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Christian Thought, Muslim Thought and Societal Issues: Launch of the “Theologies in Dialogue” Chair
On Wednesday, September 25, 2024, this inaugural conference presents a new chair entitled “Theologies in Dialogue” at the Faculty of Theology of the Catholic University of Lyon. The speakers, Michel Younès and Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi, co-holders of the chair, present its raison d’être, its objectives and its methodology in the current context of Islamic-Christian relations and societal issues. Here is the summary.
Summary
Context and Objectives
- The chair is part of a long tradition of studying religions at the Catholic University of Lyon, with a particular focus on Islam.
- It aims to promote constructive dialogue between Christian and Muslim thought, going beyond polemical or simplistic concordist approaches.
- The ambition is to contribute to the challenges of living together in a plural society, by offering tools for mutual understanding.
Methodological Approach
- The speakers advocate a historico-critical approach to religious traditions, allowing for the necessary distancing for objective study.
- They emphasize the importance of the “philological revolution” which has allowed the discovery of otherness and the relativization of one’s own point of view.
- The chair aims to combine academic rigor and openness to dialogue with actors on the ground.
Identified Issues
- Overcoming identity tensions and mutual fears that hinder dialogue.
- Developing a nuanced understanding of the internal diversity within each religious tradition.
- Highlighting the ethical dimension of religions, beyond purely dogmatic aspects.
Planned Activities
- Academic courses and seminars.
- Open lectures to the public.
- Meetings with various actors of society (religious, associative, political).
- Development of certified courses.
The speakers emphasize the openness to dialogue of this chair, which aims to be both a place of academic reflection and a tool for society. They acknowledge the challenges to be met, particularly the apparent exhaustion of interreligious dialogue in some circles, but affirm the necessity of persevering in this path to contribute to better mutual understanding and social peace.
Le mercredi 25 septembre 2024, cette conférence inaugurale présente une nouvelle chaire intitulée “Théologies en dialogue” à la Faculté de théologie de l’Université catholique de Lyon. Les intervenants, Michel Younès et Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi, cotitulaires de la chaire, exposent sa raison d’être, ses objectifs et sa méthodologie dans le contexte actuel des relations islamo-chrétiennes et des enjeux sociétaux. En voici la synthèse.
Synthèse
Contexte et objectifs
- La chaire s’inscrit dans une longue tradition d’étude des religions à l’Université catholique de Lyon, avec un focus particulier sur l’islam.
- Elle vise à promouvoir un dialogue constructif entre les pensées chrétienne et musulmane, dépassant les approches polémiques ou concordistes simplistes.
- L’ambition est de contribuer aux défis du vivre-ensemble dans une société plurielle, en offrant des outils de compréhension mutuelle.
Approche méthodologique
- Les intervenants préconisent une approche historico-critique des traditions religieuses, permettant une distanciation nécessaire à l’étude objective.
- Ils soulignent l’importance de la “révolution philologique” qui a permis de découvrir l’altérité et de relativiser son propre point de vue.
- La chaire vise à allier rigueur académique et ouverture au dialogue avec les acteurs de terrain.
Enjeux identifiés
- Dépasser les crispations identitaires et les peurs mutuelles qui entravent le dialogue.
- Développer une compréhension nuancée de la diversité interne à chaque tradition religieuse.
- Mettre en lumière la dimension éthique des religions, au-delà des aspects purement dogmatiques.
Activités prévues
- Cours et séminaires académiques.
- Conférences ouvertes au public.
- Rencontres avec divers acteurs de la société (religieux, associatifs, politiques).
- Développement de parcours certifiants.
Les intervenants insistent sur l’ouverture au dialogue de cette chaire, qui se veut à la fois un lieu de réflexion académique et un outil au service de la société. Ils reconnaissent les défis à relever, notamment l’épuisement apparent du dialogue interreligieux dans certains milieux, mais affirment la nécessité de persévérer dans cette voie pour contribuer à une meilleure compréhension mutuelle et à la paix sociale.
Author(s)
Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi
Holder of the Chair "Exegesis and theology of Shia Islam" at the École pratique des hautes études (Paris)
Michel Younès
Professor of Theology and Islam Studies, Deputy Director of the Research Unit "CONFLUENCE Sciences & Humanités", Director of the Centre for the Study of Cultures and Religions (CECR) - UCLy
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