pluralism and society

• 2011 UK Census - religion

  The 2011 UK Census asked people ‘What is your religion?’.

  59.3% identified as Christian.

  25.1% stated no religion.

  4.8% identified as Muslim.
• Inter-faith dialogue

  Interfaith dialogue aims to better understand people of different beliefs to build better relationships and remove prejudices.

  Inter-faith dialogue is NOT about trying to convert people to a different faith or to demonstrate the flaws in other religions.

  Inter-faith dialogue has always existed in some form but it has become more prominent as multi-faith societies have emerged.
• Sharing the Gospel of Salvation

  Church of England document - guide/ instruction

  David Ford: 'The Future of Christianity Theology'

  two events have led to the growing need and attention on interfaith dialogue:

  • the events of the Holocaust forced Christians to think about their relationship with Judaism
  • the rise in tensions between Islam and the Western World which emerged at the start of the twenty-first century
• Sharing the Gospel of salvation

  • salvation is uniquely achieved through Jesus
  • the most effective way to achieve mission is to live authentically as a Christian within multi-faith communities
  • Christians should make an effort to engage in inter-faith dialogue
  • Christians should not stress the hopelessness and darkness that await those who seek God outside Christianity because ultimately judgement is up to God
  • any conversion is due to the work of God not the success or work of humans - Christians should not see people as targets - duty of discpleship
• Redemptoris Missio

  translates as ‘The Mission of the Redeemer’.

  This encyclical focused on the role of missionary work.

  Missionary work aims to convert people to a particular faith or set of beliefs and can also involve working for social justice in areas of poverty or deprivation.

  Pope John Paul II emphasised that missionary work is still essential for Christians despite the fact we are now living in a multi-faith world
• Redemptoris Missio

  The Pope stated that belief in Jesus Christ is the only route to salvation and that, empowered by the Holy Spirit, Christians still have a duty to share this message

  He referenced Acts 4:12 to support this message: ‘Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved’

  • Christian mission works alongside inter-faith dialogue - loving God wants his revelation shared with all people and all faiths
• Redemptoris Missio

  Pope John Paul II stated that interfaith dialogue allows Christians to uncover ultimate truths and that other religions such as Hinduism and Islam contain key truths which develop moral character.

  But he said Christianity is unique because it offers the only means to salvation and the Christian duty to bring others to the faith remain

  
  

  • other religions have "gaps, insufficiencies and errors"
• Redemtoris Missio

  quotations Pope John Paul II used to support his arguments about inter-faith dialogue.

  Acts 4:12 ‘Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved’.

  
  

  1 Corinthians 9:16 ‘Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!’
• scriptural reasoning movement

  The goal of these meetings is to present a space for religious believers to engage in debate and discussion that poses no threat to their own belief

  • deepen understanding of different religious traditions by studying holy scriptures
  • not about agreeing but considering the contexts to foster a spirit of openness and respect of other faiths
  • recognise the differences and don't over-emphasis the similarities in a superficial way
  • not spaces for mission - not going there to convince someone of your religion