Embodied Trust and Emotional Labor in Interfaith Encounters: A Qualitative Study of Urban Dialogue Practitioners
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Abstract
This study examines how trust is cultivated by interfaith dialogue practitioners operating within the emotionally and spiritually charged contexts of multicultural urban environments. Moving beyond institutional and policy-driven analyses, it centers on the embodied and affective dimensions of interreligious engagement through an interpretative phenomenological approach (IPA). Twelve grassroots interfaith leaders (7 men, 5 women) aged between 28 and 62, representing Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism, were recruited via purposive sampling from three metropolitan cities in Indonesia. Data were gathered via in-depth, semi-structured interviews lasting 60–90 minutes, recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analyzed using NVivo software to ensure transparency and rigor.The findings highlight four interrelated themes: dialogic vulnerability, ritual participation across faiths, inner spiritual reevaluation, and the ongoing emotional labor inherent in interfaith leadership. Rather than viewing trust as a static achievement or institutional mandate, participants described it as a fluid, relational experience grounded in human connection, shared practices, and personal introspection.
Trust emerged through emotionally intense moments—ritual proximity, theological reflection, and resistance from within one's own religious community—all requiring sustained empathy and resilience. These insights underscore the vital, often invisible labor interfaith actors perform in reconciling religious difference and fostering inclusive coexistence.
By foregrounding the lived experiences of dialogue practitioners, the study offers a nuanced and humanistic contribution to the field of interfaith studies. It provides practical implications for community leaders, educators, and policymakers committed to building sustainable interfaith relationships through authentic, emotionally grounded engagement.
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