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spirituality

Interfaith Worship

Together at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. Photo by Sandu Mendrea

The growing interaction between members of the world religions at all levels of society has increasingly raised the question whether people of different faiths can or should pray together. Especially in Western society this is a new issue to which few churches have given much attention, although it is relevant both to a variety of civic and public occasions as well as to family life. Underlying discussion about the appropriateness of interfaith worship are the questions about the relation of religions, which we have already been discussing.

Public Occasions: It is usual to distinguish between public interfaith forms of worship and more personal occasions, for example, ceremonies to mark the marriage of two people who belong to different religions. There are also communities, like colleges or conferences, whose members belong to different faiths, but which wish to give a religious expression to their life together and their commitment to shared values....(read more)

Types of Service: Besides the difference between public and private occasions, broad distinctions can be made between several types of interfaith worship.... (read more)

Personal Occasions: The most common personal occasion for interfaith services is marriage. It is no longer unusual for the couple being married to belong to different religions...(read more)

Other Situations: Interfaith worship for voluntary groups will vary enormously. Those attending a dialogue conference may feel an important dimension of religious life is missing if there is no opportunity for worship or silence...(read more)

Religious Education: The question of prayer and religious education at schools is complicated and the situation varies from country....(read more + Exercise)

History: Although interfaith worship is still new to many people, it dates back more than a century. ...(read more)

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© International interfaith organisations network 2003