Press conference on the sidelines of the seminar on terrorism and the position of religions towards it – Heliopolis Club

1. The Concept and Causes of Extremism:
His Holiness explains that extremism occurs when a person insists on one direction without accepting others, rushing into opinions without examination or consideration of consequences. The extremist sees only one side of truth, leading to poor judgment and unbalanced thought.

2. The Role of Wisdom in Countering Extremism:
A wise person studies issues from all perspectives and considers their effects on others. Wisdom leads to moderation because it is rooted in sound understanding, openness, and readiness to listen without prejudice.

3. Interfaith Dialogue:
Pope Shenouda states that interfaith dialogue is possible when guided by wisdom and mutual understanding. The obstacle is not differing beliefs but the inability to accept them. True dialogue is based on respect, not fear of opposition.

4. Guidelines for Successful Dialogue:
Dialogue should occur in a spirit of calm and love, not conflict or competition. If it turns into argument, it should stop, since the goal is not to win a debate but to build bridges and achieve mutual comprehension.

5. Wisdom in Managing Dialogue:
The wise person can foresee the outcomes of conversations and discern whether the other seeks understanding or confrontation. If tension arises, the topic should be redirected to preserve peace. The true victory lies not in winning arguments but in winning people’s hearts.

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