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Document Details : Title: Inter-Faith Dialogue in the 21st Century Subtitle: Comparing Islamic and Modern Psychological Perspectives Author(s): HANIF TARAR, Amina , ALI, Shaukat Journal: Studies in Interreligious Dialogue Volume: 32 Issue: 2 Date: 2022 Pages: 195-220 DOI: 10.2143/SID.32.2.3291410 Abstract : The need for inter-faith dialogue in a globalized world is becoming increasingly conspicuous. In this regard, incorporating inter-faith dialogue in education at levels where students can relate it to personal development remains a challenge. It has been quite recently that social theory has turned its attention towards religion, and Islam in particular. The most recent attempt in Psychology is Faith Development Theory, which construes positive engagement with other faiths and religions as indicative of individual development in perspective taking. Furthermore, the theory can be related to religious theology for comparisons on how faith is conceptualized in a given religious tradition. The current article outlines major underpinnings of Faith Development Theory analyzing its conceptualization of faith as a universal aspect of human existence transcendent of particular beliefs, along with faith as existential and relational in nature, and faith development process dependent upon openness towards different religions. It further proceeds with a discussion of the Islamic concept of faith in the above dimensions. The discussion brings to light the possible theological engagement of Islamic thought with psychological perspective on inter-faith harmony while drawing on the importance of inter-faith dialogue in a world of religious and cultural variety. The role of Islamic pedagogy in emphasizing Islam’s cognizance of human diversity and the emphasis on a positive engagement with other religious traditions to forward positive inter-faith dialogue is also discussed. |
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