Common Ground in Inter-Religious Dialogue: A brief analysis of religion as a response to existential suffering (original) (raw)
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Dialogue and religious plurality – challenges of contemporary society
Technium Social Sciences Journal, 2022
Starting from the premise that man is a dichotomous being, with a material body and a spiritual, immortal soul, today's society is looking for answers to perhaps the most important question that refers to salvation, namely: how can we know today's religions, Christian and non-Christian, the authentic meaning of the human soul and implicitly its path in eternity? For such answers, in the context of religious pluralism, interreligious dialogue is imperative, through which Christian and non-Christian religions offer their answers, so that the result can be experienced by society.
How May the Academic Study of Religions Assist the Dialogue of Religions?
How May the Academic Study of Religions Assist the Dialogue of Religions? Distinguishing between science of religions and dialogue of religions The purpose of this article is to consider some of the ways in which the academic study of religions may be able to assist in the continuing process of dialogue between religions. To do this, it is necessary first to distinguish clearly between the two. The academic, scientific study of religions (science of religions, or Religionswissenschaft 1) is itself a non-religious activity. It is agreed in many quarters, and here, that it should not be confused with theological and dialogical activity which have their own rationale. The dialogue between religions, for its part, certainly is in some sense a religious activity. It involves the presentation and exchange of religious experiences and religious positions. It is possible for such dialogues to take place without reference to the academic, scientific study of religions. Indeed this often happens. Yet it is conceivable that those involved in such dialogues might benefit from the perspectives which this discipline opens up. The present article, based on earlier presentations, makes some suggestions in this direction. 2
Controversies in Interreligious Dialogue and the Theology of Religions
This book provides an introduction to the current state of the field for those new to interreligious dialogue and the theology of religions, as well as providing insights and new concepts that will be of interest to specialists. In particular, the current deadlock between pluralist and particularist approaches is re-imagined, and a strong argument for radical openness to the religious Other is advanced, based upon the resources of the Christian heritage. Also explored are many issues pertaining to debates in this area which are not always addressed, such as religious identity and definitions of religion. The book draws inspiration from many sources including intercultural theology, feminist theologies of religions, comparative theology, postcolonial identity theory, scholarly debates on the nature of religion, and biblical concepts of hospitality to outline its new approach. It concludes that we must seek mutual fulfilment with religious Others while maintaining Christian integrity. It also addresses the problems this involves when seeking ethical partnership across religious boundaries. No easy answers are given, however, a vision for radical openness based on Jesus’ example, the Christian heritage, and contemporary scholarship is endorsed.
The Necessity of Inter-Religious Dialogue and Its Philosophical and Dogmatic Obstacles
Religious Inquiries , 2017
In this paper, the need for interfaith dialogue in the contemporary world has been emphasized in the light of the rise of ISIS and other takfiri movements. This necessity has been understood both by political and religious authorities in the Shiite world and by Christian religious authorities. It will be shown that the central message of all Abrahamic religions is theism; that is, the worship of God and justice as opposed to egotism or self-worship. Then, it will be explained how, in the context of interreligious dialogue, relativism as opposed to realism is a main philosophical barrier, and exclusivism as opposed to inclusivism tends to be a major dogmatic barrier.
This article covers many topics relating to the development and evolution of religions, their interactions (both negative and positive) with each other, and the challenge of finding unity amidst the diversity of the world's many cultural and religious traditions in our increasingly interdependent world. Topics covered include: religion as a force for war or peace; a spectrum of possible perspectives within all religions; changing male-female images of divinity in different religions over time; mythology as a link between our outer lives in the world and the inner life of the spirit; principles for conducting interreligious dialogue, areas of common ground between religions; seven alternative scenarios on the future of religions and their interactions; and final conclusions.
Emerging Trends in the Study of Religion: An Interfaith Perspective
Emerging trends in religion are challenging the prevailing attitude about the religious phenomenon. Contemporary polycentric world is compelling different faiths to interact with new knowledge. Advanced means of communications especially information technology are providing desirable space for different faiths to have faster interaction with each other. Secondly, the process of globalization provides various options and varieties. Due to this, human beings are becoming more and more open to acquire new information, but on the other side, they seem to get puzzled towards their own as well as other faiths. Thirdly, after the end of modernity, the rebirth or revival of religion is becoming a part of discussion and new forms of religion especially new religious movements are catching the attention of the world. However, the crisis of religious identity is rising as a serious challenge and clashes among the religions are increasing on the globe. Consequently, the present world is observing contradictory and opposite trends in the field of religion. In interfaith studies, the major issue is to examine the nature of dialogue among the religious communities. In this course, the key problem is how different faith traditions approach their own as well as other faiths. In fact, dialogue among the faiths is an important feature of interfaith perspective. In this paper we are trying to understand some emerging trends in the the study of religion in the reference of interfaith understandings. INTRODUCTION: Present world is getting the experiences of rapid changes; consequently, several faith traditions are receiving new knowledge. Scholars from different faith traditions are applying multiple approaches to understand their own faith tradition as well as other faiths. Now interfaith perspectives are taking central position in religious studies. Mainly two issues are Page : 225 Ultimate Reality. Second, is practical: how people deal with the other faith traditions. Are they accommodative to the people of other faiths to live together in present polycentric world?