1. Religious Pluralism and Society - Introduction

Religious Pluralism

The coexistence of multiple religions within a society.

Inter-faith Dialogue

Conversations and discussions between people of different religions aimed at understanding and cooperation.

Globalisation

The increasing interconnectivity of the world, leading to the exchange of goods, services, and ideas across borders.

Immigration

The act of moving to a country to live there permanently, often leading to increased diversity in religious affiliation.

Christian Mission

The effort by Christian communities to spread their faith and convert individuals from other religions or no religion.

Scriptural Reasoning

A method of mutual study and interpretation of sacred texts from different religions to foster understanding.

Enlightenment Secularism

The philosophical shift during the 18th century that promoted skepticism towards religion and emphasized rational thought.

Census Data (2011 UK)

Data showing the religious affiliation of the population, revealing trends in the prevalence of religions like Christianity and Islam.

Church Attendance Trends

Patterns in how many people participate in religious services over time.

Rationalism

A philosophical movement emphasizing reason as the primary source of knowledge.

Empiricism

A philosophical approach that emphasizes knowledge derived from sensory experience.

Utilitarianism

A moral philosophy suggesting that the best action is the one that maximizes utility, often defined as the greatest good for the greatest number.

Religious Demographics

Statistical data about the religious composition of a population.

Pentecostalism

A Christian movement emphasizing direct personal experience of God through baptism with the Holy Spirit, often associated with vibrant worship.

Non-denominational Christians

Christians who do not identify with a specific denomination and often favor an independent approach to faith.