INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE Dialogue isthe norm and necessary manner

INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE Dialogue is…the norm and necessary manner of every form of Christian mission.

Dialogue is possible because the presence of God’s saving grace is not confined to the Church alone…

One of the major motives for dialogue is the discovery in the knowledge of the other new depths and possibilities in oneself.

Approaches to dialogue in the last several decades have been based on how various Christian theologies estimated the presence of grace outside explicit knowledge and faith in Christ.

The theology of religions speak not of salvation as a religion’s goal but of the various religious ends of the world’s faiths…

Nostra Aetate became the Magna Carta of a profound development of the Catholic Church’s relationship with Judaism.

The major development has been the overcoming of the idea of “supercessionism”, the notion that Christianity has now “fulfilled” Judaism and, in effect, “made it obsolete and superfluous. ”

Because of the re-thinking that has gone on among some Christians about their identity in light of Judaism, Catholic scholars have proposed that dialogue, not conversion, should be the Catholic goal in relation with Jews.

Mission is not something for which Jews are a “target”, rather, Christians and Jews are called to work together as ”partners in waiting”, to witness to and work for God’s reign together. ”

The plurality of valid religious ends is actually part of the dynamism of Christianity itself.

Dialogue and Proclamation proposes four forms of interreligious dialogue that Christians can practice: Dialogue of life Dialogue of Action Dialogue of theological exchange Dialogue of religious experience

As an integral part of missionary activity, dialogue focuses on the missionary constant of the centrality of Jesus Christ, even while it recognizes the presence of the Spirit, and on the “seeds of the Word”…

1. The Plan of God is Love God shows his love to all through Jesus in the Spirit. . .

2. The Aim of Dialogue Reign of God….

3. Theological Problem Positions of the Church RM 55 Dialogue is part of mission RM: 28 “The Spirit’s presence and activity affect not only individuals but also society and history, peoples cultures and religion. RM: 56 Other religions stimulate her both to discover and acknowledge the signs of Christ’s presence and the spirit… GS: 22 “The Holy Spirit offers to all the possibilities of being made partners, in a way known to God, in the paschal mystery”. 55 Church is the ordinary means of salvation 55 Church alone possesses the fullness of the means of salvation

DOMINUS JESUS DI Church as a pilgrim now on earth is necessary for salvation D I No. 20 - Necessity of the Church which men enter through baptism and as though through door (LG. 14) D I No. 21 – To other religions -- one cannot attribute to these, divine origin or opere operato salvific efficacy which is proper to the Christian sacraments D I No. 22 It is also certain that objectively speaking they are in a gravely deficient situation in comparison with those who, in the church, have the fullness of the meaning of salvation. DI No. 22 Inter-Religious Dialogue - all are equal = only on human level - Christianity as true religion - All religions are not equal

The Church and the Religions Before Vatican II – other religions false – Hence False have no rights. Vatican II –Religions are good… Each religion discovers their values…. Position Other religions work for common goals and values Dialogue in common civil and political life.

4. Religions in Conflict A. Religions growth towards fundamentalism seek identity and want to keep the identity for their advantage Social-Eco Problem middle class uses this identity against any economic prosperous growth Political Problem Riots in democratic states, because they use religion

B. Conflict among religions Muslims recall their golden age and see the present, so conflict arises. Hindus recall their golden age and see the Muslims so conflict Hence prejudice, blame…. Christians Recall their freedom. So “INSTITUTIONALIZED RIOT SYSTEM” Religions have become a problem

5. The Obstacle Against Dialogue: A. Communalism – Use religion for the pursuit of economic goals through the use of political power B. Fundamentalism – Against Scientific theories. Communalism is political Fundamentalism is religious C. Negation of other’s identity -we have identity, but see other as opposite… -To assert one’s identity by destroying others… -They don’t have guilt, combined with communalism and fundamentalism – more harmful Historical Hang-up e. g. Sri Lanka – killed, burnt…difficult to forgive…

6. Preparing for a Dialogue A. In conflict situation Not retributive justice but restorative justice - Concentrate on common values than religion B. Intra-personal and inter-personal dialogue – Swami Abishiktananda C. Prayer, common enrichment peace rally, etc. Dialogue is mission We proclaim in dialogue and not dialogue for proclamation. Dialogue With Religions Forming dialogical person “faith formation in a multi-religious context” Formation and Religions

7. Moving Ahead At the service of harmony: -pluralism– ethnicity-religions -defending human values

Affirmation of human dignity

Forming Basic Human Communities

DIALOGUE: THE S-I-L-A-H WAY S-logan I-nteractive activities L-ife-in-Dialogue S-pirituality of Dialogue I-mmersion in faith communities L-essons from Islam and Christianity A-wareness and appreciation H-armony Prayer

SLOGAN “CRY PEACE WITH YOUR L -I-F-E--IN--DIALOGUE!”

INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES As a methodology employed in the varied courses of Silsilah, the interactive activities play an important part. It is here where the participants are able to interact more concretely with one another and thus come to a better appreciation of one’s faith and culture.

LIFE-IN-DIALOGUE Means establishing loving, compassionate, and peaceful relationships with God, with the self, with others (including people of other cultures and religions) and with creation.

SPIRITUALITY OF DIALOGUE

IMMERSION IN FAITH-COMMUNITIES For those taking up the basic courses, one concrete way of manifesting the life of dialogue is by community exposures or immersion – Christians in Muslim families and Muslims in Christian families for 3 weekends

LESSONS FROM ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY On its twentieth anniversary, the Silsilah Bulletin started to give lessons from Islam and Christianity on the same topic for their personal growth in the spirit of dialogue…

AWARENESS AND APPRECIATION One of the objectives of the courses in the Silsilah Dialogue Institute whether they be basic, special or intensive is to evoke awareness and appreciation of dialogue in the religious, cultural, social and political life of Muslim and Christian Communities.

HARMONY PRAYER O Lord, I cry for peace. Purify my eyes to see it and my mind to understand. Purify my heart to love it, and my memory to work for peace… That comes from your love and compassion. O Lord, sustain my vision of peace Following your inspiration and the many ways that you reveal. Your presence and your love for all humanity with your constant style in dialogue, you care for all. CHORUS: Make me, O Lord, live-in-dialogue with you and rediscover the meaning of my life Moving in harmony with all of creation. CHORUS: Give me, O Lord, the courage to live in dialogue In the midst of divisions and conflicts and to build peace with all people of sincere hearts who believe in your love and compassion… AMEN

THE END IS JUST … THE BEGINNING