Principles and Guidelines for Interfaith Dialogue

Dialogue vs Debate

Dialogue is the understanding of myself and others.

Debate is the successful argument of my position over that of an opponent.

I listen openly and compassionately with the view that I want to understand.

I listen in order to counter what I hear, and am closed to new ideas.

I listen for strengths, so I can affirm and learn, and to hear other viewpoints.

I listen for weakness, so I can discount and devalue what I hear.

I speak for myself using my own experiences and understanding, and examine my own assumptions.

I speak based on my own assumptions about others’ experiences and motives, in an effort to prove that I am right.

I ask questions to increase understanding, and am willing to temporarily suspend my beliefs.

I ask questions in order to control the conversation, or to confuse: I look for ways to affirm my own beliefs or “win.”

I allow others to complete their communications.

I interrupt or change the subject.

I concentrate on others’ words, feelings, body language, and other modes of communication.

I focus on the point I want to make next.

I respect others’ experiences as true and valid for them, and want to work with others to come to new understandings.

I critique others’ experiences as distorted or invalid or wrong.

I respect the expression of feelings in myself and others.

I distrust the expression of feelings as manipulative or less than legitimate.

I honor silence.

I am anxious in silence or use it to gain advantage.

I look for ways to keep the conversation going, even in conflict.

I look for ways to end the conversation, when I am uncomfortable.

Published by Abrahamic Faiths Peacemaking Initiative http://abrahamicfaithspeacemaking.com

Reprinted with permission.

Pages ( 9 of 26 ): « Previous 1 ... 7 8 9 10 11 ... 26 Next »