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Christianity Quote by Namsoon Kang

“Whenever one comes to the the table for interreligous dialogue, there is what I would call an _ecumenical taboo_ that one has to comply with. The ecumenical taboo_ does not exist in a written document, but people tend to practice it around the dialogue table. One should not raise, for instance…” quote by Namsoon Kang
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““Whenever one comes to the the table for interreligous dialogue, there is what I would call an _ecumenical taboo_ that one has to comply with. The ecumenical taboo_ does not exist in a written document, but people tend to practice it around the dialogue table. One should not raise, for instance, such questions as gender justice, sexual orientation issues, religious constructions of the other, multiple forms of violence in a religious community, or religious cooperation with neo/imperialism. each religion has its own _history of sin_ that has justified and perpetuated oppression and exclusion of certain groups of people through its own religious teaching, doctrine, and practice. In order to be _nice_ and _tolerant_ to one another, interreligious dialogue has not challenged the fundamental issues of injustice that a particular religion has practiced, justified, and perpetuated in various ways. I do not disregard that most ecumenists have based interreligious dialogue on a politics of tolerance, and this has played a significant role in easing the antagonism between religions, at least among the leaders of established religions. However, we should ground an authentic ecumenism and theology of religion in a _politics of affirmation and transformation, rather than a politics of tolerance_.””

Namsoon Kang

About This Quote

The author critiques an unspoken rule in interfaith dialogue that avoids confronting deep injustices, urging a shift from mere tolerance to active affirmation and transformation.

In simple terms: Dialogue often sidesteps core injustices; call for transformative engagement.

Key Takeaway

Push beyond tolerance to address systemic oppression.

Themes

interfaith dialogue justice tolerance affirmation transformation

Mood

critical reflective challenging

Type

theoretical activist

When to use this quote

  • religious conferences
  • academic panels
  • community workshops
  • policy discussions

Key Concepts

power dynamics ethical responsibility social change

Questions to Reflect On

  • What injustices are hidden by “ecumenical taboo”?
  • How can dialogue become a tool for transformation?
A Different Perspective

Tolerance alone may ignore structural harms.

2.7 out of 5 (8 ratings)

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