02-15-2009, 09:57 PM
My friend John Hick defines pluralism in many ways. You may read his books on this issue. But let me clarify what i mean by exclusive pluralism - First Pluralism is a stand point or condition in which numerous distinct ethnic, religious, or cultural groups are present and tolerated within a society. There are particularities to each religion which one has to accept. The problem with pluralism is that it tends to exclude or deform those particularities for the sake of coexistence. For me Christians may hold on to their faith which is strictly monotheistic. Just for the sake of living together with people of other faiths, they cannot be asked to give up their monotheistic faith. It cannot be told to them: Your faith is a problem for us so change your faith otherwise you cannot live together with us. It is like asking Hindus in US to give up their faith in Hinduism and to join in Christianity because we are majority. Monotheistic faiths have been exclusive and are learning to find space to live with people of other faiths. At the same time those who do not share monotheistic faiths should not expect those who share monotheistic faith to give up their faith to coexist either. This is where sometime pluralism can become exclusive in a sense of accepting diversity as part of their faith rather we need to find an existential pluralism which is each one will follow their own ways according their own gods (I quote from the Bible -
Quote:
Micah 4:5 All the nations may walk in the name of their gods; we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.
) which may be particular and universal for them but without offending the other and respecting other's faiths as well without imposing one's own on others.
This is similar to what I interpret this verse in Gita
Quote:
Yuda yuda hi dharmashya Bavati Bharatha.....Aham
Quote:
Parithranaya sadunam...yuge yuge
wherever adharma succeeds I will raise age to age to destroy and establish dharma. Possibly in different times, in different forms and through different religions too. (my little knowlege of Samskrithi comes from Belur Ramakrishna mat training and so the interpretation - not to offend anyone). May there be other better quotes....
Quote:
âSay: O those who do not believe what I believe, I worship not what you worship and you are not worshiping what I worship nor am I worshiping what you have worshiped, neither are you worshiping what I worship. To you your religion and to me my religionâ. (The Koran, 109:1-6)
The Koran 5:48 in this respect. The verse goes as follows:
Quote:
"Unto every one of you We have appointed a (different) law and way of life. And if Allah had so willed, He could surely have made you all one single community: but (He willed it otherwise) in order to test you by means of what He has given you. Vie, then, with one another in doing good works! Unto Allah you all must return; and then He will make you truly understand all that on which you were wont to differ."
My intention is to go beyond the childish religious fantasies to a mature religious understanding where people would accept each other as they are. We do have serious problems with the use of religion by political and other groups to achieve their ends. They instigate the differences and hatred attitudes. But it is clear that no one should continue hurting the feelings of others while to sort of some of these old historical issues attacking is not the way nor imposing one's culture or faith on the other. Different religious communities can live together even in Kandhamal as long as we respect each other as they are rather than trying to pull people to one side or the other. Communities can come together and thus talk among themselves and know each other and thus find ways to live together in spite of their differences. Christians may have to abandom some of their missionary or educational or even developmental activities in those areas where there is tension and resistance due to misunderstanding or mistakes that a few made. May be rather than attacking Christians if some Hindu movements focus on development and education for the people who are marginalised and underdeveloped then no conversion would be possible through such means in those areas!
Quote:
Micah 4:5 All the nations may walk in the name of their gods; we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.
) which may be particular and universal for them but without offending the other and respecting other's faiths as well without imposing one's own on others.
This is similar to what I interpret this verse in Gita
Quote:
Yuda yuda hi dharmashya Bavati Bharatha.....Aham
Quote:
Parithranaya sadunam...yuge yuge
wherever adharma succeeds I will raise age to age to destroy and establish dharma. Possibly in different times, in different forms and through different religions too. (my little knowlege of Samskrithi comes from Belur Ramakrishna mat training and so the interpretation - not to offend anyone). May there be other better quotes....
Quote:
âSay: O those who do not believe what I believe, I worship not what you worship and you are not worshiping what I worship nor am I worshiping what you have worshiped, neither are you worshiping what I worship. To you your religion and to me my religionâ. (The Koran, 109:1-6)
The Koran 5:48 in this respect. The verse goes as follows:
Quote:
"Unto every one of you We have appointed a (different) law and way of life. And if Allah had so willed, He could surely have made you all one single community: but (He willed it otherwise) in order to test you by means of what He has given you. Vie, then, with one another in doing good works! Unto Allah you all must return; and then He will make you truly understand all that on which you were wont to differ."
My intention is to go beyond the childish religious fantasies to a mature religious understanding where people would accept each other as they are. We do have serious problems with the use of religion by political and other groups to achieve their ends. They instigate the differences and hatred attitudes. But it is clear that no one should continue hurting the feelings of others while to sort of some of these old historical issues attacking is not the way nor imposing one's culture or faith on the other. Different religious communities can live together even in Kandhamal as long as we respect each other as they are rather than trying to pull people to one side or the other. Communities can come together and thus talk among themselves and know each other and thus find ways to live together in spite of their differences. Christians may have to abandom some of their missionary or educational or even developmental activities in those areas where there is tension and resistance due to misunderstanding or mistakes that a few made. May be rather than attacking Christians if some Hindu movements focus on development and education for the people who are marginalised and underdeveloped then no conversion would be possible through such means in those areas!