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INTERFAITH

Christians always have lived as Christians in a pluralistic world. At the beginning of the 21st century, pluralism has come home. Cities and towns have sizable immigrant communities representing a broad spectrum of the world's religions, as well as locally born neighbors who have converted to, or married into, families of other faiths. Schools and workplaces are increasingly religiously diverse. Global events have created new frictions and fears, as well as new opportunities for interfaith relationships.

As followers of Jesus Christ, Christians are committed to reconciliation among all of God’s children, and to building reconciling relationships with people of other faiths, both locally and globally. The resources presented here are designed to help Christians explore how their faith shapes relationships with those of other religions; to learn about the beliefs and practices other faiths; to engage in dialogue, to worship together; and to pray and work for peace together.

DIALOGUE:


     The Massachusetts Council of Churches has been engaged in Jewish/Christian dialogue for more than 25 years, and in Muslim/Christian dialogue for more than ten years.  With our dialogue partners, the American Jewish Committee, and The Islamic Council of New England, we have come to recognize the things that make for in-depth sharing.  Genuine dialogue deepens and enriches the faith of all who participate, and foster reconciliation among God's people.
     The dialogue guidelines used by our groups are shared here, along with other resources for dialogue.  Our hope is that local congregations and interfaith organizations will use thee guidelines to begin, or enrich, dialogues in their own communities.

 

Massachusetts Council of Churches dialogue partners:
      The Islamic Council of New England
      The American Jewish Committee
      Office for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, Archdiocese of Boston

 

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Interfaith prayers

World Council of Churches
 

INTERFAITH WORSHIP:

Description of the "Guidelines for Interfaith Celebration" by Patrice Brodeu from the Journal of Ecumenical Studies, 34:4, Fall 1997

“Parameters for Interreligious Prayer: Some Considerations” (Pratt) Current Dialogue #31, World Council of Churches

Interfaith worship resources from the Presbyterian Church, USA

The following are samples of interfaith services:
       An Interfaith Service of Prayer Sponsored by the Greater Lowell Interfaith Alliance

       Community Interfaith Service of Prayers for Peace
            The Evangelical Congregational Church, Westborough

   

ECUMENICAL AND INTERFAITH DEBATE:

"Councils of Churches and the Ecumenical Vision",  Diane Kessler and Michael Kinnamon, Risk Book Series No. 90, 2000, WCC Publications, Geneva, Switzerland

INTERFAITH RELATIONS BIBLIOGRAPHY AND LINKS:

National Council of Churches Interfaith Commission
Resources for the U.S. context gathered by members of the NCC Interfaith Commission. Note especially: “Interfaith Relations and the Churches,” a policy statement of the National Council of Churches  and “Interfaith Relations and Christian Living,” a study guide for church groups accompanying the policy statement. The policy statement and study help Christians think through the difficult question of how we maintain with integrity both our belief in Jesus Christ as Savior, and our relationships with those of other faiths. Order at (212) 870-2560 or 1-800-524-2612.
The monthly newsletter of The National Council of Churches Interfaith Commission is at http://www.ncccusa.org/pdfs/Shanta%20PDF2.pdf , and the blog of its Director, The Rev. Dr. Shanta Premawardhana, is at http://www.nccinterfaith.blogspot.com/ .

World Council of Churches Interreligious Relations and Dialogue:   In addition to a large selection of resources, the site contains numerous links to sites with information about other faiths in a global context. Note especially: “My Neighbor’s Faith and Mine: Theological Discoveries Through Interreligious Dialogue,” A study guide for Christian groups produced by the World Council of Churches. It addresses living as a Christian in a pluralistic world.

Boston College Center for Jewish-Christian Learning.
Access to a wealth of research and resources on Jewish-Christian relations.

Graymoor Ecumenical and Interreligious Institute
 Familiar for providing resources for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, this organization also has resources for interfaith relations.

Hartford Institute for Religion Research, "Meet Your Neighbors: Interfaith FACTS", (Hartford Seminary, 2003).
Statistical background on numbers, locations and other information about various faith groups, along with on-line study guide. Web site also has links to the home pages of over 200 religious bodies.

Heim, Mark,"Is Christ the Only Way?" (Judson, 1985); "Salvations: Truth and Difference in Religion", (Orbis, 1995); "The Depth of the Riches: A Trinitarian Theology of Religious Ends",  (Eerdmans, 2001).
Together, the three books above reflect on Christian perspectives on relations with other faiths. Two sequential articles in The Christian Century, January 2001, give a summary of the latter two books.

"Interfaith Education Initiative: A Manual on Interfaith Dialogue" compiled and edited by Sonia P. Omulepu, Interfaith Education Coordinator, Episcopal Church Center, New York, NY.  Copies ($5.00 plus postage) can be ordered from the Episcopal Parish Services at 800-903-5544, publication number 60-0416.

Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research, "Living Faithfully in the United States Today",  (IECR, 2001).
A summary of a series of dialogues among inter-religious leaders on what it means to live faithfully in the United States today. Includes suggested guidelines for dialogue, as well as strategies for addressing common concerns.

The Islam Project:  This site is based on the recent PBS documentary, "Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet", and includes educational resources on Islam.

Jewish-Christian Relations. Groups, resources, statements, bibliographies, as well as inter-religious links.

The Journal of Ecumenical Studies. In addition to links to journal articles on inter-religious matters, this web page includes many additional interfaith links.

The Lexington Center for Jewish-Christian-Muslim Understanding: provides educational programs and opportunities for interfaith dialogue in Eastern Massachusetts

Matlins, Stuart M. and Arthur J. Magida, "How to be a Perfect Stranger: The Essential Religious Etiquette Handbook", (Skylight Paths, 2003).
Guidelines for dress and behavior when attending worship, or other special occasions in various religious communities.

"Nostra Aetate", October 28, 1965.  Declaration by His Holiness Pope Paul VI on the relation of the Church to non-Christian religions.

The Pluralism Project: Harvard University's on-line resource for religions represented in the United States, including a listing of Boston area groups.

WALKING GOD'S PATHS, a six part video series prepared by the Center for Christian-Jewish Learning at Boston College, for the National Council of Synagogues and the Bishops' Committee on Educational and Interreligious Affairs. The series is intended for use by church and synagogue congregations. Each segment is approximately 15 minutes in length and is accompanied by a detailed online Users' Guide containing questions for discussion and additional resources. Order at http://www.bc.edu/cjlearning

United Church of Christ:  Study resource on interreligious relations

Denominational offices for Interreligious affairs:

Episcopal Church

United Church of Christ

United Methodist Church

Presbyterian Church, USA

 

 

copyright © 2003. Massachusetts Council of Churches.