Who are our Neighbours? Multicultural Difference and Interreligious Relationship (AR1150P)

Content

This unit thinks of those who are our neighbours. Multiculturalism invites and celebrates cultural difference, but cultural difference means also religious difference. To live in a positive relationship to our neighbours it is not enough simply to ‘tolerate’ them. It means getting to know them socially, and in terms of belief and values structures. Interreligious relationship is basic to Christian ministry not only in ‘other places’ but in Melbourne and vicinity. This unit examines the responsible hospitality of the congregation in its local neighbourhood. It invites theological reflection that seeks to understand interreligious encounter both from the perspective of the Christian faith's own self-description, and from the perspective of the religious other. We will begin with the ongoing importance of religion in secular societies, questions of interreligious belonging, interreligious marriage, and the processes of ‘othering’ via public media. The unit focuses on three religions other than Christianity, with scheduled visits, and introduces some Christian theologies of pluralism.

Learning outcomes

Pedagogy

Lectures, visits, tutorials

Indicative Bibliography

1. * Brockman, David R., and Ruben L. F. Habito, eds. The Gospel Among Religions: Christian Ministry, Theology, and Spirituality in a Multifaith World. 2010.
2. * Cerminara, Gina. Many Mansions: Multiple Religious Belonging and Christian Identity. HarperCollins, 2019.
3. * Clooney, Francis X., ed., The New Comparative Theology: Interreligious Insights from the Next Generation London: T. & T. Clark, 2010.
4. * Cornille, Catherine., ed. The Wiley-Blackwell Companion to Inter-Religious Dialogue. Chichester, West Sussex: 2013.
5. * Gaston, Ray. Faith, Hope and Love: Interfaith Engagement as Practical Theology. SCM Press, 2017.
6. * Niles, Damayanthi. Doing Theology with Humility, Generosity, and Wonder. Fortress Press, 2020.
7. * Rajkumar, Peniel Jesudason Refus, and Joseph Prabhakar Dayam, eds. Many Yet One: Multiple Religious Belonging. World Council of Churches, 2015.
8. * Volf, Miroslav, ed. Do We Worship the Same God? Jews, Christians, and Muslims in Dialogue Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2012.
9. * Wesley, Ariarajah, S. Your God, My God, Our God: Rethinking Christian Theology for Religious Plurality. Geneva: World Council of Churches, 2012.
10. * Yong, Amos. Beyond the Impasse: Beyond a Pneumatological Theology of Religions. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2003.

Assessment