The Complexities of Faith: Is Interfaith Dialogue Truly Working? A Realist’s Hope from an Optimist’s Heart

While the title may seem grim, I consider myself an optimist. But being an optimist doesn’t mean ignoring reality or offering excuses for difficult situations. To me, optimism isn’t about sugarcoating a bad situation—it’s about recognizing the potential good within it. That’s exactly where I stand when I ask myself:

Is interfaith dialogue truly working?

I genuinely believe only good can come from ongoing conversations between the three Abrahamic faiths. But the key word is ongoing—and that’s where things start to fall apart.

Yes, we see debates between the faiths, often framed as competitions to prove who’s “right.” We’ve all seen the viral street Dawah videos or Christian TikTok creators “fighting the good fight” for their religion. But let’s be honest: it’s not really a dialogue. It’s a fight.

Occasionally, I come across something that gives me hope. Like the interfaith discussion from 2019 featuring Imam Omar Suleiman, Rabbi David Stern, and Rector Chris Girata. It was thoughtful, respectful, and uplifting. But it’s also one of the only prominent examples out there. That’s telling. And it’s exactly why this site—and this conversation—is so important to me.

Why Interfaith Dialogue Matters Now More Than Ever

I built this site because I believe in a simple but powerful idea:

Let’s start with our similarities first, and then talk about our differences.

Think that won’t work? Let me give you an example:

Imagine you’re sitting in a park, reading a book you really love. A stranger walks up and says, “That author is terrible. He only wrote one good book—the rest are trash.”

You’d probably feel a bit defensive, right?

Now imagine instead the stranger says, “Oh! I really liked that one book of his, but I couldn’t quite get into the others.”

Same sentiment, completely different tone. It invites conversation, not conflict.

Isn’t that what real interfaith dialogue should feel like?

So… Is Interfaith Dialogue Truly Working?

My answer? Yes—but barely.

It is working, but we’re operating on fumes. It’s like trying to drive a car with barely any gas. Technically, it runs, but not for long. Or trying to get stronger by going to the gym once a month—you might make progress, but it will be painfully slow.

We need more talks. More panels. More real, intentional conversations between people of faith. Now, more than ever.

Here’s why that urgency matters:

The world is becoming more religious, not less.

The global Muslim population is growing at around 2% annually.

Global Christians at 2.3%.

The Jewish population at 6%.

And yet... we’re becoming more polarized by the day. More divided. More reactive.

Our Faiths Tell Us to Do the Opposite of Hate

If we truly believe in our scriptures, then we have no excuse for hatred. Just look at what the Torah, the Gospel, and the Quran say—not about friends, but about enemies.

Judaism – The Torah

“When you encounter your enemy’s ox or ass wandering, you must take it back to him. When you see the ass of your enemy lying under its burden and would refrain from raising it, you must, nevertheless, raise it with him.”

(Exodus 23:4–5)

Christianity – The Gospel

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”

(Matthew 5:43–44)

Islam – The Quran

“If the enemy is inclined towards peace, make peace with them. And put your trust in Allah. Indeed, He ˹alone˺ is the All-Hearing, All-Knowing.”

(Surah Al-Anfal 8:61)

These are not vague philosophies. They’re commands from the very core of our faiths.

So why aren’t we living by them—especially when we’re dealing with those we disagree with?

A Final Question for Us All

I want to leave you with a question—not just for reflection, but for action:

Who is Abraham (AS), and why is he important to all three faiths?

If we can answer that together, maybe we can begin to understand that our shared roots go far deeper than our divisions.

Let’s build on that foundation—not just once a year, not just in one video from 2019—but constantly, intentionally, and together the way God wants us to.

May god bless you all!