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Herts: Interfaith dialogue


Michal Siewniak reports:

Last night's meeting with Welwyn Hatfield Inter Faith Group was pretty special. We haven't come to a clear conclusion whether both discussed topics; politics, religion or faith in general, are a magical combination or dangerous mixture and it was clear that probably no one would!

However, our get together, attended by 30 people, offered a wonderful opportunity to reflect on number of things: ways in which we communicate, faith and political perceptions, ways in which we can create positive change or ways in which media influence our 'political behaviour'.

We all agreed that each member of our society, including members of different faith denominations, has a responsibility to be an active citizen. We started by setting rules for the evening. We compared hearing with active listening skills. We all agreed that we all should be entitled to express our beliefs however it was important to remember not only what we say but how we say things.

The event tonight was quite a good personal lesson. I interrupted someone only once (!) and tried to do my best to be fully immerse myself in each conversation without any intention to seek an immediate reply. What a lovely feeling!

The event tonight proved that civil and balance debate is possible but we all ought to try a bit harder not to be stuck in our little 'bubbles' but seek opportunities to further our learning as well as constantly aim to educate ourselves.

So...it feels like we all left happy, inspired, ready to see good in others, ready to be curious not judgmental, willing and eager to continue building bridges not walls! We all wished that our MP's were present. Who knows, maybe they would have learnt something?

Michal Siewniak is a former Councillor and member of the Focolare Movement.

Read more about Focolare here: www.focolare.org/gb

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