Religious Traditions Plurality

Christians and Religious Diversity

Christians live in religiously diverse communities all over the world, which has an impact on their daily activities as they look for ways to connect with those who practice other religions. They have been able to keep parts of their traditions alive without running afoul of other religions by concentrating on their faith in Jesus Christ. Religious extremism has increased, which emphasizes the value of healthy interreligious cooperation. New contacts brought about by globalization are transforming religious communities. There is substantial awareness of the need for cooperation across religion barriers in dealing with the issues in the world that said, the religious traditions have been challenged to make a positive contribution to the creation of a global community that can live together in peace. This view is shared by Elizabeth Johnson who explains in her book “Generous God of the Religions,” that Christianity has changed to accommodate other religions but there are still challenges experienced in Christianity.

History of Religions and Conflict

Notably, most religions have a history where they practiced violence of compromised with political power to have some privileges. Considering Christianity which has brought the message of love and tolerance to all people, its history is marked by persecution and insensitivity to other cultures. In addition, many religions are characterized by the enormous diversity and dispute among themselves. For instance, the division between the Catholics and the protestant has created a drift in Christianity. Similarly, Elizabeth Johnson suggests three approaches in the past, through which Christians were able to maintain their stand in the world. Through the fundamental approach, she argues that the Christians sought to protect their identity by claiming that those who did not share it were in error. Through the dialogic approach, cooperation among the plural religions should be enhanced by affection and respect gained by sharing the different traditions among the various religions. Johnson also explains that the relativist response of plural religions in the past sought to iron out the differences between the various religion in the society by arguing that the individual choice of religion should not matter because they preach the same thing that is love and goodness.

Promoting Mutual Understanding and Peace

In the contemporary society, there are internal disputes among religions. This shows that there should be a different focus in promoting mutual understanding and peace among the different religions in the society. Likewise, Elizabeth Johnson explains that through the Christian believes which are characterized by practices of goodness and undoubted devotion among themselves. Through this, the Christians will be able to associate with people who have different beliefs.

Challenges of Religious Commitment

There are new forms of religious commitment because people are separating the personal faith from institutional belonging. There is a search for an authentic spirituality which seeks to be based in a secular way, and it has created a new challenge to the churches. Moreover, people from other religions such as Buddhists and Hindus are also experiencing these changes, and this has increased religious tolerance. However, it has also created problems with Christians because they have to express their faith in ways that make sense both to them and their neighbors and this has proven to be hard. Johnson explains that Christianity has managed to make sense in the modern religious diversity of tradition by incorporating the role played by the religion when focusing in individual salvation. Focusing on the Catholic Church, the author shows that the church has carefully interacted with people of other religions without imposing themselves on them. By focusing on what is familiar to them, there has a great positive interaction among people from the same religion. In addition, Johnson explains that the members of the church have been tasked with practicing love and prudence when collaborating and having a dialogue with other people of different religions.

Tolerance and Pluralistic Nature of Religion

Notably, religious identities have become less important as compared in the past where people were much favored or discriminated in light of their religion. This is attributed to the increased secularism across the world. Even though there are countries that promote the use of a given religion, there is hope of tolerance across the world. Countries such as the United Arab Emirates promotes the Islamic religion, and in some areas, they prosecute people who practice other religion. However, the increased tolerance among various people has created hope that the pluralistic nature of religion will be embraced at last. Given that most religions are based on love, a supreme being and goodness, focusing on this three attributes will increase tolerance and enable Christians to practice their faith across the world. On the other hand, Johnson argues that the differences in religion give them their identity and losing them for other tradition can lead to the loss of religion. She, however, explains that people from different religions can relate peacefully if they respect the others who do not share the religion. That said, it is clear that the plurality of religious traditions has enhanced the relationship between Christians and other.

Bibliography

Johnson, Elizabeth A. Quest for the living God: Mapping frontiers in the theology of God. A&C Black, 2007.

Ferrer, Jorge N. “The Plurality of Religions and the Spirit of Pluralism: A Participatory Vision of the Future of Religion.” International Journal of Transpersonal Studies 28, no. 1 (2009).