The Importance of Interfaith Dialogue

A Muslim, Jew, and Christian felt the weight of loss as they looked upon the ruins of Berlin’s first church during the Cold War. Pastor Gregor Hohberg was so moved by this encounter that he decided to honor the history of the place with a new building, bringing in Jewish and Muslim partners. At first, they were simply conversation partners, but by spending time together, learning together,

and cooperating on a large project, they became friends.

The House of One Project

The project they created is called “The House of One,” a unique space that houses a church, a mosque, and a synagogue all under one roof. It is a place where people of all faiths, or no faith, can gather to learn from one another, share experiences, and find understanding in their differences.

For many people raised in a single religious tradition, there is often a stigma around exploring other faiths. The fear of questioning one’s beliefs or feeling disloyal can keep people confined within the walls of their own religion.

Connecting with other faiths, however, is much like learning a new language or exploring a culture that isn’t part of your family history. You don’t lose your own identity or beliefs, but you gain insight into other ways of seeing the world. The very qualities that faith teaches, thoughtfulness, kindness, and empathy, can deepen through these connections. By opening ourselves to others, we begin to recognize the common threads that unite humanity across traditions and build relationships that go far beyond surface-level differences.

Social Media’s Role

Social media has made it easier than ever for people of different faiths to interact. Through forums, discussion boards, and online groups, individuals are regularly exposed to beliefs and practices that differ from their own, creating more opportunities for dialogue, learning, and reflection.

Disagreements are common in interfaith spaces. Some people believe the world was created in six literal days, others see creation as occurring in cycles, and still others interpret those “days” symbolically. Interfaith connection, however, does not require agreement on every detail. What matters is respect, curiosity, and the willingness to listen. Even when beliefs diverge, these conversations can foster deeper understanding and a greater appreciation for the diversity of human faith and experience.

In the book How to Be a Perfect Stranger by Stuart M. Matlins, readers learn how to respectfully attend and understand religious ceremonies across different faiths. The book emphasizes that anyone can enter unfamiliar religious spaces with curiosity and respect, demonstrating that learning about other traditions does not require abandoning one’s own beliefs. By approaching others with openness, even small interactions can become powerful opportunities for connection and understanding.

Curiosity Is the Starting Point

Let’s return to the Jew, the Muslim, and the Christian. These three leaders didn’t begin as friends, but as conversation partners.

Small conversations often spark curiosity, and it was this curiosity that laid the foundation for the House of One. Their project succeeded not because they agreed on everything, but because they asked questions, listened carefully, and learned from one another.

Yet curiosity alone is not enough. It is respect that makes curiosity meaningful and safe. The three leaders demonstrated respect by sharing space, honoring multiple traditions, and accepting each other’s differences without trying to change anyone. You may never share someone else’s beliefs, but you can still recognize their value, and in doing so, build trust, understanding, and lasting connection.

The Power of Simplicity

The House of One is now an ambitious and beautiful project, but its foundation began with something much simpler: three people of different backgrounds talking, listening, and asking questions. Making a difference does not require a grand gesture. Even a conversation, a shared meal, attending a cultural or religious event, or simply listening without debating who is right can have a meaningful impact. Like the House of One, the most life-changing collaborations often begin with small, human actions, and these small actions are something anyone can practice in their everyday life.

The Benefits of Interfaith Connections

Talking to people of different faiths offers experiences you cannot gain by staying within your own circle. Even simple conversations can break down stereotypes, challenge assumptions, and reveal the shared humanity behind diverse beliefs. By engaging with others, we also learn more about ourselves, discovering perspectives and values we might never have considered. This process nurtures empathy, understanding, and reflection, helping us become more thoughtful and compassionate individuals.

Small efforts to connect can have a ripple effect, creating peace and strengthening our shared humanity. When people of different faiths find common ground, whether through shared values, acts of kindness, or simple mutual respect, it reminds us that collaboration and understanding are possible. Each conversation, question asked, and gesture of curiosity and respect contributes to a larger movement of connection and harmony across faiths, showing that even modest actions can build bridges that endure.