The long wars that the world has gone through and the escalation of hate speech that has affected different parts of one’s identity (including religious affiliation) has led to increased tension in interreligious relations which has sometimes developed to the point of “phobia” and mutual estrangement and violence. This is what history has known and still knows.
Every religion has an interpretation that excludes other religions.
Although there are interpretations that highlight the space that recognizes human dignity and freedom.
It calls for respecting and preserving this dignity and freedom.
It declares that there is no compulsion in religion.
and makes people responsible for their choices and options in life in terms of belief, thought, and behavior.
So.
How have different religious institutions responded to these shifts and what documents have they issued to recognize and uphold human rights?
What values of shared public life are enshrined in these declarations, initiatives and documents?
Human dignity
Freedom
Equality
Solidarity
Theology or religious thought about other religions
Theologians/religious thinkers have developed several answers to the question: “Is there room within each religion to accept other religions as real and ways of salvation?” These answers fall under four religious attitudes of diversity that we can find in every religion namely.
Pluralistic attitude
is the attitude in which one views one’s own religion as the path of salvation or the ultimate philosophy and that other religions are also part of the divine project for the salvation of mankind. One does not conclude that other religions are all wrong Rather, he sees in them ways of salvation or righteousness. He also sees that their existence does not contradict his religion and that the reality of other religions does not threaten his religion.
Contained position
is the position that other religions share in the salvation provided by my religion. If Islam conditioned salvation or Falah by attributing it to Muslims, then for Muslims, other religions can be considered to fall under the label of “Islam” in a broad sense then for Muslims, other religions can be considered to fall under the label of “Islam” in a broad sense. and share salvation (paradise) with Muslims. Since Christ is the way of salvation in Christianity other religions can be seen as hidden carriers of Christ.
Relative position
is the position that there is no absolute truth.
Therefore, all religions are equal in their partial knowledge.
which are equally conducive to salvation.
Exclusionary/Exclusive Attitude
is the attitude that there is no salvation (or no heaven, or no nirvana, or no human progress…) except through my religion along the lines of: “There is no salvation outside the church” or the narrow interpretation of the verse {The religion of God is Islam}. So Salvation is exclusive to the followers of a religion or sect.
Finally.
The pluralist sees religious diversity as a divine will He respects and appreciates other religions knowing all the differences they hold in relation to his religion, he respects these differences and does not try to erase them and does not try to erase them.
The pluralist sees religious diversity as a divine will He respects and appreciates other religions knowing all the differences they hold in relation to his religion, he respects these differences and does not try to erase them and does not try to erase them.
So.
What is the relationship between a theology of diversity and freedom of religion and belief?
Religious authorities (Christian and Islamic in particular) have issued texts some of which have been mentioned above dealing with freedom of religion and belief and came somewhat closer to international texts especially with regard to the sanctity of the human conscience and the equal human dignity of every individual, regardless of their affiliation or lack thereof The texts also raised the right to practice, teach, and preserve religious heritage.
However, the impact of these texts remains somewhat limited whether in terms of content or application for the following reasons:
Not all religious institutions have adhered to the contents of these declarations and some religious voices continue to call for exclusion, violence, and rejection of the other Therefore it is the responsibility of these institutions to incorporate the values enshrined in these statements into religious discourses religious education and social religious activities.
The content of this data has not been transformed into training manuals or tools that can be used by educators, activists, religious men and women, and other community opinion makers and other community opinion makers, limiting the impact of the data.
These documents focused on the rights of groups along with the rights of individuals (such as the Catholic Church’s statement), leaving the door open for new texts that could come from the same or different authorities to complement what has already been issued.
When these texts named religious groups they did not recognize all of them (e.g. Al-Azhar Statement 2012 which recognized only three religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam). It did not specify anything related to non-believers or agnostics.
So.
it can be said:
Religions converge with human rights on the basis of shared values especially the values of public life.
Adyan Foundation has developed the concept of religious social responsibility in partnership with various religious authorities. recognizing the importance of the role of religious institutions and authorities in public affairs. These religious teachings provide incentives for individuals to engage in serving public causes and the possibility of communicating the message to large segments of people through religious platforms.
So
The concept of socio-religious responsibility transfers the experience of faith from the private sphere within the community of believers to the public sphere where believers translate their values into a sincere commitment to serve the people and achieve justice and peace and the realization of justice and peace. It is where people, regardless of their religious or civic backgrounds, are united in the dignity of every human being and the good of society without distinction or discrimination.
You can learn more about the definition of religious social responsibility by downloading guidebook
Is trans-affiliation solidarity important for promoting freedom of religion and belief?
In plural societies, trans-affiliation solidarity is essential for strengthening relationships between groups in a plural society and to optimize living together.
In the context of solidarity between different religious communities.
The Eastern Catholic Patriarchs, in their third pastoral letter “Together before God” in 1994, introduced the concept of “spiritual solidarity” the concept of “spiritual solidarity”. They interpreted it as meaning: Each constituent bears the worries, pains, hopes and aspirations of his brother. It is an endeavor for the sake of the self and the other. It is an endeavor for the sake of the self and the other. as we feel about ourselves.”
So.
Solidarity with others is social, human and spiritual.
in order to work together for the common good.
and to build peace on the basis of partnership, interaction and awareness of mutual responsibility.
Solidarity with others is social, human and spiritual.
in order to work together for the common good.
and to build peace on the basis of partnership, interaction and awareness of mutual responsibility.
In this context.
released in March 2017 by International Conference “Freedom and Citizenship.
Diversity and integration organized by Al-Azhar and the Muslim Council of Elders and attended by 200 personalities from 60 countries: “Al-Azhar Declaration on Citizenship and Coexistence” who singled out the theme of solidarity by saying: “Today we are all called by virtue of our common belonging and common destiny to solidarity and cooperation to protect our human, social, religious and political existence. The grievances are common interests are common. They require joint action, the necessity of which we all recognize. This feeling must be translated into practical translation in all areas of religious, social, cultural and national life.”
