Austin Almaguer blogged about the opportunity he had, as a part of his summer fellowship, to meet Steve Perkins and to talk to him about interreligious matters. Perkins has been with the Center for Neighborhood Technology, a Chicago-based organization that promotes sustainable urban communities, since 1980. He is currently Senior Vice President of that organization and serves on the Board of Trustees of the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions.
Reflecting on his conversations with Perkins, Almaguer explains how interreligious dialogue goes beyond merely enriching understanding of other traditions by strengthening one’s own faith:
Through interreligious dialogue, Perkins believes people can revitalize their own traditions. Often, people become insular and habituated to their own way of thinking but through interreligious dialogue people must reflect upon their own tradition and language. For instance, the Native American religious traditions help teach about the sacred connection with the earth lost in many Western Christian expressions. Thus, interreligious dialogue becomes a way of embracing the world and sustainability. In addition, interreligious work helps people to understand “the problems facing our communities and how we can work to change them.” . . . Interreligious work reminds us not to use energies simply inwardly for our own Christian communities but to inspire people of all religions to go out into the world and make positive change.
So What?
Interreligious dialogue is more and more common in both informal and formal contexts in our pluralistic society. Those who seek to follow the way of Jesus are motivated by love to better understand all who are a part of the human family.
- How has interreligious dialogue helped you better understand your own faith?
- What types of interreligious activities does your congregation offer on a regular basis?
- How has interreligious dialogue empowered your local church/congregation to work together with groups from other faith traditions to address issues in your community?