Religions in the XXI Century

 

  This text pretend sets out to summarize the course of history and theology of religions. This stuff is more important in this century as we face two phenomena (Religious Pluralism and New Age). Not to mention the process of secularization that pervades everyone and has its particular emphasis on Europe.

First I will define what is religion and its etymological root, then describe two elements that seem highly significant when writing about history and theology of religions (interreligious dialogue).

Religion is a human activity system composed of beliefs and practices about what is considered divine or sacred, both personal and collective, existential, moral and spiritual nature. There is talk of "religions" to refer to specific forms of manifestation of the religious phenomenon, shared by the different human groups. There are religions which are arranged more or less rigid forms, while others lack formal structure and are integrated into the cultural traditions of the society in which ethnic or practiced. The term refers to both personal beliefs and practices as collective rituals and teachings.

     Define what religion (from the Latin religare or re-legere) has was and is controversial among specialists. According to sociologist G. Lenski, is "a shared systemassociated beliefs and practices that are articulated about the nature of the forces shaping destiny of human beings. "For its part, the anthropologist Clifford Geertz proposes a definition alternative: "Religion is a system of symbols work to establish vigorous, penetrating and lasting moods and motivations in men formulating conceptions of a general order of existence and coating these conceptions with effectiveness such that the moods and motivations seem a unique realism. "Because the wide spectrum of uses of the word, it particularly complex to provide a comprehensive definition religion or religious phenomenon. However, we can say that, as an anthropological fact, encompasses among others the following: traditions, ancestral cultures, institutions, writings, history, mythology, faith and creeds, mystical experiences, rituals, liturgies, prayers.

     The etymology of the word religion has been debated for centuries due to the two interpretations that have argued that in addition to offering a proposal about the origin of the word, underline a religious attitude. Before being used in a sense related to the deities, the term "religion" or "religious" was used to express a fear or a superstitious scruple. Religious pluralism is a term used to refer to the concept of a peaceful relationship between different religions.

     The true religious pluralism is not intended that all religions are equal. Real pluralism recognizes diversity, difference, the right to think otherwise, otherness. So accept that different religions have different truth claims. In this sense, the true religious pluralism is so opposed to the violent imposition of a religion and the attempt to reduce all religions to the lowest common to them all.

     Interreligious dialogue is a positive, cooperative and constructive interaction between people of different traditions or religious or spiritual beliefs, both individually and institutionally. It differs from syncretism that interreligious dialogue is not seeking a merger or assimilation of various doctrines without substantial consistency, but rather promoting understanding between different religions to increase acceptance of others. Unlike ecumenism, which fosters unity among Christians, interfaith dialogue seeks constructive reciprocal treatment between religions or spiritual movements that have no common Christian roots.

     There are local, regional, national and international interfaith initiatives, either informally or formally established through larger networks or federations. Hans Küng, Professor of Ecumenical Theology and President of the Foundation for a Global Ethic, is credited with the formulation of a thought often cited as interfaith dialogue motto.