Different types of inter faith

Group at London Inter Faith Centre
A group at London Inter Faith CentreJust what is meant by this now widely used term `inter faith` (and what might be the difference between inter faith and inter-faith and interfaith)? Broadly speaking, whereas `multi faith` describes the presence of a number of faiths in one place, `inter faith` tends to indicate some attempt at positive interaction between and among them. At London Inter Faith Centre we use our own eight word definition of inter faith as meaning “faiths in encounter and the issues raised thereby”. We endeavour to promote the encounter and facilitate some of the ways of living with and addressing the issues raised thereby.

Alongside one form of inter faith – which overall may be a minority pursuit – where inter faith indicates the joining up of the parts seen to be held in common across the religious divides – most mainstream approaches work with the differences represented by the various religions and traditions – though with a variety of emphases, such as

  • Spiritual and intellectual reflection – as in World Congress of Faiths, which, founded in 1935, is the earliest such initiative doing frontier work at the time
  • Theological proactivity on the challenges presented – as in the Churches and their related documents and action
  • Reconciliation, peace and justice work, as with `Religions for Peace` (World Conference of Religions for Peace) and St Ethelburga`s, London
  • The Religions and Education, such as the Standing Advisory Committee for Religious Education (SACRE) which is a statutory body in every borough with different faith members working to provide an agreed RE syllabus
  • Resourcing particular constituencies, such as the part of the work at LIFC which seeks to resource Christians, through education and cross faith interaction; also the Christian `Presence and Engagement` network.

These are a few from among the proliferating number of emphases – with central and local government providing funding for faith related initiatives within its social cohesion agenda . More focus is thus now possible on particular aspects of how we live together and learn from one another.