Methodist Church Publication Proposes "Ways Forward" in Interfaith Relations

June 21, 2004

Source: ekklesia

http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/content/news_syndication/article_040621meths.shtml

On June 21, 2004 ekklesia reported, "A new publication aiming to counter fears about relating to other religions, and pave the way forward in Inter Faith relations, will be launched at the Methodist Conference next week. 'Faith Meeting Faith' is a 72-page booklet which will tackle some thorny issues including the Christendom concept of Britain as a 'Christian' country and prayer and worship with other faiths. Thirty questions are considered and explored, before suggestions are made for the best 'ways forward'. Organising visits to the places of worship of people of other faiths, taking action to improve the human rights of people of every background, and even reading an English translation of the Qur'an, are some of the proposed ways forward...Dr Elizabeth Harris, Secretary for Inter Faith Relations at The Methodist Church, [said,] 'The deepest challenges to the way we communicate our faith in word and action will come from taking seriously the context in which we are set in twenty-first century Britain. Part of that context is the growth in religious diversity. Faith Meeting Faith is not about what people of other religions believe or worship, but about a how we, as Christians can engage and be "present" in contemporary culture.' She continued; 'Christians can't ignore the faiths of other people around them. Do we want society to be full of tensions, or do we want to live harmoniously in a religiously diverse society? Faith Meeting Faith is written for Christians by Christians in order to help us discover the right ways forward for inter faith relations.'"