Constructive Dialogue and its Effect on Interreligious Tolerance

Reviewing and analyzing the background and history of religious dialogue in the world, more than anything else, we understand the principle of necessity and position of dialogue as a common and public principle among religions, which in a broader view has been acceptable to all, or majority of religious people. The word “dialogue” has a life as long as the history and the old texts of religions are full of dialogues prevailing among different religious people. This issue indicates that a spiritual and inherent sense is within the substantial core of all humans towards dialogue, which as a natural and inherent feature has been prevailing from the beginning of creation up to the present, and it will continue so. Firstly, employing the dialogue or saying and listening either to inner self or the other people, when it is being formed with a commitment to human principles and rationality, will make human overpass a self-oriented attitude and recognize other persons. Secondly, this Constructive Dialogue which is formed on human principles makes him/her listen and tolerate the others’ views. Thirdly, it makes him/her be committed towards human principle of tolerance and recognize the other(s) as well. On this basis, the continuity of the principle of dialogue and emphasis on this innate tradition will cause the spread of the culture of tolerance, peace, tranquility. Furthermore, distancing from dialogue will lay down grounds for a self-oriented attitude, prejudice, pride, omission of others and violence in the human society. Islam, not only gives originality to dialogue, but also clearly and firmly puts forth the constructive dialogue as a basic principle in human relations and a base to achieve the common ideals of human communities.