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HINDUISM |
Extremely tolerant; sees all
religions as different pathways to the top of the same mountain;
believes that the higher one climbs, the more one finds oneself coming
towards the same truth; historically, has never tried to force itself
upon unwilling converts; believes that, in later incarnations, growing
spirits will be reborn as Hindus. Hinduism is noted for absorbing ideas
and "gods" of other religions. |
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BUDDHISM: HINAYANA |
Extremely tolerant in the
treatment of other religions, but believes that it has the only message
that can end human suffering; therefore, feels an obligation to spread
its truth to all who will listen. |
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BUDDHISM: MAHAYANA |
Again, like Hinayana Buddhism,
tolerant, but with the sense that it should share its insights with
others. Like Hinduism, tends to absorb the gods and ideas of other
religions, thus producing an extreme variety of forms. |
|
TAOISM |
Totally tolerant since
to be anything else would be to go against the Tao. Sees simply that the
Tao is the way things are: to follow any other way is foolish -- but
others will have to discover that for themselves. |
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CONFUCIANISM |
Again, quite tolerant; with
its emphasis on courtesy, tolerance follows inevitably since an
intolerant person is always rude; believes that it offers a way to make
social systems operate, but doesn't impose itself. |
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JUDAISM |
Quite tolerant but also quite
exclusive; believes absolutely that it is a unique faith, directly
chosen by God to be a "light" to the rest of the world;
certain therefore, that other religions are wrong -- but does not try to
evangelize or to convert others. In order to maintain purity of the
faith, does not encourage any "mixing" of religions: strictly
maintains its own traditions and preserves its own identity. |
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ISLAM |
Somewhat tolerant in that it
sees itself as the only true faith; sees Judaism and Christianity as
"sister faiths" which have failed in their mission; they
should be tolerated, but is quite certain that they are mistaken; other
religions live in "darkness". Eager to spread its faith; has
used force to do so -- although not against Jews or Christians. |
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CHRISTIANITY: ORTHODOX |
Originally quite tolerant when
it had the political power to be so: was established by law throughout
Eastern Europe from its base in the Byzantine Empire; now a bit
exclusive; cooperates with other Christians: does not seek to evangelize
and convert. |
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CHRISTIANITY: ROMAN CATHOLIC |
historically quite tolerant;
sees Christianity as the only true faith and itself as the only true
Church. Spread its faith through political force for many centuries; for
a time was noted for its extreme repression of any other religious
views; this strain of absolute dogmatism is apparent in Roman
Catholicism; it is increasingly tempered by Roman Catholics who are
seeking to learn from and share with other religions. |
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CHRISTIANITY: PROTESTANTISM |
A very "mixed bag":
some Protestants are dogmatic to the point of arrogance, certain that
they alone have the truth; Protestantism, like Orthodoxy and Roman
Catholicism, has been noted for its alliance with political powers to
force its faith upon the unwilling; the notable exception is the Free
Churches which have never used political power, but which in their own
ways have often been exclusive and dogmatic. Liberal Protestants have
usually been quite "non-dogmatic", seeking to understand
rather than to convert. |