Toward Interfaith Understanding: Dialog on Religious Tolerance Between Muslim and Christian Scholars

Abstract

Religious tolerance remains the most discussed topic in contemporary religious thought. As it plays a significant role in maintaining the public order and social harmony between people of different faiths in both Christianity and Islam, well-known religious thinkers, such as Rowan Williams, have expressed their views on religious tolerance in the contemporary world. This paper explores and presents Williams’ ideas on religious tolerance, stating that tolerance should be discussed on the basis of analysis and reasoned arguments rather than strictly on religious identity, suggesting that it is vital to establish constructive interfaith dialog in democratic society. To achieve this aim, this paper concentrates on three primary areas relating to tolerance—exclusivist truth claims, excessive fanaticism, and the state model. The first section of this paper examines the claims of exclusivist truth, a perspective that has led to fierce debates between religions. Following it, the second section investigates excessive fanaticism and the violence that this can induce. The conclusion highlights the importance of a balanced approach to these issues, ensuring that tolerance fosters true understanding and respect among different religious communities.  Finally, the last section of this article discusses the role of the state in religious tolerance. Thus, an analysis of the state model related to Williams’s interactive pluralism is conducted to determine its applicability in current times.