Posts Tagged ‘ Faith ’

Why IRENIC?

January 18, 2009
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When something is done in an irenic way, it is being done in a way that

  • helps find common ground,
  • creates understanding and appreciation,
  • or soothes sore points of dispute.

(Robert Longman Jnr, Spirit Home, Sep.20, 2008, http://www.spirithome.com/defineh.html)

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Irenic Theology: a way of approaching God-talk that respects and accurately represents the opposing belief even when you strongly disagree.

In other words – instead of blowing you up, I’ll try to understand you.

(adapted from Matt Morris, Songcrafting, Jan 2, 2009, http://www.songcrafting.com/2009/01/02/who-do-i-bomb/)

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Irenica

It isn’t on the map; it can’t be found
with compass, reached on foot, by plane or car.
It isn’t ruled by force; it isn’t bound
by walls. The vision opens where you are.

Irenica, the unpolluted land
beyond the dream is calling day and night,
“Come home, beloved child. The distance spanned
is Nothing. I’m within you — seek The Light.”

Her beacon gently whispers of a choice
to live where neither greed nor fear hold sway
as love unmasks confusion, stills the voice
of hatred. Sisters, brothers, it’s The Way.

A consciousness surpassing one alone

begins a blink beyond our comfort zone.
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-Mary Sullivan Boren (allpoetry.com/poem/6815851)
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This poem was sent to me by the poet, who came across this website several years after writing of the mythical place Irenica.  It is reproduced here with her permission.
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Let the Inter Religious ENcounter Information Consultancy assist your inter faith dialogue.

 

About IRENIC

January 13, 2009
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IRENIC Interfaith Consultancy exists to help you engage with people of other faiths more effectively.

An IRENIC consultant can advise you before or during your encounters.

IRENIC can also provide speakers for meetings and conferences, facilitate discussions and workshops, and lead training sessions on inter faith issues.

An occasional magazine, “IRENICA”, will be published online and may be downloaded from this website when it is available.

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IRENIC’s principal adviser, Andrew Sarle, graduated with a first class honours theology degree, including studies in world religions, from the University of Edinburgh in 2006, was employed as Inter Faith Education Officer by the Churches’ Agency for Inter Faith Relations in Scotland between 2005 and 2009, and is Secretary of Central Scotland Interfaith. He has considerable experience in advising groups and individuals wishing to improve dialogue between people from different faith communities.

He was a high school teacher for over 25 years, and is a trained Church of Scotland Reader.

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Inter Religious Encounter should always be an open dialogue between people.

IRENIC seeks to assist participants in inter faith dialogue

* to seek common ground rather than debate division
* to learn from each other
* to respect each others’ traditions and firmly held beliefs

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What does Irenic mean?

Irenic (adjective): aiming or aimed at peace, from the Greek, eirene ‘peace’,the opposite of polemic (Compact Oxford English Dictionary)

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Inter Religious Encounter should be an IRENIC experience.

Let the Inter Religious ENcounter Information Consultancy assist your inter faith dialogue.