Inter Religious Dialogue

In a time of such polarization and protectionism, we might try out a little vulnerability and see what newness might be born out of the fertile soil of weakness.

Having been in the back-patting position often enough myself, I propose that what works most effectively is interfaith dialogue that is not initiated for the sake of public consumption. It is spontaneous, unrehearsed and often completely unexpected.

Wherever our journeys take us, we must continue the act of using our passion and expertise to create a better world. I urge us to take the difficult street, and to reap the reward.

Honestly, I hate the term "common ground." It just sounds boring. But all of my shaking and wagging has only ever succeeded in ending conversations, and sending people running in the opposite direction.

I found full nourishment in Islam for ideas I initially encountered in other traditions. I am a Muslim whose first faith hero was Dorothy Day.

As soon as I was in the cab, I noticed that pretty much every surface of the car's interior was covered with a JESUS LOVES YOU sticker. This wasn't just a cab, it was a rolling cathedral! Part of me thought I should just jump out of the car.

Local communities are often confronted with proposals that suggest we sacrifice these priorities for the sake of jobs, development or progress. We can have both.

"In this electoral year tensions are particularly high. Polarities are strong. Many people think that the future of our country ... is at stake," Miroslav Volf says. "Honoring everyone contains the promise of possibility."

This conflict is really about the role that faith will play in America. It is about whether or not we will accept Muslim Americans as true Americans or as second-class citizens. It is a test of our character, and we dare not fail it.

Despite sincere efforts by some in Congress, that body as a whole has failed meaningfully to act on climate change. But the point was not so much to condemn the inaction but to urge Congress to work rapidly to raise its grade.

I don't know how, but people say this all the time: "He cannot go to heaven because he does not believe in [insert your Prophet or God's name here]." Frankly, I would have checked out of my faith if it took such a position. Thank God (or Allah) that it doesn't.

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Political strategies have failed. Let us try a new strategy -- one that goes back to the faith of our common ancestor Abraham. Start with that, and peace will follow.

When Lowe's decided to pull its ads from "All American Muslim," they sparked a national crisis over Islamophobia in America. But crisis is the wrong word. I prefer opportunity.

Change won't happen overnight but nothing happens if we don't do anything. By building their houses of worship together, the congregants of the tri-faith group are making a long-term commitment to each other.

This isn't always an easy position to hold. If religious leaders are unhappy about how many people identify as SBNR, perhaps a new category of religious/spiritual experience is necessary.

One thing we all agree on: No matter what religion a person prescribes to, at the beginning and end of the day, it is the love, respect, decency and kindness we share that matters.

When we see all the evil that is done in the name of religion, we naturally want no part of it. But the truth is, the problem isn't with religion per se. The problem is with seeing religion as an end unto itself.

If sitting down and rationally and peacefully talking among people of different religions is unworkable, perhaps creating interfaith families would be a way to bring disparate people together.

How do we know when we have arrived in the interfaith movement? When religious pluralism is normative? When religious differences don't cause conflict or even concern?

In today's world, the voices of moderation are becoming fewer and fewer, while extremist groups are growing in size and are flexing more and more political muscle.

I recently proposed an SBL session examining the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society's use of Scripture.

The meeting was a message of hope: Despite the realities of violence and economic crisis, peace, prosperity, and a rich and meaningful culture are within our grasp.

Christianity and Islam have a long and contentious history with each other, one that literally spans a thousand years and several wars. Since the terr...

Religion's potential transcends Marx's opium theory. Religion is not simply a panacea for the psychological imbalance of the masses. It has the power to unify people.