Pluralism and Society Flashcards
What has caused multifaith societies?
The Enlightenment era has lead to reason and society becoming more tolerant. Migration has lead to diverse faiths being practiced, sharing of foods, values, festivals, etc). Globalization has encouraged trade, travel, and experiences of different beliefs and practices.
How can Christians respond to a multi-faith society?
They can work with other faiths against prejudice. This encourages them to reason their own beliefs and learn from others. This is often through interfaith dialogue.
Multi-faith societies may be seen as a threat to Christianity because they may undermine the uniqueness of Christianity. Children of Christian families may convert. It also leads to the issue of whether Christians should seek to convert others of different or no faith as this can be seen as arrogant as it assumes Christianity is the only way to salvation.
What is interfaith dialogue?
Where different religious groups come together to encourage understanding of each other’s faith. Its aims are: to build mutual respect, break down stereotypes and prejudice, to promote tolerance, peace, and understanding. Common beliefs and differences are discussed. It is not about converting others or showing one religion as superior - it aims to deeper understanding.
What is Redemptoris Missio and its aims?
- A papal encyclical from 1990 written by Pope John Paul II which deals with:
1) missionary work of the church is a multi-faith society
2) Inter-faith dialogue - Multi-faith dialogue is part of the mission of the church. It does not replace the mission - they are separate
- The church needs to address those who don’t know Christ and belong to other faiths as although God can reveal himself through other religions this contains gaps in revelation - the church is the only means of salvation and this is found through Christ and baptism
- Interfaith dialogue can be between leaders of faith and ordinary people but all Christians should be involved
What are some quotes from Redemptoris Missio?
- “Inter-faith dialogue is part of the church’s evangelizing mission”
- “mutual knowledge and enrichment”
- “gaps, insufficients, and errors”
- “the church is the ordinary means of salvation and she alone possesses the fullness of means of salvation”
What is Sharing the Gospel of Salvation and its aims?
- Published in 2010 as a response of CofE Synod to the question of how Christians should respond to living in a multi-faith society
- Moves beyond exclusivism, inclusivism, and pluralism as God will save those willing to be saved
- Christians should not judge who will b saved but engage with other religions with patience and provide an open door to the fullness of God’s revelation in Christ
- It recognizes that conversion is a difficult process
- Both dialogue and evangelism should occur alongside each other
- There are 4 strands to interfaith dialogue:
a) Dialogue of daily life – informal conversations about different beliefs
b) Dialogue of the common good – different faiths work together for the good of the community
c) Dialogue of mutual understanding – formal debates e.g. scriptural reasoning movement
d) Dialogue of spiritual life – people from all faiths meeting for prayer and worship
What are some quotes from Sharing the Gospel of Salvation?
- “God will save ultimately those who are willing to be saved”
- “Christ is the truest and fullest expression of his love, and we long for them to share it.”
What is the Scriptural Reasoning Movement?
One form of inter-faith dialogue which started in the 1990s with Judaism, Christianity, and Islam because they share some scriptures but now is open to all religions. It involves the local community rather than leaders.
A text is chosen and read in English and individual interpretations are discussed about its original context and how it is applicable to a contemporary religious tradition.
What are the strengths/weaknesses of the Scriptural Reasoning Movement?
+ Strengthens participants faith because they have to explore different opinions and justify their own
- If there are no right interpretations who decides what’s reasonable?
- For those who believe God revealed himself exclusively through their religion would see no point in discussing other views
- There may be common ground for monotheism religions but others do not share origins and texts
- Since all truth claims are equal Christianity loses its distinctiveness
What is social cohesion?
A strong sense of belonging, feeling valued, and a peaceful community
Does interfaith dialogue lead to social cohesion?
- Practical outcomes hard to measure and many argue it’s ineffective
- Some argue it causes more division
- As secularisation increases inter-faith dialogue becomes redundant
- Lack of social cohesion could be due to social injustice and inter-faith dialogue needs to address this
- Some argue it is not the point of interfaith dialogue as it should be about discussing religion
