- "Religious pluralism is an attitude or policy regarding the diversity of religious belief systems co-existing in society."
A look at how different societies cope with religious diversity and the tensions that can arise between different religious groups, and what approaches encourage greater tolerance.
Definition and history of religious pluralism: The concept of religious pluralism, its origins, and its evolution over time.
Comparative religion: The study of different religions and their similarities and differences.
Religious tolerance: Understanding the importance of religious tolerance in a pluralistic society, and how to cultivate it.
Religious diversity: Exploring the different religions that exist around the world, and how they can coexist in a pluralistic society.
Interfaith dialogue: The practice of engaging in respectful conversations and interactions between people of different faiths.
Cultural anthropology: Understanding how culture shapes people's beliefs and practices, and its role in religious diversity.
Globalization and religion: How the global spread of religions impacts religious pluralism and tolerance.
Secularism and religion: The relationship between secularism and religious pluralism, and how both can coexist in society.
Human rights and religion: Exploring the role of human rights and their relationship to religious tolerance and pluralism.
Conflict resolution and religious pluralism: How to mediate conflicts between different religious groups and promote peaceful coexistence.
Inclusive pluralism: This refers to the idea that multiple religions can coexist without losing their unique identity. In this view, religious differences are seen as complementary rather than conflicting, and each religion brings something valuable to the table. This type of pluralism often promotes interfaith dialogue and cooperation.
Exclusivist pluralism: This refers to the idea that while multiple religions exist, one's own religion is the only true one. In this view, other religions may be tolerated, but they are seen as inferior or incorrect. Exclusivist pluralism can lead to conflict and divisiveness.
Structural pluralism: This refers to the idea that religions exist within a larger social and cultural context that shapes their beliefs and practices. In this view, different religions emerge in response to particular historical and cultural conditions, and they may have different roles and functions in society. For example, Hinduism in India may have different rituals and practices than Hinduism in the diaspora.
Religious relativism: This refers to the idea that there is no objective truth or standard for judging religions. In this view, each religion is seen as valid and valuable in its own way, and it is not appropriate to compare or evaluate them based on external standards. This view can lead to moral and cultural relativism, where all values are seen as equally valid.
Tolerance: This refers to the idea that even if one disagrees with another's religion, one can still respect and coexist with them peacefully. Tolerance may involve allowing others to practice their religion without interference, refraining from violent or aggressive behavior, and recognizing the rights and dignity of others. Tolerance is an important aspect of promoting social cohesion and preventing conflict.
Pluralistic democracy: This refers to the idea that democracy can only exist in a society that recognizes and respects religious pluralism. In a pluralistic democracy, religious minorities are not excluded from participation in politics or society, and their rights are protected by law. This can involve creating space and resources for minority religions, promoting interfaith dialogue and cooperation, and ensuring that religious beliefs do not interfere with individual rights and freedoms.
Transcendental pluralism: This refers to the idea that there is a shared spiritual reality that underlies all religions, and that different religions are different expressions or paths to this reality. In this view, religious diversity is seen as a positive thing that can lead to greater understanding and peace. Transcendental pluralism often overlaps with mystical or esoteric traditions.
- "Recognizing and tolerating the religious diversity of a society or country." - "Promoting freedom of religion." - "Defining secularism as neutrality (of the state or non-sectarian institution) on issues of religion." - "Promoting friendly separation of religion and state."
- "Defining secularism as neutrality (of the state or non-sectarian institution) on issues of religion as opposed to opposition of religion in the public forum." - "Promoting friendly separation of religion and state as opposed to hostile separation or antitheism espoused by other forms of secularism."
- "One such worldview holds that one's own religion is not the sole and exclusive source of truth."
- "Acknowledges that at least some truths and true values exist in other religions." - "Two or more religions with mutually exclusive truth claims are equally valid."
- "Sometimes as a synonym for ecumenism." - "As a term for the condition of harmonious co-existence between adherents of different religions or religious denominations."
- "Promotion of some level of unity, co-operation, and improved understanding."
- "As a social norm and not merely a synonym for religious diversity."
- "Promoting freedom of religion." - "Recognizing and tolerating the religious diversity of a society or country."
- "Defining secularism as neutrality on issues of religion." - "Promoting friendly separation of religion and state."
- "Toleration (a concept that arose as a result of the European wars of religion)."
- "Perennialism is the understanding that the exclusive claims of different religions turn out, upon closer examination, to be variations of universal truths."
- "Promotion of some level of unity, co-operation, and improved understanding between different religions or different denominations within a single religion."
- "Promoting friendly separation of religion and state."
- "One's own religion is not the sole and exclusive source of truth."
- "Promoting friendly separation of religion and state as opposed to hostile separation or antitheism espoused by other forms of secularism."
- "Moral relativism may be considered a form within the concept of acknowledging the validity of mutually exclusive truth claims of different religions."
- "As a social norm and not merely a synonym for religious diversity."
- "Toleration (a concept that arose as a result of the European wars of religion)."
- "Two or more religions with mutually exclusive truth claims are equally valid."