The First Issue of the Journal of Inter-Religious Dialogue - May 1, 2009

For those who keep up with interreligious engagement and exchange throughout the English-speaking world, the inaugural issue of the Journal of Inter-Religious Dialogue will be published this May 1, 2009. (Image to the left: From the homepage of Journal of Inter-Religious Dialogue)

The Journal has been conceived and constructed by Joshua Stanton, a rabbinical student at Hebrew Union College, and Stephanie Hughes, a master's student at Union Theological Seminary. As stated on the website, the Journal is dedicated to increasing "the quality and frequency of interchanges between religious groups and their leaders and scholars." Managed and edited by a multifaith team of seminary students and scholars, this journal operates under a peer-review format. The overall aim of the Journal is to foster interreligious communication at the scholarly and religious leadership levels in the hope to help create a more tolerant and pluralistic society.

The Journal's aim is to 1) publish articles on research and scholarship taking place in seminaries, rabbinical schools, and other instititions of religious leadership; 2) promote innovative ideas for interfaith work; 3) identify problems and crises facing contemporary religious communities; 4) provide a forum for people of religious conviction (or none) to greater understand traditions other than their own; 5) use new technologies to promote the activity and practice of dialogue and engagement.

As there are numerous grass-roots and other organizations in North America and beyond that promote and engage in interfaith dialogue, action, and work, I feel that, although the Journal of Inter-Religious Dialogue is not necessarily a novel endeavor, it certainly recognizes the need for a variety of forums for interreligious engagement and intends to serve in just such a manner. Specifically, it sets out to be a scholarly forum for religious leaders and academicians to learn more about other religious traditions and expand their knowledge-base concerning issues of interfaith relations. I feel the most innovative and exciting part of the Journal's work is its utilization of new online technology (esp. peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed published online forums, external links to more online dialogue, and a discourse archive linking people to publications of all types dealing with dialogue) to engender and increase interreligious exchange and understanding.

I trust this will be an intellectually stimulating, socially conscious, and spiritually enriching project. I encourage all who are interested in the least to get involved in any way you can. Peace!