EXPLORING DIALOGUE

-(adapted from Colin Chapman, Cross and Crescent)

When engaging in dialogue with Muslim friends, what questions can form a basis for constructive discussion of important issues. This short article highlights some potentially fruitful areas for discussion, covering our identity as people, our basic needs, the problems we face and shared Muslim & Christian ideas about God.   

I. Who are we?

v     We’re human beings

v     We belong to a family

v     We belong to a community

v     We live in a particular society

II.  What are our Basic Human Needs?

v     Health and well-being:  what do we do when things go wrong?

v     Values:  how do we know the difference between right and wrong?

v     Forgiveness:  how do we gain forgiveness from others and from God?

v     Love:  we need to be loved by others and to have people to love. Why?

v     Truth:  we want to know as far as we can the truth about ourselves and the world.  Where do you look for truth?

v     A model for humanity: we need an example of the kind of people we ought to be; we need guidance.  Where does that come from? How?

v     Life beyond death:  we want to know what lies beyond the end of our physical life.  What do you imagine it to be? How would you design it?

  ASK: How are these needs met for us within our own faiths? Why is it important for us to meet one another as people before we get involved in any religious discussions?

III. What are we up Against?

v     Hunger

v     War and peace

v     Stewardship of resources, wealth and poverty

v     Human rights, international justice

v     Materialism

v     Globalization

v     Secularism, humanism

v     Racism, prejudice

v     Environmental issues

v     Technological Changes

v     Other Social Problems( drugs, child labor, etc)

  ASK: How does our faith influence our thinking about these issues?  Are there ways we should be joining hands to fight against evils in our society and world?

IV. Can we Find New Ways of Bearing Witness to our Faith and God? Christians and Muslims without hesitation agree on:

v     God Creates

v     God is One

v     God Rules

v     God Reveals

v     God Loves

v     God Judges

v     God Forgives

ASK: How & Why does God do these? Which do you most appreciate in God?