Christianity, migration and religious pluralism

• 10 marker – Info on how migration has created multicultural societies-


  .-        while British society has contained communities of people from other cultures for a long time in history- multiculturalism and religious diversity became a recognized feature of British society only from the last twentieth century
• 10 marker – Info on migration to Britain-


  .-        many migrants from eastern Europe after ww2

  -        many migrated from India and Pakistan after Indian independence was declared 1947

  -        1950s- shortage of labor in UK- government encouraged immigration from Caribbean (wind-rush)

  -        1980s- Somalis came to escape civil war

  -        immigration continues in 21sat century because: of expansion of EU, migrants crossing into Europe from north America, refugees from civil war in Syria
• 10 marker – Info on response to multiculturalism in the past-


  .-        some viewed it as a threat to traditional British values

  -        others saw it as an opportunity for enrichment- desire to respect all cultures
• 10 marker – Info on diversity of faith in Britian today

  .-        2011 census showed us : decline in Christians, rise in no religion, increase in Hinduism, Buddhism

  -        diversity is not seen in all parts of UK- some parts are still monocultural as immigrants tend to settle in groups in places where employment is readily found
• 10 marker – Info on freedom of religion as a human right in European law


  .-        it allows religious pluralism (different faiths live in same society without conflict) and made it illegal to restrict the practice of religion
• 10 marker – Info on religious pluralism as a feature of modern secular states and its influence on Christian thought


  .-        as a secular state UK contains many faiths and cultures- must explore each others traditions and help each other and respect differences
• 15 marker - criticisms of multiculturalism and religious pluralism-

  .-        threatens social cohesion- no sense of common identity

  -        immigrant cultures may feel isolated

  -        certain practices by some cultures are illegal in UK (female genital mutilation)

  -        conflict as every religion believes they are right and need to save the other
• 10 marker – Info on exclusivism-


  .-        Jesus said 'I am the way and the truth and the light. No one comes to the Father except through me.'-  John 14:6- suggests exclusivism

  -        some exclusivists make exceptions- babies that die before able to make this commitment can be saved- this is why emergency baptism- those who die never heard about Jesus- they are judged by conformity of their lives with the nil that some believe is in built

  -        fundamentalists believe salvation must come through declared belief in Christ- explains the importance of evangelism
• 15 marker - criticisms of exclusivism-

  .-        limits Gods unconditional love an forgiveness

  -        conflicts with Jesus friendship shown to those despised in Jewish society

  -        the conflict shows the NT is a product of the church- gospels were written by Christians who only absorbed teachings from those communities
• 10 marker – Info on inclusivism-

  .-        although one religion is true other religions may show aspects that one true religion

  -        closed inclusivism- one religion contains truth but others show aspects of it

  -        open inclusivism- one religion has a better grasp of truth- but not all aspects- so it can learn from others

  -        NT- Paul and Luke stress that god has no favorites- salvation is open to all

  -        Barth- all humans are corrupted by the fall- everyone is dependent on god for salvation
• 10 marker – Info on Karl Rahner- the anonymous Christian


  .-        attempt to reflect inclusive teachings of Jesus- sass Gods power transcending human limitations caused by ignorance and error- gods grace is at work in all people

  -        non-Christians can be saved through good moral conduct- not dependent on belief in Jesus- believes non-Christian religions have much in common with Christianity
• 15 marker - criticisms-

  –       fundamentalists condemned his inclusivist approach

  –       liberal Christians like Hick- insulting to other faiths which should be respected in their own right not for what they have in common with Christianity- it implies that other religions are flawed
• 10 marker – Info on how Christian denominations view one another

  .-        Catholics- at the heart of Catholicism Is apostolic succession and tradition and the sacraments which are gifts bestowed on the church as acts of grace- liberal Catholics adopt approach of closed inclusivism

  -        Protestant Evangelicals- exclusivist position- salvation comes by grace of god through our faith

  -        the Code- members have variety of views- could be inclusivist because it recognizes other churches despite differences in structure
• 10 marker – Info on Hicks view on nature of god and religion-

  .-        he believes in religious pluralism

  -        the relationship between humans and higher being is shaped by history and culture- rejected concept of salvation for one religion and rejected idea of hell as went against gods omnibenevolence

  -        believed religion is about self-transformation not believing in certain teachings- incompatibility between religions are insignificant
• 10 marker – Info on hick's universalism

  .-        purpose of human life was soul-making/spiritual growth

  -        if died before potential reached- future lives would live in this world or another for spiritual growth

  -        rejected teaching of everlasting suffering in Jesus' sheep and goats parable
• 15 marker – strengths and weaknesses assessment of Hicks views-

  .-        X his dismissal of incompatibilities between religions isn’t valid- practices of some religious groups (cults) are totally incompatible with mainstream religion and society

  -        X the belief in possible future lives goes against traditional teachings

  -        X most religions reject that religion is about self-transformation than a quest for truth

  -        / views about cultural links between belief systems encourages thinking about unity of human religions
• Form of expression

  for

  against

  Legal decision

  Nada Ewido- wore cross on British airways uniform

  This expression of faith caused no harm

  Display of religion is inappropriate at work

  For

  not restricting anyone else’s right
• Form of expression

  Shirley Chaplin- nurse wearing cross for work

  For

  No harm done

  Against

  Prohibited by her NHS trust

  Legal decision

  Against Shirley- any necklace is health risk in hospital
• Form of expression

  Mr and Mrs Bull- refused a room at guesthouse to gay couple

  For

  Owners let rooms to married couples only- Christian- not to do with gay

  Against

  An act of discrimination on sexual orientation grounds

  Legal decision

  Against Mr and Mrs Bull- breach of 2007 sexual orientation regulations