Table Of ContentThe Multifaith Movement: Global Risks
and Cosmopolitan Solutions
Anna Halafoff
The Multifaith Movement:
Global Risks and
Cosmopolitan Solutions
Anna Halafoff
Faculty of Arts and Education
Deakin University
Burwood , VIC , Australia
ISBN 978-94-007-5209-2 ISBN 978-94-007-5210-8 (eBook)
DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-5210-8
Springer Dordrecht Heidelberg New York London
Library of Congress Control Number: 2012951792
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for Cosmo
Foreword
This book examines the rise of multifaith initiatives to counter global risks of
terrorism and climate change at the turn of the twenty fi rst century. Recent increases
in religious diversity in most societies has led to the rise of multifaith engagement
to promote healthy interreligious relations and has brought diverse religious groups
together in partnerships designed to address major issues confronting humanity.
As James A. Beckford notes, most contemporary sociological studies focus on
negative or controversial aspects of religion—up until now there has been little
sociological research on the positive peacebuilding and social capital enhancing
aspects of religion—nor has there been such an in-depth qualitative study of the
multifaith movement.
Multifaith relations in the twenty- fi rst century have moved from marginal activi-
ties engaged in by a boutique minority of liberal Christians and a few ‘others’ to
genuinely interreligious activities collaboratively conducted by people from a wide
variety of religious origins and from diverse orientations within religious groups.
Embodied understanding about how different religions work for those that practice
them is essential to intergroup respect and harmony. Mere textbook learning will
not do. As religious voices return to the public sphere, those who develop and apply
social policy need to not just be aware of religious difference but to have the ability
to respect and work with different beliefs and practices. Presuppositions that a
‘secular voice’ will provide an objective or inclusive way to deal with diversity are no
longer tenable. The notion that all religions are essentially the same quickly comes
unstuck. In this context Anna Halafoff contributes new knowledge by examining
multifaith engagement through the lens of social movement and cosmopolitan theory.
This book is important not only for sociologists of religion, as it provides a
missing sociological narrative about how the multifaith movement is a product of
contemporary sociological developments, but it is also critical reading for multifaith
practitioners and policy makers.
Halafoff provides a helpful history of the multifaith movement including a review
of the movement’s principle aims. This book also assists the reader to appreciate the
impact that social, cultural and environmental issues have had on multifaith activities.
Many people mistakenly think that multifaith initiatives are a post 9/11 phenomenon,
vii
viii Foreword
however they need to better understand the multifaith movement in order to appre-
ciate the different ways it has worked and how the focus of this movement has
changed over time.
The netpeace framework Halafoff develops stresses the need for communication
and collaboration across multiple sectors, including religion and state, in response
to common crises. It also provides a critical framework useful in comparing the
ways different societies ‘manage’ religious diversity, and how societies differ in
the ways social issues are de fi ned and multifaith responses are constructed.
Finally, while frequently dismissed as a ‘soft option’, Halafoff explains how
multifaith engagement is an important and effective part of countering violent
extremism strategies, stressing the need for governments to partner with religious
communities to better understand grievances and address them according to
cosmopolitan principles—the key here is communicative action embodied in real
relationships.
Successful negotiation of life in an increasingly globalised world requires that all
citizens, agencies and governments realise just how interconnected we are. With this
comes the implication that it is more necessary than ever to learn to live peacefully
and respectfully with one another. Societies and the religions that operate within
them must learn the value of respecting the rights of all others, even those who differ
on matters of faith and ethics. This book will help to make this need a reality.
UNESCO Chair in Interreligious and Intercultural Gary D. Bouma
Relations – Asia Paci fi c, Monash University
Acknowledgements
This book could not have been completed without the assistance of the multifaith
leaders who participated in this study, my academic colleagues, and my family.
A total of 56 multifaith leaders from Australia, the United Kingdom and the
United States of America were interviewed for this project. I would like to thank
each one of them for their time and interest in my research. I was particularly moved
by their kindness, wisdom, generosity and commitment to the multifaith movement.
These qualities enabled them to welcome me into their homes and of fi ces, and to
share their valuable insights with me, in the hope that this research may be able to
provide a greater understanding of the global multifaith movement.
I am also very grateful to Professor Gary D. Bouma and Dr. Jo Lindsay for their
guidance, wisdom, tireless enthusiasm, and good humour. Professor Rae Frances, all
of the staff at the Monash University’s School of Political and Social Inquiry, and
Deakin University’s Centre for Citizenship and Globalisation, also expressed a strong
interest in my research and provided words of encouragement. Thank you in parti-
cular to Associate Professor Pete Lentini, Professor Greg Barton, Bill Kelly, Rachel
Woodlock, Ela Ogru, Sue Stevenson, Professor Fethi Mansouri and Cayla Edwards.
Finally, I must thank my wonderful son Cosmo and my wise mother Irina. I could
not have undertaken this project, or completed this book, without the patience,
understanding and support of everyone mentioned above.
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