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T R U T H , T O L E R A N C E , A N D M O N O T H E I S M : I S A N I N T E R FA I T H D I A L O G U E P O S S I B L E
Truth, Tolerance, and Monotheism:
Is an Interfaith Dialogue Possible?
This leads us to the question of truth, tolerance, and the
possibility of dialogue. The Vima Ideon supplement of
June 2007 features an article by the Syrian poet Adonis, ti-
tled "Arrogant Tolerance", which poses the question of
whether a sincere dialogue among the three monotheistic
religions is possible. This article raises fundamental ques-
tions that compel us to reflect seriously. Is monotheism, by
its very nature and definition, “a closed universe that denies
me and forces me to deny the other”? Is it true that the
monotheistic perspective does not respond to my existential
questions about myself, the other, or the world, as if it were
“a cage that freezes and immobilizes every creative and liv-
ing movement within its iron bars”?
The answer to these questions can only be affirmative: yes,
this is indeed the case—if one accepts the conception of
monotheism that the author assumes and describes. But is it
possible to have a different understanding of monotheism,
one that could lead to different conclusions and perhaps make
interfaith dialogue more feasible?
Adonis’ appeal to go beyond tolerance echoes the words of
Maximus the Confessor: “that we may not only learn to toler-
ate one another… but also to care for one another beyond
ourselves.” Indeed, the concept of tolerance is not only insuf-
ficient but, at its core, negative. It implies a sense of superior-
ity that diminishes the other—the one who is different, the
one who does not share our views. This sentiment is not nec-
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