MIGRATION AND RELIGIOUS PLURALISM: Pluralism

Question 1

Who is John Hick?

Answer 1

English philosopher. A universalist (God’s salvation will be available for all)

Question 2

What does Hick see religion as?

Answer 2

‘The transformation of human existence from self-centredness to reality-centredness’- self transformation rather than truth claims

Question 3

What does Hick argue about the incompatibilities between religions?

Answer 3

They are not of real significance. Opposed by Griffiths who says IS can’t be considered similar to any major mainstream religion

Question 4

In what circumstance does religious practice go against the norms of society?

Answer 4

Polygamy permitted in Islam. Mainstream Western society doesn’t allow polygamy

Question 5

What does Hick say about evil people?

Answer 5

A loving God will eventually allow all to be saved. This means there must be other lives, beyond death, to come to God. Links to purgatory: ‘purification to enter into the happiness of heaven’ (Catechism)

Question 6

How does Hick respond to the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats?

Answer 6

It might be a response to the persecution of Christians in the early Church. Links to its message that judgement doesn’t depend on the acceptance of Jesus

Question 7

How can Hick bring different faiths together?

Answer 7

His views on universal salvation and religion as self transformation

Question 8

What do religions reject about Hick’s views?

Answer 8

There are other lives beyond death, religion depends on self transformation rather than truth claims

Question 9

Positive of Hick’s views

Answer 9

Helps reconcile the different teachings of religions with an inner sense of the one-ness of human religious understanding