1. Two Chairs Exchange
For AQA GCSE RS.

2. Lesson 1: Is interfaith dialogue possible?

3. Imagine an interfaith event
In pairs
One of you imagine self as a Muslim, one imagine self as a Christian.
You’ve been invited to attend an interfaith evening.
What are your expectations? What do you hope to get out of the experience? What do you think you will do/ talk about during the evening?
What are your fears? Are there some topics that you think it would be best to not talk about?
And now …..

4. Imagining Interfaith 2
Remain ‘in role’ and write out key words/ short sentences in pairs to describe your feelings
Speaking as a Muslim, I expect that…, I am afraid that…, but I hope that….
Speaking as Christian, I expect that …, I am afraid that … but I hope that…

5. Class discussion I Why might people be reluctant?
How might the ideas of the Two Chairs way help interfaith relations? (Remember Goethe)
Is a deep encounter between people of different faiths dangerous and divisive thing?

6. Class discussion 2
Is the following point by Goethe constructive when engaging in interfaith dialogue?
Does Goethe mean that we ‘all live and die in Islam” literally? What else is he trying to say?
I find it foolish and quite odd
That stubborn folk seek to deny
If Islam means we all serve God
All in Islam live and die
(Goethe)

7. Research in pairs
What do Christians and Muslims believe about interfaith dialogue?
Is Christianity or Islam better equipped to to tolerate, and perhaps even learn from other faiths?
Returning to your pair, the ‘Muslim’ needs to investigate Christian ideas about interfaith dialogue and the ‘Christian’ needs to investigate Muslim ideas. You can also swap roles!

8. Useful weblinks on interfaith
Islam
Christianity

9. Class discussion 3
What are the benefits of meaningful interfaith dialogue?
Why might religious believers be reluctant to engage in interfaith dialogue?
Why is interfaith dialogue important for religious believers?
Is it possible for a person to be steeped in their own belief, yet be able to listen to and learn from someone from another faith? Why?

10. Essay
‘Interfaith dialogue is crucial for religious people in the UK today.’ Evaluate this statement.
In your answer you:
• should give reasoned arguments in support of this statement
• should give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view
• should refer to religious arguments
• may refer to non-religious arguments
• should reach a justified conclusion.
Without referring to the Two Chairs idea directly, try to bring out differences and similarities between Christianity and Islam. Try to compare and contrast what you have found out about how the two faiths view interfaith dialogue, and try to avoid black and white statements.
12 marks