Are All Religions the Same? Exclusivism, Inclusivism and Pluralism | University of Aberdeen

University of Aberdeen Academics in Divinity and Philosophy are interviewed by Julie Arliss (Academy Conferences: www.academyconferences.com/) on issues relating to A-level Religious Studies Philosophy of Religion, Philosophy, Theology and Biblical Studies.
In this interview, Julie poses questions to Tom Greggs (Marischal Professor of Divinity) about exclusivism, inclusivism, and pluralism; the role of religion in the public square; and Barth on religion.

[@a.i.1905]

Very interesting discussion, thank you for posting! I've recently come across religious pluralism and very much enjoy the humility of it. It is almost as though it requires all of us to recognise and admit that our belief in whatever deity or dieties that we believe in is just that - a belief. It leaves room then for us to believe what we believe whilst also respecting another's belief because ultimately all people have their own beliefs which by the nature of beliefs cannot be proved objectively. Indeed, much of the Bible as an example speaks about having faith - something one can only have about things which we cannot prove objectively. With this philosophy, we are all truly equal as even the atheists believe that science is the true reality and that there is nothing greater. A true equality among all people is, in my eyes, the only route to true peace on Earth - a fine alternative to the waging of wars under religious pretences.

[@vokes1x]

thanks for this needed this for my religion project

[@jdg4112]

Jesus is the YES of God, but each individual has to say YES to God also. And yes there is ONE God, but the difference is that a Christian knows to whom they're praying to, there is an intimate relationship; the other religions are praying to an impersonal God, they do not know who they are praying to, or they think they know. Also, there cannot be anonymous Christians (those who are not aware that they are actually Christians by their way of living), because when Christ calls, it cannot be hidden. Matthew 5:14-15 says: 14 “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house." God has made his church visible so that we may lead people towards salvation; and thus, if one has an encounter with Christ, He will reveal Himself, and will become a disciple of Christ, and will be incorporated to the visible Body of Christ. Just like the invisible God became flesh and visible, in the same way He wants his people, to be visible to lead others to Him, so NO there is no such thing as people following Christ without knowing, one is either in Christ or not. CHRISTIANS MUST BE INCLUSIVIST IN THE SOCIAL SENSE, THAT IS, RESPECTING PEOPLE OF OTHER FAITHS, AND LOVING THEM, BUT CHRISTIANS SHOULD ALSO BE EXCLUSIVIST IN THE THEOLOGICAL SENSE, ESPECIALLY REGARDING THE DOCTRINE OF SALVATION. A CHRISTIAN SHOULD ADOPT AN INCLUSIVIST APPROACH ENOUGH TO CREATE AN INTER-FAITH DIALOGUE TO LEAD PEOPLE TO CHRIST, YET EXCLUSIVIST ENOUGH TO STAND BY THE SOUND DOCTRINE THAT THE BIBLE TEACHES AND OBEY THE GREAT COMMISSION.