Classification of Types of Interreligious Dialogue

Abstract

The existing classifications of types of interreligious dialogue have significant limitations and shortcomings and do not allow us to describe this extremely complex, multi- faceted phenomenon in a systematic and complete way. This paper represents original classification of interreligious dialogue, which overcomes the disadvantages of current research approaches in this area. On the basis of the «intention» criterion, i.e. the motivation that encourages followers of different religions to come into contact with each other, four types of interreligious dialogue are distinguished: polemical, cognitive, peacemaking and partnership. These types of dialogue are lined up respectively around the following questions: Who is right?, Who are you?, How can we live together peacefully? and What can we do to improve the world?. In each of the four types of interreligious dialogue using the criteria goal (i.e. tasks headed towards by the participants in the dialogue); principles i.e. the starting points, which determine the interaction), and form (i.e. participants in the dialogue) various sorts of them are identified and described. For example, the following sorts of cognitive dialogue are considered: theological, spiritual, human (Buberian), truth-seeking dialogue, theology of religions, theology of interreligious dialogue, comparative theology. According to the author, the presented classification allows for the first time to describe different types of interreligious dialogue in a complex, systematic and interrelated way.