1. Getting to know each other
Narrative and story
Sharing our real life experiences, our
stories, can make a refreshing change
from discussion of ideas and beliefs,
and offer a very direct way to encounter
the other. Narrative-based work involves
creating a safe space for people to tell
their own story without interruption
or questioning. This technique is widely
used for those who have survived
religious conflict, violence or prejudice,
but can also be used to focus on aspects
of the spiritual journey.
Traditional stories (myths, folktales,
and also stories from scripture) provide
rich metaphors and archetypal images
which can transcend their original
context. They can dramatise universal
human experiences, evoking a strong
sense of community in the listening
group. They can be combined with
personal narratives in gatherings where
everyone is invited to contribute a tale,
whether real or fictional. These kinds
of stories have the potential to bring
a faith tradition alive in a very human
way. Stories can be used to create an
atmosphere of warmth, humour and
accessibility, but can also be used
to challenge and provoke.
Strengths
• Stories have the potential to touch people’s hearts and to
be memorable in a way that dialogue sometimes cannot.
• Narrative can be a good precursor to dialogue around
controversial issues, opening up the territory and
offering space for empathy to develop.
• Video, audio and internet can be used to record stories
and make them available more widely.
• Can be used to create a more level playing field between
the highly educated and articulate and those who are
less so, or who are speaking a second language.
• Traditional story can be useful if working with groups
which include both adults and young people.
Potential Issues
• Encouraging people to tell personal stories which might
involve pain or loss means being responsible for creating
a safe and supportive space.
• Traditional storytelling needs to be pitched at the right
level to avoid being either perceived or experienced
as something for children.
Points to consider
• Sharing personal stories requires safe space and
respectful listening. What tools and facilitation skills
will help you create safe space within your group?
What risks might be involved?
• Which of the traditional storytellers operating in your
locality are interested in faith? What might they be able
to offer you? How can you involve your whole group
we are changed by interfaith encounter. How might
you explore these and use them to build bridges?
Resources
Society for Storytelling special
interest group in faith and religion
Contact the SfS group at St Ethelburga's
The Village Storytelling Centre,
Glasgow
Stories in Conflict.
Ed. Liam O’Hagan.
Published by Towards
Understanding and Healing
Healing Words
This unique festival is held in the Galilee area of Israel, where Jews, Muslims, Bedouins, Tcherkess, Druze and Christians live in a complicated social reality which requires constant dialogue and negotiation. Hosted by the Gate to Humanity Centre (Israel) and The School of Storytelling (Sussex), it brings over 2,000 people together in a woodland area, and utilises the power of both personal narrative and traditional story as a medium to dissolve conflict and build bridges. Story sharing is used in a range of creative and unexpected ways to foster deep listening and to offer doorways into experiencing empathy with those on opposing sides of the conflict. The aim is to lay to rest the old stories of hatred and strive to co-create new stories of hope, healing and peace.
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78 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AG Tel: +44 (0)20 7496 1610 : enquiries@stethelburgas.org