Religious Talk

Strong bridge between people will facilitate
dialogue on religions: Says Danish theologist

Originally written and posted on 2/13/08

Mogens S. Mogensen, a lecturer of theology and inter religious consultant from Denmark said that strong bridge of relationship between people would facilitate dialogue on even painful issues regarding one’s religion.
Delivering his address on ‘mission and dialogue in pluralistic contexts’ at ‘Dine and dialogue’ a gathering hosted by ‘Quo Vadis’ an inter religious dialogue center, at its campus in Tiruvannamalai, Mogensen said dialogue is a way of talking about our faith as Christians, Hindus and Muslims. Just as Christians listen to what a Hindu has to share from his heart, the Christian will share the gospel with his Hindu friend, he added.
Mogensen, who had taught theology at a number of institutions including University of Copenhagen, Denmark and who held various positions in Danish church, quoted the dialogue guidelines of ‘World Council of Churches’ which stated that dialogue involves “witnessing to our deepest convictions and listening to those of our neighbours. It is Christian faith which sets us free to be open to the faiths of others, to risk, to trust and to be vulnerable. In the dialogue, conviction and openness are held in balance”.
On the term ‘mission’ he said that it is about what God does always and everywhere. As a conclusion he said that dialogue is the way the church carries out its mission. At the end of his speech he put forth two illustrations of bridge and trees. If the bridge of relationship between “me and my Muslim friend is very new and not very strong there are things we can do and say, but there are other things which will have to wait until the relationship has become stronger. If we start discussing about whether Mohammed is a prophet or not, or, whether Jesus is the son of God or not, then the bridge may collapse. But when our relationship has developed into real friendship even the most painful issues can be discussed” he said. Finally he exhorted people to have deep roots in their own traditions and community like a tree which needs deep roots to spread branches. “If a tree has no deep and strong roots it can not sustain a stem with many branches that reaches very far. For us as Christians, Hindus and Muslims to reach out to each other, we also need deep roots in our tradition, community and in our personal spirituality” he added. Rev. Joshua Peter of Quo Vadis compered the programme. Gathering closed with the music of Cyprian Consiglio, a musician and monk.