Dialogical Theology and Social Engagement

The central claim of this essay is that interreligious social engagement can serve as an effective first step in realizing the urgency, and facing the complexity, of interreligious dialogue and theology. After laying out both the political and the spiritual reasons for the necessity of multifaith dialogue, the author describes its complexity: participants are often told that, to make dialogue possible, all religions must abandon claims of being the “only” or the “best.” But such a requirement will frighten away many religious believers, especially conservative believers. To resolve this dilemma the author suggests we follow the example of the Interfaith Youth Corps. They begin dialogue not with theological requirements but with shared action to address the needs of civil society. In working together, followers of different religions become friends with one another. And friends will want to share what they believe without claiming that one is better than another.