As our society becomes increasingly diverse, we are ever more likely to encounter the “other” – someone whose religious faith, experience, practice, and identity are different from our won. Acknowledging the reality of religious diversity, “interfaith” refers to a creative encounter between people from different faith orientations (traditional and non-traditional) for the purpose of mutual learning, spiritual growth, and even an experience of community.

Through interfaith dialogue we can discover new religious truths and create new relationships that are rooted in the very faiths we bring to the table. In dialogue, we think not only with our “minds” but also our “hearts” in a mutual process of learning. We look to the whole person as an actual source of revelation and are thus open to the possibility that what the other shares can potentially transform our beliefs. We therefore come to the table of interfaith as a way of becoming, as a way of growing in our relationships with others and creating new life-giving possibilities for each other and the world.

The history of religion has demonstrated that ignorance and intolerance of other religious people easily leads to violence and oppressive behavior. Such attitudes of hatred or prejudice are often recognized by the person who holds them. The interfaith movement seeks to break down these harmful attitudes which are antithetical to the values of love and compassion that are central to our religious traditions.

-Hunter Seamons

Graduate Interfaith Intern 2006-2007

Published in the Spring 2007 Issue of the Interfaith Review