christianity, migration + religious pluralism Flashcards
What’s multiculturalism?
Made up of many diff cultures; nationalities, beliefs, values + social customs
What is said in John 14:6?
“I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me”
What did those who viewed multiculturalism as a threat to Britain argue?
Threat to core national values+trad.
Argued that Britain was a Christian country w values rooted in Christian beliefs
Who was Enoch Powell?
Conservative Member of Parliament
What did Enoch Powell state (quote) in the River’s of Blood speech in ref. to multiculturalism?
“It’s like watching a nation busily engaged in heaping up it’s own funeral pyre”
What is the biggest change between 2001+2011?
The fall in the no. of Christians + rise in the number of ppl who claimed no religion
What did the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 18 state?
The right to freedom of thought, conscience + religion
Freedom to change religion
Manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practise, worship
What is it illegal to do>
incite violence/racial hatred; if a religion preaches hatred towards others, its no defence to claim freedom of religion
What are the beliefs of those who oppose multiculturalism?
- It leaves little scope for a society to be held tog. - no agreed scheme of thought - no cohesion
- Danger that immigrant communities can become increasingly isolated+subject to pop. discrimination
What’s an issue w multiculturalism in terms of claims of religion?
Multiculturalism assumes no single culture can claim to be the best BUT
religion is based on the fact that what it offers is the best way of life + superior to others
What does an exclusivist believe?
Their religion is the only right one
Others are wrong even if their beliefs are similar
What does an inclusivist believe?
Another religion can have aspects of belief that are the same as their own
What is an example of exclusivism?
Evangelical Christians believe the goal of human life is salvation from sin + going to heaven
Only possible through a personal relationship w Jesus
What’s an example of inclusivism?
Other Christians might argue that god will forgive sins of those who haven’t committed themselves to Jesus bc they lived good lives
What’s closed inclusivism?
1 spec. religion has all truth; others have some of it too
What’s open inclusivism?
1 spec. religion has the best grasp of, but not all of the truth - it can learn some truth from teachings of other religions
Why is evangelism priority for biblical fundamentalists?
It can save ppl who would otherwise won’t be bc they’re not committed to Christ
What’s the Roman Catholic term for supporting exclusivism? What does this translate to?
Extra ecclesiam nulla salus
There’s no salvation outside the Church
What’s the key question of exclusivism?
Whether commitment should be explicit or implicate (attitudes, actions, values)
What is relativism?
All religions are seen as equally true or equally false
Why does an exclusivist want to avoid relativism?
It goes against the key+distinctive features of Christian thought; that God is revealed through Christ in a unique way
What is a criticism of exclusivism?
If God is free to do whatever he chooses, it’s illogical to say he can’t act through other religions
Exclusivism limits God’s potential + binds God to a particular interp. of scripture
What’s a major problem w exclusivism?
Depends on literal+simple interp. of the Bible that gives it authority BUT the N.T. went through development+editing that reflects the situation Early Church found itself in
What does Peter say in Acts that reflects inclusivism?
“I realise that God doesn’t show favouritism but accepts from every nation”
What position does Barth take on inclusivism?
Seeing all religions as ineffective
The only thing that counts int he grace of God
What did Barth oppose?
A liberal approach which saw Christianity as one religion among many
What’s an anonymous Christian? Coined by who?
Karl Rahner
Ppl who aren’t Christians in practice/worship are nevertheless able to experience salvation/grace