Table of contentsAdditional credit document: Principles of good interfaith dialoguePrinciple 1: Establish connectionsPrinciple 2: Follow their leadPrinciple 3: Defend their beliefsPrinciple 4: Use storiesConclusionCredit document Additional: Principles of Good Interfaith DialoguePrinciple 1: Make ConnectionsThe first and most obvious principle of good interfaith dialogue is to make connections, or find things that your religion has in common with the faith of the other person. The first thing people do when they meet is discuss their interests, careers, and lifestyles to find something they have in common. Based on this, they are able to start a friendly conversation based on topics that each party is interested in and knows well. The same principle applies when discussing religion with a member of a different faith. Find something the two religions have in common, whether it's a similar belief in Christ, a love of prayer, or even similarities in religious clothing. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay In the book Catholics and Mormons: A Theological Conversation, both people involved in the conversation frequently expound on this principle of good interfaith dialogue. Speaking about his journey to becoming a Catholic, Stephen Webb says, "I was able to understand for the first time how Joseph Smith (1805-1844), the Mormon prophet, also struggled with the problem of religious authority in his pursuit of a clearer vision. global and integrated form of the Christian faith” (page 9). Webb here establishes a link between his search for truth and that of Joseph Smith. This shows not only that Webb recognizes Joseph Smith as an important figure in the Mormon faith, but also that he considers himself on the same level as Mormons, eliminating any possibility of condescension or disrespect. Later in the chapter, Webb also says, “What is significant to me is that Joseph was reconstituting the apostolic unity that was the original organizational foundation of the New Testament Church. He did not present himself as a new Peter, but that is what he looks like from a Catholic point of view” (page 11). The last sentence establishes a connection between Joseph Smith and Peter. Webb makes a comparison between Joseph Smith and Peter, effectively showing that he understands Joseph Smith and his mission by putting the concept into his own words and ideas familiar to him. This is a tactic often used in conversation, known as parroting. This involves repeating the other person's concepts in your own words, often with similes and metaphors, to show them that you understood what they said. Speaking of the Virgin Mary, Alonzo Gaskill states: "Unlike Roman Catholics, Latter-day Catholic Saints are not generally criticized for their reverence for the Virgin Mary. However, we sympathize with our Catholic brothers and sisters because the misunderstandings about their sense of respect for Mary are similar to the misinterpretations about the Mormons' appreciation of Joseph Smith” (page 54). In this paragraph, Gaskill uses the same parroting technique to draw connections between the LDS religion and the Roman Catholic religion. Beyond this, Gaskill also uses empathy here to relate to the criticisms that Roman Catholics face regarding their reverence for the Virgin Mary. Showing empathy is a powerful way to build connections. This shows tothe other party that you understand the difficulties they are facing, thus opening the conversation to a deeper level than superficial beliefs and interests. Principle 2: Follow Your Lead Following the other person's lead in conversation is a very simple way to show respect. and understanding. This involves putting your words and concepts into the other person's terms. This might include using the same analogies with the other person or even just referring to one of their leaders in the same way. StephenWebb and Alonzo Gaskill demonstrate this principle of good interfaith dialogue. The first example of this principle in the book is when Webb says, “…I was struck by the depth to which Joseph was affected by the fragmentation of Christendom (Latter-day Saints often refer to this principle). by his first name, so I will follow this practice here)” (page 9). Often in articles and materials written by people who do not belong to the Mormon faith, prophets and leaders are referred to by their last name, for example Monson instead of Thomas S. Monson, or Smith instead of Joseph Smith or Joseph. In this sentence, Webb shows respect for Joseph Smith and all members of the Mormon faith, referring to Joseph Smith in the same way that many Latter-day Saints do. This adds an extra layer of comfort to the conversation by eliminating the distraction that comes from hearing your boss called by a name or term that isn't commonly used. In the chapter on authority, Gaskill states: "Joseph would not have argued that he was 'reinventing the wheel.' Rather, he would have claimed that Jesus had returned the “wheel” to him. And the version of the wheel that his good, earnest, faithful brothers and sisters in Christ had was just not quite the one that Jesus invented in the first place” (page 20). Here, Gaskill continues and corrects an analogy used by Webb earlier in the book. This puts the concept in the terms Webb predicted, explaining the correct ideas in a non-offensive way by simply modifying the analogy. This creates a slight distance between Gaskill and Webb, so that it does not appear that Gaskill is personally attacking Webb's ideas, but is simply modifying his analogies. Following the other person's lead both in the terms with which you address their leaders and by continuing their analogies or using their words to describe your ideas increases understanding between both parties and shows respect. Principle 3: Defend Their Beliefs Evelyn Beatrice Hall once said, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” Although death is not necessary, the basic idea that even if you disagree with the other person's beliefs, you should support them in their right to practice those beliefs or their religion is at the heart of this principle. Mutual respect for beliefs is key to any interreligious dialogue. Webb said: “From the perspective of the centrist culture of the Protestant social establishment that emerged in the 19th century and dominated throughout the 20th century, Mormonism was a bizarre conglomeration of irrational beliefs and superstitious beliefs. practices, a relic of more exuberant and irrational times. But what if Mormons weren't trying to be Protestant? What if Mormons tried to create a more authoritarian, ritualized, and sacramental version of the Christian faith? (Page 12). Although Webb is not saying here that he agrees with the LDS faith, he is implying a similarity between the Roman Catholic faith and the LDS faith: both are authoritarian, ritualized, and sacramental. He defends these similarities against the “perspective of »..