Principles of Dialogue

PRINCIPLES OF INTER-CHURCH DIALOGUE

Dialogue…

assumes the good intentions of those involved
is an honest attempt to understand each other
aims at genuine reconciliation not papering over the cracks
involves genuine humility and listening
seeks common mutual enrichment
is an exchange of gifts, not a negotiation
allows each tradition to explain itself
identifies past distortions, over-emphases and under-emphases
is aware of the influences of history, sociology and psychology
accept the other person for him or herself, not as an imperfect duplicate of yourself

 

Dialogue needs

a comfortable, safe, secure, relaxed environment
a sensitivity from the larger and more powerful to the smaller and weaker

 

Dialogue avoids

misrepresentation and stereotyping
violent and offensive language and expressions
comparing the ideals of one with the practices of another

 

Dialogue means -

loyalty to the past                        Tradition
commitment to the present           Mission
hope for the future                        Vision