Pope Benedict XVI is at it again - making fine distinctions which create gross problems. He declared to the world that "inter-religious dialogue is not possible in the strict sense of the word...that a true dialogue is not possible without putting one's faith in parenthesis."
As in previous declarations about Islam and secularism, to name just two examples, the Pope uses language that may be helpful in a philosophy seminar, but actually causes real harm to human relations around the world. And that is the generous interpretation of his remarks.
Perhaps Benedict has created a "strict definition" which precludes such conversation because his understanding of dialogue requires a level of spiritual connection/agreement between the conversants, which may not be possible for people who follow different faiths. That might be what he means when telling us that one must "put one's faith in parenthesis" in order to speak with those of other faiths. But that is an odd kind of faith which can only be present among those who share the faith.
The alternative understanding of the Pope's most recent comments is that he actually finds all other belief systems defective and their members best served by only a single outcome i.e. conversion to the Catholic faith.
Can it be that he finds real inter-religious dialogue impossible because at all costs any conversation which accords full and equal dignity to other's faith is impossible for him? That's a pretty scary thought from the leader of a billion human beings backed by real financial and political power.
Admittedly, most of what passes for inter-religious dialogue in our world is neither deeply religious nor genuinely dialogic. Too often it is people of different faiths deciding to bracket the particulars of their faith in order to gather for a few moments of kum-ba-yah. In that sense, the Pope is on to something, but he has it exactly backwards. Real interfaith dialogue IS possible, but only when we DO Not bracket that which we believe.
And real dialogue is only possible when there is more than one view in the room. Dialogue demands difference, but it demands difference without denigration. And it is this criterion which Benedict claims is not possible. If he thought otherwise, he would champion the kind of challenging inter-religious conversations which the world needs right now - conversations which encourage us to bring all of who we are and all that we believe while demanding that we do so in a way that encourages others to do the exact same thing.
Do we trust each other enough to do that? Do we even trust ourselves enough to do that? Can the faiths we follow guide us on that path or will they simply give us tools to negotiate with other faiths that we really wish would simply go away?
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Author, radio and TV talk show host, and President of CLAL-The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, Brad Hirschfield is the author of 
Sorry, the previous post addressed to David is mine - the "whatits" expired and the text refreshed, but not with my screen name.
Just the fact that there are so many religions and denominations shows that deep rooted spiritual dialog only goes so far toward a consensus of understanding. Spiritual dialog will eventually break down to disagreement if a person holds true to what they believe. I wish different religions could be happily blended, but that is an unrealistic utopia. Belief can be deep rooted and is bound to separate people. The best we can do is agree to live together respecting our differences enough without killing each other.
I disagree that religious differences necessarily need to be "resolved". Agreement between the parties of root disagreements would itself be a valuable service.
For another perspective, a Muslim recently converted to Catholicism considers that inter-religious dialogue between Christians and Muslims is possible only "if we are authentically Christian in love, including toward Muslims. If we make dialogue relative, we will instigate our questioners to see us as infidels, and therefore as land to be conquered."
I just returned from India where extremist Hindus are attacking Catholic clergy and burning churches, and some Indian officials are turning a blind eye to this. The reason is that the Catholics go about their mission of attempting to convert the people around them despite how offensive this is to other faiths. It is my understanding that this is a mindset that has been part of Christianity from the beginning. You be the judge of who is causing the problems between the Catholics and other faiths.
People are you serious......He is the pope of course he believes his religion is the only true path as does the dalai lama with Tibetan Buddhism they are the spiritual heads of there religions....so if incorporating other belief systems into your own degrades the dogma of your own faith than you would refrain from this incorporation if you were true believer by acceptingaspects of islam he dismisses the unique nature of Jesus as gods physical human godhead and son and the lack of need for more prophecy for the new covenant is complete..according to Catholicism ... which totally derided by mouhamned being the final prophet..in a true dialogue with Judaism
Jesus is not the messiah not even a prophet according to the Talmud Jesus was a sorcerer and the blessed virgin was a prostitute that slept with carpenters......so I for one agree that there cannot be a true dialogue betweenthe big 3 monotheistic religions ......
And ...Tony you may have your religions mixed up catholic evangelism has been dead for centuries
No one wants to be catholic not even most catholic visit any church on a Sunday they're all empty ignorant people equate all Christianity with Catholicism ....there are Anglicans Methodists Unitarians all who despise Catholicism that try to "convert" everyone...I don't think we should be able to murder hare krshnas or jehovah witnesses they ttry to convert many people here in NYC
Catholics just want protection for the people who do choose to be catholic on there own accord Muslims in india and Pakistan who do convert are often murdered by family members who are not brought up on charges
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