Religious Pluralism

I.What is Religious Pluralism?

Pluralism is the view that the transformation of human existence from self-centredness to Reality-centredness is taking place in different ways within the contexts of all the great religious traditions. In other words, there is not merely one way but a plurality of ways of salvation or liberation.

II.History:

There are thousands of religions in the world. But the eight major ones are Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Shinto, and Taoism. As mention in our book, none of this religion existed in complete isolation from other religions: their origins and development intertwine.

III.Religious Transformation:

  • Jadaism developed from numerous Semitic religions.
  • Christianity grew out of Judaism.
  • Islam developed later in contact of both.
  • Hinduism from the thoughts and practices of Aryan invaders and Dravidic religion.
  • Buddhism arose in reaction to Hindu ascetic culture and developed in China through interaction with both Confucianism and Daoism.
  • Shinto from Buddhism and Confucianism.

IV.Influences on Culture:

Among these religions:

  • Judaism, Islam, and especially Christianity have been major influences on the formation of Western Culture.
  • Islam for Middle Eastern culture.
  • The cultures of Asia have been shaped by Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Shinto, and Daoism.

V.Shared Characteristic:

Regardless of what religion that we believe in, most of the leading religions throughout history have shared Characteristics.

1.Belief in a deity or in a power beyond the individual

  • Monotheistic: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
  • Polytheistic: Ancient Greeks, Romans, and Hinduism
  • Atheistic: Confucianism, Therevada Buddhism, and Vedantic Hinduism

2.Each of the other religions traditionally bases its faith on the life or teachings of specific individuals. They are:

  • Prince Siddhartha Gaulama, who became known as Gaulama Buddha, for Buddhism;
  • Jesus Christ for Christianity;
  • Atheistic: Confucianism, Therevada Buddhism, and Vedantic Hindus
  • Confucius for Confucianism;
  • Muhammad for Islam;
  • Abraham and Moses for Judaism.

3.A doctrine (accepted teaching) of salvation

Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism teach a doctrine of salvation. They

stress that salvation is the highest goal of the faithful and one that all followers should try to achieve. Religions differ, however, in what salvation is and in how it can be gained

4.A code of conduct

Moral Teachings Values

  1. The used of sacred stories

Myths to enhance their teaching

  1. Religious rituals (acts and ceremonies).
  • Prayer
  • Meditation