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The Interfaith Education Initiative (IEI) was established in response to the tragedy of September 11, 2001, and the resulting fear, anger and suspicion that followed. Events during the weeks following revealed how misinformed many Americans were about the beliefs and practices of their neighbors’ religions and cultures IEI was created to promote the awareness of Episcopalians to religious plurality in the United States, to improve relations and to establish dialogue with people of other faiths.
Sponsors of the interfaith education initiative:
The Interfaith Education Initiative began as a joint project of Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) and the Office of Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations (OEIR). ERD believes that awareness of the larger world - its diversity and complexity - is critical for a Church engaged in, and committed to mission of global peace and reconciliation. The OEIR works toward the visible unity of the whole Christian fellowship in the faith and truth of Jesus Christ, developing and sharing in its various dialogues and toward the fullness of unity for which our Savior prayed.
What is the religious significance of the interfaith education initiative?
As witnesses to Christ’s love, we approach interfaith relations and dialogue in commitment to our faith. At the heart of Christian belief is faith in the triune God. We affirm that God is creator and sustainer of all creation.
We have been called to witness in the world to God’s healing and reconciling work in Christ. We do this humbly, acknowledging that we are not fully aware of the ways in which God’s redeeming work will be brought to its completion. We now see, only dimly, as in a mirror, for we now know only in part and do not have the full knowledge of what God has in store for us (cf. 1 Cor. 13:12-13).
In dialogue and relationships with people of other faiths, we have come to recognize that the mystery of God’s salvation is not exhausted by our theological affirmations.
Salvation belongs to God:
- We therefore dare not stand in judgment of others. While witnessing to our own faith, we seek to understand the way in which God intends to bring God’s purposes to their fulfillment.
- We therefore feel able to assure our partners in dialogue that we are sincere and open in our wish to walk together towards the fullness of truth.
- We therefore claim this hope with confidence, always prepared to give reason for it, as we struggle and work together with others in a world torn apart by rivalries and wars, social disparities and economic injustices.*
Therefore, interfaith education is necessary to understand the significance of our neighbors as a praying and believing people with spiritual histories of their own, and to understand the meaning of being a Christian. Within this context, what can we make of the experience of God to which other religions bear witness, and how does this understanding relate to our own experience of God in Christ? Interfaith education is, thus, a learning process and also a journey into deeper explorations of our own faiths.
The interfaith education initiative’s mandate is:
- To focus on education and dialogue between representatives of the Abrahamic faiths (Christianity, Islam and Judaism) in the United States.
- To make available to the Episcopal Church experts and facilitators to work at interfaith dialogue at the local level.
- To strengthen networks working in interfaith education and relations so that the Episcopal Church has strong and effective channels through which to conduct interfaith work.
- To make the Episcopal Church aware of the resources available to engage in effective interfaith dialogue.
- To work with other communions, the National Council of Churches in Christ, and the World Council of Churches to share best practices for doing interfaith dialogue.
- To provide a “resource bag” of interfaith materials for individuals and networks within the Episcopal Church.
- To raise awareness of interfaith issues at the seminaries of the Episcopal Church.
* BASED ON WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES’ CURRENT DIALOGUE 40 – December 2002