Religious Moderation in Interfaith Dialogue: Current Challenges and Hopes for the Future
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47655/dialog.v48i2.1224Keywords:
interfaith dialogue, peacebuilding, religious moderation, tolerance, pluralismAbstract
Religious moderation is a vital concept in maintaining harmony within plural societies. However, many studies on interfaith dialogue remain limited to theoretical perspectives, lacking empirical evidence on how religious moderation is practiced at the grassroots level. This gap has created a need for research that not only examines the theological foundation of moderation but also explores its real-life application among diverse faith communities. This study aims to analyze the role of religious moderation in interfaith dialogue by integrating theological reflection with field-based insights. Using a qualitative descriptive method, data were collected in July 2025 through a literature review and a field study involving semi-structured interviews with four informants, including Christian pastors, Muslim scholars, researchers, and FKUB representatives in Central Java. The findings highlight that religious moderation—manifested through tolerance, balance, and justice—can serve as a sustainable framework for present and future interfaith dialogue. This study concludes that embracing religious moderation is essential for nurturing social harmony, preventing conflict, and promoting a more inclusive religious narrative in an increasingly globalized world.
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