Interfaith Dialogue at the Grass Roots
Rebecca Kratz Mays, Editor
Ecumenical Press, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 2008
In his contribution to ‘Interfaith Dialogue at the grass roots' Kahleel Mohammed asks the question - "Is what passes as interfaith dialogue in most cases WOMBAT?". For those of you over about 35, this is not a passing reference to Australian contributions to interfaith work, but rather another acronym - ‘Waste Of Money, Brains And Time'. It is a question I have come across often in my own journey in interfaith relations - sometimes from those comfortable in their own faith tradition who don't see any point in talking with ‘the other', and sometimes from those who are passionately involved in interfaith work.
‘Interfaith Dialogue at the grass roots almost lives up to its ambitious title. While all the contributors hold at least a Bachelors degree in religious studies (many more than that), this book seeks to move interfaith dialogue outside the realms of academic reflection, and into the realm of everyday life and religious observance. The book contains a number of reflections on programs and experiences at the grass roots in places as diverse as Indonesia, the United States and the Balkans. It's contributors, I think rightly, emphasize that if interfaith dialogue is to contribute to humanity living together in harmony, then it must move beyond the realms of select religious leaders, theologians or academics discussing issues to the world of the people in the pew/mosque/synagogue/temple/street. It must also move beyond the realms of those of us with grey (or greying) hair into the everyday experience and understanding of those under 35 (who, as some of the contributors remind us, make up well over 60% of the population in many of the worlds religious trouble-spots).
In this book we read of Interfaith youth movements, seminars, book clubs, church programs, adult education series, formal religious and political trilogies - even of the experience of a Christmas sermon delivered by an Orthodox Jewish professor. A short walk through the local shopping centre, a look at your child's class contact list or a quick scan of the news reminds us that in Australia today we live in a country of religious diversity. As many of the authors in this book remind us, most of us feel we don't know our own faith all that well - let alone understand the beliefs and practices of other denominations or religions. It is a step that we need to take as we live in what often seems to be an increasingly small global village.
Interfaith Dialogue at the grass roots is a valuable contribution to the call to further work and exploration in this area. It gives some exciting and interesting examples, and some ideas for ways ahead - as well as warnings of potential pitfalls along the way. The authors even (almost) succeed in trying not to remind us of their academic backgrounds. This is a well written collection of reflections on interfaith relations. It provides the reader with some resources, some ideas, and a great deal of inspiration for the journey in relating with people of other faiths. It also provides hope and expectation that the journey is a worthwhile one. Even Kahleel Mohammed concludes that interfaith dialogue, if we work at it, need not be a WOMBAT.
Review by Matt Wilson
Previously published in Insights, Magazine of the Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of NSW and the ACT