Missional Voice: Interfaith Engagement

Missional Voice

Interfaith Engagement

"What if people of all faiths and traditions worked together to promote the common good for all? What if once again, young people led the way? Across the country, Muslims and Hindus, Jews and Christians, Buddhists and non-religious, are coming together in a movement of interfaith cooperation. They are proving that the 21st century can be defined by cooperation between diverse communities instead of conflict."

Interfaith cooperation, which is interchangeable with “religious pluralism,” has three essential components:

Respect for individual religious or non-religious identity,

Respect for identity means that everyone can bring their full identity to the table. There’s space for people to believe that they are right and others are wrong, and that their beliefs are true and others’ are not. Interfaith cooperation is not syncretistic or relativistic; no one has to concede exclusive truth claims to be part of it.

Mutually inspiring relationships, and

Interfaith cooperation builds relationships that move towards authentic friendships, even as space emerges for real conversations about disagreements and difference, with a sense that each person gains from the relationship.

Common action for the common good.

Dialogue is important, but research shows that common action builds stronger communities. This is where interfaith cooperation has the potential to both create tolerant individuals and transform communal relations in a diverse society.

Greg Damhorst of Interfaith Youth Core suggests that the tenants of the interfaith movement are: storytelling, relationships, and service.

What inspiring story do you have to tell that shows respect for your relationship with others and

promotes service for the common good?