Ecumenism and Religion Handout

Question 1

What percentage of the world practices a religion?

Answer 1

86%

Question 2

what is religion

Answer 2

• guides social behavior and plays a ssignificant role in daily life.
• an organized collection of belief systems, cultural systems, and world views that relate humanity to spirituality and moral values

Question 3

belief

Answer 3

accepting that something is true or real even if you are unsure of what that something might be

Question 4

4 largest religions

Answer 4

Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Budhist

Question 5

how many religions are there in the world?

Answer 5

4200

Question 6

why do religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories?

Answer 6

they are intended to give meaning to or to explain the origin of life or the universe. From their ideas about the cosmos and human nature, they tend to derive morality, ethics, religious laws or a preferred lifestyle.

Question 7

as humans, we have a desire to find a __________ beyond our current existence

Answer 7

pepper level of knowledge

Question 8

Philosophy

Answer 8

the rational investigation of the truths and principles of being, knowledge, or conduct.
we have basic questions that only religion or philosophy can answer due to the complexity of the questions. We hope to find some kind of ulitmate reality, one that involves God.

Question 9

Religion

Answer 9

a belief in, and worship of, a mystical, super-human presence (God or gods) that gives us a sense of control, influences our actions and gives meaning to our lives.

Question 10

What do we know about religion?

Answer 10

1. meets peoples needs
2. gives a sense of control to our lives
3. requires recognition and awareness of a higher power
4. when it fails to meet people’s needs it dies.
5. a religion is organic. It must grow and change to survive.
6. religion is different from a cult that worships a human being or an object

Question 11

Ecumenism

Answer 11

derived from a greek them in the New Testament referring to the whole inhabited earth. Church leaders organizing the modern effort to promote the re-establishment of unity among all Christians describe this work as ecumenical.

Question 12

exclusivist approach

Answer 12

• the only path to God and salvation is an explicit confession of faith in Jesus Christ as saviour and Lord
• Jesus Christ is the sole mediator between God and humanity
• this approach proclaims the importance of membership in the Christian Community
• those who do not make an exlplicit confession of faith in Jesus Christ may be excluded from the love and ultimate purposes of God.

Question 13

Inclusivist approach

Answer 13

• the reconciliation of the world takes place uniquely through Jesus Christ
• the essential work of Christ s essential for peace with God.
• Jesus Christ is the wisdom and word through which all things were made and through whom all things will be restored and perfected
• christ is present wherever people experience the goodness of God’s creative love and mercy.

Question 14

pluralist approach

Answer 14

• there are many paths to God
• there is not absolute court of appeal by which to evaluate different paths
• Jesus is the way for Christians, but not necessarily the path for all
• no single religious tradition can speak with finality about God/spiritual truth/ultimate truth
• co operation with other faiths is for the sake of the common global good

Question 15

transformationalist approach

Answer 15

• no single religion has a monopoly on truth
• from its beginning, christianity has been a constantly evolving expression of faith
• respectful dialogue and mutual learning may lead to transformation for all participants.