Christianity, migration and religious pluralism
The relative and the absolute
- When people from different cultures live in the same society, it is called multiculturalism.
- One aspect of this is that people of different cultures may also have different faiths.
- Different religions, and branches within religions, make competing claims to know the truth.
- Absolute claims mean that there can only be one truth, and this leads to conflict.
- Relative claims to truth risk diluting the basis of people’s faith.
How migration has created multicultural societies
Migration has always been a feature of society, sometimes by conquest or for trade, and sometimes
for economic reasons or to escape war.
In the second half of the 20th Century, immigration from Eastern Europe, India, the Caribbean and
Africa has made Britain a multicultural society.
While many welcomed this, some felt that British identity was threatened.
Diversity of faiths in Britain today:
o According to the 2011 Census, nearly 60% of British residents are Christian, 25% claim no
religion, 5% are Muslim and the other world faiths make up 3.2%.
Freedom of religion as a human right in European law:
o The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 18 says that there should be freedom of
thought, conscience and religion for theistic, non-theistic and atheistic beliefs.
o EU and British law also uphold these rights.
o It is, therefore, against the law to prohibit or restrict the practice of religion.
Religious pluralism as a feature of modern secular states:
o In an ideal multicultural society, all cultures would be respected and celebrated.
o Some people oppose multiculturalism because the lack of common values can lead to a
society that lacks cohesion.
o If immigrant communities do not integrate, this can lead to conflict.
o Where cultural practises claim a religious dimension, there may be problems if the practices
are contrary to British law (e.g. FGM)
o Competing religious claims to truth could be measured using reason to judge between them,
but many religious believers may not be persuaded by reason, because belief depends on
personal experience and commitment.
o The psychological need for certainty is met by religious beliefs and moral teaching.
Exclusivism and inclusivism:
o Exclusivism – my religion is the only true one.
o Inclusivism – parts of other religions are the same as mine, so parts of them are true.
o Some beliefs are completely incompatible.
o Inclusivists believe their own religion teaches the truth more completely than others, but
they recognise some truth in other religions.
o This view has been the position of the Catholic Church since the Second Vatican Council.
The relative and the absolute
- When people from different cultures live in the same society, it is called multiculturalism.
- One aspect of this is that people of different cultures may also have different faiths.
- Different religions, and branches within religions, make competing claims to know the truth.
- Absolute claims mean that there can only be one truth, and this leads to conflict.
- Relative claims to truth risk diluting the basis of people’s faith.
How migration has created multicultural societies
Migration has always been a feature of society, sometimes by conquest or for trade, and sometimes
for economic reasons or to escape war.
In the second half of the 20th Century, immigration from Eastern Europe, India, the Caribbean and
Africa has made Britain a multicultural society.
While many welcomed this, some felt that British identity was threatened.
Diversity of faiths in Britain today:
o According to the 2011 Census, nearly 60% of British residents are Christian, 25% claim no
religion, 5% are Muslim and the other world faiths make up 3.2%.
Freedom of religion as a human right in European law:
o The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 18 says that there should be freedom of
thought, conscience and religion for theistic, non-theistic and atheistic beliefs.
o EU and British law also uphold these rights.
o It is, therefore, against the law to prohibit or restrict the practice of religion.
Religious pluralism as a feature of modern secular states:
o In an ideal multicultural society, all cultures would be respected and celebrated.
o Some people oppose multiculturalism because the lack of common values can lead to a
society that lacks cohesion.
o If immigrant communities do not integrate, this can lead to conflict.
o Where cultural practises claim a religious dimension, there may be problems if the practices
are contrary to British law (e.g. FGM)
o Competing religious claims to truth could be measured using reason to judge between them,
but many religious believers may not be persuaded by reason, because belief depends on
personal experience and commitment.
o The psychological need for certainty is met by religious beliefs and moral teaching.
Exclusivism and inclusivism:
o Exclusivism – my religion is the only true one.
o Inclusivism – parts of other religions are the same as mine, so parts of them are true.
o Some beliefs are completely incompatible.
o Inclusivists believe their own religion teaches the truth more completely than others, but
they recognise some truth in other religions.
o This view has been the position of the Catholic Church since the Second Vatican Council.
