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Disciples Interfaith Toolkit Call to Unity Council on Christian Unity Ecumenical office of Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Disciples Interfaith Toolkit 1 2 This Interfaith Toolkit was jointly produced by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the United Church of Christ. Special thanks to Jay T. Rock, the Coordinator for Interfaith Relations in the PC (USA), for his leadership in development of this resource. 3 1.Getting Started in Interfaith Relations ............................................................................................................................................... 8 2. Strategies for Living Together as Friends ..................................................................................................................................... 11 3. Guidelines for Interfaith Dialogue (Abridged from the World Council of Churches) .................................................... 13 4. Christian Witness in a Multi-Religious World: Recommendations for Conduct (World Council of Churches) .... 15 5. Frequently Encountered Challenges in Interfaith Relationships ........................................................................................... 21 a. Relational Issues .................................................................................................................................................................... 21 b. Internal Christian Issues ..................................................................................................................................................... 27 1. Disciples of Christ and Interreligious Engagement—A Report from the Council on Christian Unity ...................... 34 2. A Study Guide to accompany the report “Disciples of Christ and Interreligious Engagement” ................................. 39 3. Getting to Know Neighbors of Other Faiths: A Theological Rationale for Interfaith Relationships (National Council of Churches in Christ in the USA) ................................................................................................................................... 60 4. Introduction to World Religions: Building Bridges of Understanding (California Council of Churches) ............... 62 A. Introduction to Buddhism ................................................................................................................................... 63 B. Introduction to Christianity ................................................................................................................................ 65 C. Introduction to Hinduism ................................................................................................................................... 67 D. Introduction to Islam ............................................................................................................................................ 69 E. Introduction to Judaism ....................................................................................................................................... 71 F. Introduction to Sikhism........................................................................................................................................ 73 5. Showing Southern Hospitality: Guidelines for Respecting Religious Diversity in our Community (Interfaith Mission Service) .................................................................................................................................................................................... 75 4 1. Prayers for Peace in the Middle East (U.S. Interreligious Committee for Peace in the Middle East) ........................ 88 2. Nancy Longatan, Engaging in Interfaith Dialogue (Disciples World, October, 2008) .................................................... 92 3. Steven Scholl, Visiting the Other Children of Abraham: What to Expect at a Synagogue or Mosque (Disciples World, October, 2008) ........................................................................................................................................................... 95 4. Ecumenical Considerations for Dialogue and Relations with People of Other Religions (WCC) ............................... 99 5. S. Wesley Ariarajah, Confessing Christ in an Interfaith World (7th Stalcup Lecture)..................................................... 107 6. Dr. Diana L. Eck, Understanding Unity in a Religiously Diverse World, (12th Stalcup Lecture) ......................................... 108 7. Catholic Resources for Interreligious dialogue (Catholic Association of Diocesan Ecumenical and lnterreligious Officers) ........................................................................................................................................................................ 113 5 6 7 Getting Started in Interfaith Relations Finding Ourselves in Faithful Company Be prepared to propose something specific. You may want to start by sharing a meal at your church, with a specific topic for discussion. You may choose to discuss a particular community How have you become interested in interfaith relations? What concern that you feel is relevant for both you and your partner. drew your attention to the many religions of your neighbors? You may invite your partner to a shared task in the There are many ways by which we become more engaged with neighborhood. A specific invitation will be easier to respond to our neighbors who follow religious traditions other than our than an open-ended request for “relationship.” own. Perhaps you have a new co-worker who is a Hindu. You Start with realistic and time-structured expectations. Place may live in a dormitory with people of many different religious some timelines on your activity so that both you and your beliefs and practices. Perhaps, after several years of living on partners can renegotiate your activity without embarrassment. the same street, you have just learned that your neighbors are For example, rather than propose an “open ended” dialogue or Muslims. You may have been invited to celebrate an occasion book study, propose a certain number of sessions. That way, in the lives of Sikh friends. Maybe you have invited when you come to the end of what you initially proposed, you acquaintances of many different faiths to discuss an issue at can feel good about having done what you set out to do (if you your children’s school. will bring your activity to an end), or make an intentional Or, you might have decided that you just need to know more decision to continue with a next step. about people of other religions. Be ready to respond and adapt what you are proposing. However you start, your interest is a gift — to your neighbors, Remember that, as a Christian, sometimes you will be and to yourself. In most cases, your desire to understand your perceived as a part of the “dominant” culture even if you don’t neighbors and their faith traditions will be received with experience yourself or your church in that way. Be sensitive to gratitude, and may well open the door to even deeper the implications of this dynamic — which can include a relationship. Your interest is also an invitation to yourself and perceived power in the relationship — as you go about your others in your congregation, inviting you to new learning activity. Taking the initiative will send an important message about your own faith. that you believe that relationships between people of faith, no matter the size or prominence of the community, are important Getting started in exploring other faiths or in building to you and for society. Being ready to hear and respond to interfaith relationships may seem complicated or daunting. changes that may be proposed regarding what you might do, or Like anything new, it will require you to learn new skills, and it how you might begin, allows you to step into more equal will involve reaching out to people whose perspectives are partnership. different from yours. A little courage is needed, but the interest and curiosity you already have put you well on your way! Learn about your partner’s traditions – and your own Engaging people of other faith traditions almost always results in knowing or understanding your own tradition better, Begin a relationship because it requires you to explain your traditions and perspectives in ways that you don’t often have to do. Beginning is as easy as picking up the phone or sending an Just as your partners will bring some assumptions about who email. Remember that taking the initiative is the only way to be you are to the relationship, you will also bring assumptions sure that there is a possibility of developing your relationship about your partners — even if you’re not aware of it! Be very — waiting for someone else to do it won’t work! You may be careful to ask questions rather than presume the answers. surprised about how often your neighbor was thinking the Allow your partners to tell you what they believe, what they same thing — but perhaps didn’t quite know how to ask. think, and what is important to them rather than assuming you 8 know. This will communicate respect and a genuine interest Explore what you have in common—and that will have a long-lasting impact on the relationship. Ask for the same opportunity to tell your story as well. how you are different One of the hardest things to do when developing an interfaith Share stories of faith relationship is to successfully navigate the transition from the first stage of enthusiastic participation (and excitement about what you discover you
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