"Mortal na Kawaygan"

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Abstract

Two of the most notable religious groups in the Philippines that are in constant doctrinal dispute are the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) and the Roman Catholic Church (RCC). Starting from the most trivial forbidden act of eating “dinuguan” (pork blood stew) up to the highly controversial doctrine on the divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ, the true Church, and the pathway to salvation, these involved parties seem impossible to make peace and reconcile. This paper explored the possibility of promoting peace and respect between these faith-based groups through the process of interfaith dialogue (IFD). A historical research of the identity of each group, which includes one’s respective opposing doctrines, were explored and specific guidelines of IFD were critically formulated based on the situational context of both groups and adapted from successful IFD processes worldwide. Future researchers can utilize the same pattern of dialogue to be employed to other groups or enhanced it according to specific contexts.