Pluralism and Society Flashcards
reasons for Gb being pluralist
globalisation
post enlightenment mindset
migration
refugees
reasons for Gb being pluralist - globalisation
o Increased interconnectedness of the global society including more trade across borders etc.
♣ Crane and Matten have terms globalisation ‘deterrorisation’ as travel and commerce is so much easier due to the liberalisation of laws
reasons for Gb being pluralist - post enlightenment mindset
o Societies have developed values based on reason and knowledge rather than on religion
o Steven Pinker: ‘the humanitarian principle’ – societies get on better when they take into account the need of others = tolerance
reasons for Gb being pluralist - migration
o Greater contacts between people, spread of ideas and faith
o E.g. Sikhs were able to migrate to GB post WW2 to help with reconstruction.
o Reasons for migration = asylum seeking, economic improvement etc.
o Some Xians feel overwhelmed by number of other Res
reasons for Gb being pluralist -refugees
o Migration is at top of public policy agenda
o Much media coverage on it, GBs fear that citizens are losing jobs due to cheaper ‘foreign’ labour
o Refugees and asylum seekers often come from differing faiths e.g. many from Syria are Sunni Muslims, turn up with Islamic traditions, customs, faith.
positives of globalisation
♣ Local economies have benefited
♣ Prosperous local communities
♣ Employment, technological advances in communities
♣ Investment and infrastructure, greater transport for people and products
♣ Greater social awareness e.g. Microsoft have updated the mission statement, ‘At Microsoft, our mission is to enable people and businesses through the world to realise their full potential’. Donated over $1bill to charity since 1983
♣ Lifestyles, fashion etc. have influenced each other from one side of the globe to the other
♣ Greater sense of religious tolerance (h, globalisation has undermined faiths that previously characterised the country)
result of pluralism
- More multi-faith communities in GB
- Prince Charles claimed he should be deemed ‘Defender of Faith’ rather than ‘Defender of the Faith’
- Easy to connect with different religious ideas due to different places of worship/English translation of texts
- People of different faiths work alongside eachother: school must teach about different faiths; supermarkets have food for different religious; multi-faith prayer areas in hospitals etc.
positives of pluralism
• Xians and non-Xians can work together to promote peace e.g. Near Neighbours
• Can think more deeply about own faith and note dedication of Muslims for example and assess if they are as devoted to Xianity
• Enjoyable to learn about other practices
Greater education of religions – more diverse, syllabus accommodates other religions
negatives of pluralism
• Damages uniqueness of the message of Xianity (Hans urs von Balthasar)
• May encourage Xian children to convert to another religion
• Squashes Xian zeal for evangelism
Xians are worried about inter-faith marriages
interfaith dialogue - the other
- ‘Other’ = someone unlike yourself vs. can show multiple interpretations of the world
- Jacques Derrida called the open ended view of the world ‘difference’
- ‘Othering’ can cause racism and sexism
- Dialogue allows for a greater understanding of other points of view
theological exclusivism and inter-faith dialogue - general
o Exclusivists would argue inter-faith dialogue would allow others to learn more about Xianity and eventually convert to it
o RAEs – we do not know who the elect are, must try and convert everyone
o UAE – we must show true respect to outsiders for dialogue to work. One must take a sensitive approach that incorporates pastoral care of non-Xians as some other REs do in fact reflect a ray of truth.
theological exclusivism and inter-faith dialogue - Michael barnes
♣ This is risky for Xians as they need to recognise the need to build bridges
♣ Tension within RCC for e.g. as they preach pastoral inclusivism AND soteriological exclusivism
theological exclusivism and inter-faith dialogue - Barth
♣ His theology emphasises the need for humility and openness when approaching RE dialogue
♣ Humans do not know when and where God will reveal himself
♣ Other REs are ‘lesser lights’ that reflect the light of Christ
♣ (H, still promotes form of RE imperialism)
theological inclusivism and dialogue - general
o Restrictive inclusivists – sceptical as to how much institutions can ever change and seeks to encourage individuals to change and dialogue
o Structural inclusivists – whole RE can lead to salvation, should try and understand the whole of Islam for e.g. and note the similarities/differences
theological inclusivism and dialogue - rahner
o Rahner – should be humble, tolerant, yet firm towards other REs
theological inclusivism and dialogue - ford
♣ David Ford – inter-faith dialogue works best between faiths who theologically understand eachother.
• Differences are not negatives, must be seen in the spirit of collegiality, force people to examine own views and seek an environment where they can study the other religion etc.
• Calls this an ‘ecology of blessing’ – each person comes from their own RE but share the common fact of RE
• E.g. Abraham – made a covenant according to Jews, X and M. Brought them together under the figure of A.
theological inclusivism and dialogue - dabru emet 2000
♣ Jewish statement on J and Xs signed by over 150 J rabbis calling for Js to reflect on what Xianity says
♣ Poses a challenge to Xianity to rethink its doctrines etc.
theological inclusivism and dialogue - a common word 2007
♣ Letter from Muslim scholars to Xians
♣ Followed by A Common word for the Good produced by Xian leaders
♣ All addressing the importance of good relations and dialogue between M and Xians.
theological pluralism and inter faith dialogue - ward
o Keith Ward – this is crucial in his quest for ‘global faith’ = an openness to the other faiths, there is no one true religion
♣ No one has the real truth, the differences between religions shows we may have all got it a bit wrong
♣ Embrace the differences
theological pluralism and inter faith dialogue - hick
o John Hick (universal theological pluralist)
♣ Interfaith dialogue can help us move more towards the Real and develop peace at the same time
♣ Global theology will help people to be less self-centred
theological pluralism and inter faith dialogue - knitter
o Paul Knitter (ethical theological pluralist)
♣ Knitter views interfaith dialogue as a practical rather than theological task
♣ We should use it as a way to destroy hatred and radicalisation
criticisms of theological pluralism and inter faith dialogue
♣ This demands that everyone gets involved and that everyone rejects the idea that they may already have a position of truth – unrealistic
♣ Inter-faith dialogue is too technical, will never work
♣ Knitter’s views are too simplistic, assumes people will readily work together
♣ Faiths are often those which try to proselytise e.g. Matthew 28, ‘go make disciples of all nations’.
RCC, nostra aetate
• Nostra Aetate, Second Vatican Council
o ‘Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Religious Christian Religions’
o Section 4 repudiates ‘deicide’ (Jews killed JC)
o Stresses the eternal covenant between God and the people of Israel
o Called J and X to engage in friendly dialogue and theological discussion
o Approved by the World’s Bishops and Cardinals in Rome on October 28, 1965
o Also calls for the Church to dialogue with other religions
o ‘The Church therefore, urges it sons and daughters to enter with prudence and charity into discussion and collaboration with members of other religions. Let Christians, while witnessing to their own faith and way of life, acknowledge, preserve and encourage the spiritual and moral truths found among non-Christians, together with their social life and culture’
o ‘The Church has also a high regard for the Muslims. They worship God, who is one, living and subsistent, merciful and almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth. (…) Although not acknowledging him as God, they venerate Jesus as a prophet; his virgin Mother they also honour’
RCC, redemptoris
• Redemptoris, 1990 encyclical by Pope John Paul II
o ‘The Mission of the Redeemer’
o Spoke about Xian missionary
o Pope referenced 1Cor9:16, Xians have always been empowered by the HS to preach
o Did recognise that in pluralistic world, Xian mission must still take place whilst respecting religious and cultural practices and differences
o Xians can look at and learn from the good being practised by those of other faiths whilst still trying to bring them to Xianity
o Inter-faith dialogue should be seen as a part of Xian mission
o God wants to share his love with people of all faiths although they may belong to a RE with ‘gaps, insufficiencies and errors’
o Main purpose of mission is to convert
o There might be salvation through grace for people of other REs but should still preach Gospel as the Church ‘alone possesses the fullness of the means of salvation’
o Inter-faith dialogue can overcome prejudices and misunderstandings between REs, can be done in any context e.g. talking to next door neighbour
