RELIGIOUS LITERACY IN INTERFAITH CONTEXTS

Narratives from a Pilgrim’s Interfaith Encounters

Abstract

As I sit down to take note of the very first lessons learned in the path of interfaith dialogue, the very last statement of the declaration that emerged as the findings of the very first interfaith event, the World Conference of Religions, Kochi, Kerala, November 15-21, 1981, echoes in my mind: “Let our words be matched by deeds.” We have come a long way. These parting words of the Meet, however, continue to ring new notes for us, as we continue our interfaith pilgrimage, trying to learn new lessons in interfaith literacy.  Back in the seventies, I had to cover long distances in the train, mostly in the 3-tier compartments.  These travels provided very good opportunities to discover new interfaith friends.  One of these friends was P. Govindapilla, a Marxist leader and writer, from Kerala.  I recall one of those meaningful exchanges.