Redefining Interfaith Discourse: Applying Invitational Rhetoric to Religion

Abstract

There exists a peculiar, reoccurring loss in religious conversations held between rhetors of differing religious beliefs—that is, the building up of the person-to-person relationship. This article, however, proposes that invitational rhetoric, as offered by Sonja K. Foss and Cindy L. Griffin, will provide the rhetor with a more sympathetic, even empathetic, means of discussing the subject matter of religion. While this essay focuses on the individual spiritual quest, religious rhetoric is herein examined with the intent of arriving at a juncture that will allow one to go beyond the usual conflicts by nurturing what might be considered an unusual, but effectual, respect.