i'm treating it as a (c) for now ... (because I remember seeing this as a (c) - "Explain why trying to convert people may cause problems in a multi-faith society")
Christianity believes it is their right and duty to convert everyone to their religion because Christianity is the only true religion that will lead to God. They believe that Jesus told them to convert everyone, as emphasised in Matthew 28:18-20 "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit ..." - HOWEVER, converting people of other religions cause problems because, for example, Muslims think THEIR religion is the only true religion and if you try to convert them then religious conflict arises.
Additionally, some people consider this to be a form of prejudice, because a multi-faith society is meant to be religious pluralist and people are meant to have religious freedom. The Christian belief of exclusivism is already a form of prejudice because it defies the definition of a multi-faith society: that different religions have a right to coexist. This leads onto religious discrimination, as Christians will treat others differently because they are not Christians and the belief of exclusivism states clearly that unbelievers will not go to Heaven.
An extra point: "Love your neighbour as yourself" - If Christians loved their neighbours, they would want them to become Christians as well so they can also go to Heaven, therefore they will try to convert them. But this causes problems as stated above, and could potentially lead to religious wars.
If it's a (d) question, then the for points are: - converting others could lead to religious conflict
- a religious pluralist multi-faith society means that everyone is supposed to have religious freedom and trying to convert others may be seen by some as a form of racial prejudice (leading onto discrimination)
against: - Some Christians (Evangelicals for example) believe it is their right and duty to convert everyone to their religion as only Christianity is "correct" and will lead to Heaven. See the example above in Matthew 28:18-20.
- "Love your neighbour as yourself" - If you love your neighbour, you would want them to become Christian so that they will also be able to go to Heaven, therefore Christians should convert others.
That is a D because it is a statement...a C would ask you to explain.
Maybe you could set up your answer like this...
Paragraph one - Some Christians (Evangelical) believe it is their right to convert (quote) explain.
Paragraph two - However, if they live in a multi-faith society with religious pluralism and religious freedom then they should respect the beliefs of others as every faith has the right to co-exist and practise and choose their own faith. They shouldn't feel pushed into it because there are some religions like Christianity trying to convert them.
Paragraph three - On the other hand, if you do live in a multi-faith society with religious pluralism then Christians have the right, just like all other religions co-existing, to preach their faith and to try and convert because that is part of religious freedom.
Paragraph four - However, I believe that Christians should still follow the teachings of Jesus and 'love (their) neighbour) and be respectful to the religious beliefs of others. This means they should be allowed to preach but not make anyone feel forced to converting. Many Christians who believe in inclusive and pluralist attitude may agree with this as the the former believe their is some truth in every religion and the latter believe that every religion can help attain salvation.
Is this a (c) or a (d)?
ReplyDeletei'm treating it as a (c) for now ...
(because I remember seeing this as a (c) - "Explain why trying to convert people may cause problems in a multi-faith society")
Christianity believes it is their right and duty to convert everyone to their religion because Christianity is the only true religion that will lead to God. They believe that Jesus told them to convert everyone, as emphasised in Matthew 28:18-20 "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit ..." - HOWEVER, converting people of other religions cause problems because, for example, Muslims think THEIR religion is the only true religion and if you try to convert them then religious conflict arises.
Additionally, some people consider this to be a form of prejudice, because a multi-faith society is meant to be religious pluralist and people are meant to have religious freedom. The Christian belief of exclusivism is already a form of prejudice because it defies the definition of a multi-faith society: that different religions have a right to coexist. This leads onto religious discrimination, as Christians will treat others differently because they are not Christians and the belief of exclusivism states clearly that unbelievers will not go to Heaven.
An extra point: "Love your neighbour as yourself" - If Christians loved their neighbours, they would want them to become Christians as well so they can also go to Heaven, therefore they will try to convert them. But this causes problems as stated above, and could potentially lead to religious wars.
If it's a (d) question, then the for points are:
- converting others could lead to religious conflict
- a religious pluralist multi-faith society means that everyone is supposed to have religious freedom and trying to convert others may be seen by some as a form of racial prejudice (leading onto discrimination)
against:
- Some Christians (Evangelicals for example) believe it is their right and duty to convert everyone to their religion as only Christianity is "correct" and will lead to Heaven. See the example above in Matthew 28:18-20.
- "Love your neighbour as yourself" - If you love your neighbour, you would want them to become Christian so that they will also be able to go to Heaven, therefore Christians should convert others.
Sorry, Am I confusing you even more?
nope. thanks a lot pheebs (:
ReplyDeleteThat is a D because it is a statement...a C would ask you to explain.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you could set up your answer like this...
Paragraph one - Some Christians (Evangelical) believe it is their right to convert (quote) explain.
Paragraph two - However, if they live in a multi-faith society with religious pluralism and religious freedom then they should respect the beliefs of others as every faith has the right to co-exist and practise and choose their own faith. They shouldn't feel pushed into it because there are some religions like Christianity trying to convert them.
Paragraph three - On the other hand, if you do live in a multi-faith society with religious pluralism then Christians have the right, just like all other religions co-existing, to preach their faith and to try and convert because that is part of religious freedom.
Paragraph four - However, I believe that Christians should still follow the teachings of Jesus and 'love (their) neighbour) and be respectful to the religious beliefs of others. This means they should be allowed to preach but not make anyone feel forced to converting. Many Christians who believe in inclusive and pluralist attitude may agree with this as the the former believe their is some truth in every religion and the latter believe that every religion can help attain salvation.
Oh and Pheebs...your points are correct too....just put them into full sentences (",)
ReplyDelete