Q. What is the difference between Interfaith and Inter-religious.
R. I have 3 responses for you re your question, from academics/activists with a long engagement in interfaith.
1. "In my view there is not much difference. But there is an ideological history which goes like this: Interfaith was the first term used widely when the dialogue endeavour began to take off. Then 2 things emerged: a) ‘faith’ was thought to be too Christian a word, even though most scholars used it generically; and ‘interfaith’ became a term used by people who set themselves up as a new type of ministry which was applicable across traditions, ie interfaith as a new kind of religious grouping divorced from the usual historic religions. Therefore the switch was made to interreligious as an attempt to be more generic and capture a mood of moving between religions rather than a separate religion of its own. Whether or not you use hyphens is also ideological, but a silly debate in my view. I like ‘interfaith’ because it’s like ‘international’ which doesn’t have hyphens. Inter Faith without the hyphen is becoming more used. It deals with the ‘interfaith ministry’ issue but retains ‘faith’ of course. Most ‘faith communities’ seem happy with ‘faith’ as a generic term. Sometimes you get ‘Faith’, ‘Religious’ and now ‘Spiritual’ Communities in a bid to become even more inclusive. Overall we seem to operate with Inter Faith or Inter-religious and with Faith Communities. I think the academy uses inter-religious more than the communities themselves. "
2. "As the words 'faith' and 'religious' differ in the more personal quality of the first, which implies commitment, whereas the second may simply be descriptive, I would suggest that the words 'interfaith' and 'inter-religious' reflect this same difference. An inter-religious activity involves persons from more than one religious tradition. An interfaith activity assumes the mutual respect or appreciation of the participants for their diverse religious commitments."
3. “I don't think there is a definitive answer - neither word is in my 'Universal Dictionary.' I would use inter-religious or multi-religious of an event in whichrepresentatives of several religions take part - perhaps to talk about the need to protect the environment. Although one hopes the event is amicable, participants do not have to modify their claims e.g. for some Christians that theirs is the only true religion or Muslims that Jesus is not the Son of God. Interfaith to me suggests a desire to seek some common ground or at least the recognition that there is truth in all religions. Faith is essentially a personalworld-view or commitment, although the word is now often used as a synonym for religion. There is debate whether you should say 'Inter Faith' 'inter-faith' or interfaith. I always use the latter. There is I think a continuum from multireligious to interfaith to universalist - and people position themselves at different points.”
R. I have 3 responses for you re your question, from academics/activists with a long engagement in interfaith.
1. "In my view there is not much difference. But there is an ideological history which goes like this: Interfaith was the first term used widely when the dialogue endeavour began to take off. Then 2 things emerged: a) ‘faith’ was thought to be too Christian a word, even though most scholars used it generically; and ‘interfaith’ became a term used by people who set themselves up as a new type of ministry which was applicable across traditions, ie interfaith as a new kind of religious grouping divorced from the usual historic religions. Therefore the switch was made to interreligious as an attempt to be more generic and capture a mood of moving between religions rather than a separate religion of its own. Whether or not you use hyphens is also ideological, but a silly debate in my view. I like ‘interfaith’ because it’s like ‘international’ which doesn’t have hyphens. Inter Faith without the hyphen is becoming more used. It deals with the ‘interfaith ministry’ issue but retains ‘faith’ of course. Most ‘faith communities’ seem happy with ‘faith’ as a generic term. Sometimes you get ‘Faith’, ‘Religious’ and now ‘Spiritual’ Communities in a bid to become even more inclusive. Overall we seem to operate with Inter Faith or Inter-religious and with Faith Communities. I think the academy uses inter-religious more than the communities themselves. "
2. "As the words 'faith' and 'religious' differ in the more personal quality of the first, which implies commitment, whereas the second may simply be descriptive, I would suggest that the words 'interfaith' and 'inter-religious' reflect this same difference. An inter-religious activity involves persons from more than one religious tradition. An interfaith activity assumes the mutual respect or appreciation of the participants for their diverse religious commitments."
3. “I don't think there is a definitive answer - neither word is in my 'Universal Dictionary.' I would use inter-religious or multi-religious of an event in whichrepresentatives of several religions take part - perhaps to talk about the need to protect the environment. Although one hopes the event is amicable, participants do not have to modify their claims e.g. for some Christians that theirs is the only true religion or Muslims that Jesus is not the Son of God. Interfaith to me suggests a desire to seek some common ground or at least the recognition that there is truth in all religions. Faith is essentially a personalworld-view or commitment, although the word is now often used as a synonym for religion. There is debate whether you should say 'Inter Faith' 'inter-faith' or interfaith. I always use the latter. There is I think a continuum from multireligious to interfaith to universalist - and people position themselves at different points.”
