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Document Details : 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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