8: Religious Pluralism and Society
Religious The UK is religiously diverse and significant proportions of the populations practice other
Diversity religions or reject religion entirely. It is important to be tolerant and respectful, to welcome
diversity and the freedom of others to have their own beliefs, tastes, and opinions
Christians Modern society in the UK seems to hold that religious belief is personal and shouldn't be on
in modern public display. Christians often feel they shouldn't say other religions are wrong or try to
society convert others for fear of being considered arrogant, judgemental or discriminatory
Prince When he becomes king he should be known as 'Defender of Faith' instead of 'Defender of
Charles the Faith'. He wanted it to be known that he recognises the multi-faith nature of the UK and
that he is keen to defend the right of everyone to hold their faith
Benefits of Christianity benefits from religious diversity as it provides opportunities for learning, sharing
Religious common values, developing relationships and adopting new ways of thinking. Religions can
Diversity work together to set an example of co-operation helping to dispel prejudice and promote
peace. It makes people think more deeply about their own faith which can be very
rewarding
Inter-faith Communication between people of difference beliefs in order to build relationships, break
dialogue down stereotypes and prejudices and promote peace and understanding, Aims to achieve
mutual respect and co-operation. It identifies points on which they differ to try to
understand each others point of view even though they disagree. It is about coming to a
deeper understanding of one's own faith while learning about and from the beliefs of others.
It doesn't aim to convert people from one faith to another or demonstrate that one belief is
superior. It is not new, but recently is has been adopted more formally
Church of 4 strands of interfaith dialogue -
England Dialogue of daily life - informal conversation
'Sharing Dialogue of the common good - people of different faiths working to benefit the community
the Gospel Dialogue of mutual understanding - formalised debates e.g. Scriptural Reasoning
of Dialogue of spiritual life - in which people meet together for prayer/worship
Salvation'
Example of After the Holocaust, an effort at inter-faith dialogue was initiated by Jewish rabbis and
inter-faith scholars - inviting Christians into discussion in 'Dabru Emet' (Speak the truth). It highlighted the
dialogue fact that Jews and Christians share the same God, use the same scripture and need to work
together for peace
October 2007, Muslim scholars and teachers wrote a letter called 'A Common Word
Between Us and You' to Christian churches. It asked each religion to look more deeply into
their own faith. It concentrated on the central message of the scriptures of both religious
and looked at the responsibilities both religions have for working for everyone's good
Benefits of It can lead to effective collaboration on moral issues facing the world today. t ensures that
inter-faith stereotypes won't form. It makes people more complete human beings and helps people
dialogue deepen their own faith
Religious They teach unconditional love, compassion and justice. All religions have similarities - this
similarities universal should take precedence over the particular. Spirituality is inclusive and should
focus on the inter-connectiveness/oneness of all beings
David Ford Lecturer at University of Birmingham, Professor of Divinity at Cambridge - became one of the
primary founders of Cambridge's inter-faith programme (CIP). Played a central role in the
development of Scriptural Reasoning. Helped forge relationships with diverse individuals and
faith communities all over the world
Catholic Pope John Paul II issued an encyclical called 'Redemptoris Misso' in 1990 about the place of
Church missionary work in multi-faith society. Made it clear that missionary work remains essential
because the 'fullness of the means of salvation' is only found in Christ. However, he
underlines the need to respect inter-religious dialogue, saying it should be based on 'hope
and love' and that Christians should use it with the aim of uncovering universal truths. He
argues that inter-faith dialogue can overcome 'prejudice, intolerance and
misunderstandings' and should be part of the Christian mission. He draws attention to the
power and freedom of the holy spirit to reveal God in all types of contexts - in religions that
contain partial truth. Catholics can recognise and learn from the good in the faith of others
and at the same time bring others to Christ. It is everyone's right to hear Jesus' message
1 "For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me
Corinthians if I do not preach the gospel!"
9:16
Religious The UK is religiously diverse and significant proportions of the populations practice other
Diversity religions or reject religion entirely. It is important to be tolerant and respectful, to welcome
diversity and the freedom of others to have their own beliefs, tastes, and opinions
Christians Modern society in the UK seems to hold that religious belief is personal and shouldn't be on
in modern public display. Christians often feel they shouldn't say other religions are wrong or try to
society convert others for fear of being considered arrogant, judgemental or discriminatory
Prince When he becomes king he should be known as 'Defender of Faith' instead of 'Defender of
Charles the Faith'. He wanted it to be known that he recognises the multi-faith nature of the UK and
that he is keen to defend the right of everyone to hold their faith
Benefits of Christianity benefits from religious diversity as it provides opportunities for learning, sharing
Religious common values, developing relationships and adopting new ways of thinking. Religions can
Diversity work together to set an example of co-operation helping to dispel prejudice and promote
peace. It makes people think more deeply about their own faith which can be very
rewarding
Inter-faith Communication between people of difference beliefs in order to build relationships, break
dialogue down stereotypes and prejudices and promote peace and understanding, Aims to achieve
mutual respect and co-operation. It identifies points on which they differ to try to
understand each others point of view even though they disagree. It is about coming to a
deeper understanding of one's own faith while learning about and from the beliefs of others.
It doesn't aim to convert people from one faith to another or demonstrate that one belief is
superior. It is not new, but recently is has been adopted more formally
Church of 4 strands of interfaith dialogue -
England Dialogue of daily life - informal conversation
'Sharing Dialogue of the common good - people of different faiths working to benefit the community
the Gospel Dialogue of mutual understanding - formalised debates e.g. Scriptural Reasoning
of Dialogue of spiritual life - in which people meet together for prayer/worship
Salvation'
Example of After the Holocaust, an effort at inter-faith dialogue was initiated by Jewish rabbis and
inter-faith scholars - inviting Christians into discussion in 'Dabru Emet' (Speak the truth). It highlighted the
dialogue fact that Jews and Christians share the same God, use the same scripture and need to work
together for peace
October 2007, Muslim scholars and teachers wrote a letter called 'A Common Word
Between Us and You' to Christian churches. It asked each religion to look more deeply into
their own faith. It concentrated on the central message of the scriptures of both religious
and looked at the responsibilities both religions have for working for everyone's good
Benefits of It can lead to effective collaboration on moral issues facing the world today. t ensures that
inter-faith stereotypes won't form. It makes people more complete human beings and helps people
dialogue deepen their own faith
Religious They teach unconditional love, compassion and justice. All religions have similarities - this
similarities universal should take precedence over the particular. Spirituality is inclusive and should
focus on the inter-connectiveness/oneness of all beings
David Ford Lecturer at University of Birmingham, Professor of Divinity at Cambridge - became one of the
primary founders of Cambridge's inter-faith programme (CIP). Played a central role in the
development of Scriptural Reasoning. Helped forge relationships with diverse individuals and
faith communities all over the world
Catholic Pope John Paul II issued an encyclical called 'Redemptoris Misso' in 1990 about the place of
Church missionary work in multi-faith society. Made it clear that missionary work remains essential
because the 'fullness of the means of salvation' is only found in Christ. However, he
underlines the need to respect inter-religious dialogue, saying it should be based on 'hope
and love' and that Christians should use it with the aim of uncovering universal truths. He
argues that inter-faith dialogue can overcome 'prejudice, intolerance and
misunderstandings' and should be part of the Christian mission. He draws attention to the
power and freedom of the holy spirit to reveal God in all types of contexts - in religions that
contain partial truth. Catholics can recognise and learn from the good in the faith of others
and at the same time bring others to Christ. It is everyone's right to hear Jesus' message
1 "For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me
Corinthians if I do not preach the gospel!"
9:16
