I.
Introduction

The title of this lecture is "How Christians and Muslims Understand Each Other." In the 17 years I have lived in Britain, I have been very impressed by how much hard and good work has gone into increasing understanding between different faith communities. This has been through Religious Education in our schools, through various government initiatives, through council and community initiatives, through local members of the various faith communities and their churches, mosques, awareness events like tonight’s, and especially through personal relationships. During the time I have lived in Britain, and most of that in this local area, I have seen an increase in mutual understanding, and I am very grateful to God for it, and grateful to all of the many people involved.

With that in mind, though, recent events remind us there is still much to be done. Though there is increased understanding, we would all agree there is still too much mis-understanding. Tonight, I want to address some issues that are still too often marked more by misunderstanding than understanding.

This talk is mainly addressed to Christians and Muslims, but others are quite welcome to listen in and contribute. In the West, people of all faith commitments have the opportunity to talk to and listen to each other as never before.  Let us not waste this opportunity.  Let us combine a search for knowledge about each other with sympathy and respect. Let us seek to understand our similarities and differences with clarity, fairness, and without inaccurate stereotypes.