My Objections to Pluralism And Exclusivism

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In the following, I will focus on and examine John Hicks outlook on religious pluralism. I will make an effort to prove that religious pluralism is not a strong view to advocate. The claim that all the great religions of the world lead to God plays an essential role in this argument. In this paper, I argue against this claim, thereby disagreeing with religious pluralism. First, I explain Hicks’s argument, and the role that religious pluralism plays. Second, I explain Hicks’s defense of this claim. Third, I raise some objections to this defense. I conclude by drawing some broader lessons for the question of what it means to be a pluralist and its relation to religious exclusivism.

What do we do when we face so many religions? The fact that there are so many religions is what causes doubt in people and brings the question as to why they should believe in one religion over another. It is apparent that the innumerable religions of the world are diverse. Theists believe that there is one personal God. On the other hand, Hindus believe in many gods, agonistics hold no judgments on religion and do not believe in god or disbelieve in god and atheists deny any God exists. Just by evaluating the variances in beliefs it is observable to distinguish the difference. Thus, any religion that makes an allegation that it has to be the only true religion must be considered as false. John Hicks wants to say that religious pluralism is the better option compared to exclusivism. Religious pluralism is the idea that all the great religions in the world lead to God. John Hick’s religious pluralism argument attempts to do a couple of things. Hick’s believed that each major religion has a different interpretation of same ultimate reality, of the ...

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...nition, God is perfectly good, omniscient and omnipotent, then it should be reflective on religions and there should only be one. If god is omnipotent, then he is capable of generating a religion in which everyone can believe in universally and exclusively. If I have to accept the idea that the religions that exist are merely something created to satisfy our human perceptions then I prefer not to believe in a God at all. Religions should not be something in which we question its validity and the practice of it. Most, if not, all major religions have too many contradictions for my personal taste. Although my parents remain Catholics who believe that their religion is superior to the other religions, I respect their views. I on the other hand, select to rely on and trust the moral behaviors of people as a way to live by and be the most ethical person I can be.

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