Interfaith Dialogue Tips

Today, I participated in an interfaith dialogue about how to interfaith dialogue. It is a mechanism for peace, and it is important for Pagans to engage in interfaith dialogue, because it increases the understanding that we have about other religions, as well as encourages the understanding that other faiths have about us.  By engaging in this dialogue, we can help decrease the misconceptions and stigma associated with Paganism.  In fact, there can be so much stigma that Pagans might not be welcome at the interfaith table.  We can present ourselves in a genuine manner in hopes of being further percieved as a legitimate faith.  Pagans have much to gain by engaging in interfaith dialogue.

When we increase our understanding, this can also decrease the stigma that we have about other religions.  We would like to think that this wasn't necessary among Pagans, but we are human, and we can develop prejudice and misunderstanding based on the information presented to us. Many Pagans are jaded about their Christian upbringings or experiences.  Sadly, despite the leaps and bounds made since 9/11/01, there are still misconceptions about Islam in America, which also trickles down to some Pagans. And, even though Santeria and Vodou are in many ways considered related to Paganism, the general Pagan community may not really understand what they are or why they are related.  These are just some examples, and the hope is that interfaith dialogue would help us not only understand Christianity, Islam, and Santeria better, but all religions.

Reverand Clark Lobenstine, the Executive Director of the Interfaith Conference of Metro Washington gave a short talk on how to engage in interfaith dialogue.   You can visit all of IFCMW's youtube videos here.

Building trust is important when engaging in dialogue with people of other faiths.  We do that by being genuine.  At the 2008 Pagan Spirit Gathering, Selena Fox said that to do that, we must approach interfaith work with love, openness, diplomacy, and wisdom. Clark said that how we hold our beliefs is as important as what we believe.  Are you seriously interested in dialoguing with other people who have different beliefs?  It should not be for ego, to convince other people that you are right, or to convert others to your faith.  The point is not to win arguments.  The point is to engage people in a way that builds understanding.

Clark started out by suggesting that people find occasions to engage in interfaith dialogue. The IFCMW hosts large and small discussions, and you can search for interfaith discussion opportunities in your area.  You could attend a worship service in a different faith service.  Clark suggested that folks read something about another religion in the paper, in a magazine, on a blog, or in a book.  For example, someone of the Ba'hai faith graduated from school and didn't get the response from family she expected.  Clark talked about what he could learn from an article such as this.  These stories might help us in conversations that we have "around the water cooler", in the grocery store, etc.

Keep in mind that the things we experience don't always apply to every person we meet.  But we use this to find more ways to relate to each other.

Clark spoke about the ways that people communicate.

1. "We talk about you, usually behind your back."
2. "We talk to you.  One way communication.  We have all the goods that you need."
3. "We talk with you, where dialogue really begins."
4. "We talk to one another about ourselves, which occasionally happens and we get genuine dialogue."

Be as eager to learn as you are eager to share.

It might be good to build trust by asking someone else with their experience is with X, to use that with a springboard.  For example, "I understand that this is Ramadan.  What is your experience with it?"

Clark gave us some ideas on things that would build trust to share:

• Share why you love to be a member of your faith community.
• Share your glimpses of God or the Divine.
• Be willing to speak out about experiences in our own tradition.

And, don't only share, but genuinely listen to what others have to say.

When we engage in interfaith dialogues, we each are a representative of all Pagans, and thus we should act more like the Mother Theresa of Pagans.  If you don't feel that you can be genuine in wanted to understand other religions, then interfaith work is probably not for you.