Saturday, February 25, 2012

Pluralism

Aa a chaplain I have gotten extremely used to conversing about pluralism, as it is the environment in which I minister. It is, I believe, the environment in which we all minister. The Churches refusal to acknowledge this leads to a divisive conservatism that alienates and destroys credibility. The beauty of Pluralism is that it allows, even demands interfaith dialogue. Conservatives seem to be so obsessed with portraying the superiority of their religion, that they neglect the open seat at the table of ideas, and their opportunity for authentic discussion and consideration of others.

Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch in their book The Shaping of Things to Come make specific note that there seem to be two theories of how to encounter any culture, and in our western world, it is a culture of pluralism. One can attempt to create walls, and further barriers to God, in hopes of keeping the culture out, or one can venture into the culture and create wells, centers of life that people cannot help but stay away from. By necessity, we must be people of the well, joining a diverse and global community, living a faith that is not agreeable to people, but doing it in such a way that communicates love and respect despite our differences. Pluralism is not affirming other people's faith, it is affirming their right to believe. And without that, the church as it is today would not be possible.

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