RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE AS A TOOL FOR PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE AMONG RELIGIOUS ADHERENTS

Abstract

Religious dialogue is the convergence of religious faithfuls to discuss basic issues for the purpose of understanding to enhance peaceful coexistence. Religious diversity is an important feature of contemporary societies, bringing adherents of different faiths, traditions, cultures, and worldviews into regular interaction. Although religion can promote moral values, compassion, justice, and human solidarity, religious differences may also generate prejudice, misunderstanding, intolerance, discrimination, and conflict when they are not properly understood or respectfully managed. Religious dialogue provides a constructive platform through which adherents of different traditions can communicate, clarify misconceptions, develop mutual understanding, and recognise shared values while maintaining their distinctive religious identities. This study examines religious dialogue as a tool for peaceful co-existence among religious adherents, with particular attention to its capacity to promote mutual understanding, tolerance, and respect. It further explores how constructive dialogue can reduce religious prejudice, misunderstanding, intolerance, and conflict by encouraging openness, active listening, trust, and peaceful engagement among diverse religious communities. The study also examines the contribution of religious dialogue to reconciliation, co-operation, social harmony, and collective efforts to address common social challenges. The study argues that sustained and constructive interreligious dialogue can transform religious diversity from a potential source of division into an opportunity for mutual enrichment and collaborative development. It concludes that effective religious dialogue is essential for building peaceful, inclusive, tolerant, and cohesive societies in which religious differences are respected and managed through communication, co-operation, and mutual understanding.