Dialogue Guidelines

This is a monitored blog site. Guest blog posts will follow these guidelines:

Length: No more than 300 words.
Tone: While they may hold critique of some kind, views contained in blog posts will be expressed respectfully and positively.
Alignment with Charter Vision: Blog posts will be in keeping with the Conversation’s Charter Vision. The Conversation maintains the right to reject blog posts that run counter to the Charter Vision.
Posting instructions: To submit a guest blog, contact info@interfaithconversation.ca.

Deep Dialogue Archive

Deep Dialogue

Welcome to the Deep Dialogue page, where Participants in the Conversation share their views on the importance and nature of interfaith dialogue and related issues, and also post news items. Deep Dialogue recognizes that we can do more together, and do so better, when we provide opportunity to talk about the things that have deepest meaning for us. We believe that our desires to contribute to the well-being of all people come from the place where our values and beliefs reside, not from a superficial desire to get along with others. When we are able to share those things that hold deep meaning for us, we not only promote better understanding but we are also able to better anticipate where and how we can work better together.

Guest blog posts are welcome (send requests to info@interfaithconversation.ca). Please note that views expressed in blog posts written by a Conversation Participant reflect their own views, not those of the Canadian Interfaith Conversation as a whole.

Millennium Kids’ Call to 42nd Parliament

The long-anticipated Sustainable Development Goals (2016-2030) were adopted by the world at the United Nations September 25, 2015. These 17 Global Goals follow the Millennium Development Goals (2000-2015).

The Brewing "Niquab" Tragedy

During the closing days of last week and over the weekend, we have seen not simply an escalation in virulent verbal attacks on Muslims, but two documented assaults on Muslim women, one wearing a niquab, the other no more than a simple hijab.

In Montreal, a pregnant young Muslim woman was assaulted and knocked to the ground by two teenage males. In a Toronto mall, a second young woman was roughly handled by an adult male while in the presence of her two young daughters.

Taking Media Phone Calls

Taking calls from the media is part of my role and job description as General Secretary of The Canadian Council of Churches. Such calls can be more or less frequent depending on events in the national and international context. In the Canadian context of an up-coming federal election and the international context of the Syrian refugee crisis, it was not at all surprising to receive a call from a journalist at the Canadian Press this week.

God Keep Our Land, Glorious and Free

Singing the national anthem is a religious experience for me. It brings together two loves: God and country. Recently I had the opportunity to sing all four verses in English and one in French. As usual, I didn't get through it with dry eyes. (For those unfamiliar with the entire text, I include it below.)

One of the things I love about our anthem is its deep religious significance. The fourth verse pleads:

Our Whole Society - Closing Remarks

Our Whole Society: Bridging The Religious-Secular Divide (March 22-14, 2015, UBC Robson Square, Vancouver, B.C.)

Closing Remarks