IndexExtra credit document: principles of good interreligious dialoguePrinciple 1: make connectionsPrinciple 2: follow their leadPrinciple 3: defend your beliefsPrinciple 4: use storiesConclusionExtra credit document: principles of good interfaith dialoguePrinciple 1: Making ConnectionsThe first and most obvious principle of good interfaith dialogue is making connections, or finding things that your religion has in common with the other person's faith. The first thing people do when they meet is discuss their interests, career and lifestyle to find something they have in common. On this basis I am able to start a friendly conversation based on things that each party is interested in and knows well. The same principle applies when discussing religion with a member of a different faith. Find something that both religions have in common, whether it's a similar faith in Christ, a love of prayer, or even similarities in religious dress. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay In the book Catholic and Mormon: a Theological Conversation, both individuals involved in the conversation often demonstrate this principle of good interfaith dialogue. Speaking about his journey to Catholicism, Stephen Webb says, “I found myself able to appreciate for the first time how Joseph Smith (1805-1844), the Mormon prophet, also wrestled with the problem of religious authority in his quest to a more comprehensive and integrated vision of the Christian faith" (p. 9). Here Webb draws a connection between his search for truth and that of Joseph Smith. This demonstrates not only that Webb recognizes Joseph Smith as an important figure in the Mormon faith, but also that he considers himself to be on the same level as Mormons, thus eliminating any possibility of condescension or disrespect. Later in the chapter, Webb also says, “What is significant to me is that Joseph was reconstituting the apostolic unity that provided the original organizational foundation of the New Testament Church. He did not refer to himself as a new Peter, but this is what it looks like from the Roman Catholic point of view” (page 11). The last sentence draws a connection between Joseph Smith and Peter Webb makes a comparison between Joseph Smith and Peter, effectively demonstrating that he understands Joseph Smith and his mission expressing the concept in his own words and ideas with which he is familiar. This is a tactic often used in conversations, known as parroting. This involves repeating the other person's concepts in your own words, often with similes and metaphors, to demonstrate to them that you got what they said. Speaking of the Virgin Mary, Alonzo Gaskill states, "Unlike Roman Catholics, Latter-day Saints are generally not criticized for their veneration of the Virgin Mary. However, we empathize with our Catholic brothers and sisters because misconceptions about their sense of reverence for Mary are similar to misinterpretations about Mormons' appreciation of Joseph Smith” (page 54). In this paragraph, Gaskill uses the same parrot technique to draw connections between the Mormon religion and the Roman Catholic religion. Going further, Gaskill also uses empathy to refer to the criticism Roman Catholics face regarding their veneration of the Virgin Mary. Showing empathy is a powerful way to create connections. Show the other person that you understand the difficulties they face, thus opening the conversation on a deeper level than superficial beliefs and interests. Principle 2: Follow His Lead Follow the leadof the other person in the conversation is a very simple way to show respect and understanding. It involves putting your words and concepts in the other person's terms. This can include using the same analogies as the other person or even simply referring to one of their leaders in the same way. Both StefanoWebb and Alonzo Gaskill demonstrate this principle of good interreligious dialogue. The first example of this principle in the book is when Webb says, “…I was struck by how deeply Joseph was touched by the fragmentation of Christendom (Latter-day Saints often refer to him by name, so I will follow that practice here)” ( page 9). Often, in articles and documents written by people outside the Mormon faith, prophets and leaders are referred to by their last names, such as Monson instead of Thomas S. Monson, or Smith instead of Joseph Smith or Joseph. In this sentence Webb shows respect for Joseph Smith and all those of the Mormon faith, referring to Joseph Smith in the same way that many Latter-day Saints do. This adds an extra level of comfort to the conversation by eliminating the distraction that comes from hearing your leader called a name or term that isn't commonly used. In the chapter on authority, Gaskill states “Joseph would not have claimed to be “reinventing the wheel.” Rather, he would have claimed that Jesus had returned the “wheel” to him. And the version of the wheel that his good, sincere, and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ had was not quite the one that Jesus had invented in the first place” (page 20). Here Gaskill continues and corrects an analogy that Webb uses earlier in the book. This puts the concept in the terms Webb predicted, explaining the correct ideas in a non-offensive way simply by altering the analogy. It creates a slight distance between Gaskill and Webb so that it doesn't seem like Gaskill is personally attacking Webb's ideas, but simply altering his analogies. Following the other person's lead whether through the terms you address their leaders or by continuing their analogies or using their words to describe your ideas increases understanding between both parties and shows respect. Principle 3: Defend Their Beliefs Evelyn Beatrice Hall once said, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” Although death is not necessary, the basic idea that even if you may not agree with the other person's beliefs, you should support them in their right to practice those beliefs or their religion is central to this principle. Mutual respect for beliefs is key to any interfaith dialogue. Webb said: “From the perspective of the centrist culture of the Protestant social establishment that emerged in the nineteenth century and dominated throughout the twentieth, Mormonism was a bizarre conglomerate of irrational beliefs and superstitious practices, a relic of more exuberant and irrational times Mormons aren't trying to be Protestant? What if Mormons are trying to create a more authoritarian, ritualized, sacramental version of the Christian faith? (Page 12). Although Webb does not say here that he agrees with the Mormon faith, he implies a similarity between the Roman Catholic faith and the Mormon faith: both are authoritative, ritualized, and sacramental. He defends these similarities against the “centrist culture perspective of the Protestant social establishment.” This shows that he respects the rights of Latter-day Saints and practices their religion as they wish, also showing a similarity between his religion and the Mormon faith. "Mormons, for example, believe that matter is eternal...and therefore matter can be infused with divinity. I.