The Catholic Faith in a Diverse World

Transcendence

Going beyond ordinary human experience; the divine as beyond the material world.

Cosmology

The study of the origin, structure, and nature of the universe in relation to religion.

Theistic

Belief in one or more gods.

Nontheistic

Religious traditions that do not center on a god or gods (e.g., Buddhism).

Monotheism

Belief in one God (Judaism, Christianity, Islam).

Polytheism

Belief in many gods (Hinduism, Ancient religions).

Pantheism

God is identical with the universe/nature.

Deism/Transtheism

Belief in a creator who does not intervene in the universe.

Transtheism

Recognizes divine or spiritual realities beyond traditional theism. believe in an inpersonal God that establish natural laws that discovered the universe

Revelation

Divine truth revealed to humans.

Faith

Belief and trust in the divine (more than intellectual agreement).

Mysticism

Direct personal experience of ultimate reality or the divine.

Myths

Sacred stories that convey truths, values, and meaning.

Ethics

Moral principles guiding behavior.

Ritual

Formalized religious practice (e.g., prayer, worship, sacraments).

Empathy

Understanding others' experiences and perspectives.

Spiritual Fulfillment/Transformation

Personal growth through religious practice.

Salvation

Deliverance from suffering, sin, or ignorance.

Experiential

Religious experiences, mysticism.

Mythic

Sacred stories.

Doctrinal

Beliefs, teachings.

Ethical

Moral codes.

Social

Community, institutions.

Material

Sacred spaces, art, objects.

Culture as 'Web of Meaning'

Shared symbols and values through which people make sense of life.

Premodern

Religion as unquestioned foundation of truth.

Modern

Emphasis on reason, science, individualism.

Postmodern

Plurality of perspectives, skepticism toward absolute truth claims.

Vatican II (1962-65)

Catholic council modernizing Church practices and encouraging interfaith dialogue.

Nostra Aetate

Vatican II document recognizing value in other religions.

Pope John XXIII

Called Vatican II.

Ecumenism

Movement for unity among Christian denominations.

Ecumenical Councils

Worldwide gatherings of Church leaders to discuss doctrine and practice.

Exclusivist

We have the one true faith; all others are in error

Inclusivist

One religion is fully true, but others have partial truth.

Pluralist

Assumes all religious traditions are true and honest attempts to know God

Existentialism

Focus on individual freedom, choice, and meaning in an uncertain world.

Naturalism/Materialism

Only physical matter exists; no supernatural.

Agnosticism

Uncertainty about God's existence.

Humanism

Emphasis on human value, reason, and ethics without reliance on the divine.

What makes Judaism, Christianity, and Islam monotheistic?

All affirm belief in one God as creator and sustainer.

Similarities between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

Abrahamic roots, scripture, prophecy, ethical focus, belief in a monotheistic God

Differences between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

Judaism → Torah, covenant, waiting for the Messiah.

Christianity → Jesus as Messiah, Trinity, salvation through Christ.

Islam → Muhammad as final prophet, Qur'an as ultimate revelation.

Eastern vs. Western traditions

Eastern: Cyclical time, reincarnation, liberation (moksha, nirvana), focus on harmony with cosmic order.

Western: Linear time, creation, sin, salvation, focus on covenant and revelation from God.

Where do religions begin?

Begin in human experience of the sacred, awe, and existential questions.

Essential Questions religions answer

What is the human condition? (Why are we here? What's wrong with us?) What is the Ultimate Reality? How do we overcome suffering/evil? What is our destiny?

The Human Condition

Nature of humanity, our flaws, suffering, mortality, and capacity for transcendence.

Explanations of Evil & Suffering

Western: Rooted in sin, human free will, separation from God.

Eastern: Illusion (maya), karma, attachment, imbalance with Tao.

Ultimate Reality

Western: A personal God, separate from creation.

Eastern: Brahman (Hinduism), Nirvana (Buddhism), Tao (Taoism) — often impersonal, transcendent unity.