Interfaith Discourse

The Common Word: Reflections on Muslim-Christian Dialogue

by Khalil Andani

Originally published by KeepingitHalal.com

This article proposes a method of theological Muslim-Christian dialogue – which is in fact a da`wah based on knowledge... more This article proposes a method of theological Muslim-Christian dialogue – which is in fact a da`wah based on knowledge as opposed to adversarial debate or polemic – that seeks to fulfill the spirit of the Qur’anic emphasis on beautiful discourse:

“O mankind! We created you from male and female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (lita‘arafoo).” (Holy Qur’an 49:13)

This “recognition” (ma‘rifah) can only occur if all participants in the dialogue (as opposed to an adversarial debate) are permitted to clearly present the principles of their faith tradition whereby all parties are able to truly understand each others’ positions. The paper evokes one the most contentious issues which separate Christianity and Islam – the Christian doctrine of the Divine Sonship of Christ – which Muslims reject. However, the application of the above method to this specific Christian belief can actually allow a Christian to come to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Qur’an being the Word of God for Muslims and likewise, clear up Muslim misconceptions of Christian theology.

One Ethic for Three Faiths

by Tzvi Langermann

This essay appeared in the volume I edited, Monotheism and Ethics. It analyses a text on practical ethics, originally written in Greek, later translated into Arabic and Hebrew, and put into practice by select individuals,such Ali Ibn Ridwan.

Mormon- Evangelical Dialogue- Setting the ground rules: A way forward

by James Holt

Published in Sacred Tribes Journal 2012

A discussion of the polemic and polite exchanges between Mormons and Evangelicals. This article then attemtps to set... more A discussion of the polemic and polite exchanges between Mormons and Evangelicals. This article then attemtps to set some ground rules for future discussion.

The need for a Quranic Ethical Framework in Bioethics

by Imranali Panjwani

Published in: Co-authored with Dr. Sibtain Panjwani, Eubios Journal of Asian and International Bioethics (EJAIB), Vol.21 (3), May 2011, pp77-88

Increasingly, advances in areas such as medically assisted procreation, genetic screening, and cloning are raising... more Increasingly, advances in areas such as medically assisted procreation, genetic screening, and cloning are raising important issues relating to human intervention in natural biological processes. These biotechnological advances evoke hope for new therapies and drugs. However, they also bring about profound concerns about fundamental norms, values and beliefs. Muslim communities now form integral parts of countries all over the world. At the same time, Islamic scholarship is developing in many universities. As such, Islamic thought is beginning to occupy a place in contemporary intellectual dialogue.
It is, therefore, important for Islamic scholars to understand the issues that dominate current bioethics debates so as to firstly, exchange views in mutual forums in their respective countries and secondly, to arrive at possible cooperation with fellow bioethicists towards framing international guidelines.

This introductory article seeks to propose that Islamic scholars should use the huge conceptual resources available in the Qur’an from which to formulate a Qur’anic ethical framework for bioethics. We believe that this framework can be the subject of debate amongst Islamic scholars as well those from other traditions, be they secular or religious.

"Can Egyptian Christian Women Identify with Hagar?" by Wagdy Elisha

by Claremont Journal of Religion

The Islamo-Christian Dialogue On-line: Examining the Internet's impact on Interfaith Discourse.

by Douglas Lee Miller

A discussion of the impact of new communication technologies on the interfaith dialogue between Islam and Christianity.

The Issue of Proselytizing Other Faith Adherent in Malaysia (Part 1)

by Norani Abu Bakar

Blog writing only

In the hyper-connected world where information travels fast via the border-less cyber space, an attempt to control... more In the hyper-connected world where information travels fast via the border-less cyber space, an attempt to control confessional faith conversion via laws that prohibit a human being from engaging with others is superficial. No proselytizing effort can convert a person into any faith as believe in God is a free will and a matter of conviction in ones’ heart. As for the Christians, it is by the work of the Holy Spirit that one is born again.
Christians and Muslims need to exponentially invest effort to engage with each other so that misinformation and distrust layered throughout the history of the Muslim-Christian relations is reduced. The boundaries of da’wa and evangelism must be agreed and followed in a way that promotes mutual respect and flourishing of the whole community.

The Issue pf Proselytizing Other Faith Adherent in Malaysia (Part 2)

by Norani Abu Bakar

Blog writing only

Five thousand people turned-up at HIMPUN and the chairman of the gathering, Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid in his speech said... more Five thousand people turned-up at HIMPUN and the chairman of the gathering, Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid in his speech said that the Evangelical Christians are the key threat to Islam in Malaysia and “the enemies of Islam are global. Islam has been a problem to many of the Western Zionist movements.” Truly, the threat to Muslims and other faith adherents is not merely the ‘clashes between the people of faiths’. The enemy primarily lies within our own pride to accept our mistakes, failures, and ignorance of own faith and of the others’.

Malaysian Muslims Responses to Conversion

by Norani Abu Bakar

Published at New Perspectives on Mainland of Southeast Asia, Australian National University
Date: 2nd November, 2011

Thanks to the recent HIMPUN initiative and the DUMC incident, deep issues such as apostasy, proselytising, and... more Thanks to the recent HIMPUN initiative and the DUMC incident, deep issues such as apostasy, proselytising, and “Christianophobia,” are now being explicitly and openly debated. In order to develop reasoned and constructive discussions, the first question to ask is: “What are responses of Malaysian Muslims to Malays who convert out of Islam and the reasons behind these responses?”

Interfaith dialogue

by Louis Hoffman

Matthew Thelen, co-author

Entry in D. Leeming (Ed.), The encyclopedia of psychology and religion (pp. 440-442) Entry in D. Leeming (Ed.), The encyclopedia of psychology and religion (pp. 440-442)

Science and religion as interdisciplinary dialogue: International and interfaith perspectives

by Louis Hoffman

Review of the book Why the science and religion dialogue matters, PsycCRITIQUES-Contemporary Psychology: APA Review of... more Review of the book Why the science and religion dialogue matters, PsycCRITIQUES-Contemporary Psychology: APA Review of Books, 52 (No. 12).

Interfaith Moments

by Jalees Rehman

Published in the Harvard Divinity Bulletin August 2011

Interfaith dialogue is challenging because we often begin to "perform" for each other to meet pre-existing... more Interfaith dialogue is challenging because we often begin to "perform" for each other to meet pre-existing expectations. This article touches on new ways to approach interfaith dialogue by remembering Martin Buber's "Ich und Du". 

Zwischen Achtung und Enttäuschung - Das Bild der Katholischen Kirche unter Johannes Paul II. und Benedikt XVI. in ausgewählten muslimischen Reaktionen und Reflexionen

by Thomas Würtz

erschienen als Beitrag in: Fornet-Ponse, Thomas & Gilich, Benedikt: "Wofür haltet ihr uns? Katholische Kirche in interdisziplinären Perspektiven oder: zur Wechselwirkung von Fremd- und Selbstbild. Berlin 2011.

EMERGING FAITH BOUNDARIES: BRIDGE-BUILDING, INCLUSION, AND THE EMERGING CHURCH MOVEMENT IN AMERICA _ A Dissertation presented to The University of Missouri

by Lloyd Chia

The Minister and the Monk: An Inter-Religious Dialogue in Japan

by Jason Danely

published in Japan Studies Association Journal Vol.6 pp.39-51, 2008

“Cultural Astronomy and Interfaith Dialogue: Finding Common Ground in the Skies.”

by Andrea D. Lobel

The World's Religions After September 11, Volume 4: Spirituality. Westport, Connecticut: Praeger Publishers: 141-146. (sole author)

"Identity, Politics, and the Future(s) of Religion in the UK: The Case of the Religion Questions in the 2001 Decennial Census"

by Paul Weller

Journal article published in Journal of Contemporary Religion, Volume 19, Issue 1, 2004, Pages 3 - 21

DOI: 10.1080/1353790032000165096

This article is based on a lecture of the same title originally given at the Centre for the Study of Christianity and Culture, Regent's Park College, Oxford, 14th February, 2002.

With the publication of the results of the United Kingdom's decennial Census questions on religion it is important to... more With the publication of the results of the United Kingdom's decennial Census questions on religion it is important to situate this data within the wider social and religious contexts that led to the inclusion of these questions in the Census.

This includes engagement with some of the issues likely to affect both the data itself and the uses to which it might be put. The varied forms of the questions on religion as asked in different parts of the UK are outlined within the context of a discussion of the scholarly taxonomy of religions.

The questions are also explored in the light of the interplay between the varied categories of religions and the official 'recognition' implied by their use within the Census.

Finally, the place of religious statistics within the 'politics of identity' as well as their potential contribution to the development of a communalist 'identity politics' are critically explored.

Book Review of John R. Mabry's "Taoism: God As Nature Sees God" (Journal of Religion and Health, Volume 46, Number 1, March 2007)

by Kieran Conroy

Published in Journal of Religion and Health, Volume 46, Number 1, March 2007

My review of a work which explores a dialog between the Christian Gospels and foundational text of Taoism, and a fresh... more My review of a work which explores a dialog between the Christian Gospels and foundational text of Taoism, and a fresh translation of the latter.