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Flashcards in Religious pluralism and society Deck (29)
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1
Q

Define ‘multi-faith societies’

A

Societies with a significant populations of people with different religious beliefs

2
Q

Define ‘encyclical’

A

An open letter sent to more than one recipient

3
Q

Define ‘missionary work’

A

Activity that aims to convert people to a particular faith or set of beliefs or works for social justice in areas of poverty or deprivation

4
Q

Define ‘synod’

A

The legislative body of the Church of England

5
Q

Define ‘social cohesion’

A

When a group is united by bonds that help them live together peacefully

6
Q

What was unusual about Pepys’ visit to a Synagogue?

A

In 1663, it was unusual to see any other religion than Christianity, he visited during the festival of Simchat Torah

7
Q

When was Christianity introduced to England?

A

In the Roman era and became the predominant religion in the seventeenth century

8
Q

Give an example of migration and religion causing multi-faith societies

A
  • Jews came to Britain with William the Conqueror who valued their commercial skills
  • In 1972, Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs arrived from Uganda when Ida Amin expelled the Asian population
9
Q

How does Prince Charles want to express England as a multi-faith society?

A

If and when he becomes King, he will change his title from ‘Defender of the faith’ to ‘Defender of faith’

10
Q

How did Max Muller make a significant development in England being more multi-faith?

A

He translated the sacred texts of Hinduism into English in 50 volumes called ‘The Sacred Books of the East’ (1879-1910), people were previously unaware of Hindu spirituality and so there was a rise in practises such as meditation and interest in reincarnation

11
Q

What challenges for Christianity as a result of interfaith societies?

A
  • Undermines its uniqueness of salvation through Christ alone to enter Heaven
  • Encourages their children to follow ‘false beliefs’
  • Insistence of tolerance for other faiths when sharing Christianity can be seen as judgemental or arrogant
12
Q

Why do many Christians embrace interfaith societies?

A
  • Example of co-operation to diminish prejudice
  • Encourages Christians to consider their beliefs more deeply in the face of criticism
  • Christian practise to promote harmony and friendship
13
Q

What is the aim of interfaith dialogue?

A

Mutual respect and co-operation and identify points which may cause tension to peacefully resolve disputes and greater understanding

14
Q

What does the ‘Sharing Gospel of Salvation’ identify as the four strands of interfaith dialogue?

A
  • Dialogue of daily life: informal conversation about differing belief
  • Dialogue of common good: adherents of different faiths work together to benefit the community
  • Dialogue of mutual understanding: formalised debates e.g. Scriptural Reasoning Movement
  • Dialogue of spiritual life: people of different beliefs meet together for prayer and worship
15
Q

What is the key point of David Ford’s book: ‘The Future of Christian Theology’ 2011?

A

Draws attention to inter-faith dialogue in the twentieth century holocaust and twenty-first century tension between Islam and the West that have led to new directions in inter-faith dialogue

16
Q

Describe ‘Dabru Emet’

A

Meaning ‘Speak the truth’ was a document set up after the Holocaust by Jewish rabbis to invite Christians to discussion highlights the importance of Judaism to Christianity and their lack of support during the Holocaust. They advocated that they needed to work together for peace

17
Q

Describe ‘A Common Word Between Us and You’

A

A 2007 letter from leading Muslim scholars to Christian churches, pointing out the similarities in their religions for engagement and cooperation to work together for peace

18
Q

Describe ‘Redemptoris Missio’

A

Letters written by Pope John Paul II in 1990 to encourage the Catholic Church to persevere with the Christian mission in a multi-faith world while still respecting religious diversity

19
Q

Quote 1 Corinthians 9:16

A

“For when I preach the Gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel”

20
Q

What is significant about section 55-57 of Redemptoris Missio?

A

The Pope considers how inter-faith dialogue can work alongside the missionary requirement for Christians to encourage others to turn to Christ, the two should work together in recognition of the differences in nature and aim

21
Q

Quote Redemptoris Missio point 55 addressing inter-faith dialogue

A

“The Church gladly acknowledges whatever is true and holy in the religious traditions of Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam as a reflection of that truth which enlightens all people”

22
Q

Quote Redemptoris Missio point 55 addressing the Christian mission

A

“The Church is the ordinary means of salvation and that she alone possesses the fullness of the means of salvation”

23
Q

Describe the beliefs of Paul Eddy

A
  • Wrote a letter to the synod
  • Christians have become too fearful of causing offence by the Christian mission
  • Need for the CofE to make a statement of Christians in a religiously diverse culture
  • Created ‘Sharing the Gospel of Salvation’ document as a result
24
Q

Describe the ‘Sharing of the Gospel’ document

A
  • Created by Paul Eddy
  • Reaffirms the importance and history of Christianity in England
  • How to continue the Christian Message in a religiously diverse culture
  • Should not treat it as ‘making a sale’ and if people don’t convert then it is because of God’s work
25
Q

What does the Church of England teach about how to live in a religiously diverse culture?

A
  • Make opportunities to engage in the community
  • Reinforces the commandment to treat others as you wish to be treated
  • Do not pressure anyone into changing their views
26
Q

Describe the Scriptural Reasoning movement

A
  • Began as a forum for Jewish Academics in USA
  • Mid 1990s, Christians asked to join as listeners
  • Focus on scripture and not general issues
  • Muslims joined as the three religions are known as ‘religions of the book’
27
Q

Describe how the scriptural reasoning movement has become part of the Cambridge Inter-Faith Programme

A

Christians, Jews and Muslims meet to read passages from their sacred texts to discuss the wording of the texts, how the texts shape their understanding and how to apply this in society

28
Q

What is the goal of the scriptural reasoning movement?

A

Not to achieve agreement but to discuss deeply the ways that similar beliefs are understood in their own contexts and foster a spirit of openness, honesty and respect without undermining anyone’s beliefs

29
Q

Give some rules of the scriptural reasoning movement

A
  • Spoken in English so everyone can understand
  • Not to aim to cause conversion
  • Not to speak as a representative of their religion but as their individual interpretations