Possibility of Interreligious Dialogue

✍ Scribed by Michael H. Mitias

• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
• Year: 2021
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 147
• Series: Interreligious Studies in Theory and Practice
• Edition: 1
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

Is dialogue between the major religions of the world possible? If it is possible, under what conditions? In this book, Michael H. Mitias argues that it is possible provided various conditions are met. These conditions include mutual respect, mutual understanding, and God-centeredness. First, how can a religion that is unusually complex­―composed of a doctrine founded in a unique divine revelation, a leadership class of theologians, teachers, clergy, and administrators, and a community across global cultures―show uniform respect to another religion? How can a complex institution like a religion truly understand another religion? Third, can the different religions worship the same God if their conceptions of God are based on their unique doctrines? Mitias addresses these questions and argues that it is possible for religions to respect and understand one another. Further, he argues that the different conceptions of God are necessarily founded in a belief in the existence of a transcendent, infinite, and wise being.

✦ Table of Contents

Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: General Framework of Analysis
Conditions of Interreligious Dialogue
Concept of Interreligious Dialogue
Idea of Dialogue
Idea of Interreligious Dialogue
Ingredients of Interreligious Dialogue
First, Interpreters of Religious Truth
Second, the Religious Establishment
Third, the Educational Establishment
Some Basic Conditions of Interreligious Dialogue
First, Mutual Understanding
Second, Equality
Third, Empathy
References
Chapter 3: Mutual Respect as a Condition of Interreligious Dialogue
Introduction
A General Concept of Respect
Ontic Basis of Respect
Feeling of Respect
Respect Between Religions
Introduction
Religion as a Multidimensional Object
Basis of Respect in Interreligious Dialogue
References
Chapter 4: Mutual Understanding as Condition and Aim of Interreligious Dialogue
Introduction
A Concise Conception of Understanding
Understanding as a Transformative Power
Understanding Between Religions
First, Purpose of Interreligious Dialogue: Mutual Understanding
Second, Religious Enlightenment: Plan of Action
Third, Will, or Passionate Desire
Chapter 5: Mysticism as a Basis of Interreligious Dialogue: God-Centeredness
God-Centeredness as a Condition of Interreligious Dialogue
Arguments Against Mysticism as a Basis of Interreligious Dialogue
Critical Evaluation
References
Chapter 6: Does Religious Self-Understanding Impede Interreligious Dialogue?
Introduction
Response
Concluding Remark
Reference
References
Index