International and Global Inter-religious Initiatives
Reflections from a World Council of Churches’ Consultation
Tao Fong Shan, Hong Kong
8-12 April 2002

I. Introduction

Increasingly, communities of faith are being urged to support inter-religious initiatives that address social issues of common concern. International interfaith organisations seek the collaboration of national and international religious organisations in pursuing inter-religious initiatives around the globe. Civil fora call for the support of religious leaders. Governmental and inter-governmental institutions look to religious constituencies for leadership in providing moral education and social services.

At the same time, intolerance and conflict among religious and ethnic communities in many parts of the world are growing, and in more than one country violence is now justified in the name of religion. During this consultation, the news has been preoccupied with accounts of communal violence in India and the escalating violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and participants have mentioned continuing religious strife in the Sudan, Indonesia, Pakistan, and other countries.

The need for religious leaders and their constituencies to promote co-operation among diverse communities of faith has never been greater. Yet, a religious organisation such as the World Council of Churches must also counsel its constituency to embrace initiatives that seem most likely to contribute to the peace and greater justice sought by all. Such counsel is especially relevant for the World Council of Churches, as many now consider what "ecumenism" should mean as churches face greater religious pluralism. A well-considered participation of the WCC in inter-religious initiatives is to the benefit of such endeavours.

Therefore, this international consultation, sponsored by the World Council of Churches and hosted by Areopagos at Tao Fong Shan in Hong Kong with Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh participants, humbly offers the following reflections to churches and other communities of faith.

II. Clarification of Purposes

Inter-religious initiatives, which often speak of and promote "interfaith co-operation," have a wide variety of purposes, such as:

When considering involvement in an inter-religious initiative, the following questions deserve careful consideration:

Culture, language, history, political and social circumstances, economic considerations, and the particular religious constituencies and leaders involved will shape the outcomes of any inter-religious initiative. Thus, a contextual analysis is needed to consider the role and character of the religious constituencies in the society and their relationships, the constraints of government policies regarding religion, the impact of secularisation on the society, and other relevant factors.

III. Collaboration with International Inter-religious Organisations

The different international interfaith organisations share some purposes, but each also has its own institutional objectives. It is important to discern how international organisations have contributed to inter-religious co-operation in particular social, religious and cultural contexts and also the negative effects, if any, of such interventions. In different ways, each international inter-religious organisation will offer assistance, relationships with other religious groups and individuals in other countries, and expertise of various kinds. Each organisation often also has institutional goals, such as extending its active presence, broadening the participation of religious leaders and constituencies, and enhancing its global position.

Bearing this in mind, the Consultation suggests that religious constituencies consider the following questions before endorsing an international inter-religious initiative or organisation:

IV. A Common Religious Agenda

Can religious constituencies embrace a common religious agenda without undermining their own religious particularity? This question might be addressed by restating it: How are diverse religious communities to embrace a common agenda at a variety of levels in our societies?

It is not possible to pursue a common "religious" agenda and at the same time simply promote religious particularity. Multifaith dialogue and inter-religious initiatives often address social issues in the public sphere and emphasise practical co-operation. Our common ground is that we live in one world, have a common humanity, share a common interest in fundamental social concerns, and are committed to acts of compassion, mercy, generosity, and justice. A strong common agenda may be built up through a history of collective action.

Of course, to honour the diversity of our religious traditions, specific issues must be considered in particular contexts. The depth of co-operation also depends on whether institutions are engaged at local, national, regional or international levels. At all levels, however, the goals of an inter-religious initiative should be specific, and consideration should be given as to how the participation of religious constituencies may contribute to the realisation of these goals.

If the focus of an inter-religious initiative is "religious," participants need to clarify their understanding of this term as well as the desired outcomes of the initiative. From one point of view, "religious" may be understood to mean only spiritual matters, whereas in other national or cultural contexts "religious" may include public social concerns as well as spiritual activities.

In addition to a clear agreement on the meaning of "religious" in interfaith discourse, other essential terms should be clarified. In some contexts, it may be possible to discuss "cultural" differences more readily than "religious" differences, even as issues of religious concern and practice are considered in such a discussion. Similarly, co-operation about "social" concerns may be possible and even strongly supported, where there is hesitancy to consider dialogue on theological issues.

To what extent can values, believed to be common, be separated from their significance within the wholeness of each religious tradition? One of the most successful attempts in civil society to affirm common values is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which is the foundation of international human rights law. Although this code of conduct does not affirm the values of love and compassion, as religious teachings do, the Declaration asserts the necessary social conditions for human dignity. In the past half century this Declaration has been widely supported by leaders of many religious communities and certainly deserves our continued endorsement.

Although members of different religious traditions may readily affirm a common commitment to peace, justice, co-operation, harmony, and unity, the multiplicity of meanings involved in using such words will include some meanings that are shared and others that are distinct. Affirming "shared values" similarly should not be understood to depreciate the particular meanings that these values also have within various religious traditions. Thus, inter-religious deliberations should seek not only to clarify the common goals of collaboration, but also to reflect accurately the historical and contemporary beliefs and practices of the participating religious constituencies. These particularities may contribute to the richness of inter-religious dialogue and action, may deepen our appreciation of diverse beliefs and practices, and may even lead to changes in the ways we understand and seek to live our own religious and spiritual convictions.

To foster such an approach to inter-religious co-operation, the Consultation recommends that participants discipline themselves, and urge others to discipline themselves, by:

V. National Inter-religious Councils

The Consultation addressed the following two questions: What would be the pros and cons of participating in a national inter-religious council? How would our analysis be shaped by the cultural and political realities of the nation and region?

Inter-religious councils are seen, in principle, as positive means by which religious constituencies may address common concerns together. A system of communication and co-operation may develop into such a council through collaboration on particular initiatives.

Participation in an inter-religious council should reflect a clear understanding of how the council can address issues of common concern in a country and its communities. Participation should not be pursued: if the council attempts to curtail independent statements by its constituent members, if the council does not fairly take into consideration the religious diversity of the country, or if the council becomes an instrument of discrimination.

If a government convenes an inter-religious council, ensuring a significant measure of independent action for the council is essential. If an international organisation intervenes to establish an inter-religious council, its organisational objectives should be clearly identified.

In certain contexts, involvement in an inter-religious council or initiative may lead to criticism from some members of a participant's religious tradition. In the long term, however, such participation may foster greater openness within a religious constituency for small steps in inter-religious understanding and co-operation.

VI. Governmental, Inter-governmental and Civil Fora

What criteria should be used to assess participation by religious organisations and religious leaders in civil, governmental or inter-governmental fora and events?

Such initiatives may reflect the importance of religious institutions in society, openness to perspectives rooted in spiritual disciplines, and opportunities to work collectively on issues of common concern. Fora sponsored by non-governmental organisations to address a variety of social issues, such as the effects of globalisation, educational reform, ecological policies, economic development, ethnic or communal harmony, protection for religious freedom and other fundamental human rights, may prove to be effective ways of presenting religious and spiritual perspectives to a wider audience. Fora sponsored by governmental or inter-governmental institutions also offer the same opportunities, although the policies of such institutions and the governmental officials participating in such events may constrain public discussion in ways that undermine candour or even silence certain minority voices.

In addition, such fora may expose participants to public statements or actions about social, political or economic issues that contradict the position of their religious organisations or the teachings of their traditions of faith. In these instances, it is important to voice dissent not only outside the forum but also within the forum in order to clarify the public record and to properly represent one's religious constituency.

Questions that might be considered, in consultation with one’s constituency, before participating in such a forum include the following:

VII. Moral Authority

The Consultation considered the question: What would give inter-religious statements and actions moral authority?

"Moral authority" requires that people respect and respond to a statement or action. Factors that affect the moral authority of an inter-religious statement include the following:

In addition, moral authority requires that moral statements be accompanied by moral action, even symbolic action. We frequently make statements based on our ideals, but others are quick to note how we fail to live up to these ideals. Saying something but not following through with action, or acting in contradiction to what we say, may at times do more harm than saying or doing nothing.

Of course, moral authority requires both moral ends and moral means. Statements and actions sustained by love and self-giving will have greater moral authority than those motivated by fear or self-seeking. The use of language distinctive to more than one tradition of faith may broaden the appeal of a moral statement. If conveyed in a way "attractive" to media, such statements and actions will likely reach a wide audience. Local inter-religious initiatives will probably affect a smaller constituency, yet may be more compelling.

It cannot be over-emphasised, however, that moral authority rests on moral conduct. Therefore, if inter-religious statements are to have moral authority, those who make these statements must also find ways to live and exemplify such commitments.

VIII. Challenge

The members of this Consultation are keenly aware of the limitations of these reflections and even more of the pressing need to respond more creatively and courageously to the religious intolerance and unrest, that threatens the peace and stability of so many communities.

People of faith within all religious traditions have much to learn from one another, much to correct in their own teachings and practice, much to share in facing together the terror of our time. May our inter-religious co-operation strengthen our resolve to do all we can for one another, and for the least of those among us.

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