From June 15 to 18, representatives from different religious traditions gather at Silliman University in Dumaguete City for the Interfaith Peace Conference with the theme “Gathering at the Table: Faiths in Dialogue for Peace.”
It is a significant moment. People of different beliefs sitting together. Listening to one another. Seeking common ground. But for Christians, interfaith dialogue raises an important question: How do we engage with people of other faiths without compromising our own?
Jesus gave us the answer. He sat at tables with all kinds of people: Pharisees, tax collectors, sinners, Samaritans, and Romans. He did not isolate Himself. He engaged. He listened. He loved. And He always spoke the truth.
First, engage with respect and listen with humility.
Colossians 4:5–6 says, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt.”
When we sit at the table with people of other faiths, our posture must be one of respect. We do not mock. We do not belittle. We listen. We learn. We find common ground like a shared commitment to peace, justice, and compassion for the poor.
Conversation is not compromise. Jesus talked with the Samaritan woman at the well. He did not agree with her theology. But He engaged her. He listened. He asked questions. And He spoke truth in love. That is our model. Not a debate. A conversation.
Second, see dialogue as an opportunity for peace and understanding.
Romans 12:18 says, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Interfaith dialogue is not about agreeing on everything. It is about choosing to sit at the same table despite differences.
It is about recognizing that we share this world together. It is about finding ways to work together for the common good: feeding the hungry, caring for the poor, protecting the environment, and stopping violence.
The goal of interfaith dialogue is not to erase our differences. The goal is to prevent our differences from becoming walls or weapons.
When we talk to one another, we humanize one another. We break down stereotypes. We build trust. And in a world where religion is often used to justify hatred, conversations across faiths become acts of peacemaking.
Not every conversation will lead to agreement. But every conversation that is conducted with grace and respect honors God.
Some conversations plant seeds of understanding. Some conversations build bridges that will be crossed by others. Our job is to be faithful, to listen, to love, to speak truth with grace, and to live at peace as far as it depends on us.
As we pray for the Interfaith Peace Conference held at Silliman University from June 15 to 18, let us remember: peace is not the absence of disagreement.
Peace is the presence of respect. Sit at the table. Listen with humility. Speak with grace. And let every conversation be an opportunity to show the love of Christ. | NWI
