THE JOURNEY OF RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE

The second principle given by the Quran is purely a matter of pragmatism. That is, matters should be settled on practical grounds by avoiding their theoretical aspects. This principle is derived from this verse of the Quran: You have your religion and I have mine. (109: 6) In today’s context, this principle is generally referred to as religious coexistence. This means that whenever common grounds for agreement between two or more parties cannot be arrived at on an ideological basis, then the way of practical coexistence must be adopted. The Community of Saint Egidio provides a good example of a continuing dialogue of this nature. This promotes interaction on a mass scale between adherents of different religions. In view of its vastness, it may be rightly termed a super-dialogue. The religious meet held under the auspices of the Community of Saint Egidio on a large scale each year makes a considerable contribution towards the achievement of the goal targeted by interreligious dialogue. Here I would like to add another point. We should not judge our efforts in this matter only by the results of meetings held in the name of formally arranged interreligious dialogue. The truth is that “interreligious dialogue” is not now limited to specific meetings held in the field of religion. It has rather assumed the form of a vast historical process— spontaneous, ongoing and perhaps never fully recorded. Discussion on controversial matters is in tune with the spirit of the age. Today, it has permeated all walks of national as well as international life. The modern industrial revolution and modern communication have added such vast dimensions to human relations that now the entire world has been converted into a global village. People of various persuasions are coming closer on a universal scale. This interaction serves as an ongoing dialogue of an informal nature. In this way, with distances narrowed, the confrontational attitude now gives way to adjustment. Interaction in itself is a form of dialogue. When, as a result of circumstances, interaction between people of different persuasions increases, the purpose of the dialogue is served. Today, in educational institutions, offices, and factories, in travels, on playgrounds and in national and international activities, adherents of different religious traditions are meeting one another on a scale hitherto unwitnessed.