World religions and interreligious dialogue
World religions and interreligious dialogue
Expect questions on Ninian Smart's dimensions, theological models of other religions (exclusivism, inclusivism, pluralism), Nostra Aetate, and core beliefs of Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism, plus forms of dialogue.
Frameworks
- Smart's seven dimensions: doctrinal, mythological, ethical, ritual, experiential, institutional, material.
- Exclusivism: salvation only through explicit faith in Christ.
- Inclusivism: Rahner's 'anonymous Christians' - grace mediated through Christ, perhaps implicitly.
- Pluralism: Hick's 'Copernican revolution' around 'the Real'.
- Nostra Aetate 2: the Church rejects nothing true and holy in other religions.
Snapshots
- Islam: tawhid, five pillars (shahada, salah, zakat, sawm, hajj), Qur'an, Prophet Muhammad.
- Hinduism: Brahman and atman, karma, samsara, moksha, four yogas (jnana, bhakti, karma, raja).
- Buddhism: Four Noble Truths, Eightfold Path, anatta, anicca, dukkha, nirvana; Theravada and Mahayana.
Worked example
How do Hindu moksha and Buddhist nirvana differ? Reasoning: moksha is realisation of atman's unity with Brahman, ending rebirth; nirvana extinguishes craving and does not affirm a permanent self (anatta). Both presuppose karma and samsara; the decisive difference is the doctrine of self.
Traps that cost marks
- Asserting 'all religions teach the same thing'.
- Using 'cult' loosely as a slur.
- Confusing the shahada with jihad.
- Treating Hindu and Buddhist meditation as identical.