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:
- 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 is 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.

For more information on Inter-Faith in the United Kingdom, together with contact details for its local, regional and national organisations, see the chapter on "Inter-Faith Activity in the UK", in P. Weller (ed), Religions in the UK: Directory, 2001-3, The Multi-Faith Centre, Derby, 2001.