DIALOGUE

INTER FAITH DIALOGUE – MERITS AND DEMERITS

Twenty first century has manifested a grave situation of ignorance of each other’s ways and lines, resulting in suspicious and mistrust among faiths, ethnicities, civilizations and cultures. Politicization of conflicts, backed by tremendous hi-tech power to kill has brought humanity to a perceptual state of war.

The world at the beginning of the 21^st century presents a grim scenario: the rising specter of global insecurity and terrorism, the emergence of a new mutant of imperialism represented by a hegemonic and expansionist United States and its allies, stark inequality and the widening divide between the rich and the poor, the evident human development deficit in large parts of Africa and Asia, growing apprehensions about food security, escalating ethnic, political and religious conflicts in many parts of the world etc. Modern information and technologies have brought to our awareness the magnitude of these challenges in all their vividness.

The thick shadow of conflicts and tensions hovering over mankind had lead some cynical prophets of doom like Samuel. P. Hundington to claim that an inevitable clash of civilizations is looming large and western and Islamic civilizations are moving on a collision course. Even some of the world’s leading thinkers and intellectuals, prominent public figures and heads of state have appreciated Hundington’s views. Seyed Mohammed Khatami comments on the present world scenario: “1. The eager approval of this suggestion indicates humanity’s pressing need for dialogue and understanding .2.This idea, its delineation and approval, are presented at a time, when we have put behind us a century of war, turmoil, usurpation, discrimination and terror. Fortunately, in these entanglements and wars, not only has the world of Islam not played any role, but rather in many it has itself been a victim of war and aggressions. The two world wars have been the bloodiest of the present grievous state. These two wars occurred in the west, at the hands of the westerners. The infringements on the rights of human beings throughout the world have occurred outside the world of Islam. The rights of the people of the continents of Asia, Africa and South America especially the oppressed people of Palestine, have been trampled upon. The inequality has been imposed even upon non-Muslim countries which were not among industrial nations.”(Islam, dialogue and Civil Society p.1)

The grave scenario in front of us urges us to take up measures to try to lessen the rising tensions of fear and terror throughout the world. Fortunately enough the hope for that attempt hasn’t faded out. The rather gloomy scenario has not discouraged a fairly large number of far-sighted individuals and groups from holding aloft the torch of hope and struggle for a peaceful world. They have realized that even though it is impossible to root out the conflicts and tensions, it is well within our reach to make efforts to contain them in a framework of negotiation, dialogue and conciliation. The needs to build bridges of inter cultural understandings, tolerance and peaceful co-existence is being acutely felt across large parts of the world. Laudable attempts for emerging international movements for promoting human understanding are on the move. Zuleyha Keskin, Vice president, Affinity Intercultural Foundation says: “the important objective here is to eliminate misunderstandings, work to eliminate racism and encourage interaction and dialogue within society. If we remove the “unknown” then we go a long way towards achieving understanding and eventually peace and harmony.”(From the article ‘Living in Harmony through dialogue’)

The present situation requires an array of solutions. Human wisdom can efficiently create solutions if the power of peace is at play. Creating mutual human understanding requires dialogue among faiths, civilizations and cultures. No one can deny the fact that in order to create understanding and mutual respect dialogue forms a major technique. Dialogue is human in its character and has been used in most crucial situations in human history. Dr.A. Roest Crollius S.J says: “In India, the ancient Hindu ideal of the Hindu Dharma Sambhav has inspired great rulers as Ashoka and Akbar, who, each in his own way tried to give a form to this ideal. Countless are the believers of different traditions who have not ceased to search for the one Truth beyond all diversity” (Interfaith dialogue as a Historical Challenge and as a Religious Experience p.1). At another instance he said “ One of the very first texts that has been transmitted to us is the dialogue between the Nestorian Catholics Timothy I (780-823) and the Abbasid Caliph al-Mahdi (158/775-169/785)”.(ibid p.2) .Throughout history we can notice that when people of different religions lived in each other’s vicinity, there were attempts from men and groups from either sides to understand and interact with each other so as to get a better understanding of the Truth.

Since the beginning of the history of mankind, man is or has been in search for a sense and direction in their life. His quests might have ended up in believing in religions which gave him that sense. But still his mind while thinking about God and the universe becomes restless and again sets out in search for a clear vision in his life. Dr.A. Roest Crollius S.J says: “Interfaith dialogue is not an affair between an elite of mankind. It is not just the matter of comparing notes between those who have same notes to show. This dialogue is rather open to the profound questions with which all human beings become confronted when they search for a sense and direction in their life.”(ibid p.6). It would be desirable to include an atheist in the dialogue so that our efforts in seeking a deeper mutual understanding in the truth would be a service to them.

Among the topics to be included in dialogue, dialogue for peace and justice among faith communities should be given top priority. No one can ignore this aspect of dialogue, especially, in the present context. Misunderstandings, misconceptions, suspicions, and hate figure higher among many faiths communities despite the fact that no such sanction is available for such negative stance in the basis of any faith sources. Dialogue can bring together faiths that have a significant role in creating a humane society. In addition to this, procedure and strategies to tackle atheism so as to seek means to defend the values of religion should also be given preference as a topic. Another topic which should be considered is techniques to tackle forcible and tempting conversions by religions should be resolved and agreed. This can help to bring down the tensions and irritations rising among the faiths.

The main focus in the process of dialogue should be on the spiritual values of our traditions and religions. While concentrating on them we must also enliven our institution of religions with faith, love and sincerity. This will give us a hand in attaining the soul of dialogue in a more accurate way.

Our dialogue should also include topics in which initiatives can be taken to hold prayers of different faith in one place. The profound example of the mosque- cathedral of Cordoba is in front of us. The history of this peculiar mosque is very interesting. Abdur- Rahman I built a mosque at a place of a pagan temple which was completed at his death in 788. His successors enlarged and embellished this mosque. In 1236 Cordoba was captured by Christians and the mosque became a place of Christian worship. When plans were made to build a cathedral in its place Emperor Charles V opposed the destruction of the mosque. Instead a Cathedral was erected in a part of the old building while the rest was left as it was. Prayers and praises in different religion take different forms. But in every religion there exists an inner experience which are almost common and which cannot be expressed in words. Dr. A. Roest Crollius says: “in our various traditions, the rituals of cultic worship are different. But in every tradition there exists the awareness of a dimension of this prayer and praise which transcends the actual cultic community and encompasses the universe. Among the many expressions of this cosmic dimension of prayer and praise, we may recall the words of the Holy Quran: “Have you not seen that all those who are in the heavens and all those who are in the earth prostrate themselves before Allah; and so do the sun and the moon, and the stars and the mountains, and the trees, and the beasts, and so do many human beings, and even many of those who are condemned to chastisement. And he, whom Allah humiliates, none can give him honor. Allah does whatever He wills”. (22:18) (ibid p.10).

India has a cherished, long history of civilization march over centuries. Indian philosophical and spiritual heritage presents glorious chapters of composite culture. All faiths have contributed to this march.

India has suffered in a big way due to misunderstanding and suspicion among communities. But, the spirit of India has always manifested its positive side as well. India is also credited to have a liberal, democratic Constitution with impressive inclusion of rights. Nevertheless, India needs to push forward its tradition of composite culture forward. All must participate in development. Dialogue may prove to be a viable and effective instrument in achieving the goal of peace, progress and justice.

The future of interfaith dialogue depends on the increase in the attempts of groups and movements to understand different faiths. If the governments take up the task of teaching interfaith subjects in their education institutions it will surely be an endowment to those adults. The government would benefit from these initiatives because it will ideally mean a harmonious society. For keeping the interfaith activities on its track for a longer period funding support should be initiated for the groups on a long term basis. The world has begun to recognize the need for interfaith dialogue as a human activity as so will the coming generations. They have understood its significance in the modern scenario. The attempts and efforts to make effective understanding between religions should be encouraged and applauded in all means.

Merits and Demerits of Interfaith Dialogue:

While analyzing the merits of interfaith dialogue we can find that the merits are directed to eliminate misunderstandings, racism and encourage interaction and dialogue within the society. The following merits can be listed:

1. Interfaith dialogue demonstrates too the public how different faiths can live together in harmony without hurting of insulting each others instincts. The tone of dialogue is not aggressive. It teaches the viewers and its followers that every religion and its followers must be given due respect.

2. It enhances understanding, goodwill and a sense of community between people of different faith. Zuleyha Keskin, Vice president, Affinity Intercultural Foundation says: “They can share knowledge and awareness of the issues people of different may experience. They are in a position to encourage shared projects in the community and address issues as they arise. They can help other people to better understand their neighbours.”(from the article ‘Living in Harmony through dialogue’)

3. Interfaith dialogue helps to explore and learn about each other and know more about the traditions of one’s faith. Every man’s inner soul is in search for a deep understanding of the truth that includes God, the Universe and the Life etc. The process of dialogue helps the participants and the viewers to get an insight of the concepts of truth in other religions which will help them to get a clear vision of the different aspects of truth. Also the knowledge and insight of other religions will help to eradicate the misconceptions and misunderstandings of any particular religion.

4. There are many moral stories which expose the moral values or are brought as examples for a particular moral value in every religion. These stories of morality and virtue can be exchanged in the process of interfaith dialogue which will be quite helpful to the recipients in inducing those values among its followers.

5. Interfaith dialogue of great help to achieve common goals of the society and nation. It enhances the participation of every member of every religion in the development and prosperity of the nation. Dialogues help in making public opinion against the evils prevailing in the society and thus result in its eradication from the society. Dialogues lessen the gap between communities which in turn strengthens the national integration of any country. Syed Mohammed Khatimi say: “All human beings are entitled to participate in the activities that will shape the world in the third millennium. No nation should be left on the sidelines because of some philosophical, political or economic argument. It is not enough to tolerate others but one must work with others. The human world must be shaped by the massive co operation of all human beings. Though this notion upto the early 20^th century sounded like a humanist motto, today it is a necessity for the continuation of human life.”(Islam, Dialogue and Civil Society, p 32).

6. Inter-faith dialogue can be helpful in removing the fear from the minds of the minorities who are oppressed and help them to co-operate with the majority community in the field of development and prosperity of the nation.

7. Inter-faith dialogue encourages in the supporting of each other in times of difficulty. When natural or man-made calamities strike upon the society, dialogue helps in creating people and individuals who do relief work irrespective of caste, creed, religion, language etc. They don’t consider priorities in rendering their much needed services. They only see that their services are rendered in its proper channel to each and every one affected by the calamities.
Likewise when any individuals of any particular religion suffer economically or physically he will be looked after and taken care of by the members of the other religious groups without considering his religion. This mind can be set up and build very strongly with the help of interfaith dialogues.

8. Interfaith dialogues provide a frame reference to shape one’s identity. Knowing the faith of others, will help one to improve his self identification. Zuleyha Keskin says: “This (the merit) was noticeable in the Youth Encounter Project which Affinity Intercultural Foundation was part of. The high school students, who participated in this project, improved their self identification once they knew students of other faiths. They began to see what they had in common and what they did not have in common which is an important analysis that needs to be done, to crystallize one’s identity in their minds”.(from the article “Living in Harmony through Dialogue”)

Demerits of Interfaith Dialogue

Interfaith dialogues on the whole don’t possess any significant demerits which can be highlighted. But then too, some demerits can be pointed out if some particular situations arise:-

1. Dialogue and discussion to self-affirm religious values of one religion can result in the denial of the right of the existence of the religions which might lead to inevitable conflicts. Dr. A Roest Crollius S.J says, “A Self Affirmation in which the right of existence of other religious groups is curtailed or denied would lead inevitably to conflicts, which are contrary to the message of peace that is at the heart of every religion”. (Interfaith dialogue as a Historical Challenge and as a Religious Experience. p 4)
The fascist forces of the world especially in India will try to utilize this negative aspect of the dialogue if it is continued to turn the people against the holding of dialogues. They will accuse the organizers of such dialogues and rise alarm that the people are being converted by force.

2. The participants of interfaith dialogue are set together with the intention to win the hearts of the other and to get them from their own religion. Even though they say and comment on moral values and mutual understanding this intention will surely be there at the back of their minds. This aspect of interfaith dialogue will surely make it futile.

3. Religions have different groups among themselves. When interfaith dialogues are held participants of each religion don’t represent all those groups. How can a dialogue be fruitful without a proper representation of the whole section of the religion?

4. Prophets have been appointed throughout the ages to reform the religions of their ages from its deformed and degenerated forms. This aspect of each religion will be highlighted in the dialogues. This will not help in gaining the main aim of dialogue i.e. Mutual Understanding.

To conclude we can say that interfaith dialogue has become the need of the hour. Ignoring the demerits which can not be highlighted as reasons for preventing dialogues to take place as they are mere possibilities or rare situations, mankind today has to take initiatives to continue with the dialogue process. Peace and social harmony depends on our mutual understanding of diversity and acceptance of diversity in globalised world where people of diverse religions and racial backgrounds interact with each other on a daily basis.