ABSTRACT
This chapter grows out of both author's personal experience and scholarship. It addresses the structure of interreligious dialogue processes, to indicate common models for how they work. The chapter attempts to paint a landscape map illustrating the vast territory of interreligious dialogue while also using a spotlight to highlight key elements and characteristics. It uses the term "interreligious dialogue" in reference to any type of dialogue involving religious acts with different belief systems and spiritual practices. Regardless of the type of interreligious dialogue, there are a number of preconditions that allow dialogue to take place, ranging from a belief in dignity of and respect for all people to skills in building relationships. Dialogue is useful for information gathering, analysis, relationship-building, and decision-making. Dialogue is also a method of social change. While dialogue planners and facilitators cannot promise joint action at the outset of a dialogue, they can create the space for it to happen.
