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Document Details :

Title: Exclusivism, Tolerance and Interreligious Dialogue
Author(s): STENMARK, Mikael
Journal: Studies in Interreligious Dialogue
Volume: 16    Issue: 1   Date: 2006   
Pages: 100-114
DOI: 10.2143/SID.16.1.2013494

Abstract :
One of the factors that cause conflicts and violence in the world today is the exclusivist stance towards other religions endorsed by many religious activists. Therefore scholars of religion often try to argue against such a stance. The strategy proposed in the essay is that they should instead analyze what resources there are within exclusivism itself to deal with religious violence, to support tolerance and even to learn something from the religious other. If such resources exist, there is a greater chance of persuading religious leaders within the exclusivist camp to adopt more peaceful and non-confrontational views than there is of transforming them into inclusivists or pluralists. The thesis defended is that some forms of exclusivism actually allow interreligious dialogue, a dialogue that we desperately need these days. Exclusivism, at least in some of its forms, therefore needs to be reconsidered in interreligious dialogue and its resources for mutual understanding and for peaceful coexistence with people of other faiths require analysis.

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