30.11.2014 Views

PRINCIPLES FOR INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE.pdf - CUEA

PRINCIPLES FOR INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE.pdf - CUEA

PRINCIPLES FOR INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE.pdf - CUEA

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

intimidations, confusions, suspicion, wars and reconciliations. All<br />

these qualifications, optimist as well as pessimist, will help us to<br />

stand Islam and Christianity for an effective encounter.<br />

The general attitude of Muslims towards Christians at that period was<br />

made of tolerance and intolerance. The time before the 11th century<br />

was a period of tolerance if we look at the number of practical events<br />

done in both sides. The 11th and the 12th centuries were a time of<br />

intolerance caused by some writings and attitudes, which gave rise to<br />

crusades and jihad. The 13th century was a time of hope and<br />

reconciliation.<br />

2.RELIGIOUS LIBERTY: A MUSLIM PERSPECTIVE<br />

By Muhammad TaIbi<br />

Muhammad TaIbi was born in Tunis in 1921. A historian, he was formerly<br />

dean of the Faculty of Literature and Human Sciences of the University of<br />

Tunis. This article originally appeared in Islamochristiana, 11 (1985), 99-<br />

113.<br />

1. From old relations to a new context<br />

At the outset we have to remember that the problem of religious<br />

liberty, as a common human concern and international<br />

preoccupation, is relatively new. In former days the problem was<br />

irrelevant totally. In ancient times everybody felt it natural to worship<br />

the deities of his city. It was the job of these deities to protect the<br />

house and to look after the family and the welfare of the state. With<br />

their worshippers they took the rough and the smooth. The deities of<br />

Created by DEAN-FASSFrederic Ntedika Mvumbi, OP<br />

Page 22 of 37

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!