A Short Introduction to Inter-Faith Activity

ORIGINS OF ORGANISED INTER-FAITH ACTIVITY

• As alternatives to the word "inter-faith", one can find the use of "multi-faith" or "inter-religious".

• Whilst there are sometimes concerns that closer relationships between different religions will lead to a "syncretism" which blurs the distinctiveness of each religion, in the contemporary pluralist world, many see positive inter-faith relations as a necessity for global survival and for the integrity of each religion.

• Modern, organised, inter-faith activity began with the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893.

• Another early initiative was the Religions of the Empire Conference, organised by Sir Denison Ross in 1924

• In 1936, Sir Francis Younghusband organised the World Congress of Faiths (which eventually became an inter-faith organisation that is currently still active)

KINDS OF INTER-FAITH ACTIVITY

• Inter-faith activity can have a variety of motives, including:

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  • a means towards social harmony and friendship
  • a means to secure greater social and religious acceptance
  • an obligation of one's own religion
  • a desire to share the riches of one's own tradition with others
  • the importance of better understanding of other religious traditions
  • a hope for closer growth together of the religions

• Some inter-faith activity is primarily individual; some is "representative" of the traditions that are participating.

• Some inter-faith activity is specificlly oriented towards social and political issues, some is focused more on prayer and meditation.

• Some is bi-lateral (eg. Jewish-Christian); some is tri-lateral (eg. Jewish, Christian, Muslim); some iss multi-lateral.

• At local levels, there are a whole range and variety of organisations known as either "groups", "councils" or "fellowships", as appropriate to their membership and activities.

Written by Professor Paul Weller