The indifference of both atheists and fanatics toward others’ beliefs undermines the very essence of interfaith dialogue, as it deprives communication of the opportunity to rely on understanding and respectful regard for the individual.

Indifference Undermines Genuine Dialogue

The indifference of both atheists and fanatics toward others’ beliefs undermines the very essence of interfaith dialogue, as it deprives communication of the opportunity to rely on understanding and respectful regard for the individual. When a person—whether a representative of atheism or a fanatical adherent—fails to try to understand or appreciate another’s faith, the discussion is reduced to a clash of ideas, where ideas replace real people and cautious participation gives way to a mechanical repetition of established dogmas.

For example, as stated in one source, “tolerance is not indifference or apathy toward good and evil; tolerance is a virtue of freedom-loving and human-loving, a careful attitude toward human souls…” (source: link txt). This means that a fanatic who refuses to see the person behind the faith loses the opportunity for constructive dialogue, where mutual respect is a key condition.

On the other hand, there is the question of a person’s readiness to defend their own faith—or even sacrifice their life—without resorting to violence against another’s freedom. “

The question is: is a person ready to die for their faith, or are they ready to kill others for it, even at the cost of their own life?

And it is here that a Christian sees the boundary between readiness for self-sacrifice and fanaticism” (source: link txt). This distinction is critically important because rejecting violence, and thereby rejecting indifference to others’ convictions, preserves a space where compromise can be sought without escalating conflicts.

Finally, dialogue between confessions requires the ability to find a “living connection with each person, with every representative of a different religious tradition” (source: link txt). Disregard for others’ beliefs—whether in the form of condemnation by atheists or the narrow-mindedness of fanatics—leads to the loss of that human element that makes it possible to overcome disagreements and enrich society with a shared spiritual and cultural tradition.

Thus, the indifference of both atheists and fanatics toward others’ beliefs constitutes a serious obstacle to interfaith dialogue, as it eliminates the possibility of mutual understanding and cooperation which is necessary for building a society based on respect and human unity.

Supporting citation(s):
“Tolerance is not indifference or apathy toward good and evil; tolerance is a virtue of freedom-loving and human-loving, a careful attitude toward human souls, regarding their life path—always complex and agonizing. A fanatic does not see the person nor is interested in the person; he only sees the idea…” (source: link txt)

“

The question is: is a person ready to die for their faith, or are they ready to kill others for it, even at the cost of their own life?

And here a Christian sees the boundary between readiness for self-sacrifice and fanaticism. For a Christian, even the thought of violence against another’s freedom is unacceptable…” (source: link txt)

“A Christian must be able to find a living connection with each person, with every representative of a different religious tradition, rather than shunning the heritage of the past or mimicking those atheists who, as Berdyaev wrote, rejected God but do not experience the joy of truth. Fanaticism, on the other hand, can become a form of apostasy—even heresy—expressed by opponents of freedom of conscience, placing the idea above the person…” (source: link txt)