Welcome!

The Interfaith Relations Office seeks to support those in the church who are interested in, concerned about or engaged in building interfaith relationships. As Presbyterians learn about religious diversity, we reflect theologically on our relations with neighbors of other faiths. We also seek avenues for cooperation, or look for education resources and practical models for bringing communities together. We hope you will find helpful information and resources on this Web site.

Coming soon: the Christian-Muslim team from Pakistan

The Interfaith Listening Program will bring the Rev. Dr. Maqsood Kamil, executive secretary of the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan, and Mr. Khuram Dastgir Khan, elected member of Pakistan’s National Parliament from the Muslim League Party, to six presbyteries from September 26 – October 20, 2008. The team will visit churches and colleges, talk with men’s and women’s groups, and engage in ecumenical and interfaith gatherings. The schedule is beginning to take shape; check to see if there is an opportunity to interact with the team! For more information, contact Jay T. Rock in the Office of Interfaith Relations.

Interfaith dimensions of the General Assembly

Rabbi Melanie Aron of Congregation Shir Hadash in Los Gatos, Calif., spoke on an interfaith perspectives panel at the Ecumenical Breakfast at the 218th General Assembly. Photo by Danny Bolin

The 218th General Assembly approved a theological study of Christian-Muslim relations and encouraged congregations to develop Christian-Muslim and Jewish-Christian-Muslim dialogue and cooperation. Helpful debate arose around how to understand the oneness of God in relation to the different revelations of God known by Muslims, Jews and Christians.

Commissioners also asked the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and its congregations to respond positively to the international Muslim invitation to engagement contained in A Common Word Between Us and You. Read more about this at the Web site of the Presbyterian Ecumenical and Interfaith Network.

Dr. Muneer Fareed, secretary general of the Islamic Society of North America, spoke at the General Assembly Ecumenical Breakfast. Photo by Danny Bolin

Representatives of many national and local Jewish groups were present to speak with commissioners and in the committee open hearing on Israeli-Palestinian issues. On the first Sunday of the Assembly, the local Jewish community of the Bay Area held a reception and interfaith panel for Presbyterians at the Assembly focusing on approaches to Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking. The actions adopted by the Assembly reflected a thoughtful consideration of a range of perspectives. Jewish organizations welcomed the actions of the Assembly.

The Rev. Ron Kobata, executive assistant to the Bishop of the Buddhist Churches of America, spoke at the General Assembly Ecumenical Breakfast. Photo by Danny Bolin

This was the first Assembly to include “Interfaith Guests,” representatives of three national organizations of other faiths in the United States invited to bring greetings to the Assembly, to be present with us and available to speak with committees during our decision making. Our guests were Rabbi Melanie Aron, representing the Reform, Conservative and Reconstructionist Jewish movements; Dr. Muneer Fareed, secretary general of the Islamic Society of North America; and the Rev. Ron Kobata, executive assistant to the Bishop of the Buddhist Churches of America (the oldest Buddhist association in the United States). A highlight of the Assembly was a panel presentation by our three guests at the Ecumenical Breakfast. See also the remarks by Dr. Fareed in an interview.

Other resources of note

• The most recent e-Newsletter of Religions for Peace–USA describes a number of new interfaith engagements, profiles one of the organizations member communities and reviews several new resources. Take a look!
• “Vigilance against Anti-Jewish Bias in the Pursuit of Israeli-Palestinian Peace” is now a resource for the church and its members, designed to help Presbyterians guard against anti-Jewish bias, even as they make a strong stand for justice and peace for Israel and Palestine.
• A new initiative to engage Muslims and Christians in the United States to build understanding and explore ways to work together on issues of common concern got underway at the end of Febuary, 2008.
• Presbyterian Packet on Religious Stereotyping may help in responding to new instances of anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim bias.
• Audio of the panel presentation on Faithful Living Among Muslims: Christian Witness in Remarkably Different Settings.

Why get involved with people of other faiths?

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has offered guidance about relations with neighbors who are Muslims, Jews, Hindus or followers of other faiths, in a variety of documents, and from a number of persepctives. We have assembled most of these policy and study resources here in an introduction to the thinking of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) on interfaith relations and related issues.