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Document Details :

Title: Dialogue in Conflict - Conflict in Dialogue
Subtitle: Unexpected Loci of Interreligious Theology
Author(s): SCHMID, Hansjörg
Journal: Studies in Interreligious Dialogue
Volume: 27    Issue: 2   Date: 2017   
Pages: 95-115
DOI: 10.2143/SID.27.2.3269037

Abstract :
Dialogue is often associated with balance and harmony. However, conflict issues are a reality for both interreligious relations and current debates about Islam. Dialogue can become an issue of conflict itself, and the relationship between dialogue and conflict a key issue of interreligious theology. Starting with perspectives of Swiss grass-root actors in interreligious dialogue, this paper analyses the relationship between conflict and dialogue with reference to the sociology of conflict. The latter highlights that conflicts are an integral part of social relations and, indeed, can even contribute to social cohesion. Conflicts can become loci of interreligious theological reflection, challenging Muslim and Christian resources in respect to conflict transformation. Reconciliation is one such major tool. With reference to this tool, different theological positions can be seen to enter into dialogue among themselves and with the sociology of conflict. Conflict transformation and reconciliation can interpret each other and so may function as a bilingual public theology. Thus dialogue may be seen as an integral part of conflict management, and conflict as an integral part of dialogue.

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