Imaginary and Inter-Faith Dialogue

There are two ways of trying to understand the meaning and significance of inter-faith dialogue. One way is to adopt an a priori, abstract approach that starts with definitions in a conceptual-rational language. One focuses on the issue of truth -which is the true religion? Such an approach gets caught up in either-or dichotomies. Another way is to start with experience. It is more concrete. Its approach to non-material realities is not conceptual and logical, but experiential and symbolic. We deal, not with ideas, but images. Our approach is not 'either-or', 'but both-and'. We experience the richness and complexity of life. The dialogue is no longer between faiths or religions, but believers. Believers tend to be less precise and more complex

Faith · Political science · Psychoanalysis · Sociology · The Imaginary · Theology · Biblical Studies and Interpretation · Christian Theology and Mission · Philosophy · Psychology