The Quiet Revolution: The Emergence of Interfaith Consciousness

Faculty of Theology and Philosophy

School of Theology

Peter Kirkwood, ABC Books, 2007

Reviewed by Gerard Hall SM, Australian Catholic University

This book is an expanded version of the recently-shown ABC documentary by the same name. Elegantly written for the non-scholar, Kirkwood investigates individuals, local communities and international organizations in regard to their interfaith ideas, practices, concerns and hopes. In many ways, the book is itself an interfaith dialogue among these various individuals and groups. While the author's own voice is a clear moderating influence, more than ample room is given to the scholars and practitioners of dialogue to speak their own thoughts. A significant feature of the book is that all major voices emerge from conversations with the author himself.

The eight chosen pioneering individuals—or what the author calls "Prophets, Sages and Mystics for the Third Millennium"—represent Buddhist, Jewish, Christian and Muslim traditions, with (at least) Raimon Panikkar, Stephanie Dowrick and Chung Hyun Kyung claiming (in diverse ways) multiple religious identities. This matter of dual or multiple religious belonging is, of course, a huge topic in itself. The author does not pretend to investigate this issue theologically, but to present a range of interfaith approaches including these more 'radical' expressions of an emerging interfaith consciousness.

While a number of interfaith voices—notably Panikkar, Hans Küng, John Hick and Paul Knitter—are internationally recognized scholars of religious pluralism, their contributions are as accessible as they are thought-provoking and challenging. Another dimension of the book may be better termed intercultural dialogue with its focus on East-meets-West and, particularly, the Muslim encounter with the Western world. This is central to the reflections of Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf and Daisy Khan. No interfaith book today can afford to ignore the situation in the Middle East, especially the Arab-Israeli(-and Christian) conflict in Israel. Here, Rabbi David Rosen's contribution is especially relevant and, despite so many signs to the contrary, optimistic in terms of what he calls the "interfaith paradigm shift" occurring today.

A major section of the book is given to presenting examples of pioneering interfaith work by local communities and international organizations including: the Interfaith Seminary in New York (Stephanie Dowrick is one of its ordained graduates); the Parliament of the World Religions (to be hosted by Australia in Melbourne, 2009); the Global Ethic Foundation (founded and directed by Hans Küng); and the Peace Council (highly select group of religious leaders including the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu).

If there is a philosophical basis underlying the author's view (epitomized in the selection and presentation of contributors' voices), this could be described as a type of post-modern pluralism. This has certain advantages. On the one hand, it does not espouse the emergence of a "one world religion"; religions are really different and, on certain fundamental points, mutually contradictory. On the other hand, such differences need not lead to conflict; indeed, we can and need to celebrate our differences. On this point, the author quotes the Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh, who describes the goals of interfaith dialogue as: "not the same world religion, not the same looking, the same feeling—but celebrating the diversity of our richness, of our differences, with great acceptance".

The author entertains other philosophical positions in two short chapters: "One Truth or Many Truths?" and "Fundamentalism". However, he is finally a spokesperson for the proponents of interfaith dialogue who are genuinely committed to the possibility of harmony—not unity—among the religions. On this, he quotes Panikkar with evident approval: "Either we discover again and anew the neighbour in flesh and blood, or we are heading toward a disaster of cosmic proportions".

This book should be included in any contemporary introductory study of interfaith dialogue for the manner in which it presents an apologia for such dialogue in reference to key figures and movements occurring throughout the world among multiple religious traditions. This apologia is less one of logical argument than an almost-mystical witness to a new, emerging interfaith consciousness—or, indeed, to a "spiritual revolution". Although many readers may be less enthusiastic than the author or his spokespersons—and there is unquestioningly much room for critical perspectives on the viewpoints presented—, the challenges are crucial for the world (and its religions) in the third millennium.