Ecumenical & Interfaith
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Interfaith Resources

General Resources: General References | Religious Diversity News | New Resources |
| Presbyterian Resources | Presbyterian-related Organization Resources | Other Resources

Relation-specifc Resources: Christian-Jewish relations | Christian-Muslim relations |
| Latter-day Saints relations | Buddhist-Christian relations | Hindu-Christian relations | Other relations |

New resources

An Interfaith Toolkit

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The PC(USA) web pages now include a multi-page, well organized, flexible Interfaith Tool Kit that is explicitly geared toward local relationships. The kit contains “how to do it” sorts of pieces, examples of what others have done, as well as more reflective materials on interfaith relationship as an integral part of being faithful followers of Jesus Christ. Input for the Tool Kit is invited for its Model section.

Mission theology from the viewpoint of interfaith relationships

Christianity Encountering World Religions: The Practice of Mission in the Twenty-first Century has been written by two Presbyterian missiologists who have an intentional commitment to interfaith relationships. Terry Muck and Frances Adeney present a model they term "giftive mission" that is both a model for mission and for interacting with people of other faiths. ISBN #978-0-8010-2660-7 and ISBN #0-80010-2660-1.

Pedagogies for interfaith dialogue

David Roozen of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research and Presbyterian Heidi Hadsell, president of Hartford Seminary, have edited Pedagogies for Interfaith Dialogue, the core of which is six critical case studies of seminary degree-level courses in interfaith dialogue from a variety of institutions. An additional chapter written by Christy Lohr connects the cases to a broader examination of issues of interfaith dialogue in North American theological education. Order the book online or click to preview its parts.

Reflections of a "Muslim Atheist Jewish Christian"

Samir Selmanovic, a Seventh-day Adventist minister who grew up as a secular Muslim, has written a book described as an interfaith memoir, It's Really All About God: Reflections of a Muslim Atheist Jewish Christian (ISBN #10- 0470433264 and #13- 978-0470433263). He writes that his key question is, "Is a God who favors anyone over anyone else worth worshipping? To truly care for me, my God also has to care for those who differ from me."

BURST: A world religions study for teens

Four lessons explore the practices, beliefs, and emphases of Judaism, islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism, showing how each differs from Christianity and where there is common ground. The leader's guide can be ordered or downloaded. ISBN #13-978-0687659722.

The Gifford Lectures

Diana Eck, Harvard professor and the chair of the National Council of Churches' Commission on Interfaith Relations, gave the prestigious academic Gifford Lectures in Edinburgh in April-May 2009. Her topic was "The Age of Pluralism." The lectures have been posted on YouTube.

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General references

Religious mapping of the United States

• Maps of the broad religious demographics in the U.S.
• National directory of faith groups working on justice and the common good

• Pluralism Project data on pluralism and religious diversity in the United States:

  • By religious tradition
  • By state
  • A search mechanism for interfaith centers by name, state/city, and tradition

Holidays / holy days of various religious communities

• A glossary of religious holidays
• An interfaith calendar online
• The Multifaith Calendar distributor for the U.S.

A Jewish perspective on interreligious relations

• EngagingAmerica.org is a new web site with a wide variety of materials intended to promote interreligious and interethnic engagement, presented from a Jewish perspective.

Religious diversity journalism

• Pluralism Project links to news stories
• Beliefnet, FaithStreams Network, or Interfaith News
• Journal of Inter-Religious Dialogue, a journal with a youthful staff

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Presbyterian resources

Brief brochures and resources

• A Question for Christians: How Do We Relate to People of Other Faiths? Horizons magazine article by Anna Bedford
• Children of Interfaith Families
• Finding Your Way in Presbyterian Policy and Teaching on Interfaith Relations
• Guiding Principles for Ethical Decisions Concerning Religious Freedom Around the World
• Interfaith Celebration, Prayer, and Worship (PDS #74-292-97-010)
• Interfaith Marriage (PDS #74-292-97-008)
• Is the Christian Faith Superior to Other Religions? Occasional Paper by Terry Muck
• Is there saving grace for those who do not profess faith in Jesus Christ? by Malcolm Brownlee
• Packet on Religious Stereotyping, reissued for downloading
• Presbyterian Principles for Interfaith Dialogue
• Sharing Building Space with Groups from Another Religion
• Witness and Evangelism Among People of Other Faiths (PDS #74-292-01-003)

Other resources: practical

Building Community Among Strangers, adopted by the 211th General Assembly (1999) and available, with a study guide, PDS #OGA-99-028 

Interfaith Marriage, by Jay Rock, an downloadable curriculum item from the Thoughtful Christian, #TC0154

Interfaith Marriage: A Resource for Presbyterian Christians, an older resource that is still available, PDS #243-92-010

Learning to Dialog, a 1992 Church & Society issue still useful for articles about the public language spoken between religions and about African-American Christian-Muslim dialogue, PDS #258-92-605

Respectful Presence: an Understanding of Interfaith Prayer and Celebration from a Reformed Christian Perspective, adopted by the 209th General Assembly (1997) and available with a study guide or as a stand-alone document

• Respectful Presence (with Congregational Study Guide)
• Respectful Presence (document only)

Other resources: theological

A Declaration of Faith, a study and liturgical resource originally prepared in the Presbyterian Church U.S. in a way that reflects upon Christian relationships with others, especially Jews. Download.

A Study of Universalism, adopted by the 112th General Assembly (1972) of the Presbyterian Church, U.S. as a study concerning both the universal and the limiting strands of biblical and theological understandings . Published in “Selected Theological Statements of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A.,” PDS #70-420-98-010 or available for download.

The Crucified One Is Lord: Confessing the Uniqueness of Christ in a Pluralist Society, Theology and Worship Church Issues Series #4, PDS# 70-420-00-014 or online

Hope in the Lord Jesus Christ, a paper prepared by the office of Theology and Worship in response to a request of the 213th General Assembly (2001) for help in understanding the Lordship of Jesus Christ. In English, with a study guide, PDS #70-420-02-004 or the paper only, online; in Spanish online; in Korean, to order or in pdf format

Turn to the Living God, adopted by the 203rd General Assembly (1991) as policy for evangelism, including a section on people of other faiths, available in English to download and in Spanish, PDS #OGA03052

The Uniqueness of Jesus Christ in a Pluralist World by Christine Goodman Callison, PDS #74-310-01-600

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Resources of other organizations to which Presbyterians relate

A Call to Our Guiding Institutions, a Parliament of the World’s Religions document following its Toward a Global Ethic document. Download .

A Multitude of Blessings: A Christian Approach to Religious Diversity by McCormick seminary president Cynthia M. Campbell, with an online study guide. Looks at Christian theology itself to find ways to understand the enduring existence of other religions. ISBN #10-0664229565 and #13-978-0664229566.

A Shared Vision: Religious Liberty in the 21st Century, a resource on the separation of church and state from the National Council of Churches and Jewish organizations, among others. Download.

Berlin Declaration on Interreligious Dialogue, a short statement with general principles, adopted by Religions for Peace, Europe.

Changing the Present, Dreaming the Future: A Critical Moment in Interreligious Dialogue, edited by Hans Ucko, published by the World Council of Churches. Shares the highlights of a key 2005 WCC multifaith consultation, especially for experienced readers but also useful to others. ISBN 2-8254-1490-5.

Confessing Christian Faith in a Pluralist Society, a statement prepared at the Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research in Collegeville by a theologically varied group of Christians who asked where they agreed with one another and where they still had questions on which they did not agree, PDS #74-292-98-002

Creating Interfaith Community, by Marston Speight, published by the United Methodist Church with a study guide. See a review and order information in NAINews.

Current Dialogue, periodic publication of the World Council of Churches interreligious office, available online.

• See Issue 50 (dated March 2008) for results of Vatican-WCC interfaith discussions on conversion
• See Issue 49 (dated July 2007) for articles highlighting interfaith cooperation
• See Issue 48 (dated December 2006) for highlights on Christian-Muslim relations
• See Issue 47 (dated June 2006) for material from the WCC Ninth Assembly and the report of the May 2006 consultation on conversion held in Vellore, India
• See Issue 46 (dated December 2005 but only recently issued) for presentations from a 2005 dialogue between western Christians and Iranian Muslims, one by network participant Peggy Thomas.
• See Issue 45 (July 2005) for material on the “Critical Moment in Interreligious Dialogue” conference at which the emphasis moved beyond talking together to also working together. Jay Rock was a participant in this event.
• See Issue 40 (December 2002) for “Taking stock of dialogue and revisiting the 1979 [dialogue] guidelines.”

Dialogue and Proclamation: Reflection . . . on Interreligious Dialogue and the Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, a foundational Catholic document

Diversity and Community, a short document created by Religions for Peace, U.S.A.

Ecumenical Considerations for Dialogue and Relations with People of Other Faiths, a World Council of Churches document based on thirty years' experience (ISBN # 2825413658)
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Entering Into Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue, a brief set of guidelines prepared by the staff of the Massachusetts Council of Churches, helpfully specific and practical

Faith in the Neighborhood series by Lucinda Mosher, beginning with Belonging (ISBN #1-59627- 010-1) and Praying: the Rituals of Faith (ISBN #1-59627-016-1), written to provide interfaith education situated in local realities

Getting to Know Neighbors of Other Faiths: A Theological Rationale for Interfaith Relationships, a fold-over bulletin insert sized brochure from the National Council of Churches, color, available for downloading and printing

Grounds for Understanding: Ecumenical Resources for Responses to Religious Pluralism edited by S. Mark Heim, presents responses to the issue in various Christian traditions, from a 1994 NCC Faith and Order consultation (ISBN#0-8028-0593-0)

Guidelines for Interfaith Dialogue, summarizing the original set of guidelines from the World Council of Churches. Order the brochure at PC(USA)-produced brochure at PDS #74-292-02-005.

InterActive Faith: The Essential Interreligious Community-Building Handbook edited by Bud Heckman, with Rori Picker Neiss and other contributors. ISBN #13-978-1-59473-237-9 and ISBN #10-1-59473-237-X. Begun under the auspices of Religions for Peace, U.S.A., this book provides practical ideas. See the book's web pages for online resources. Listen to an interview ("Them and Us") with Bud Heckman on the FaithStreams Book Club.

Interfaith Dialogue, article by Wesley Ariarajah in The Ecumenical Dictionary

Interfaith Dialogue: A Catholic View by Michael L. Fitzgerald and John Borelli, ISBN # 1-57075-652-X. Looks at developments in interreligious dialogue within the Catholic Church, excluding Christian-Jewish relations and with special strength in Christian-Muslim relations; written by two knowledgeable, caring men who have been central to carrying out relationships at the Vatican and in the U.S.

Interfaith Dialogue at the Grassroots edited by Rebecca Kratz Mays. A book version of the eleven articles in the Journal of Ecumenical Studies issue 43:2, deals with interactions among the three Abrahamic religions.

Interfaith Relations and the Churches, a policy statement of the National Council of Churches of Christ, articulates an understanding of building relations with neighbors of other faiths as a dimension of Christian discipleship.  Background resources, including a study guide, are available.

Living Faithfully in the United States Today, a resource from the Institute for Ecumenical and Culture Research in Collegeville, in cooperation with the National Council of Churches and the National Conference of Catholic Bishops

Mending the World, a report within the United Church of Canada that distills its discussion about ecumenism and interfaith relations

Mission and Evangelism: An Ecumenical Affirmation, a World Council of Churches statement commended to Presbyterians by the General Assembly in 1983 which contains significant material on relating to people of other faiths, included in Statements on Mission by the World Council of Churches, 1980-2005. Download.

Nostra Aetate: . . . the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions, the 1965 Catholic declaration

Religious Diversity and Interfaith Relations in a Global Age, paper read by Wesley Ariarajah a 2003 international conference a the Institute for the Study of Religion and Culture at Chiang Mai University, Thailand. Looks at globalization and religious exclusivities.

Religious Plurality and Christian Self-Understanding, a paper growing out of a World Council of Churches study process and made available for discussion and debate, though not yet representing an agreed WCC viewpoint.

Resources in the Reformed Tradition for Responding to Religious Plurality by Jay T. Rock, a chapter in Mark Heim, Grounds for Understanding: Ecumenical Resources for Responses to Religious Pluralism. Prepared by the National Council of Churches Faith and Order Commission in cooperation with the NCC Interfaith Relations Commission, with other chapters on a variety of other Christian traditions as they approach religious plurality. ISBN #10-0802805930 and ISBN #13-978-0802805935.

Three Faiths, One God: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, PBS video looking at beliefs and practices that are shared and that are distinctive. Can be purchased with public performance rights from the National Council of Churches.

Towards a Global Ethic: An Initial Declaration, a statement from the Parliament of the World’s Religions

National Council of Churches interreligious resources, including Christians and the Holocaust, Concerning Means and Ends: the Writings of Byron Lee Haines (from the pen of a now-deceased Presbyterian pioneer in Christian-Muslim relations), bibliographies, and videos

Interfaith Relations Newsletter, National Council of Churches, August 2006 (edited by Shanta Premawardhana speaking in the first person)

World Council of Churches interreligious publications, including ecumenical guidelines for dialogue and specific ecumenical guidelines for dialogue with Jews and with Muslims

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Other resources

Building the Interfaith Youth Movement: Beyond Dialogue to Action, Eboo Patel and Patrice Brodeur, editors [Rowman & Littlefield, 2006]. Contributions include program descriptions written by their founders and leaders, plus theory and methodology. Order from a bookseller as ISBN 0742550672.

Christianity and Human Rights edited by Frances Adeney and Arvind Sharma, ISBN #10-0791469522 and 13-978-0791469521. A wide-ranging look at the ambiguous relationship of Christianity and human rights, viewed both by academicians and activists, with special attention to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the World's Religions. Contributors include Terry Muck on interreligious dialogue and human rights and Margaret O. Thomas on the right to change one's religion, David Little, Max Stackhouse, Jean Bethke Elshtain, Sumner Twiss.

Diversity Series: Religions, Cultures and Communities, prepared by the Chicago Police Department on various communities present in Chicago. Viewable online.

Festival of Faiths Handbook, the Cathedral Heritage Foundation (Louisville, Ky.). A how-to guide for others who want to use the Louisville model. Download.  See the report on this program by the Pluralism Project.

 Fostering Dialogue Across Divides: A Nuts and Bolts Guide, Public Conversations Project, intended for both experienced and novice facilitators of dialogue between parties in conflict. Can be ordered or downloaded.

Guidelines for Inter Faith Encounter in the Churches of the Porvoo Communion, a page of guidelines adopted in 2003 for the Porvoo Communion, a grouping of Anglican and northern European Lutheran churches.

Guidelines on Multifaith Thematic Ritual by Joyce Manson. She says, “I am not an advocate of using Christian words or orders of worship to describe what others do but rather propose to let others together with us bring what each offers, expecting respectful listening for understanding. National holidays and social themes lend themselves to multifaith thematic ritual.” She asks $2.00 to send her paper. Contact her to get her address.

How to Be a Perfect Stranger: the Essential Religious Etiquette Handbook edited by S.M. Matlins and A.J. Magida. Fourth edition, updated and revised, SkyLight Paths. Information needed before a visit. ISBN-13: 978-1-59473-140-2 and ISBN-10: 1-59473-140-3. (Note that Matlins has also published The Perfect Stranger’s Guide to Weddings and The Perfect Stranger’s Guide to Funerals and Grieving Practices.)

In Good and Generous Faith: Christian Responses to Religious Pluralism by Kenneth Cracknell, Pilgrim Press, 2006. Deals with salvation, Christology, the spirituality of religious pluralism, an ethic of friendship, witness through dialogue.ISBN 0829817212.

Interreligious Dialogue and Evangelism by Terry Muck, published in Buddhist-Christian Studies

Is There Common Ground Among Religions? by Terry Muck, published in the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society

Lausanne Documents from the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization, significant records of consultations by evangelicals from around the world who give attention to the issues of the particularity and culture of various peoples.

Meet Your Neighbors: Interfaith FACTS, published by Faith Communities Today (FACT), a congregational studies research program administered at Hartford Seminary. A comparison of beliefs, practices, and vitality across Christian, Jewish, and Muslims congregations in America. Downloadable or available for purchase.

On Common Ground: World Religions in America, third edition, produced by the Pluralism Project as a CD-ROM compatible with Windows only. A significantly less expensive, improved and updated version of an award-winning 1997 first edition, complete with active links to the web. Sample essays and an order form available online.

Online Interfaith Resource Guides (2006), a Pluralism Project research report. Provides a selected list of valuable resources for training, educational and discussion events, creating guidelines.

Religion in American Public Life: Living with Our Deepest Differences, by Azizah al-Hibri, Jean Bethke Elshtain, Charles C. Haynes, Martin Marty. Intended to stimulate discussion and provoke independent thinking; recommended by the PC(USA) and Public Education book list. ISBN #10- 0393322068.

Religious Tolerance in World Religions, ed. Jacob Neusner and Bruce Chilton. Examines roots and ranges of tolerance/ intolerance in Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, both within each tradition and between traditions. ISBN #10-1599471361 and ISBN #13-978-1599471365.

Suggested Guidelines for Public Prayer, from the Tulsa Interfaith Alliance, available online

Taking Religious Pluralism Seriously: Spiritual Politics on America's Sacred Ground, Barbara McGraw and Jo Renee Formicola, eds. Looks at the nature of the dialogue needed in forums supportive of a multireligious democratic nation. ISBN #10-1932792333 and ISBN #13- 978-1932792331 and available as an e-book.

The Dialogue Decalogue: Groundrules for Interreligious, Intercultural Dialogue, by Leonard Swidler, a widely distributed short piece first published in the Journal of Ecumenical Studies in 1983

The Gift of Responsibility: The Promise of Dialogue Among Christians, Jews and Muslims by Lewis Mudge. Mudge's last book asks if the three religions can make a contribution to the well-being of humanity amidst global economic problems, environmental degradation, and religiously legitimated violence. ISBN #10-0-8264-2839-8 and ISBN #13-978-0-8264-2839-4.

The Youth in Religion Project, funded by the Lilly Endowment at the University of Illinois, Chicago. Its web site has papers and modules on the ways religious institutions of various faith traditions serve 8-30 year old Americans in changing times.

What Do Our Neighbors Believe? Questions and Answers on Judaism, Christianity, Islam, by Howard Greenstein, Kendra Hotz, and John Kaltner, a new Westminster John Knox Press book that asks questions about key issues of our time. ISBN #10- 0664230652 and ISBN #13- 978-0664230654.

Without Buddha I could not be a Christian by Paul Knitter examines the internal dialogue of "double belonging" experienced as he has encountered Buddhist practices and continued to struggle with Christian faith. ISBN #10-1851686738 and ISBN #13-978-1851686735.

You Don't Have to Be Wrong for Me to Be Right by Brad Hirschfield. A thoughtful look at how the things that make us different also make us alike in both religious and secular life. See a discussion guide to accompany the book, available online. ISBN #10- 0307382974 and ISBN #13- 978-0307382979.

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MORE on relation-specific resources on the following page

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