Mending a Torn World: Women in Interreligious DialogueMaura O’Neill, Orbis Books: New York, 2007.
As a woman who is interested and involved in dialogue and relationship with those of other faiths – in part due to an overlying interest in living peace-fully – the title of Maura O’Neill’s book drew my attention.
As its name would suggest, this book addresses the topic of dialogue between the faiths, with a particular emphasis on the input women have had in the past, and may go on to have in the future.
The text is divided, very helpfully (and in a way that assists readability), into two sections: the first defines and illustrates ‘the problem’, while the second proposes some ways forward.
The ‘problem’ – or more correctly ‘problems’ – as posed by the author, are that not only have women in the past been under-represented in inter-religious dialogue, but also there are a number of positions these women may take within the various faith traditions. Women practicing their faith may do so from any position on a spectrum ranging from ‘conservative’ to ‘centralist’ to ‘progressive’.
I think many Christians would be aware that it is impossible to define a particularly ‘Christian’ position on many matters, simply because there are so many Christian denominations (and indeed individual views within those denominations) with a variety of different understandings of what a Christian response should be to a given topic. This book identifies the same type of problem within a number of different faith traditions: the conservative and the progressive exist within all of these contexts.
This leads to the formation of a topic which goes on to be pursued throughout the text – the idea that sometimes dialogue within a faith tradition can be more fraught than interfaith dialogue.
However, just when the issue begins to seem overwhelmingly complex, Part 2 of the text suggests some ways through. Firstly, some reflection on the reasons behind pursuing. Why is it important for women to come together for interreligious dialogue? Why should we try to meet with the other? Then, the author offers some practical help: some methods for going forward. Finally, definitions and of a variety of issues for women’s dialogue, which include a reflection on gender roles and the nature of religious authority across the faith traditions.
Illustrated throughout with colourful examples and personal stories, this book makes for very accessible reading, and leaves the reader thirsty for more and invigorated for interfaith dialogue – and indeed dialogue within ones own faith tradition.