Interfaith Center at the Presidio
  • Home
  • About
    • Leadership
    • History
    • Archive
  • Chapel Restoration Campaign
    • Interfaith
    • Military Service
    • McDonald Windows
    • Preservation
    • Plan
    • Support
  • Events and Programs
  • Veterans
  • Concerts
  • SF Bay Area Interfaith
    • Interfaith Councils and Coalitions
    • Public Service Announcements
    • Inspiration and Hope
  • Donate
  • Calendar
  • Contact

Does Dialogue Work?

3/1/2014

0 Comments

 
DOES DIALOGUE WORK? was the question for the Public Square conversation at Patheos.com last month. Writers were invited to respond to the following questions “What does interfaith dialogue accomplish? Does it have any measurable impact? Does it help reduce violence or solve any real-world problems?” Responses come from across the spectrum, often challenging what the writers perceive as a kind of “tea party conversation” (“old-fashioned kind, not political”), yet often pointing out the vital role that dialogue has in our pluralistic world.


A few thoughts from the contributors: “We’re in the middle of the process, so unless forecasters share their direct-line to All That Is, Goddess, God, gods, what have you, we’ll never be able say with certainty that the impact of what we’re doing will have any beneficial resolve. We can only make a guess, based upon our hope that the community building we’re focused on will indeed help to create a world where all people’s faiths and traditions are accepted — not just tolerated, but acknowledged as an authentic way of being.” (Drea Parker).


“Engaging with others who think differently and holding a genuine conversation with them is much harder than constructing a straw man and then promptly burning it. It is also much more rewarding and interesting than the way the secular mafia wants us to interact…” (Adrian Warnock)
“My conclusion is that, while interfaith dialogue does not really hurt, it doesn’t really do all that much either to the people who really need to have their minds opened. The ones who go to events are probably already tolerant and willing to learn. Or,  they into these things with their own preconceived notions and set worldviews, and most aren’t looking for their minds to be changed. So I say, keep on talking. Hopefully, the end result will at least be mutual respect.” (Lynn Swayze Wilson)
​

What do you think? What impact has interfaith dialogue made on your own life or your community? We invite you to share your thoughts on the ICP Facebook page, or add a comment below.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Newsletter

    This is the archive for the Bay Area Interfaith Connect, the former newsletter  for the Interfaith Center at the Presidio .

    Archives

    December 2019
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    July 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    October 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    August 2012

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

130 Fisher Loop
San Francisco, CA 94129

Like our page on Facebook! 
Click here! 

Picture

    Subscribe Today!

Submit
  • Home
  • About
    • Leadership
    • History
    • Archive
  • Chapel Restoration Campaign
    • Interfaith
    • Military Service
    • McDonald Windows
    • Preservation
    • Plan
    • Support
  • Events and Programs
  • Veterans
  • Concerts
  • SF Bay Area Interfaith
    • Interfaith Councils and Coalitions
    • Public Service Announcements
    • Inspiration and Hope
  • Donate
  • Calendar
  • Contact