The Interreligious Competence Scale (IRC)

Abstract

[eng] Our model of interreligious competence is a concept that integrates knowledge, skills, and attitudes enabling individuals to: (1) engage in dialogue about religion and spirituality with people holding different religious positions; (2) participate in the practice and/or study of religious traditions other than their own without losing their personal perspective; and (3) manage the emotions that arise from such interaction and experience (Aneas et al., 2023) In short, interreligious competence allows individuals to overcome initial feelings of insecurity, rejection, or fear by managing negative emotions and correcting any disturbance caused by prejudice and limited knowledge of other religious traditions. This enables them to grasp the meaning of diverse rituals and traditions through shared experiences. Therefore, interreligious competence goes beyond words and information, focusing instead on living and sharing practices, traditions, and spaces with others. These practices are supported by well-founded knowledge that integrates critical thinking regarding both one’s own community and others.