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Title: Abraham and 'Abrahamic Religions' in the Contemporary Interreligious Discoure: Reflections of an Implicated Jewish Bystander
Subtitle: Reflections of an Inmplicated Jewish Bystander
Author(s): GOSHEN-GOTTSTEIN, Alon
Journal: Studies in Interreligious Dialogue
Volume: 12    Issue: 2   Date: 2002   
Pages: 165-183
DOI: 10.2143/SID.12.2.504427

Abstract :
In April 2000 I was invited by the Turkish Writers' Association to an interfaith conference that was to take place at Haran. The topic of the gathering was Abraham -a figure who was said to provide a bridge between the three traditions invited to that conference -Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Indeed, these three traditions are often referred to as 'Abrahamic'. As I reflected upon the theme, I became increasingly uneasy with the implied assumptions of the topic. I became less and less certain that Abraham is indeed the figure that could provide common ground for the troubled relations between the three religions that recognize his significance. The present article grows out of the address delivered on that memorable occasion. It explains why, from my understanding of the Jewish perspective, the choice of Abraham as an interfaith symbol is problematic. At the very least, one should take great care and precision in defining in what sense one appeals to the figure of Abraham in such a context.

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