World Religions and Interreligious Dialogue
This domain tests accurate knowledge of major religions and the Catholic theology of dialogue. MATSEC expects Nostra Aetate (1965), the distinction between ecumenism and interreligious dialogue, and enough detail to avoid flattening traditions into vague spirituality.
Core rules and concepts
- Hinduism: Brahman, atman, karma, samsara, moksha; Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita; diverse schools, not a single authority.
- Buddhism: Four Noble Truths, Eightfold Path, anatta (no permanent self), nirvana; Theravada and Mahayana differ on canon and practice.
- Judaism: Torah, covenant, synagogue, Shabbat, Pesach; the Church affirms the Jewish covenant without supersessionism (Nostra Aetate 4).
- Islam: tawhid, Five Pillars (shahada, salah, zakat, sawm, hajj), Qur'an; Jesus is honoured as a prophet, not the Son of God.
- Sikhism: Guru Nanak, Guru Granth Sahib, Khalsa; often omitted from "Abrahamic" lists.
- Nostra Aetate 2–3 affirms what is true and holy in other religions while proclaiming Christ; dialogue is not syncretism.
Worked example
Question: "Nostra Aetate says all religions are equal." Reason: The document does not say that. It says the Catholic Church "rejects nothing that is true and holy" in other religions, and it urges dialogue and collaboration. It also says Muslims "profess to hold the faith of Abraham" and adore the one God, while noting differences. A strong answer quotes the document, distinguishes respect from relativism, and notes that dialogue presupposes identity.
Traps that cost marks
- Claiming "all religions are the same".
- Confusing ecumenism (Christian unity) with interreligious dialogue.
- Supersessionism: saying the Church replaces Judaism.
- Using "Abrahamic" to cover Sikhs or Hindus.