Pluralism and Society

Question 1

reasons for Gb being pluralist

Answer 1

globalisation
post enlightenment mindset
migration
refugees

Question 2

reasons for Gb being pluralist - globalisation

Answer 2

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

Question 3

reasons for Gb being pluralist - post enlightenment mindset

Answer 3

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

Question 4

reasons for Gb being pluralist - migration

Answer 4

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

Question 5

reasons for Gb being pluralist -refugees

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

positives of globalisation

Answer 6

♣ 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)

Question 7

result of pluralism

Answer 7

• 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.

Question 8

positives of pluralism

Answer 8

• 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

Question 9

negatives of pluralism

Answer 9

• 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

Question 10

interfaith dialogue - the other

Answer 10

• ‘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

Question 11

theological exclusivism and inter-faith dialogue - general

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

theological exclusivism and inter-faith dialogue - Michael barnes

Answer 12

♣ 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

Question 13

theological exclusivism and inter-faith dialogue - Barth

Answer 13

♣ 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)

Question 14

theological inclusivism and dialogue - general

Answer 14

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

Question 15

theological inclusivism and dialogue - rahner

Answer 15

o Rahner – should be humble, tolerant, yet firm towards other REs

Question 16

theological inclusivism and dialogue - ford

Answer 16

♣ 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.

Question 17

theological inclusivism and dialogue - dabru emet 2000

Answer 17

♣ 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.

Question 18

theological inclusivism and dialogue - a common word 2007

Answer 18

♣ 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.

Question 19

theological pluralism and inter faith dialogue - ward

Answer 19

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

Question 20

theological pluralism and inter faith dialogue - hick

Answer 20

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

Question 21

theological pluralism and inter faith dialogue - knitter

Answer 21

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

Question 22

criticisms of theological pluralism and inter faith dialogue

Answer 22

♣ 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’.

Question 23

RCC, nostra aetate

Answer 23

• 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’

Question 24

RCC, redemptoris

Answer 24

• 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

Question 25

RCC, evangelii gaudium

Answer 25

• Pope Francis’ Evangelii Gaudium, 2013
o He emphasises the need for the Church to ‘go forth’
o ‘The salvation which God has wrought… is for everyone’
o Church must embrace cultural diversity
o Missionaries should not impose own culture on other nations
o Speaks about Jews: ‘dialogue and friendship with the children of Israel are a part of the life of Jesus’ disciples’
o Dialogue with the other religions is crucial for peace, should be done with love
o Islam – they profess the faith of Abraham, common bond

Question 26

church of England - sharing gospel of salvation, general

Answer 26

o Document that came out of a Q put to the general synod by Paul Eddy in 2006 asking whether members of the CofE should be trying to convert
o Felt that Xians were scared to offend
o CofE responded saying they do have a duty via mission to witness that God has a plan for the salvation of the world through JC
o The fact that England is a Xian country is originally the work of missionaries
o Xian mission has become politicised and culturally insensitive, sees non-Xians as targets for conversion. Warns against this behaviour, but Xians do have a duty to convert
o Should not be afraid to tell people to good news of JC but they should primarily show this through how they live their lives
o JC came to offer salvation for everyone

Question 27

church of England - sharing gospel of salvation, conversion/dialogue

Answer 27

o Must positively dialogue with non-Xians, ‘do unto others’
o If a person does convert, must support them as they may experience pressure from family. Most authentic form of mission is to live positively and sensitively amongst those of other faiths, not be done out of self-interest but for the good of society.
o 4 fold approach to dialogue:
♣ Dialogue of daily life – just talking to neighbours in non-threatening environment e.g. doorstep
♣ Dialogue of the common good – engagement together in tasks for the common good
♣ Dialogue of mutual understanding – more formalised ways e.g. meetings, discussion groups
♣ Dialogue of spiritual life – people of different faiths praying together

Question 28

scriptural reasoning context

Answer 28

• Practice of reading, reasoning and interpreting texts among members of the 3 Abrahamic religions
• Began with Jewish scholars in the USA who studied together
• David Ford and Peter Ochs have popularised this approach to inter-faith dialogue. Ford called it ‘first inter-faith theology’ as for all three of the religions, Scripture is key within their faith and worship
• Can allow people to enter inter discussion about issues, leading to an ‘ecology of blessings’
• Needs to be done by people who are well informed and have a passion for reading the Gospel
• Has become a part of the Cambridge Inter-Faith Programme, where all three REs look at passages from the Bible or Qur’an and talk about its structure and application. They look at the differences and similarities with a spirit of openness and honesty
• Texts are read in English – makes it accessible to everyone

Question 29

scriptural reasoning - levels of reasoning

Answer 29

• 2 levels of reasoning when engaging with the text:
o Internal reasoning of the text itself e.g. looking at structure, themes etc.
o External reasoning – when the text is used to speak into the current situation. Important as it clarifies that there a load of different ways that a text can be read.

Question 30

scriptural reasoning - aims

Answer 30

o Wisdom – everyone wants to get more wisdom and knowledge through reading Scripture, will lead to future discussion and debate
o Collegiality – reading texts together so that the people are brought together
o Hospitality – texts are read and interpreted without making value judgements. People must be open to listening to eachother. Hosted in a natural environment so that everyone feels comfortable

Question 31

scriptural reasoning - methods used

Answer 31

o Choose a text and theme
o Each presenter takes it in turn to explain the key ideas and context within their text. Read the text out loud
o People in group ask Qs
o Go deeper – in the light of this, how will this affect our daily lives?

Question 32

scriptural reasoning - problems

Answer 32

o People involved in Scriptural Reasoning are ‘lay’ people – may not be well informed enough and give the wrong impression
o No right interpretations of Scripture – difficult to come to a conclusion of the appropriate interpretation
o Theological exclusivists would criticise Muslims interpreting the Bible as it is the WofG. Belief in JC as a prophet would be reflected in a very different interpretation to a Xian
o Only incorporates 3/6 major world religions
o The practice relativises Scripture, waters down the essence of every religion, presents truth in every RE

Question 33

support of scriptural reasoning, general

Answer 33

+ Instead of discussing general interfaith issues, these 3 REs are ‘religions of the book’ and thus, discussing how sacred texts can be interpreted and applied is productive
+ Promotes a climate of tolerance
+ Acts 17:23 – Paul emphasises the links between different religions
+ The goal of the SRM is to go beyond the superficial and not to achieve agreement (- H, this doesn’t achieve anything, so it has no purpose)

Question 34

support of scriptural reasoning, scholars

Answer 34

+ James Gustafson, SR has not only the capacity, but also the authority to correct modernist reason.
+ Graham Tomlin, all REs have the same core principles
+ Peter Ochs and Homayra Ziad, Scriptural Reasoning is the communal reading of sacred scriptures in small groups — opening our sacred texts to others for conversation from the heart, and modeling a fellowship that sees difference as rich and illuminating. As a process, SR is relationship, through the medium of sacred texts.

Question 35

scriptural reaosning - scholarly criticisms

Answer 35

• Adrian Thatcher, SR flattens theological differences (…) this may indicate the further erosion of Christocentric biblical interpretation
• Balthasar: waters down the truth of Xianity
• Kraemer: no light in other religions