pluralism and society Flashcards
what was before christianity in the UK
paganism
-panthaeism
-spirituality with the earth and spirits
who brought christianity to the UK
the romans in the 7th century and it became the main religion
why is religious exclusivism under pressure
because of modern changes and a multi faith socuety
whats inter faith dialogue
the practise of promoting communication across faith divides between those of different religion
liberal view of inter faith dialogue and conversion
being open minded to changing ones beliefs
-ready to learn from each other
-only trying to convert is proselytising
conservative view of inter faith dialogue and conversion
faith element requires genuine expression of each persons faith
-dialogue doesnt mean requiring open minds
weakness of conservative approach
keeping focus on evangaliziing sacrifices dialogue part
-lack of cohesion in multi faith society
weakness of liberal approach
undermine faith by relativizing demands of secular society
-peaceful society needs freedom of exclusivism
-liberal goal of reletavising religious belief undermines religious freedom
what does scriptural reasoning include
people of different faiths coming together to read and reflect on each others scriptures
purpose of scriptural reasoning
learning to disagree without conflict
-encourages better understanding of others religions
origins of textual reasoning
peter Ochs
-textual reasoning
-combining study of scripture with thinking current issues facing jewish communities
-developed after holocaust
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method of scriptural reasoning
participants choose a topic or theme
-members select passage
-discuss and interpret passage
whats the problem of liberalism
by supressing exclusivist actions it gets rid of tradition different groups
-makes traditional groups wary
how is scriptural reasoning the middle ground
doesnt ask participants to supress faith making it post-liberalism
-but converting others and attacking others
what does scriptural reasoning state
-space where people feel safe from pressure to convert or attacks on own faith
-main aim cannot be to convert
-aim to show love for your scriptures
weakness - spiritual reasoning is relativistic
enables open minded dialogue by supressing exclusivist faith by being against true religion
-reading scripture as if they are all true gives impression they are all equally true
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defence of spiritual reasoning
wants to enable mutual understanding across faith divides
-post liberalisk not because it relativises but because it encourages understanding of traditional religious views and doesnt reject them
evaluation critizicing spiritual reasoning
conservative religions might see it as encouraging liberal attitude
-it discourages expression of exclisive truth of religion and need to convert others
spiritual reasoning avoids liberalisms problem of relativism
if it tries to unify different perspectives it gets rid of their indivuduality
-david ford wanted to accept differences which avoids liberalists mistakes
gavin dcosta criticism of spiritual reasoning
post liberalism slides into liberalism
-fords analogy of a tent suggests liberal approach of unifying different perspectives
-they explain other attempts to explain reality as well as their own
-SR doesnt allow criticism of other approaches
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issue of secular liberal pressure on traditional christian exclusivism
paul eddy- part of COE general synod
-argued result of liberality approach that christians are socially pressures towards pluralism
-christians made to feel guilty about view of jesus
secular liberals response to paul eddy
revativistic social pressure justified because exclusitist attitudes cause social problem
-hitchens agrees- religious people should have freedom to convert but should be looked down upon
-domesticating religion essential for social cohesion
-result of free speech not marginalisation
a free society allows conversion and social pressure has other consequences defending spiritual reasoning
-part of liberal democracy for freedom of speech
-up to others to listen- encourages social stability
-relativistic social pressure can drive religious believers to fundamentalism
-if they think religion under attack- gravitate to extreme forms of exclusivism
response to defence of conservatism
W L craigs defence of the conservative approach to interfaith dialogue
argues influence of political correctness, post modernims have influenced theological pluralism
-revlativism necessary to openess- alan bloom
-if religious diversity calls for openess which requires relativism then incompatiable with objective truth of christianity
-true relgious diversity has to include traditional exclusivism
paul knitters liberationist pluralism
-argues pluralism essential for cohesive multi religion society
-link between exclusivism and violence- nazis thought god was on their side
-doctrines and theology get in way of tolerance
-we need to be happy about neighours religion not just accept it
-parrallel with relgiious and racial harmony
pope john pauls redemptoris missio
-refers to spiritual purpose of church on earth
-urgent duty to preach gospel
-missionary focus for individual people and humanity as whole
JP2 in redemptoris missio on the validity of conversion
missions now to extreme and fails to respect freedom
-JP2 says conversion done without coercion and respectfully
-second vatican council says everyone has right to relgious freedom including from coercion
-preach christ but only with respect to peoples conscience
progressive liberals response to JP2 views
given history of christianitys violence only way they could apologise is to never convert anyone again
-giles fraser- because of anti semitism he tries not to convert jews
JP2 defending inclusivist approach to inderfaith dialogue and conversion
-he regards christianity as truth but other religions as containing some of christians gods revalation
-dialogue mutual and enrichment
-open minded dialogue with exclusively truth christianity and converting people
kungs criticicm of rahners anonymous christians
view presumptous and disregards non christians identities
-describes it as theological rebranding of extra ecclesium nulla salum
kungs critique extension to JP2
respect pf JP2 insincere
-respect based on assumption truths in other faiths is christian truth
-fails to recognize other faiths as authentic and distinct
