Religious Pluralism and Society (1) Flashcards
What did Crane and Matten define globalisation as?
- Described it as ‘deterritorisation’ due to the increasing links between the world
- Impact of this is that religious language and belief systems are not isolated or particular to a culture or location
- Instead they all counter each other
What is the post-enlightenment mindset?
- Post enlightenment thinkers had an emphasis on tolerance and human rights
- Since 18th Century western societies have developed values based upon human reason and experience and not on religion or revealed knowledge
What is the humanitarian principle according to Steven Pinker?
- The idea humans get on better when they take into account the interests of others
- Works on the assumption that we are rational beings capable of respecting the interest of others
- Post enlightenment thinking has adopted this
How has migration affected pluralism in society?
- Act of moving a person or group of persons from one region to another
- Reasons could be economic improvement, family reunification and safety
- Result is an influx of various religions
- Christianity can no longer assume they are the primary religion
How was inter-faith dialogue present even before the Roman Empire adopted Christianity as their religion?
- They had a period of time without political power
- During this they had to negotiate with neighbours of different faith in their day to day existence
What is dialogue with the ‘other’ ?
- Dialogue with other religions and faiths
- Argument that without this Christianity would not have developed its own distinctive range of beliefs
- The word ‘other’ is used to develop the purpose of contemporary inter-faith dialogue
How does Jacques Derrida use the word ‘other’ positively through her notion of ‘différance’?
- She uses ‘other’ positively to acknowledge a variety of views, she refers to the open endedness of the world
- She refers to this as ‘différance’
- When ‘différence’ is considered the ‘other’ it is used positively and changes the purpose of dialogue as a creative process of mutual understanding
How can ‘other’ be used negatively?
- The notion of other cane used negatively to promote sexism and racism
- A goal of inter-faith dialogue is to reduce othering, promote understanding and reduce prejudice
How might RAE Christians misuse inter-faith dialogue?
- They see inter-faith dialogue as an opportunity to expose more people to the gospel
- Exercise fides ex auditu
- They want to use all people to be exposed to Christianity as it is not possible to know the elect
How might UAE Christians use inter-faith dialogue?
- Will consider the dialogue to be genuine and want to create respect for ‘others’
- They believe Christianity is not the one route to salvation and there are ‘rays of truth’ (Vatican II)
- Inter-faith dialogue is central to Church development of pastoral care
Why does Michael Barnes believe inter-faith dialogue is the ‘risky’ option for Christianity?
- It is the risky option as it causes them to question the teaching of the Church
- They attempt to find a middle ground between Christian and non-Christian beliefs
- The Christian truth becomes relativised
What are Karl Barths view on inter-faith dialogue?
- He calls for Christians to enter dialogue with deep humility and openness
- He argues we don’t know when God reveals himself but dialogue develops ones own faith
- He says even ‘lesser lights’ reflects the light of Christ
- Dialogue must be in a spirit of openness, humility and non-judgement
When does Structural Inclusivist David Ford’s believe inter-faith dialogue works best?
- When theological common ground has been established
- Differences are discussed in a spirit of collegiality
Why does David Ford call the differences found in inter-faith dialogue an ‘ecology of blessings’?
- He believes it creates an environment of study, discussion, debate and friendship
- Causes people to force themselves to think about what they believe
- Everyone comes from a different religion but share the same world of religion
How does David Fords ‘ecology of blessing’ have biblical support?
- Story of the call of Abraham
- In the story God says he will bless those who bless Abraham, and curse those who curse him
- Abraham, is regarded in Judaism, Christianity and Islam showing all these religions are under the same ‘ecology of blessing’
‘Speak the Truth’ was published in 2000 subtitled ‘A Jewish Statement on Christians and Christianity’ - What was this?
- Signed by over 150 rabbis and Jewish Scholars from the USA, Canada, UK and Israel
- Calls for Jews to learn about Christians efforts to honour Judaism and calls for Christians to reflect on what Judaism may now say about Christianity
- Challenges Christianity on the basis of individuals and an institution given its poor treatment of Jews in the past
A Common Word Between Us and You’ was published in 2007 - What was this?
- A letter from 138 Muslim scholars and leaders to the leaders of Christian Churches
- Based on the Qur’an 3:64 and the ‘common’ word being the love of God and neighbour in the quest for peace and justice
- Has caused lots of inter-faith dialogue - largest one by Dr Rowan Williams
- 50 church leaders and scholars met and produced a letter called the ‘Common Word for the Good’
- Dialogue between the two letters represents how inter-faith work can operate internationally and an institutional level
What is central to theological pluralism and inter-faith dialogue?
‘Différance’ - religious truth is multi-faceted and dialogue enhances ones own spiritual view
What is the aim of inter-faith dialogue according to Keith Ward who supports PTP?
- Inter-faith dialogue aids the development of a ‘global faith’
- Global faith is an attitude of openness who wants to understand other tradition to deepen and develop their own
What is Kieth Wards ‘global faith’ NOT trying to do?
- Not looking for common ground, but rather enjoying disagreement and difference
- Disagreement resists the tendency of globalisation which treats all religions are the same
What is the view of Universal Theological Pluralists and the purpose of inter-faith dialogue?
- All religions are part of the same underlying reality
- Provides inter-faith dialogue an ability to promote ‘global theology’ and the possibility of world peace
- Involves educating people that the myths of each religion are not concerned with making ultimate claims about truth
- It is about overcoming ego and selfishness, living a reality-centred existence
What is the purpose of inter-faith dialogue for Ethical Theological Pluralists?
- Emphasis on living unselfishly
- They think this should be done by using the insight of the great world religions
What does ETP supporter Paul Knitter believe the purpose of inter-faith dialogue is?
- Not theological but rather practical
- Knitter argues religions must resolve common problems such as working for peace in combatting extremism and radicalisation
- Only once this is done can religion reflect and discuss theologically and philosophically how it understands and applies its teaching
Can inter-faith dialogue be deemed superficial?
- If we are unable to say why other religions are wrong it becomes superficial
- if it becomes too theological, technical and focused on leaders and teachers it can become superficial
- Marginalises ordinary members of faith communities and becomes superficial as those without in depth knowledge cannot take part
