On Pluralism: Religions under Pressure
Moojan Momen is a prolific and erudite Baha'i scholar. His 1999 The Phenomenon of Religion: A Thematic Approach is a personal favorite, unique in its approach to comparative religion. Here is an excerpt (pp. 348-9) on the theme of pluralism vs exclusivism. - gw
During this century, religions have come under pressure from the increasingly pluralistic world in which we live. This has resulted in a need to move away from the exclusivist attitudes of the traditional religious ethics. As a consequence, there has been a relaxing of these very rigid attitudes toward those who are not 'us'.... Even so, ...fundamentalist elements in each religion keep trying to draw the community back towards greater rigidity. For every scriptural verse that liberal elements find encouraging a pluralist attitude, the fundamentalists can point to another verse that is exclusivist in nature. In the Baha'i Faith, however there is a specific scriptural injunction to 'consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness' and there is therefore little scope for exclusivist interpretations.
Momen cites the following quote from the Tablets of Baha'u'llah in a note to this passage. -gw
The second Taraz is to consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship...They that are endued with sincerity and faithfulness should associate with all the peoples and kindreds of the earth with joy and radiance, inasmuch as consorting with people hath ppromoted and will continue to promote unity and concord, which in turn are conducive to the maintenance of order in the world and to the regeneration of nations.
3 comments:
Hans Kung (a Roman Catholic Theologian) also published a book in 1999 about World Religions (Spurensuche Die Weltreligionen auf dem Weg). His book aims to compare world religions and stress points in common with Christianity. However, his book has one chapter for each religion.
In the book by Dr. Moojan Momen’s each chapter approaches one distinct religious subject: The Concept of Religion, The Nature of Reality, The Religious Experience, The Promise of a Future Savior, Fundamentalism and Liberalism, Religion Power and Government, Religion and the Arts, Religion and Ethics,… and many more.
And Dr Momen main concern is not only to establish bridges between his religion and other religions, but to establish bridges between all religions.
I don’t need to say which book I found more useful to study comparative religions.
Hi George! I have been noticing, not all the time but some of the time, that Christians who believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to God are looked down upon by religions that say they believe that all paths lead to God. If they are then an inclusive religion then shouldn't they respect what I believe? To say that all religions and beliefs are correct and should be respected, but then to say to me that I am wrong, sounds very contradictory. It seems like a very exclusive statement made by a supposedly inlcusive and pluralistic religion. How does that work?
Bless your heart, Annie! The quote in the post above on "Neither Pluralism nor Exclusivism" outlines the Baha'i view most succinctly:
"the attitude Baha'u'llah prescribes for His own followers to take toward all people and all religious communities is one not only of respect and equality but of love, fellowship, and unity. Declaring the sacredness of all human beings in the context of universal egalitarian principles, Baha'u'llah eliminates any differential social status between believers and nonbelievers."
The last phrase makes it clear that for a Baha'i to "look down" on another's religious beliefs is inappropriate. At the same time, just as in the time of Christ and in that part of the world where he came, there was the expectation among his followers that Christianity would be embraced. The renewal of Faith occurs inevitably as one season follows another. Spring always follows winter. God never leaves us alone.
The authoritative Baha'i view is not always expressed in the quotes drawn from bloggers both Baha'i and non-Baha'i on Baha'i Views. It's important that the authoritative view be made plain on this blog from time to time.
Post a Comment