Unit 4: Inter-faith dialogue, The relationship between religion and society, Proselytisation

Question 1

What is Inter-faith dialogue?

Answer 1

Inter-faith dialogue isn’t an attempt to remove difference between religions, but rather to understand the differences and respect them, while remaining true to one’s faith.

Question 2

What are the aims of Inter-faith dialogue?

Answer 2

• Enabling members of different faiths to form friendships
• Providing opportunities to learn about each other’s beliefs, values and practices
• Promoting multi-faith events in local communities
• Engaging in practical projects locally or nationally to help other people

Question 3

How do you spell Opportunities?

Answer 3

Opportunities

Question 4

Example of inter-faith dialogue

Answer 4

A Christian, Catholic, Sikh and Muslim peacefully discussing their various beliefs and practices.

Question 5

What does the RCC believe about IFD?

Answer 5

• The RCC has promoted IFD for a long time
• They set up an inter-faith dialogue organisation
• They welcome visitors from other faiths

Question 6

What does the COE believe about IFD?

Answer 6

• Runs a Presence and Engagement programme to engage with people from different faiths
• Follows four principles of IFD set out by the British Council of Churches

Question 7

Story of this random woman called Margaret

Answer 7

• She is a white woman who grew up in Dorset
• Didn’t know anyone who didn’t believe in Christianity
• Viewed people from other faiths warily
• As an RE teacher, Margie has loved meeting Muslims and members of the Jewish community
• IFD is very important

Question 8

What countries have a religious symbol on their flag?

Answer 8

• Israel - Jewish star of David
• India - Hindu wheel of life
• Pakistan - Islamic crescent moon

Question 9

What is proselytisation?

Answer 9

Evangelising and converting people to a certain faith.

Question 10

Matthew 28:19

Answer 10

‘Go and make disciples of all nations’

Question 11

Why is proselytisation controversial?

Answer 11

There is a fine line between sharing one’s faith with others and imposing it on them.

Question 12

What do Christians who proselytise call themselves?

Answer 12

Evangelists

Question 13

What is an Evangelist?

Answer 13

Someone who literally spreads the good news.

Question 14

Why do Evangelists proselytise?

Answer 14

• The aim of proselytisation is to pass joy to another person from Christianity
• The person receiving proselytisation may feel that evangelism is an invasion of their privacy and doesn’t respect the views they already hold
• The Evangelist may understand that it’s their religious duty to pass on their faith

Question 15

Examples of tensions that proselytisation has caused

Answer 15

• A Christian nurse was disciplined because she encouraged patients to pray to get better
• A nursery worker was sacked because she told a co-worker that she was a sinner since she was a lesbian