Religious Pluralism and Core Concepts Flashcards

Three main paradigms on Religious Pluralism and Core Concepts

What is Voltaire's perspective on religious pluralism?

Views religious pluralism as a result of social inheritance and historical diversity.

What is Lessing's perspective on religious pluralism?

Emphasizes the importance of relativistic tolerance and advocates for private, subjective convictions.

What is Blackburn's perspective on religious pluralism?

Argues that religious pluralism cannot be fully resolved through individual fictionalism and emphasizes the social dimension of religion.

What historical shift has occurred regarding religious uniformity?

From religious uniformity to increasing religious and cultural diversity → requires new sociological tools for analysis due to increasing religious and cultural diversity.

What are the challenges of moral and cultural relativism?

Promotes respect for differing views but can be dangerous if it leads to accepting harmful practices.

some moral disagreements are fundamental and cannot be dismissed

What does 'belief' refer to?

Propositional acceptance or worldview, such as believing that a certain statement is true.

What does 'faith' emphasize?

Trust or confidence in a person, institution, or divine power beyond empirical evidence. (often overlaps with belief)

According to Durkheim, what is religion?

Beliefs and practices related to sacred things that serve to unite a community.

What do the concepts of belief, faith, and social functions of religion highlight?

Highlight how individual convictions and collective practices intertwine to sustain social and cultural structures through religion.

What does the debate between different approaches highlight?

they offer varied ways to understand and navigate religious diversity

highlights the complexities of cultural diversity by illustrating contrasting views on moral standards

Absolutists argue that certain moral truths are constant and universal, regardless of cultural differences

Relativists emphasize that morality is shaped by social and cultural contexts

tension underscores the challenge of balancing respect for cultural diversity with the need to uphold universal moral principles, especially when some practices may cause suffering or injustice