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Interfaith Dialogue: Assessing Theories of Change
Author(s) -
Neufeldt Reina C.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
peace and change
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1468-0130
pISSN - 0149-0508
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-0130.2011.00702.x
Subject(s) - peacebuilding , epistemology , political change , politics , interfaith dialogue , sociology , reflection (computer programming) , political science , social psychology , psychology , law , philosophy , computer science , theology , political economy , islam , programming language
Interfaith dialogue garnered considerable positive attention and derision after September 11, 2001. This article critically examines expectations of interfaith dialogue by clarifying explicit and implicit suppositions of how and why things will change because of dialogue. Three broad approaches to dialogue are identified: theological, political, and peacebuilding. Hypotheses about change within each approach are identified and explored through case examples. The article argues that while interfaith dialogue can contribute to personal, relational, and structural change, each of the three approaches does not do so equally. The article concludes that proactive reflection on theories of change within dialogue is necessary for interfaith dialogue to achieve its potential to build peace.