An Introduction to Some of the Most Important Principles and Theories of Religious Pluralism

Subject Areas : Christianity

Abolfazl  Ebrahimi ¹ (ندارد)

Received: 2014-11-24 Accepted : 2014-11-24 Published : 2007-11-22

Keywords: religious pluralism, religious exclusivism, the Absolute Reality, religious experience, religious cognition, religious expression, John&#x0D, &#x0D, Hick,

Abstract :

In the modern and philosophy of religion, there are two generalapproaches, namely religious pluralism and unificationism, each ofthem has its own epistemological, linguistic and religious principleswhich have made them different and distinguished.In this article we consider some of the most important principlesand theories of religious pluralism and attempt to answer thesequestions: Is the difference and plurality of religions inherent andrealistic or superficial and formal? What is the nature of suchdifferences and plurality? Is it possible to establish agreement or atleast some understanding among religions or not? Finally we come tothe conclusion that the most important difference between religions isthe distinction of their epistemological and linguistic principles.Because of this difference, the single source of all religiousexperiences, the Absolute Reality or the Sacred, seems plural andmultiple; as a consequence, It takes different shapes and forms.Nevertheless, the Absolute Reality could be perceived as a commonelement of different religions and It can establish agreement andunderstanding among them.