The importance of maintaining the cosmic chain of interdependence need to be reaffirmed
by people of all religions, believing that when any part of the chain snaps the
potentiality of destruction is also of cosmic proportion. The knowledge of cosmic
interdependence, provided by primal tribal worldview, is a valuable perspective to keep
our relationship with God and all else not only meaningful but also productive.
Interfaith dialogue should not intend to take away or brush aside respective and
distinct faiths and practices of other religions nor should it aim at coming to a common
and syncretized belief. It rather should seek to accomplish a mutual recognition and
understanding of `other' faiths and beliefs to build good relationships between religious
schools, as people are expected to live in harmony in any given community of a region.
In a world that is increasingly becoming religiously intolerant, interfaith dialogue
has become essential in order to help people discover, celebrate and promote the reality
of pluralism. It is important that people respect and have appreciation for other's faith
traditions. In dialogue we hope to build relationships, identify commonly-held beliefs and
enhance the participants' own faith experience.
Contents
Foreword
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Keynote Address
1. A Functional Understanding of God : Old Testament Perspective / S. Dhane Zhemai
2. Peacemaking and Dialogue in the History of Christianity / Woba James
3. Interfaith Relations in a Pluralistic Society : A Theological Reconsideration /
Shanbha Hayong
4. Cosmic Interdependence : Primal Indigenous/Tribal Perspective for Inter-Religious
Harmony / Eyingbeni Humtsoe-Nienu
5. Problems and Challenges of Living in a Religiously Plural World : Theo-Ethical
Consideration / Rongsen Longkumer
6. Concept of `the Other' in the Mind-set of Contemporary Hindus / Prabhakar
Bhattacharyya
7. Follow One [Religion]; Respect All : Maulana Wahiduddin Khan's Pragmatic Approach to
Building a Peaceful Community / C. Pursenla Ozukum
8. Guthi : Institutions for Facilitating Interfaith Interactions / Dhanbir Rai
9. A Better Way Forward for Peacemaking and Prevailing in the Multi-Religious Context
of India : A Missiological Perspective / Jayakumar Ramachandran
10. Truth and Reconciliation Commission, South Africa : A Model for Peace and
Reconciliation in Kaduna State, Nigeria / Yakubu Tanko Jakada
11. Some Basic Features of Interfaith Dialogue / Toshi Aier
Editor and Contributors
Editor and Contributors
Rev. Dr. Mar Pongener teaches History of Christianity at Clark Theological College.
S. Dhane Zhemai is Lecturer of the Department of Old Testament, Witter Theological
College, Wokha.
Woba James is an Associate Professor and HoD of Histry of Christianity at Eastern
Theological College, Jorhat, Assam.
Shanbha Hayong is an Associate Professor, Department of Theology and Ethics at John
Roberts Theological Seminary, Mawklot, Shillong.
Eyingbeni Humtsoe-Nienu teaches Christian Theology and HoD of the Department of
Christian Theology, Clark Theological College, Mokokchung, Nagaland.
Rongsen Longkumer, Professor of Christian Ethics taught at Clark Theological College,
Mokokchung till 2016.
Prabhakar Bhattacharyya is Associate Professor and Head Philosophy Department,
Serampore College.
C. Pursenla Ozukum is a Doctoral Student in Religion under South Asia Theological
Research Institute (SATHRI), Senate Serampore College.
Dhanbir Rai teaches Religion and the Dean of Post Graduate Studies at Clark Theological
College, Mokokchung, Nagaland.
Jayakumar Ramachandran is the Founder of Academy for Church Planting and Leadership and
the General Secretary and Director of Indian Institute of Inter Cultural Society.
Yakubu Tanko Jakada is a faculty of the Baptist Seminary Kaduna Nigeria.
Toshi Aier teaches History of Christianity at Clark Theological College, Aolijen,
Mokokchung.
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