This groundbreaking volume gathers an array of inspiring and penetrating stories about the interreligious encounters of outstanding community leaders, scholars, public intellectuals, and activist from the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. With wisdom, wit, courage, and humility, these writers from a range of religious backgrounds share their personal experience of border-crossing, and the lessons learned from their interreligious adventures. We live in the most religiously diverse society in the history of humankind. Every day, people of different religious beliefs and practices encounter one another in a myriad of settings. How has this new situation of religious diversity impacted the way we understand the religious other, ourselves, and God? Can we learn to live together with mutual respect, working together for the creation of a more compassionate and just world? Contributors include: Mary Boys, Rita Nakishima-Brock; Arthur Green; Ruben Habito; Paul Knitter; Michael Lerner; Eboo Patel; Judith Plaskow; Paul Raushenbush; Arthur Waskow; and many more.

Nowhere else in the world have both Islam and Christianity been more instrumental in shaping the history of a people and their way of life than in Africa. African Muslims and Christians have a lot in common, including kinship ties, shared languages and citizenship. Yet, despite the centuries of deep historical links and harmonious existence between the two religions, new challenges threaten this harmony. Conflicts involving Christians and Muslims in places like Sudan, Nigeria and Ivory Coast are common. These conflicts are fueled primarily by ignorance, stereotyping and prejudice, which in turn breed fear, suspicion and even hatred, in some cases leading to violence. My Neighbour's Faith sheds light on the beliefs and teaching of Islam by addressing matters of contemporary importance to Christians and the wider non-Muslim audience. It presents the human face of Islam--the face of a close relative, a neighbour, a teacher and even a head of state--in a balanced and critical way that gives a credible view of Islam.

Meeting people of other faiths is an everyday experience not only for minority Christian communities in Asia and the Middle East but increasingly for Christians elsewhere. Yet although interfaith dialogue has established itself as a key concern for the churches and the ecumenical movement, it continues to raise spiritual, social, political, practical and theological concerns in many quarters. The insights in this book draw on the author's wide range of personal experiences -- as a child, student and Methodist pastor in Sri Lanka; as a participant in the controversial discussion of interfaith dialogue at the World Council of Churches' fifth assembly (Nairobi 1975); as a student of Hinduism; and especially as a longtime staff member and director of the WCC's dialogue programme. Weaving together accounts from daily life, ecumenical texts and discussions, and theological reflection, this book offers a clear and challenging introduction to key issues that arise again and again when Christians and churches enter into conversation with their neighbours of other faiths -- among them interfaith prayer, interfaith marriage, religion and conflict, and dialogue and mission.

"I want to love my neighbor, but I don't know how." Most of us feel guilty about Christ's command to love our neighbor, but let's be honest--we don't even know most of the people living around us. How can we love people we don't even know? Besides, doesn't it count as "loving our neighbor" when we send money to missionaries and put out yard signs for our church? Are we supposed to just knock on our neighbors' doors and tell them about Jesus? "They'll think I'm weird." How to Love Your Neighbor Without Being Weird helps you overcome fears about getting to know your neighbors and sharing your faith. You'll learn simple, practical ways to get to know your neighbors, using your God-given personality. As you venture out of the comfort of your living room and into the lives of your neighbors, you'll form authentic friendships, create a safer community, and find fulfillment in obeying Christ's #2 command. Loving your neighbor isn't a random command; it's God's perfect plan. "A very timely book for a very isolated culture. Amy Lively offers practical help and guidance in the neglected practice of hospitality."--Dr. Dennis Rainey, president, FamilyLife "This ministry is changing lives. Amy has followed God's leading into an untapped area of people that need Jesus. What a simple idea of reaching out to your neighborhood--the area that God placed you in for His purposes. Amy's ideas and excellent resources have offered a no-excuse zone for this ministry. The Lord said, 'Love me and love your neighbor.' He chose Amy to show us the way. Thank you for this amazing resource!"--Chrissy Dunham, director of women's ministry at Prestonwood Baptist Church, Plano, Texas "Amy knows God has given each of us a corner of the world to share the love of Jesus and the hope found in His Word. Her book equips women, spiritually and practically, to answer this call and open their hearts and homes to friends and neighbors."--Wendy Blight, Proverbs 31 Ministries speaker and author "Amy's brilliant approach to engaging our neighbors is natural, fun, and life-changing! She provides every single thing you will need, including courage. This book and practice is a must for everyone desiring to honor and obey the Lord."--Debbie Stuart, church and leadership development director, Women of Faith " Amy gives us the keys to really connect with those who live around us--not with an agenda, but with a heart toward real relationships. A must-read for anyone who believes that 'Love thy neighbor' really starts at your front door."--Kathi Lipp, coauthor of The Cure for the Perfect Life and author of The Husband Project "With hundreds of friends on social media, why are we so lonely? In her amazing book, Amy Lively identifies the heart-need for deep connection that's not being met through a screen and offers a simple solution: Actually meet the people who live near you. Amy's openness to share her successes and failures at reaching out will inspire you to try it yourself.'"--Glynnis Whitwer, author of Everyday Confetti; executive director of communications, Proverbs 31 Ministries "Amy shows us, step-by-step, how to conquer our fears, connect with our neighbors, and have fun too! Highly recommend!"--Cindy Bultema, speaker, Bible teacher, and author of Red Hot Faith "What does 'love your neighbor as yourself' really mean? In this book, Amy Lively will give you the tips, tools, and techniques you need to love your neighbor in your own unique way."--Jennifer Rothschild, author of Lessons I Learned in the Dark; founder of Fresh Grounded Faith events and womensministry.net

Do atheists hate God? Many Christians seem to think so. For the last three centuries Christians have widely assumed that atheism is always a result of a rebellious, sinful rejection of God. According to this view, at some level atheists really do know there is a God, but they sinfully suppress this knowledge because they want to live independently of God. But what if that is not correct? What if some folks are atheists not because they're sinful and foolish but because they've thought hard, they've looked carefully, and they have simply not found God? What if the common Christian assumptions about atheism are little more than an indefensible prejudice? What if the atheist really is our neighbor?