The task of the committee
is:
To encourage and assist the
churches in inter‑faith situations.
To affirm and support
individuals involved in inter‑faith dialogue on behalf of the church.
To engage in direct contact
with people of other faiths, particularly through our advisers on
dialogue with Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism and New
Religious Movements.
To develop theological
understanding of inter‑faith dialogue and mission.
To keep abreast with what is
happening in the teaching about other faiths in schools and colleges.
Committee Members
Convener: Mrs
Daphne Beale Secretary: Revd Sally Thomas
Mr Matthew Bean, Revd
Alistair Ellefsen‑Jones, Miss Marie Williams, Revd Peter Colwell
Advisers: Revd
Jonathan Dean (Judaism), Revd Dr John Parry (Sikhism), Dr Elizabeth
Harris (Buddhism),
Revd David Taylor (CAIRS),
Revd Michael Ipgrave (CTBI)
Staff Link: Mrs
Katalina Tahaafe‑Williams (Secretary for Racial Justice)
1
The Aftermath of 11 September 2001
1.1
Assembly 2002 asked us to make available further information on
questions to do with the nature of Islam with specific reference to
the concept of Jihad. This we have done and is the subject of a
resolution.
1.2
We have been aware that there has been a rise in the level of abuse
against Muslims in particular in the rest of Europe as well as in this
country. This has been of great concern and we need to keep aware of
the dangers this can bring to society, especially when so much fear of
terrorism is being generated by governments. There has also been a
rise in anti Semitism. In all this we need to be very careful to
distinguish between the acts of governments and the faith they
profess.
1.3
The rise in fear of terrorism has allowed repressive measures to be
introduced in many countries, including our own, which infringe human
rights ideals. Much of this fear is linked with particular religions.
Fear and persecution of Muslims in one part of the world can bring in
its wake fear and persecution of Christians. Our committee has been
mindful of all these concerns.
2
The Five Marks of Mission
2.1
Witness and Proclamation. Witness involves meeting and, if the meeting
is to be fruitful, needs understanding and sensitivity. This is
particularly true when meeting with someone of a faith other than
Christian. It is often easier to talk of faith with someone who has a
deep faith of their own but there is a danger of comparing the best of
our own religion with the worst of theirs. The new TLS course is
designed to help members to cross faith boundaries with knowledge and
respect.
2.2
Nurture. One of the roles of the committee is to nurture our members
so that they can grow in their own faith as they meet those of another
faith. We are grateful to all those who are helping in this,
particularly the London Inter Faith Centre and the ecumenically
produced journal “Inter Faith Exchange”.
2.3
Service. Our service within our communities needs to be done
ecumenically and this should include wherever practicable those of
other faiths. Our faith is about healing and wholeness for communities
as well for individuals and healing prejudice is part of that service.
2.4
Justice. We are called not only to counter prejudice but also to
create a just society. For faiths to work together with mutual respect
we must continue to work for world peace through political as well as
humanitarian means and that will include defending the rights of
asylum seekers.
2.5
Care for creation. Christians have traditionally been good at caring
for people but less good at caring for the rest of God’
3
Dialogue
3.1
Guidelines for dialogue have been produced by many bodies including
CTBI and the Inter Faith Network. A new publication from the World
Council of Churches updates their previous guidelines and it is hoped
that this will be a basis for reviewing the CTBI guidelines. Do make
use of these guidelines, they give the principles as well as practical
ideas which need to be borne in mind when meeting others.
3.2
Local dialogues. Our committee encourages you to engage in dialogue in
your own local setting. We can give advice and even provide you with
some of the resources you may need. We hope that your Synod Advocate
for inter faith relations will also be able to help. It is vital for
the health of our communities that such dialogue takes place.
4
Thank you
4.1
At the end of my period of office I would like to say thank you to the
members of the committee and the advisors who have supported me and
the work with so much time and expertise. I wish the new convenor
well.
4.2
My thanks are due also to the United Reformed Church for seeing the
importance of this work and encouraging us all in the doing of it.
4.3
Over the years we have been grateful for support and encouragement of
our ecumenical partners and the Inter Faith Network for the UK.
4.4 Finally thanks to those
of you who have ventured in faith on the path of dialogue. May you
find blessings on the way.
Resolution 23
Inter‑Faith Relations
Assembly urges local
churches, Districts and Synods to establish good relations with
Muslims in the community and to enhance their understanding of the
world of Islam and Muslim attitudes towards Christianity and the West.
Resolution 51 (f) and (g)
from Assembly 2002 stated
‘General Assembly
encourages the Committee for
Inter‑Faith Relations to produce educational material which will be of
assistance to congregations and individuals seeking to understand
Islam and in particular what the Qur’an says about jihad and
martyrdom;
welcomes and encourages all
initiatives by local congregations to build bridges with other faith
communities which create space for understanding international events
in a local cross‑cultural context.’
In response to this the
Inter‑Faith Relations Committee has prepared both a short document on
jihad and martyrdom and a fuller document for those who wish to look
further into the background of these concepts. We urge you to read
these papers.
The world situation is
constantly changing but behind many of the conflicts are deep mis‑understandings
between the cultures and thought forms of the East and West and in
particular between Islam and Christianity. We need to know each other
better at all levels with respect rather than vilification. We shall
find much that we share in common but respect does not imply that we
should agree on all points. As we really begin to understand each
other we can share our differences and may even be able to learn from
each other.
We therefore encourage you to
take heart as we journey together in faith.
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