From Shared Meals to Interreligious Conversations

Abstract

AbstractThis article describes three levels of interreligious dialogue today and observes a lack of exchange between these levels. For the future of interreligious dialogue, it proposes to link the theory and practice of interreligious dialogue more closely, that is, to interrelate academic reflections and actual interreligious encounter. Taking up the term “hospitality,” the author shows that, while the notion of interreligious hospitality plays a key role in comparative theology, the concrete practice of hospitality is rarely used as a resource for theological reflection. Consequently, the article refers to the practice of hospitality at the table and provides some starting points for interreligious conversations evolving around shared meals. Based on the notion of “embodiment,” it points to the central role of theological reflection of everyday life and to the potential of interreligious dialogues as a tool and resource in a pluralistic, quickly changing world.