Prof. Paul Knitter is the Paul Tillich Professor of Theology, World Religions and Culture at Union Theological Semionary. A leading theologian of religious pluralism, Prof. Knitter holds a licentiate in theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome (1966) and a doctorate from the University of Marburg, Germany (1972). Knitter’s journey into interfaith dialogue began in 1964 when he was a seminarian in Rome and experienced the Second Vatican Council firsthand, at a time when the Roman Catholic Church declared its new attitude towards other religions.
Most of Prof. Knitter’s research and publications have dealt with religious pluralism and interreligious dialogue. Since his ground-breaking 1985 book, No Other Name?, he has been exploring how the religious communities of the world can cooperate in promoting human and ecological well-being. His latest publication is Without Buddha I Could Not Be A Christian: A Personal Journey of Passing Over and Passing Back (Oneworld Publications, 2009).
Professor Kintter is currently collaborating with TRACT in "Interreligious Dialogue: Fingers to Pointing to the Moon?"