Absolute vs Relative View and PROBLEMS WITH THESE VIEWS
Absolute: there can only be one ‘truth’ -> can become isolated/restrictive
Relative: truth depends on the view/situation -> can dilute faith
Problems with a multicultural society
- religion is based on the belief they all offer that best way of life, but multiculturalism values cultures equally
- loss of culture/divisive
- fear to challenge practices due to offence (such as FGM)
- danger immigrant communities would not assimilate into original culture (Rivers of Blood speech)
- often need CERTAINTY (religious morals)
- no reason used to decide what is ‘right’ (based off experience)
Incompatible belief examples (outside Christianity)
Belief that Jesus is the son of God (new Testament)
Judaism - still waiting for Messiah - also no Trinitya
Incompatible beliefs WITHIN Christianity
- Interpretation of Bible: RC (tradition/apostolic succession) vs LITERAL (evangelical Protestants) or LIBERAL = other Protestants
- LEADERSHIP: papal authority (Vatican says pope teaches infallibly) vs MARTIN LUTHER wanting monarchy. Quakers: local organised leadership
- EUCHARIST (transubstantiation)
- STYLE OF WORSHIP. Pentecostal = informal, not set prayer
- BAPTISM
Who is exclusivist, what proof do they use and what are the issues with this?
JOHN 14.6: ‘I am the way and the truth of life. No one comes to the Father except through me’ (Evangelical fundamentalists)
Issues: limits God’s potential forgiveness/salvation
Illogical that God only works through one religion? He is omnipotent
Who is inclusivist, what proof do they use and what issues arise?
ACTS: God does not show favouritism but accepts one who fears him and does what is right
Open (religions each have aspects of truth) - Protestant
Closed (religion can still learn from others but one religion has whole truth) - Roman Catholic
Often people follow religion because they have one ‘truth’ - surely they should be committed?
What is anonymous Christianity and what issues arise?
Karl Rahner: one can be an ‘implicit’ Christian in how they live their life
BUT what is the point of Christianity?
Hick’s universalist approach - pros and cons
‘TRANSFORMATION FROM SELF CENTRED-NESS TO REALITY CENTRED-NESS’ - all have equal claim to the truth
- we are all 1 in Jesus Christ
- self transformation leads to INTERDENOMINAL relations (but too late…)
- Paul Griffiths: How does this account for religions which teach violence? ‘Not superficial’ (but not all religions violent …)
- what about beliefs that go against society, like Jehovah’s witnesses oppose blood transfusion
- sheep and goat parable - not everyone can be saved (but hick says transformative nature enables this)
HOW CHRISTIAN DENOMINATIONS VIEW EACH OTHER
Catholic: salvation found through tradition
Protestant: guidance in scripture!
-> fundamentalists measure faithfulness on their devotion to scripture
Church of England - attempts to works with other religions
Ecumenism: process of relationships developing between divisions
(world Council of Churches - focuses on what churches have in common)
Extent of integration in our society
82% white, 18% other in Britain
37% no religion, 46% Christian
Human Rights 1988 ratified Universal Declaration of Human Rights: all have rights to freedom of thought
River of Blood speech - objected to 1968 Race Relations act accepting jobs/houses for ethnic minorities
