Introduction:

Today religion stills plays an enormous role in society despite the figures that show its relative decline in many Western nations. Indeed, secularism has, in many Western states, taken a firm foothold in politics. For many, this idea is representative of the supreme form of government, while for others, who see their religious identity threatened, it can be a form of evil incarnate. Regardless of either stance, and all of the positions in-between those two extremes, it remains a prime topic of debate. The importance of secularism for this paper, however, arrives from its implication in many societies due to the massive influx of religious diversity pertaining to identity in recent years.

Many countries, especially those settled upon the foundation of immigration such as the United States of America, Canada, and Australia, as well as those remnants of imperial might such as the United Kingdom, and France to name a few, are tremendously diverse. Every culture which has brought its food, music, and art to these places has also brought its religious identity in tow. These relatively tolerant countries have then been forced to face a new problem, that is, how to see their new comrades’ faiths and religious ideologies vis a vis their own. This is not to say that these problems are new, as it is quite obvious that they have existed since the premodern era, but that they have become extremely relevant in societies which apparently champion such diversity and acceptance.

This has leavened three prime religious identities pertaining to the view of other religions, and it plays an important role in the making of friends, the approval of family, and more-over, the all encompassing treatment of others. These three ideologies are known as “exclusiveness”, “inclusiveness”, and “pluralism.” The rest of this post will give a brief summary on the three points of view and some examples on how they influence certain aspects of living, from civil liberty, the making of bonds of true friendship, and personal morality.

Exclusivism:

Exclusivism is the view that only your religion holds truth about the ultimate reality. This view cannot be restricted to any one religion in particular, and in fact it is manifested in many traditions, but the overarching trend is that exclusiveness is most often seen in Abrahamic traditions such as Judaism, Christianity, Islam and various other religious derivatives, excluding a few exceptions.

Those that hold such a view tend towards seeing their own religion as the only means of salvation or enlightenment. They often times see practitioners of other religions as following a downward path, a path that leads further and further away from the ultimate goal. For example Christians who hold such a view see salvation only through the acceptance of Jesus, and sometimes only through the act that they deem fit as the acceptance of Jesus. Others, such as some Muslims see Islam not as the only historically valid path, but as the only currently, and eternally valid path.

Yet, as previously stated, this is not a solely Abrahamic malady, but can be found in certain practitioners of certain sects of Buddhism and other religions as well. For example some conservative practitioners of Pure Land Buddhism might see religion much the same way a conservative Christian might, if they both tend towards an exclusivist view.

Inclusivism:

Inclusivism is somewhere in the middle of the spectrum of viewpoints on other religions and faiths. The opinion of inclusivists can vary widely, but a common trend is a leniency towards the salvation or enlightenment of others who do not follow their own faith. For example an inclusivist of the Christian persuasion may see a Hindu as saved even if they remain a Hindu, whether or not they have heard of Jesus, by some unknown act of God’s grace. Indeed, such a practitioner may believe that their Hindu friend has been saved through Christ even though that friend had not “properly” acknowledged it.

Likewise a Muslim may say that although Islam is the only pure and valid living path, that those practitioners of other faiths may very well be saved, and that only God can judge. This is a common view of many Muslims as well as other after-life based religions.

On the other hand, a Buddhist might believe that a Christian will attain enlightenment through the aid of a Bodhisattva who’s goal is to liberate all of human kind. Another Buddhist might believe that the prayers and meditations of a Muslim will achieve the same goal as the meditation of a Buddhist.

Pluralism:

Pluralism is the view that many different religions and forms of spirituality can be at least partially valid, if not fully valid paths to achieving some ultimate reality. Such practitioners are most common in East Asia where one often finds people who identify as Buddhist-Confucian-Daoists, or Shinto-Buddhists, or even Buddhist-Christians!

However, this trend can be readily seen in many parts of the Western world as well where people remain Christian, but adopt many techniques from Buddhism. Furthermore some people, such as Hindus may be completely okay following Hinduism whilst also adopting Baha’u’llah, Christ, or whomever into their own pantheon.

Finally some religions such as the Baha’i Faith which have different views on the afterlife may see it another way. The general view of the Baha’i Faith is a mix between pluralism and inclusivism whereby everyone goes to the next world regardless of what they have done in the world. The only difference between a saint and a murderer is how close or far away they will be from God when they get there.

Why this is important:

And We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], the Book in truth, confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture and as a criterion over it. So judge between them by what Allah has revealed and do not follow their inclinations away from what has come to you of the truth. To each of you We prescribed a law and a method. Had Allah willed, He would have made you one nation [united in religion], but [He intended] to test you in what He has given you; so race to [all that is] good. To Allah is your return all together, and He will [then] inform you concerning that over which you used to differ. -Qur’an Surat-al Ma’ida 48

The importance of recognizing these three main view points cannot be understated. Depending on one’s particular subscription one will view the world in a particular way. It is my opinion that pluralism is the most conducive to world progress as it allows for not mere tolerance of others’ religious beliefs, but for the acceptance and nourishment of all beliefs.

In a society where many beliefs flourish, whether Muslim, atheist, Christian, or Hindu, progress will be made much more rapidly than in a society whereby the only goal of the population is to convert others to their religion. Even worse would be a group of coreligionists who attempt not even to integrate into a society of “non-believers” for fear of losing their own salvation or for some non-associative agenda.

Such terrible deeds can be seen across the world, expressed by individuals from various regions in multiple ways. It is made manifest in the Israel-Palestine conflict, the persecution of Rohingya Muslims by Burmese Buddhists, and the expression of faith in some parts of the U.S.A. to name but a few.

Verily, the only way to achieve a supreme unity on this planet is through acceptance. Tolerance of others’ beliefs can only achieve so much, but to really prosper and to cultivate the crop of unity on this planet we must understand one another. We must be polite, understanding, and interested in the differences between us, while being conscious of the underlying foundation that we share, and upon which our structural solidarity is constructed!

Thank YOU!

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-G.L.