Dialogue participants

Eighteen people gathered in a circle on Saturday, May 16 at the Hope in the Cities office to either participate in or observe a dialogue between Evangelical Christians and Muslims.

The 5 year-old dialogue group, four Evangelical Christians and four Muslims, was focused on sharing and modeling a manner of interaction between two groups often characterized as being highly polarized. The group intentionally chose a subject that would compel them to engage each other on a deep basis, while modeling the civil and respectful manner that has developed over the years. They explored the question: how do extremists who follow theologies that promote loving, caring and serving others use their faith traditions to justify exclusion and hate based on political, theological or cultural differences?

One observer noted that this was the first time he had ever experienced such a deep dialogue on this subject between individuals representing both Christianity and Islam without rancor but instead with such deep mutual respect. Another noted that it was remarkable that participants could speak so firmly, with such passion but without giving up any convictions and yet still model civility and care without ‘making nice’.

If you are interested in learning more about this dialogue, please get in touch with Cricket White.