Something happens in the course of understanding another's truth that irradiates and lights up one's own tradition and rare occasions may even give a hint of a truth that embraces both, a hint of a hidden convergence.

As we approach a new millennium, the sense of oecumene, the whole created world, is increasingly affecting the way in which we live all aspects of our lives. In the past, members of religious faiths lived in isolation from those who followed other paths. Where there was contact it usually fell into various negative patterns, including hostility or competition. Dialogue, a process of communication and learning, seems to best meet the needs of these times. This process responds to the New Testament command to love our neighbours as God has loved us, a statement parallelled by many other faith traditions.

'What think ye of Christ?' is central both in our relationships with other religions and in our relationship with one another within the Society of Friends . . . Every tree is to be known by its fruits: not by its dead wood or thorns or parasites, but by the fruit of its own inner life and nature. The flowers of unselfish living may be found growing in other people's gardens, and . . . rich fruits of the Spirit may be tasted from other people's trees.

If dialogue is to succeed as a practical reality, it must take place between persons of different faith perspectives, not between faith systems and their official representatives, a subtle but important distinction. That is to say, dialogue must be a living experience of women and men, who though they encounter each other out of the framework of their own theological positions, nevertheless meet, not as entrenched defenders of particular systems, but as people of faiths that are constantly developing.

H. H. Hoehler, Christian Responses to the World's Faiths

A commitment to a series of meetings over one year is appropriate.

An equal number of participants from each community participate, coming as individuals, not as organizational representatives. Meetings are held about four or five times a year, and alternate between premises of the two groups, with some gatherings being held in homes. A potluck meal may be served. Dialogue focuses on a specific topic, with one or two people presenting the issue, followed by discussion. The planning is done by a small committee with members from each group. Costs are covered by the supporting organizations (usually a flyer for each meeting) with any honoraria (exceptional) covered by participants.

Topics might include: basic beliefs, pacifism, particularities of the other group, perspectives on areas of common interest (Middle East, etc), Canada's future, public schools and religious education, family values, etc.

One programme sets up a series of visits and circulates a brochure with dates and places. Up to ten such visits over a winter are typical. Participants pay $10 to cover administration costs, and check off their personal choice for some or all of the visits. They then receive a sheet for each congregation they have chosen, which gives some theological background, name of leader, dress code, details of monetary contribution, times and travel directions.

This could be handled more simply, as an exchange with one other group, incorporating some of the above ideas in the planning process.

- the Quaker group should first work on its own understanding of Friends' religious experience and Quaker tradition. This can be introduced while focussing on an exchange, when it might not be accepted otherwise! Young Friends will then be better able to express their own tradition to the visitors in a personal way.

- some structured information on other groups should be shared as many young people have little background on other faith traditions.

Resources:

Paul Knitter, No Other Name? Orbis, 1985
Hans Küng, Global Responsibility: in search of a new world ethic, Crossroad, 1990
Hans Küng, Theology for the Third Millenium: an ecumenical view, Doubleday, 1988
David Lochhead, The Dialogical Imperative: a Christian reflection on interfaith encounter, Orbis, 1988
Arthur Magida, ed., How to be a Perfect Stranger: a guide to etiquette in other people's religious ceremonies, vols 1 & 2, Jewish Lights, 1996
John Miller, ed., Interfaith Dialogue: four approaches, University of Waterloo, 1986
Carol Murphy, Many Religions, One God, Pendle Hill Pamphlet #150, 1966
Eliza Redford (Elizabeth Béguin of Victoria Monthly Meeting), Great Religions of our Time, out of print
Douglas Steere, Mutual Irradiation, Pendle Hill Pamphlet #175
Margot Tennyson, Friends and Other Faiths, Quaker Home Service, 1992
Christian Faith and Practice in the Experience of the Society of Friends, London Yearly Meeting, §89, §223-227
Faith in my Neighbour, United Church of Canada, 1995
Guidelines for Inter-Faith Dialogue, Anglican Church of Canada, 1988
The Multifaith Calendar, produced annually by Canadian Ecumenical Action, 1410 W 12th Ave, Vancouver BC V6H 1M8
Multifaith Information Manual, Ontario Multifaith Council on Spiritual and Religious Care, 1995
My Neighbour's Faith - and Mine: theological discoveries through interfaith dialogue, World Council of Churches, 1986
Pro Dialogo, Pontificum Consilium pro Dialogo Inter Religiones, 1996
Quaker Faith and Practice, Britain Yearly Meeting, §9.21, §27.03-11

prepared by Ecumenical Committee and Religious Education Committee of Canadian Yearly Meeting

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Last updated November 26, 1997