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Inter-Faith Relations
The task of the committee is -
• to encourage and assist 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 consultants in
Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, 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: Revd Bill Mahood Secretary: Revd Brenda Willis, Mrs Linda Hopley, Miss Sarah King, Revd Jonathan Dean, Revd David Taylor
Consultants: Revd Dr David Bowen (Hinduism and Islam), Revd Dr John Parry (Sikhism), Revd Ron Lewis (Judaism), Revd Elizabeth Brown (New Religious Movements)
1 Living in a Multi-Faith Society
1.1 It is important for us to be able to convey clearly that the concerns of inter-faith relations are not just those of a small group of enthusiasts but of every member of the church. We all live in a multi-faith, multi-cultural society. We can fear it or we can be enriched by it. 1.2 Some of our congregations are involved in particular projects and the committee wants to be able to help, encourage and advise them. There is often a sense of precariousness about local inter-faith activity due to lack of money, lack of time and lack of energy. Often our help can be very practical. We do have access to some funding. While this is not large it can be particularly useful at an early stage. It can make possible the sort of exploratory work that must be done, when conversations are leading to tentative plans. More often our help can be in advising, putting people in touch, helping them to draw on the experiences and expertise of other situations. Recently we have been involved with a new inter-faith project in Nelson, Lancashire and with Q.21 in Bradford, Yorkshire. We have been excited by the new church and inter-faith centre in Kilburn. We are very aware of the difficulties faced in translating a vision into a deep commitment on the part of small local congregations who may already feel threatened. It may be difficult but it is important that local congregations catch the vision and inter-faith work is rooted among them.
2 Inter-Faith Dialogue
2.1 We continue our work of fostering dialogue through consultations. In 1999 it is a Reform/ Reformed Dialogue and involves members of the Reform Synagogues and of the United Reformed Church.
3 Millennium
3.1 We continue to be involved in planning the URC’s preparation for the Millennium. We are very aware of the need for sensitivity within the church and society as we approach and celebrate the Millennium. We recognise the need to try to temper the worst excesses of Church and State. In celebrating 2000 years of the influence of Jesus we can do this without triumphalism. Equally we can do it with a sincerity that wins the respect and approval of those of different faiths.
4 Islam and the Media
4.1 We are concerned about the continuing negative attitude to Islam that is evident in large sections of the media. The newspapers in particular seem to concentrate only on the more sensational aspects of Islam. It is possible to get a very unbalanced view of Islam if there is an over-concentration on places such as Iraq. We see the need for the church to be able to give advice and interpretation of the events in Iraq. We recognise the difficulties that are faced by anyone wanting to give a fuller picture of those events and a more balanced interpretation of Islam.
5 Theology of Inter-Faith Relations
5.1 Finally, we want to foster within the URC a greater recognition that there is not a single Christian position concerning other faiths and our relationships with people from those faiths. This is true of the members of our committee. We believe that there is a legitimate diversity of views and we are enriched by sharing and exploring our differing understandings of the means and purposes of inter-faith relations and dialogue. We hope that through the debates and discussions within the committee we can stimulate debate within the United Reformed Church.
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