Contemporary Believer in Face of the Plurality of Religions. Two Philosophical Issues

Abstract

This article discusses two philosophical issues the globalization ushered in in modern society: (1) Why should believers, and in particular Catholics, do science today? (2) What could be the believer’s attitude towards the multiplicity of religions? A proper understanding of the relation between science and religion is key to the first issue, and in addition, in a realistic approach, one can also see the concrete benefits of such a development. As for the second issue, the believer vis-à-vis religious diversity has four options: naturalism, exclusivism, inclusivism and pluralism. Each has its drawbacks: in the case of naturalism and pluralism the very meaning of professing one’s faith is undermined, albeit on different grounds, while exclusivism and inclusivism differ in their level of (actual or merely perceived) disregard for other religions. Inclusivism (doctrinal and soteriological) is the option that stands out as the most intellectually mature in this set.

Keywords

• philosophy of religion
• religion
• science
• religious pluralism
• religious naturalism
• exclusivism
• inclusivism