Interreligious Dialogue: Revisiting Comparative Theology for Social Harmony in Pluralistic South Africa
This article examines and explores the importance of interreligious dialogue within the multireligious and multicultural communities. The dialogical tool to be used in this endeavor is Comparative Theology. Through the literature review, the scenario of religiously diverse communities, especially...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Africajournals
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Pharos Journal of Theology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.pharosjot.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_9_vol_104_1__2023_ufs.pdf |
| _version_ | 1811195883100831744 |
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| author | Dr. Kelebogile Thomas Resane |
| author_facet | Dr. Kelebogile Thomas Resane |
| author_sort | Dr. Kelebogile Thomas Resane |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This article examines and explores the importance of interreligious dialogue within the multireligious and multicultural communities. The dialogical tool to be used in this endeavor is Comparative Theology. Through the literature review, the scenario of religiously diverse
communities, especially in South Africa, is painted both historically and sociologically. Comparative Theology is defined and historically identified. Theology of dialogue is brought forth as a method that Comparative Theology can use towards social harmony in pluralistic South Africa. Social harmony as a sociological anticipation is defined and related to theology. Social harmony is presented as the form of collective philosophy, which means working together for the greater good, and putting the societal or organisational needs above and ahead of the needs of an individual. The intention is not to convert but to understand and see how harmonious coexistence can be initiated and achieved. Interreligious dialogue is not an initiative of weighing error from truth. It is an engagement with the other, and as dialogical partners coming from
different traditions, Comparative Theologians provide guidelines towards this dialogue. Reflective suggestions are highlighted, and these are networking and partnership development for human survival. Christ’s example of crossing the cultural and religious barriers is elaborated as a model to follow. Contact without contamination is the driving force. Disengagement and personal insulation are not an ideal option. Christian theologians are encouraged to engage dialogically with people of different religions, as dialogue is the better option towards understanding of the other. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T00:50:05Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2c77659e8c9d4143bff72400f0ead13f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2414-3324 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T00:50:05Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | Africajournals |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pharos Journal of Theology |
| spelling | doaj.art-2c77659e8c9d4143bff72400f0ead13f2022-12-22T03:54:45ZengAfricajournalsPharos Journal of Theology2414-33242023-01-011041https://doi.org/10.46222/pharosjot.1049Interreligious Dialogue: Revisiting Comparative Theology for Social Harmony in Pluralistic South AfricaDr. Kelebogile Thomas Resane0Research Fellow Department of Historical & Constructive Theology Faculty of Theology & Religion University of the Free StateThis article examines and explores the importance of interreligious dialogue within the multireligious and multicultural communities. The dialogical tool to be used in this endeavor is Comparative Theology. Through the literature review, the scenario of religiously diverse communities, especially in South Africa, is painted both historically and sociologically. Comparative Theology is defined and historically identified. Theology of dialogue is brought forth as a method that Comparative Theology can use towards social harmony in pluralistic South Africa. Social harmony as a sociological anticipation is defined and related to theology. Social harmony is presented as the form of collective philosophy, which means working together for the greater good, and putting the societal or organisational needs above and ahead of the needs of an individual. The intention is not to convert but to understand and see how harmonious coexistence can be initiated and achieved. Interreligious dialogue is not an initiative of weighing error from truth. It is an engagement with the other, and as dialogical partners coming from different traditions, Comparative Theologians provide guidelines towards this dialogue. Reflective suggestions are highlighted, and these are networking and partnership development for human survival. Christ’s example of crossing the cultural and religious barriers is elaborated as a model to follow. Contact without contamination is the driving force. Disengagement and personal insulation are not an ideal option. Christian theologians are encouraged to engage dialogically with people of different religions, as dialogue is the better option towards understanding of the other.https://www.pharosjot.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_9_vol_104_1__2023_ufs.pdfinterreligiouscomparative theologydialoguediversitiespluralitiesharmony |
| spellingShingle | Dr. Kelebogile Thomas Resane Interreligious Dialogue: Revisiting Comparative Theology for Social Harmony in Pluralistic South Africa Pharos Journal of Theology interreligious comparative theology dialogue diversities pluralities harmony |
| title | Interreligious Dialogue: Revisiting Comparative Theology for Social Harmony in Pluralistic South Africa |
| title_full | Interreligious Dialogue: Revisiting Comparative Theology for Social Harmony in Pluralistic South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Interreligious Dialogue: Revisiting Comparative Theology for Social Harmony in Pluralistic South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Interreligious Dialogue: Revisiting Comparative Theology for Social Harmony in Pluralistic South Africa |
| title_short | Interreligious Dialogue: Revisiting Comparative Theology for Social Harmony in Pluralistic South Africa |
| title_sort | interreligious dialogue revisiting comparative theology for social harmony in pluralistic south africa |
| topic | interreligious comparative theology dialogue diversities pluralities harmony |
| url | https://www.pharosjot.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_9_vol_104_1__2023_ufs.pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT drkelebogilethomasresane interreligiousdialoguerevisitingcomparativetheologyforsocialharmonyinpluralisticsouthafrica |