Dialogue for Mutual Learning

all religions is how harmony can be expected between religious groups. Experience, however, shows that this exercise has not succeeded. This is because it is based on an unreal concept as religions are diverse (while also having some elements in common). The fact is that there is no uniformity in nature. Nature revels in differences. Both the material and human worlds are based on differences. We cannot find any two men or two women who are identical. This is true of religions, too. The word ‘uniformity’ is found in the dictionary but not in the human world. Hence, the formula of establishing religious uniformity through inter-religious dialogue is unrealistic, so it has not been able to make much headway. The second major model for inter-religious dialogue was based on debate or polemics. Unfortunately, this model was bound to fail in producing harmony between adherents of different faiths since, by nature, debate and polemics, fired by unwarranted supremacist and exclusivist claims, lead to conflict and not to reconciliation. This situation requires that we reassess the whole matter of inter-religious dialogue. However, first, we need to find a formula other than the above two. I have studied this matter in detail. I have also participated in many worldwide dialogues at the national and international levels. After my study and based on considerable personal experience, I can suggest a third model for interfaith dialogue, one in accordance with the Creation Plan of God and hence is realistic and feasible.