The Catholic Standard & Times - Guest Columnist - Why interfaith dialogue?

Why interfaith dialogue?

Guest Columnist
By Father Gregory J. Fairbanks

The path for peace can be achieved only through tolerance and respect for religious diversity.

Very often, when people hear that sort of statement, their fear is raised, legitimately, that there is a movement toward the slippery slope of moral and religious relativism, in which there is no single “truth.”

We are often taught, in our modern society, that there are no truths, only opinions.
That relativistic approach is not true dialogue. True dialogue acknowledges there are different religions in the world, with believers who, in conscience, hold differing views of what is the truth.

Authentic dialogue does not mean being relativistic (believing all religions are the same). Authentic dialogue does mean authentically living one’s faith, welcoming others to share in the truth, all the while being mindful that the choice of faith must be free.

Christians, Muslims and Jews all agree that there is no coercion in religion. Each religious group in the Middle East, as well as throughout the world, struggles with that tension both within their own religious traditions and with persons of other religious traditions.

Hopefully, people of faith can all live their faith authentically, and learn to value the good that is present in other people. Dialogue between faiths and cultures is needed — so that people can learn to understand each other. In that way, people will be able, first, to live together in peace and then, finally, to grow into a relationship of trust and respect, as sons and daughters of God.

In his meeting with heads of the delegations taking part in the international encounter for peace (October 21, 2007, in Naples, Italy), Pope Benedict XVI stated:

“While respecting the differences of the various religions, we are all called to work for peace and to be effectively committed to furthering reconciliation among peoples. […] The Catholic Church intends to continue on the path of dialogue in order to encourage understanding between the different cultures, traditions and forms of religious wisdom. I warmly hope that this spirit will be spread increasingly, especially where tensions are strongest, where freedom and respect for others are denied and where men and women suffer the consequences of intolerance and misunderstanding” [www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2007/October/documents/
hf_ben-xvi_spe_20071021_incontro-napoli_en.html].

The key to peace is to move beyond tolerance to a state of living in God’s love. Tolerance and respect are the first steps toward this greater goal of true and lasting peace.

Father Gregory J. Fairbanks is the director of the Office for Ecumenical/Interreligious Affairs of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.