I came across this article that was published on dallasnews.com and thought it had some interesting points about Interfaith Dialogue

Texas Faith

12:00 AM CST on Saturday, November 7, 2009

Texas Faith is a weekly discussion that poses questions about religion, politics and culture to a panel of religious leaders. This week's question: How can we have an interfaith dialogue without it diluting the essentials of each faith and without it ending up in a Dallas Cowboys/Washington Redskins-type standoff?

Here are excerpts from some of this week's answers.

Bob Dean, executive director, Dallas Baptist Association: The most difficult issue today is a faulty view of tolerance. Tolerance has shifted from accepting all people regardless of their beliefs to a demand that all beliefs be accepted as equal. This new definition of tolerance does not practice what it preaches.

For civility in interfaith dialogue, we need to understand that our acceptance and respect of another person's religious freedom does not mean that we must accept that their beliefs are true.

Matthew Wilson, assistant professor of political science, Southern Methodist University: Interfaith dialogue is essential but is very challenging if it is to have real substance and go beyond bland, banal ecumenism.

Frank acknowledgement of difference, however, must be the starting point for discussion, not the end of it. Even while we hold different views about important things, people from various faith traditions share a distinctiveness of perspective in an increasingly secular, materialist world.

Nityananda Chandra Das, minister of ISKCON Hare Krishna Temple, Dallas: All people are not all equal; that is myth. Bodies are different, cultures are different, characteristics based in gender, race, age, time, religion, circumstance and so on are all different.

We are not this body, but rather we are eternal soul encased in this temporary material body. As souls we have an eternal relationship with God based on loving, devotional service. Any dialogue along this line of increasing and deepening devotion is surely progressive.

George Mason, senior pastor, Wilshire Baptist Church of Dallas: Openness does not mean weakening one's own convictions; it's merely an honest recognition that while all religions are not the same beneath the surface, neither does any religion possess an exclusive hold on all truth.

Knowing what you believe and communicating it clearly will help another's understanding of your point of view. Listening attentively to another's point of view will help your understanding.

If you want to make real progress in interfaith relations, only interfaith friendship over a long time will do. Occasional flirtations and fleeting conversations will always remain insufficient.

Deal Hudson, president, Morley Publishing Group and director, InsideCatholic.com: When I participate in these discussions, I assume that everyone at the table believes that his or her religion tells the truth about human existence, God, and the cosmos. I am not the least bit bothered by someone of another faith asserting their conviction about the truth they believe. I expect it and respect it.

Daniel Kanter, senior minister, First Unitarian Church of Dallas: Interfaith dialogue is essential to our survival and the promotion of peace on earth and must essentially do two things: 1) not dilute the differences between us and 2) flourish within a sphere of deep respect.
source: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont...1.4bb23b4.html