Ritual Participation and Interreligious Dialogue: Boundaries, Transgressions and Innovations

In societies of religious pluralism in both Europe and the USA, people are increasingly experiencing religious diversity first hand. In turn, the phenomenon of interreligious prayer, multi-faith celebrations and spaces, and ritual participation continues to grow. Whereas literature to date focuses on the doctrinal, ethical and theoretical issues surrounding interreligious dialogue, little work has taken place to analyse the phenomenon on the ground, as it is lived through ritual participation. Bringing together leading international contributors, Ritual Participation and Interreligious Dialogue delves into the complexities and intricacies of the phenomenon. Why are people participating in each other's religious rituals? Some do so simply out of curiosity, others in order to seek understanding, or as an educational opportunity. Some regard it as a powerful token of interreligious hospitality, or a spiritual journey. However, ritual participation may also confront believers with the uncomfortable question of whether their presence is appropriate.Ritual participation can be regarded as a powerful expression of interreligious encounter, but it also carries with it problems of an especially sensitive nature. Focusing on the lived dimensions of interreligious dialogue through ritual participation, this innovative volume opens an entirely new perspective which sheds light on theoretical questions.