WHAT IS PLURALISM?
1. Pluralism is an attitude that responds to the fact of
diverse traditions of thought, faith, and practice by
- appreciating the common humanity of each person and the wonderful,
unique individuality of each person while exploring the specific differences
of gender, race, class, religious belief, or whatever category may be
relevant for a particular purpose
- taking time to pursue the process that leads from understanding
to tolerance, friendship, and love
2. Pluralism is not to be confused with
- relativism (the idea that the truth of an idea depends merely on the
fact that someone believes it)
- the attempt to create a new religion by blending existing traditions
into a homogenized variety
- the error that scholars and dialogue participants must leave their
own convictions at the door
HOW CAN THE EXPERIENCE OF RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY
ILLUMINATE OTHER DIVERSITY ISSUES?
The interfaith dialogue movement has learned some lessons about
bypassing antagonistic debate in order to find a spirit of dialogue.
- focusing on goals rather than on creeds improves the chance of
finding common ground
- there is a tendency for religions to strive for sovereignty over
other religions unless they agree to recognize some sovereignty above
each one of them
- truth is many-sided, and it is important to remain open to
scientific critique of what one regards as fact and to philosophic
interpretation of what one regards as truth
HOW CAN RELIGIOUSLY COMMITTED FACULTY TEACH FAIRLY AND
RESPONSIBLY IN A STATE-SUPPORTED UNIVERSITY?
Use a pluralistic concept of the spiritual that permits learning from
any and all sources of insight, including diverse scientific,
philosophic, and religious perspectives. The only attitude that is
inconsistent with a community of inquiry is the one that claims a
monopoly on truth and excludes contributions from other areas.
- Present differing views with rigorous fairness, emphasizing that
each position can strengthen itself by incorporating the best insights
of other positions. Thus no one position has to be totally accepted or
rejected.
- Help each student progress from where he or she presently is,
building on the student’s insights and experience, without aiming
for conversion.
- Clarify the difference between dogmatism (resistant to criticism),
skepticism (extreme, self-refuting denial), and adventuresome thinking
that knows how to make affirmations while continuously exploring the
relevant facts, meanings, and values.
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