Maat, Heleen - Religious Diversity, Intelligibility And Truth

ISBN
   

Soort boek
Pocket

According to religious pluralism, different religious traditions should be considered of equal value regarding their truth claims and the functions they fulfil in the lives of their adherents. Advocates of religious pluralism argue that religious diversity is not ultimate; rather, they emphasise similarities between the religions and interpret them as being part of a larger unity. At first sight, religious pluralism is an attractive position concerning religious diversity. It claims to treat the different religious traditions respectfully, it encourages tolerance and it opens up the possibility of the peaceful coexistence of believers of different religions. However, religious pluralism is faced with serious criticism.<br /><br />The question is whether or not religious pluralism is a viable option. In this inquiry, the versions of religious pluralism as maintained by J. Hick, P.F. Knitter, D. J. Krieger and W. C. Smith are analysed. The character and content of their claims and the underlying assumptions concerning religious diversity, intelligibility and truth are investigated. In the course of the analysis, these assumptions appear to be seriously problematic: as representatives of religious pluralism take for granted that religions are ultimately part of a unity, they do not sufficiently take into account massive religious diversity. Having examined different versions of religious pluralism, the author develops an alternative view of religious diversity that takes its starting point in Wittgenstein's approach of language, and that can do justice to the diversity of the world's religions.