Truth-In-All-Religions: The Case Of John Hicks

Using proven facts and methodologies, the author supports her argument that various faiths can coexist outside of a singular perspective. Ward acknowledges every faith has defining guidelines followers must embrace, but maintains the

Great post. I do agree with you that Hick’s do acknowledge religion as valid as long as it has a transformational aspect in a person life. I also agree with his claim that religions are worshiping the same God and acknowledge God by different name.

In general, there are hundreds of religions all around the world. All people respecting and following what they worship. What they all seem to have in common, is that in some way or some form, a spiritual being came to be powerful and above everyone else.

However, Dianne draws two different point of views in two groups or how she called it two camps. The first camp suggests that there is only one true religion, and it is unified in nature: religious, scientific, and historical truths, and those tell us about how things actually are. The second stands for you can believe in whatever you want as well as me, and everything will be ok while we do not discuss over it. In addition to that, Oliver affirms that these two camps do not hold the complexity presented by truth-claims. Also, she uses a metaphor of a telescope by P. Knitter, a noted religion scholar to facilitate us understand the issues surrounding religious truth, which are good and bad news; good news is that we see through the telescope, and bad ones is that we cannot see everything through that, in other words truth claims always manifest different point of views of people. The author in the chapter posted on Blackboard refers that generally truth-claims are associated with the beliefs of a religious

Stephen Prothero’s “God Is Not One” is a survey of world religions, comprising vital information on a vast array of different sets of belief. As someone who has never studied religion before, nor belongs to a particular faith, the variability within these religions is staggering. One might be satisfied to define religion as “how a person goes about believing in God,” but soon finds that even that definition has its holes. Thankfully, “God Is Not One” does an amazing job of cluing its reader into the nuances that are sometimes forgotten about the religions it approaches.

Smith, and Paul Knitter are in direct opposition to each other. Nash affirms that if two truths, which are diametrically opposed to one another, cannot still both be true. This would violate one of the primary laws of logic being the law of non-contradiction. Hick argues that truth can be relative and subjective to the person believing in the truth. In a sense, two truths that are opposite to each other can still be true despite their undeniable contradiction to each other. Conversely, Nash states “truth is a property of some propositions.” Therefore, pluralists have attempted to redefine truth with something other than propositions. However, Nash rebuttals this ideal held by pluralist revealing the usages of truth has to have a basis in property. Truth is not merely a difference in opinion as Smith attempts to define it. Pluralist according to Nash will state that when someone from a certain religion is affirming or denying religious truths they are only stating their opinion or preference for that religion. However, this is not an accurate statement and in order for it to be true, Smith is required to change propositions of all people groups and from a vase array of world religions. Nash relates these arguments like Smith’s idea of pluralist finds their basis in existentialism. Nash affirms that if Smith’s theory is correct, then every follower of each of the worlds’ major religions are wrong and

According to our text, Huston Smith believed that all religions were essentially the same, whereas Stephen Prothero believes that they are all fundamentally different. These two differing opinions can be looked at further by comparing two of the world religions: Christianity and Buddhism. I believe that all religions are a mixture of both; religions are essentially the same and are also fundamentally different. Christianity and Buddhism both have similar aspects within them, and they have different aspects as well. In order to make sense of the world, one needs to have knowledge of religion and the implications it has on society (Prothero).

In chapter four, Nash attempt to look at the logical fallacies of Hick’s position. He examines other pluralist claims against exclusivism and its supposed outdated reasoning. The other pluralist that he cites is W.C. Smith, and Paul Knitter. Nash presents these claims by talking about the basic understanding of logic. Nash main point is to point out truth and validity of the very basic principles of this argument. He points out several rules of logic, in addition, he points out the idea of truth and its ties to propositions. Then he moves on to differentiate truth and logic with religious claims: “while belief certainly includes more than mental assent to proposition, belief always includes believing something, and that something is a proposition.” It is imperative to note, just like any other claim religion should be looked at in the same way. Nash disagrees with W.C. Smith also. Nash noted, “Smith’s way of handling religious “truth” might appear to solve a serious problem for pluralists (the problem created by their apparent rejection of logic), it only raises new and equally troubling questions.” Therefore, pluralist like these two men that downplays logic and truth will never be able to support they beliefs.

There are many different religions with many different beliefs, traditions, practices, and rituals. These differences are a very important part of understanding and appreciating the culture and history behind the specific religion. However, the practices that certain religions have in common can aid even more in furthering the understanding of specific beliefs of other religions. Since most religions cultivate from the practices and beliefs of other religions, they use those core values and beliefs and transform them into what they believe is a better way practicing. Religions use similarities within each other and twist them into their own. There are certain beliefs within every religion that shape their practices such as their morals or their most essential or absolute value, their position on human beings’ problems and solutions, and their view on life and death within their religion. Pure Land Buddhism (a form of Mahayana Buddhism) and Vaishnavites (a group within Hinduism) are great examples of this very concept.

Those who are raised within one religious tradition may find it difficult to understand the traditions of another religion. It is not until one is educated in the basics of the other major world religions, that it is possible to see the many similarities between them. Just as there are many similarities between the countries culturally, the major religions share more things than they are different. In viewing Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism with an open mind, it is easy to see the differences, similarities and ideals that make these religions as widespread as they are.

Ultimate Reality in religion is viewed differently when comparing Eastern to Western beliefs, but there are some similarities: both want to achieve something in the afterlife.

The weight of truth - religion Weight can be connotated to the importance or significance of admitting the truth as both Abigail’s uncle, Rev. Parris, position as a Reverend and a Minister are in jeopardy, as well as the well-being of her cousin, Betty Parris. This would reflect on the character’s relationships on a personal level. Even though Parris is inquiring about his daughter’s illness, he is more concerned with saving his household’s and his own reputation so it is not publicized to the town that he is connected the Devil. Weight can also be connotated to the weight of religious truth.

As of today, the world’s two largest religions Christianity and Islam share an estimated 3.6 billion members, more than half of the world’s population. On the surface, they appear to have almost nothing in common, however, as one goes beyond the surface and examines the other factors such as the rituals, beliefs, ethics, founders, and convictions, the two religions share many similarities. However, in order to truly see and understand these similarities and differences, one must date back to the rise and birth of Christianity and Islam.

Every religion holds truth to the believers, and gives them a sense of identity. There is no right or wrong answer to the question of which religion to follow, only interpretations and behaviors according to what makes sense to the individual. People will behave as they believe (Beliefs and Believers, Class 1).

Religion these days have become the center of our attention as we contemplate whats right and what is wrong. Figuring out what religious views fit best with what you believe can be difficult to grasp as sometime we begin to wonder if what we read or believe actually is true. It is only human nature to question the beliefs that are set before us. Religious views all over the world have many spiritual beliefs and traditions that are all different in some way. It is important to have the knowledge of different religions as not everyone in this world believes the way you might. Having the sensitivity towards their belief is important and having the understanding that you can't change the way that they think. Two world religious views that are