From the point at which one faith first became aware of another, there has been inter-religious dialogue. Such dialogue can lead to a positive and rewarding exchange of ideas between different religious traditions, as Martin Forward shows in his lucid introduction to the topic. Drawing on a wide array of sources, this readable guide examines the past, present and future possibilities of inter-religious dialogue. Covering everything from the global ethic to the position of women in the community, and drawing on the words of great thinkers from classical to contemporary times, Forward examines many of the world faiths and their varying contributions to the filed. Also included are such key issues as: how spiritual truth can be sought in a multi-religious and multi-faith world ; the resources offered by the different faiths for resolution of modern moral dilemmas, including issues of sexuality and gender ; the attitudes of the different world faiths to environmental concerns. Accessible and compelling, this is essential reading for students, scholars and all those who wish to know more about the key issues involved in the exchange of ideas between faiths. (Back cover).