Migration/Pluralism

Question 1

Absolute vs Relative View and PROBLEMS WITH THESE VIEWS

Answer 1

Absolute: there can only be one ‘truth’ -> can become isolated/restrictive

Relative: truth depends on the view/situation -> can dilute faith

Question 2

Problems with a multicultural society

Answer 2

• religion is based on the belief they all offer that best way of life, but multiculturalism values cultures equally
• loss of culture/divisive
• fear to challenge practices due to offence (such as FGM)
• danger immigrant communities would not assimilate into original culture (Rivers of Blood speech)
• often need CERTAINTY (religious morals)
• no reason used to decide what is ‘right’ (based off experience)

Question 3

Incompatible belief examples (outside Christianity)

Answer 3

Belief that Jesus is the son of God (new Testament)

Judaism - still waiting for Messiah - also no Trinitya

Question 4

Incompatible beliefs WITHIN Christianity

Answer 4

• Interpretation of Bible: RC (tradition/apostolic succession) vs LITERAL (evangelical Protestants) or LIBERAL = other Protestants
• LEADERSHIP: papal authority (Vatican says pope teaches infallibly) vs MARTIN LUTHER wanting monarchy. Quakers: local organised leadership
• EUCHARIST (transubstantiation)
• STYLE OF WORSHIP. Pentecostal = informal, not set prayer
• BAPTISM

Question 5

Who is exclusivist, what proof do they use and what are the issues with this?

Answer 5

JOHN 14.6: ‘I am the way and the truth of life. No one comes to the Father except through me’ (Evangelical fundamentalists)

Issues: limits God’s potential forgiveness/salvation
Illogical that God only works through one religion? He is omnipotent

Question 6

Who is inclusivist, what proof do they use and what issues arise?

Answer 6

ACTS: God does not show favouritism but accepts one who fears him and does what is right

Open (religions each have aspects of truth) - Protestant

Closed (religion can still learn from others but one religion has whole truth) - Roman Catholic

Often people follow religion because they have one ‘truth’ - surely they should be committed?

Question 7

What is anonymous Christianity and what issues arise?

Answer 7

Karl Rahner: one can be an ‘implicit’ Christian in how they live their life

BUT what is the point of Christianity?

Question 8

Hick’s universalist approach - pros and cons

Answer 8

‘TRANSFORMATION FROM SELF CENTRED-NESS TO REALITY CENTRED-NESS’ - all have equal claim to the truth

• we are all 1 in Jesus Christ
• self transformation leads to INTERDENOMINAL relations (but too late…)
• Paul Griffiths: How does this account for religions which teach violence? ‘Not superficial’ (but not all religions violent …)
• what about beliefs that go against society, like Jehovah’s witnesses oppose blood transfusion
• sheep and goat parable - not everyone can be saved (but hick says transformative nature enables this)

Question 9

HOW CHRISTIAN DENOMINATIONS VIEW EACH OTHER

Answer 9

Catholic: salvation found through tradition

Protestant: guidance in scripture!

-> fundamentalists measure faithfulness on their devotion to scripture

Church of England - attempts to works with other religions

Ecumenism: process of relationships developing between divisions
(world Council of Churches - focuses on what churches have in common)

Question 10

Extent of integration in our society

Answer 10

82% white, 18% other in Britain

37% no religion, 46% Christian

Human Rights 1988 ratified Universal Declaration of Human Rights: all have rights to freedom of thought

River of Blood speech - objected to 1968 Race Relations act accepting jobs/houses for ethnic minorities