Do you value community & world peace enough to sit down in dialog with people of different faith or no faith?

Question

What would make it worthwhile to keep a conversation going, even when we disagree on matters of religion?

Answer 1

A resounding YES!

I value dialog immensely. We should never exclude anyone because of what they believe. Even those who may not want to listen, if invited to such a forum, will have no choice but to at least hear what the other is saying. A good example is this Y/A, especially in R&S we express our opinion and read what the other is saying. In order to formulate a half-way intelligent response, I re-read the Q or responses many times over. "Seek first to understand in order to be understood" Steve Covey.
Your second part of your Q, "What would make it worthwhile...", I think it will lead to more understanding of one another and world peace.
For me, answering many Q's about 'God' has influenced me to really look into what it means to me. We Buddhists do not concentrate on looking into an external entity. The question is not even addressed in many cases. I think that is too limiting. Lots of religions have the concept of 'God' to ignore that is very narrow minded. Eventually though, I think I will come to an understanding of what it means to me.

Thank you for your Q

Answer 2

I usually just try to avoid the subject of religion all together, especially if it's the work place.

Otherwise, it depends on the person. Some people are capable of having reasonably unbiased conversations on the subject of religion, some simply aren't. In the former case, I've certainly had great conversations with people of different religions, and have a number of close acquaintances of different religions.

It's not because I "value community & world peace". I just like discussing the subject.

Answer 3

It depends on what issue we were talking about, and how hopeful I was that the meeting might be productive. If the point of the meeting were to just show the world that I can sit down with someone I disagree with, then that's not productive that's exhibiting patience. If on the other hand those at the meeting were serious enough about resolving the issue to not let politics or political correctness get in the way of hammering out a solution then sure, I'd meet with someone who does not share by beliefs (whether it's religion or politics, or business, or whatever).

Answer 4

I don't know if there is really any other way to attain peace. Even if we agree on nothing I will always keep an open dialog because above all we are people and our humanity is what sets us apart.

I have also found that you never learn anything from people who agree with you.

Answer 5

Other desires and goals in common would make it worthwhile. If we had the same basic definition of words like "justice," that would help a lot.

Answer 6

Desire...to learn, to better understand and get to know what motivates others whose lives ultimately affect one another...that makes it worthwhile. If there is no desire, nothing in life is worthwhile to the individual.

Answer 7

namaste~ the Divinity within me recognizes, respects and honors the Divinity within you

you could just replace Divinity with:

Humanity
Love
Peace
Life
Awareness
Light
Joy

we do all want the same things- if only we could let go of needing to be 'right'

Answer 8

for betterment of our world....I wish we could put aside our opinions of interpretation of scripture, and just work together doing those things that God has commanded us to do...

loving others, feeding the hungry, caring for the poor, orphans and widows....

if we all quit being political, and became active in the community, imagine the change we could make....

Answer 9

Of course, for me religion has nothing to do with it. Even if it has for them.

Answer 10

getting along with each other.