The Power of Dialogue

Much of the world believes that Islam, Judaism, and Christianity are three vastly different faiths. It is not difficult to understand why one might make this assumption; each has its own history, texts, and practices that, without further investigation, appear quite distinct. But, are these religions really so dissimilar? And with religion being an issue held dear by so many, how do we compare them in a way that brings us closer together, instead of dividing us?

You've taken the first step already by seeking out this book. The second step, as you will learn within its pages, is to examine how we communicate with one another. What is dialogue? How do we use it? What is it for? Swidler, Firestone, and Duran use their 150 combined years of scholastic excellence to first provide answers to these questions within the context of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam individually, but also offer the reader insight as to how these concepts can be applied to interreligious dialogue.

The Power of Dialogue is an essential read for anyone who, like the authors, believes in the importance of understanding, mutual respect, and growth.

By closely examining how these religions emerged, their beliefs, attitudes, and history, this text will teach you what you need to know about religions other than your own and how to use that knowledge effectively to create productive and engaging discourse.

By reading this book, you will:

• Learn about dialogue from the experts, including what it is and why it matters.
• Explore the background and evolution of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.
• Examine the ways in which we define ourselves and others, and understand how this impacts dialogue.
• Tackle roadblocks to creating meaningful dialogue with others.