AQA A-Level RE: Christianity, migration and religious pluralism

What is multiculturalism?

When people from different cultures and faiths live in the same society

Different branches in religions...

...make competing claims to know the truth

What are absolute claims?

They mean that there can be only one truth

What are relative claims?

They risk diluting the basis of people's faith

What has made England a multicultural society?

Immigration from eastern Europe, the Indian subcontinent, the Caribbean and Africa in the second half of the 20th century

How did British people respond to the increased immigration to Britain in the 20th century?

Many welcomed it, and some felt that the British identity was threatened

According to the census, how has Christianity changed since 2001?

71.8% -> 59.3% -> 46.2%

According to the census, how has Islam changed since 2001?

3% -> 4.9% -> 6.5%

According to the census, how has no religion changed since 2001?

14.8% -> 25.1% -> 37.2%

What does article 18 of the UDHR state?

that there should be freedom of thought, conscience and religion for all beliefs. EU and British law also uphold these rights.

It is against the law to...

...prohibit or restrict the practice of religion

In an ideal multicultural society, all...

...cultures are respected and celebrated

Multiculturalism leads to...

...a rich, diverse society

Why do some people oppose multiculturalism?

Because the lack of common values can lead to a society to lack cohesion

Why can immigration lead to conflict?

Because of a possible lack of integration

There is a tension between the positive qualities of multiculturalism and...

...the conflicting truth claims of religions associated with different cultures

Where cultural practises claim a religious dimension...

...there may be problems if the practises are contrary to British law (eg. FGM in Somalia, which people claim is religious although it goes against all religious teachings)

Why may religious believers not be persuaded by reason when judging between claims of religious truth?

Because belief depends on personal experience and commitment

Which psychological need is met by religious beliefs and moral teachings?

The need for certainty

Why si fundamentalism attractive?

it offers clear teaching on belief and moral issues at a time when society in general seems to offer only vague ethical principles

What is exclusivism?

when believers think their religion is the only true one

What is inclusivism?

When believers think that parts of other religions are the same as theirs, so parts of them are true. Their own religion is believed to be the truth, but some truth is recognised in other religions

Which Christian denomination takes an inclusivist view?

the Roman Catholic Church (since the Second Vatican Council)

What does John 14:6 hold?

That faith in Christ is necessary for salvation

How do fundamentalists and many evangelicals interpret John 14:6?

They take it as an urgency to convert those of other faiths

Which traditional Catholic idea supports an exclusivist view?

extra ecclesiam nulla salus (there is no salvation outside the Church)

How has the Catholic Church clarified its exclusivist view?

It says that there is no certainty of salvation outside the Church

What did Barth argue about exclusivity?

Christianity is not one religion amongst many, and all religions come under the judgement of Jesus. Only God's grace matters. This is a both inclusive and exclusive view

Why does exclusivism limit God's grace to practising Christians?

because salvation is only possible through a personal relationship with Christ. This may make him less powerful

Why is the argument presented in John 14:16 not conclusive?

It appears only in John's gospel. Jesus' actions and teachings suggest a more inclusivist approach

A number of New Testament texts suggest that God plans salvation for all, but...

...they do not specify how those of other faith are to be saved

What is universalism?

The view that all have to potential to be saved

Who rejects universalism?

Those who see salvation as something brought about by a religious commitment

What does Rahner believe?

Those outside Christianity who are under God's grace are anonymous Christians. Those who are not Christians In practise, worship or belief are nevertheless able to experience grace and salvation

Why do fundamentalists oppose Rahners' view?

Because it challenged their exclusivism

Who sees anonymous Christianity as patronising to other faiths?

John Hick

What is Hick's view of other faiths?

All faiths are intrinsically worthwhile in their own terms, offering God's salvation directly without any reference to the path of a single faith

Who tried to impose uniformity on Christianity in 325?

Constantine at the Nicene Council

What happened during the Great Schism of 1054?

A formal separation between the Orthodox Churches and the Catholic Church

What happened to the western Church during the Reformation?

it split between Protestants and Catholics

What do the key issues of difference between Churches include?

leadership, baptism and communion and their importance, organisation of Churches, biblical interpretation, worship styles and core doctrines

What does the Catholic Church emphasise?

The role of tradition, the institution of the church as the preserver of that tradition. Churches separate from the Catholic Church have lost the authority of tradition

How does the Catholic Church view other Churches?

as the 'separated Brethren', who may have some of the authentic qualities of the Christian tradition, but have lost the certainty of truth - exclusivist

What is the official Church of England stance on other Churches?

it recognises other Churches, even where they are different in fundamental Church features, and they work willingly with other Churches - inclusivist

What is Ecumenism?

the process of developing relationships between Christian Churches to promote unity

What does the World Council of Churches do?

It focuses on what Churches have in common, so that they can work together in practical ways

Which denomination is not part of the World Council of Churches?

the Roman Catholic Church

The Catholic Church engages in...

...dialogue with other individual churches on matters of doctrine and practise

Quote from John Hick?

'all religions have an equal claim to share in absolute truth'

How does Hick view religion as a whole?

as the way people are transformed from self-centeredness to reality-centeredness

How does Hick view the differences between religions?

They are incidental, what matters is the common role they share

What are the problems of Hick's view of different religions?

- cannot account for violent or cruel religions

- challenged by those who faith seperates them from societal norms

How does Hick view God?

As loving and religiously neutral, who will save everyone

Hick: if people die without sufficient spiritual growth...

...they will have other lives in which to develop until they are ready for salvation

Why does Hick's view differ from eastern views of rebirth and reincarnation?

he views it as a process of spiritual evolution rather than working out one's Karma

How does the Bible challenge Hick's universalism?

Parable of the Sheep and the Goats - people are saved based on their works, and are saved because of this life alone

What is the reality of Hick's universalism?

It offers a way forward for interfaith relations, but is biblically unsound and causes divisions

When do Christians argue for the separation of church and state?

If religion is seen principally as a set of beliefs and a relationship with God

When do Christians argue for a merging of church and state?

If they view it as a role people have in the world, as they may aim to promote Christian values in society

How do evangelicals and catholics view church and state?

They tend to emphasise the other-worldliness in Jesus' teachings, and reject the role of the state or society in matters of religion

Which article of the UDHR concerns freedom of expression?

Article 19

British law protects people from discrimination on grounds of...

...religion or belief

Society is both...

...liberal and plural