interfaith and interdenominational relations

Question 1

interfaith & interdenominational definitions

Answer 1

interfaith - relationship between different faiths
interdenominational - relationships between different christian churches like roman catholic church and church of england

Question 2

hick’s approach

Answer 2

• hick is a universalist & believes god’s salvation will be available to all regardless of religion
• crucial features of religion for hick include the transformation of human existence from self-centredness to reality centredness, sees religion as primarily about self-transformation rather than historical truths

Question 3

how does griffith challenge this view

Answer 3

• asks how to deal with religious groups that support extreme actions which other religions see as against the religious spirit
• says its unrealistic to say that the differences between some religious groups are superficial

Question 4

difference between hick’s view of soul making & catholic view of purgatory

Answer 4

• hick doesn’t accept idea of hell then faces problem of what happens to those who do evil within this life
• his view - if an all-loving god eventually allows all to be saved then must be other opportunities to do good & gain salvation
• catechism of catholic church says that purgatory is the state of those who die in god’s friendship but still need purification to enter into happiness of heaven
• hick’s view defers from this as for him everyone who dies can achieve ‘purification’

Question 5

hick - future opportunities to turn to god

Answer 5

• hick’s view is in tension with the bible as matthew’s parable of sheep & goats is that some aren’t saved but hick rejects & suggests that story might be a response to persecution of christian church
• could build relationships between different faiths & denominations as implications on what he says about universal salvation could bring those of different beliefs together though his positive view of pluralism contributes to understanding between faiths at a community level
• protestants reject hick’s views of universal salvation

Question 6

freedom of expression on wearing a cross - nadia eweida

Answer 6

• told by employer she can’t wear lapel cross on uniform
• case decided by european court in 2012
• secularist says its display of religious affiliation which shouldn’t intrude work
• religious response was it was indication of person’s religion & cause no harm