions are truths that can be substantiated by science or those that cannot be proven to be incorrect. Spiritual transcendence and spiritual interaction, if one believes this to be an actuality, is only possible between the spiritual existence and the spirit of man. Supernatural acts performed by physical or spiritual beings in the physical universe are not capable of existing or transpiring, but our spirit has the ability to interact with God's spirit and accomplish unfathonable feats.
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Comment by Peace Seeker on December 5, 2009 at 11:29am
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People of all religions have the same goal; to reach a just finale. Unity in religious beliefs requires the realization that we are mere minute energy bubbles in a slightly larger energy bubble called earth, within a larger energy bubble that is the universe.
Can commonality in religions be achieved via “The Book”? Please see http://urantia.us
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Comment by Mike Ghouse on December 5, 2009 at 2:06am
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To be religious is to mitigate conflicts and nurtured goodwill.
The purspose of religion is bring tranquility and equilibrium to an individual and create balance with what surrounds one; life and enviromnet.
Pluralism is respecting the otherness of other and accepting the God given uniqueness of each one of the seven billion of us. If we can learn to accept and respect that, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge
Mike Ghouse
www.MikeGhouse.net
www.WorldMuslimcongress.com
www.foundationforpluralism.com
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Comment by Abdul Malik Mujahid on December 4, 2009 at 8:45pm -
I am here and I truly understand your feelings. I am glade that you have joined PeaceNext.org. It is the facebook of the world movement for interfaith where we will remain connected with our faith, ideas and actions. peace.
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Comment by Gabriela Franco on December 4, 2009 at 8:25pm -
I´m watching the inauguration on the web page !!!!!!!!!. Wonderfull is just a felling that I can´t describe with words, .. there are no words.
My heart is full of joy.
Congratulations.
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Comment by Peace Seeker on December 4, 2009 at 9:35am
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All religions that promote peace, love and compassion toward others have equal validity. The goals of most religions are the same, a deserved, appropriate, just finale. As time passes and when people eventually transcend their religious prejudices they will assign equal validity to all religions that promote peace, love and compassion for others. Righteous living will determine the continuity and destiny of our soul. Our goal in life should be to acquire knowledge, gather positive experiences and live righteously so that our soul can be a part of, and add to the glory of God.
"Follow the religion that is in your heart", be it Bahaism, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism, etc. "Every religion leads to the same divine goal. The three basic principles are: Truth, Simplicity, and Love". ~ Babaji
Pope John Paul described heaven as "neither an abstraction nor a physical place among the clouds, but a blessed community". His interpretation was based on his insight and intellect and if we continue to build on that premise, religious discord can be subdued and eventually eliminated. A community is a group that shares common characteristics or interests. In order to give equal weight to all beliefs one has to admit that the ultimate truth is indecipherable by the human mind and can only be divulged to the spirit which also often misinterprets its meaning, hence we have various religions and beliefs.
"The Messengers of God are the principal and the first teachers. Whenever this world becomes dark, and divided in its opinions and indifferent, God will send one of His Holy Messengers...." and "Therefore we must follow and adore the virtues revealed in the Messengers of God whether in Abraham, Moses, Jesus" Muhammad "or other prophets but we must not adhere to and adore the lamp. We must recognize the sun no matter from what dawning-point it may shine forth, be it Mosaic, Abrahamic or any personal point of orientation whatever, for we are lovers of sunlight and not of orientation". ~ Abdu'l-Baha
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Comment by Gabriela Franco on December 2, 2009 at 5:26pm
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I was almost ready to go but after a profound reflextion we decided to stay. We have a lot of work here, our pre-parliament was a succes, so we have to continue working in our city and fallow everybodies ideas to continue on our interreligious dialogue.
Please, enjoy every moment, this is an historic event and we have to be very proud to be a micro part of it.
Regards
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Comment by Abdul Malik Mujahid on December 2, 2009 at 2:15pm
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Wow. Gabriela. I do remember you. Are you planning to attend the Parliament?
Guadalajara was a great place to be. Although mostly Catholics, Guadalajara had a pretty good dialogue spirits there.
May be your team should bid for the next parliament to be in Guadalajara.
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