Addressing Structural Asymmetries between Majority and Minority: the Guidelines for Inter-Religious Dialogue in Switzerland

A recent survey in Switzerland shows that 85% of its respondents think that religions rather contribute to conflict than to peace. This paper introduces the „Guidelines for Inter-Religios Dialogue in Switzerland» (original: «Leitfaden für den interreligiösen Dialog»), published by the Swiss Interreligious Think-Tank in 2014 (German) and 2015 (English). It is a brochure, jointly written by Christian, Jewish and Moslim women, aimed at practical use. The paper concentrates on how questions of „majority“ or „minority“ positions are playing a role, how conflict between religions is perceived and how a „plurality of perspectives“ (H. Arendt) can be achieved.