Many people have had an epiphany that suddenly sheds light on a once shadowy concept for them. I know for most of my family and friends they have that kind of clarity around their spiritual beliefs. For me this area has always lacked definition. I explored quite a bit and could see the good and the bad in most organized religions but never found one that turned that light on for me. I do have my beliefs, but they don’t necessarily align with a particular religious checklist, that says I am this or that.
I can connect on some level with the energy that runs through us all, indeed the entire known and unknown universe. I can feel this energy when I talk to people of different religions, but at times I felt like because I couldn’t ascribe my feelings to one religion in particular that I was somehow not spiritual.
I will qualify my next statement by saying I haven’t finished reading this book (In Praise of Doubt), in fact I am only about a 1/4 of the way through, but as it stands at this point, I have found the words that speak to me and describe my beliefs. I find myself on almost every turn of the page feeling like my exact feelings are captured in electronic ink. The latest passage that resonates with me not only talks about acknowledging other religion’s truths, but learning from them. In addition, it addresses a concern I have heard and shared by placing a boundary around about whether you need to accept it all. Here is the passage.
As discussed in an earlier chapter, the pluralist position on interfaith relations, as exemplified by the work of John Hick — what we’re calling “relativism” here — does indeed welcome relativity as an important new phase in the history of religion. Not only is the religious “other” accorded respect, and conceded freedom to believe and practice in ways different from one’s own, but the “other” worldview is considered to be an instructive perspective on reality. In other words, the “other” is embraced as a harbinger of valid truth.
This kind of relativism isn’t limited to religion. It applies to morality as well. In the relativistic view, there’s no single, universally valid ethical system, but the moral values and behaviors of all, or virtually all, human cultures can be welcome additions to one’s own ethical tradition. This type of relativism will always make exceptions, of course — cultures that, say, legitimize human sacrifice, or slavery, or treating women as inferior beings will not be considered valuable contributors to ethics. Every society must draw boundaries between acceptable and intolerable behavior.
I have always believed this, but have never been able to articulate it. Now when someone asks me to put a title on my spiritual beliefs I will answer that I am a Pluralist.
Peace Out
Bill
Posted in Books, Religion, Spirituality
Tags: Anton Zijderveld, In Praise of Doubt, Pluralist
