Challenges, Particularity and Possibilities of the Dialog with the Adherents of the New Religious Movements in the Light of the W. C. Smith’s Work
Abstract
The author investigates the advantages of possible application of Wilfred Cantwell Smith’s methodological proposals in the area of communication and interfaith dialogue with the adherents of new religious movements. The author describes the main features, conditions and challenges of this particular type of dialogue and focuses on the most common reasons why the representatives of majority society (both religious and secular) often fail in their attempts to communicate successfully with members and leaders of new religious movements.
Several key ideas articulated and defended by W. Cantwell Smith are presented as very useful means to improve and cultivate the relationships between the adherents of new religious movements and the representatives of majority society (i. e. religious and secular institutions).