Dialogues between religious and non-religious groups Flashcards
What is freedom of belief?
Means that people can say and do as they want so long as it doesn’t interfere with the rights or welfare of others
How does religion play a part in public life?
- 26 bishops sit in the House of Lords, some people think this is good as religious values may be a good influence on law however others think religious institutions shouldn’t get a say in law-making.
- Christian services to mark key events like remembrance day
- Certain public holidays are based on Christian celebrations like Christmas and Easter
- King is the head of the Church of England, reinforces Christianity as the established religion of the UK
What is secularism?
The idea that public life should be separated from religion and religious ideas, people can be religious and still believe in secularism
How is secularisation different to secularism?
Secularisation is what actually happens rather than a principle, if a country or area gets less religious, the people in that country or area will get less religious.
What could some clashes be between religion, tradition and the secular?
- People who support secularism disagree with the place of secularism in education
- Religious schools might also clash with secular values like acceptance of LGBTQ and issues like abortion, contraception and halal/kosher meat.
- Religion teaches that sex should only take place within marriage and that only heterosexual couples can be married, this conflicts with secular laws which allow anyone over 16 to have sex
- Religions also might not always promote equality in regards to gender and homosexuality.
What is self determination?
The freedom to make one’s own choice
What is exclusivism?
The view that only one’s own religion is correct and that all other religions are wrong, evangelical protestants may hold this view as Jesus said he was the only way to God the Father
Roman Catholics are exclusivists
What is inclusivism?
View that one’s religion is correct, but other religions still may be able to worship God
Protestants are inclusivists
What is pluralism?
Belief that religious truth can be found in many different religions, and that one’s own religion may not be the best way to God than others
What is ecumenism?
Where local churches and different denominations work together. It’s important in helping Christians to stay united as followers of Jesus and to work together to achieve more.
What is inter-faith dialogue?
Constructive discussions between different religions, religious leaders may meet to discuss important issues
What is intra-faith dialogue?
Where different Christian denominations communicate with each other, many denominations try to work together as members of the World Council of Churches, many Christians believe that other denominations are just as likely to be able to have a good relationship with God.
What do some people believe about the relationship between religion and national identity?
- Some people closely connect religion with national identity, lots of people see Britain as a Christian country
- This means that some people believe that other religions don’t have a place in their country and that people of a different religion don’t fit with their national identity.
What is proselytisation?
Actively evangelising and trying to make people convert to your religion, Jesus told his followers in the Great Commission to make more disciples and to teach them about him.
What is atheism?
Atheists do not believe in a God or Gods so disagree with Christians who believe in a God.
