Elements of Keith Ward’s Religious Pluralism

Abstract

Keith Ward tries to choose a new approach to religious pluralism called "soft and open religious pluralism." Considering the question "What are Keith Ward's elements of religious pluralism?" this paper attempts to explain how he overcame John Hick's religious pluralism and introduced his soft and open religious pluralism, as well as its logical requirements. By criticizing John Hick's extreme approach to religious pluralism, particularly its epistemic basis and unacceptable results, Ward emphasizes the possibility of divine manifestation in all religious traditions, the importance of the doctrinal dimension of religion, the avoidance of adequacy of religion, and the development of religious worldviews. He believes it is unacceptable to believe that all religions have one internal core that can be understood only by a limited number of people. According to his viewpoint, the experience of divine reality cannot be wholly explainable and comprehensible. Also, making a difference between internal and external forms of religion may lead to an exclusivist approach. Some of the more important consequences of Keith Ward's tendency to open religious pluralism are: openness to other religions, not adopting an exclusivist viewpoint, respecting religious struggles and striving to excel in one's own spirituality, fostering mutual understanding among religions, and recognizing that our understanding and commitment to our religion is insufficient.

Keywords

• religious pluralism
• open and soft approach
• doctrinal dimension
• divine reality
• keith ward