Interreligious Dialogue and New Media - Toward a More Inclusive and ‘Synodal’ Church

• Main Author: Tan, Hwang Poh Kelvin Powell
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2024
• Subjects: Mass media in religion; Ecumenical movement; Social media—Religious aspects; Religion
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etdd_tred/10; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/context/etdd_tred/article/1018/viewcontent/2024_Tan_Hwang_Poh_Interreligious_Dialogue_and_New_Media___Toward_a_More_Inclusive_a.pdf
• Institution: De La Salle University

This research explores how the use of new media in Interreligious Dialogue (IRD) in Singapore can better foster inclusivity and synodality. IRD is crucial for Singapore's national identity, bonding its diverse population. The government and religious leaders have made significant strides in this area, contributing to the nation's progress. Inclusive pluralism, in particular, is vital for Christians involved in IRD in Singapore, emphasizing on the one hand, the recognition of other paths to God in other religions, and on the other hand, the uniqueness of Christ as Savior. To attain its objective, the research first analyzes the extent of inclusivity and use of new media in IRD in Singapore. It focuses on organizations – such as Humanity Matters, Jamiyah Singapore, Hashpeace, Roses of Peace, Racial and Religious Harmony Circles, and the Inter-religious Organisation – representing different types of religious organizations based on actors involved and the context (local and international). The analysis shows their use of new media for participation on the informational, instrumental, representational, and transformative levels. However, there is still a lot of space to further develop the inclusivity of these groups. As a second step, the research examines two regional models – vTaiwan and Malaysia’s Project Engage. It gleaned guidelines from these models and the synodal process toward greater inclusivity in the use of new media in IRD namely: 1) openness to all stakeholders; 2) need for a regulated space; 3) non-anonymity and accountability; 4) use of Pol.is; 5) “wise democracy” orientation; 6) adoption of top-down and bottom-up approaches; 7) transparency; 8) integration of discernment. The appropriation of these guidelines can contribute to a more inclusive and synodal IRD using new media in Singapore.