Religious Tolerance vs. Religious Pluralism

What exactly is religious pluralism? It is defined as peaceful relations between different religions. Religious pluralism may describe the view that one's religion is not the sole and exclusive source of truth, and therefore recognizes that some level of truth and value exists in other religions. As a Unitarian Universalist, I would consider myself to be a religious pluralist.

Religious pluralism is sometimes seen as synonymous with ecumenism. Ecumenism is defined as the promotion of unity, co-operation, or improved understanding between different religions or denominations within the same religion.

But, the fact is that Ecumenism still is based on the belief that one's religion is the "right" way to believe, even though perhaps the adherent of that religion is open-minded enough to co-operate or try to understand the beliefs of others.

Religious pluralism is also sometimes seen as synonymous with religious tolerance, which is defined as a condition of harmonious co-existence between adherents of different religions or religious denominations.

The word tolerance is the important word in the phrase religious tolerance. To tolerate the behavior or beliefs of another does not denote acceptance or approval, but basically the agreement to behave civilly in one another's presence.

The difference with religious pluralism is the belief that truth is relative to the believer. For instance, the Christians believe that Jesus is the son of God, the Jews do not. And yet both believe in the same God. Therefore as far as the adherents of both faiths are concerned they hold the one and only truth. Neither of these religions can claim absolute truth, even though both may hold a part of the truth.

In essence religious pluralism holds that no single religion can claim the authority to teach absolute truth. Because there is no absolute truth when it comes to religion. Religion, stripped down to it's bare bones, is simply an attempt to define the indefinable.

Religious pluralism points out that nearly all of the world's religious texts and teachings are a combination of human observances, historical narratives, and cultural values. Therefore all of these texts are open to interpretation. And, that interpretation may vary even within a religious community such as Christianity.

So, religious pluralism basically holds that while someone can practice the faith that feels inherently right based on upbringing, cultural values, and preferred rites and rituals, they can also accept and completely honor and respect that other religions also hold a piece of the puzzle called divinity.

Most Unitarian Universalist churches base their teachings on religious pluralism. It is not unusual to have a Buddhist group chanting one week, a Japanese tea party the next, and a Jewish Seder the next. Many U.U.'s have a core faith in which they were raised, and they may still maintain many of the philosophies and principles inherent within that faith. But, they can also find wisdom and understanding among other beliefs and faiths.

There are also those among the U.U. faith that have been life-long Unitarian Universalists that do not maintain any one core value as their personal truth, but base their belief on a combination of many teachings.

I believe that there are many people out there in our world today that have turned away from traditional religion because it does not fit their spiritual needs. They tend to seek out and explore many different traditions and beliefs on their journey through life.

I guess you could say that some people prefer a catered sit down meal, while others prefer a potluck buffet.

I love buffets myself. Variety is indeed the spice of life. But, once in awhile I enjoy a catered meal, complete with rite, ritual and ceremony. And, as a religious pluralist, I am really thrilled that I can in all good conscience, give myself permission to make that choice.

Love and Light..