Exploring the Religions of Our World Chapter 1 Beginning the Journey Chapter 1 Beginning the Journey to dispel fears and Why Study World Religions? misunderstandings to gain a clearer understanding of one’s own faith to gain insights into human beings by understanding their religious activities to gain a better understanding of various human cultures to learn from some great sources of wisdom to gain a better understanding of humankind’s various civilizations to foster openness and acceptance of human differences Chapter 1 Beginning the Journey Catholic Attitude Towards Other Religions Catholics reject nothing which is true and holy in other religions (Nostra Aetate, 2) Pope John XXIII’s vision was that the Catholic Church not set itself against the world, but engage in dialogue with the world Chapter 1 Beginning the Journey Catholic Attitude Towards Other Religions (continued) “Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart … may achieve eternal salvation (CCC, 847) The Catholic Church has primacy over other faith traditions because of its apostolic succession by which it can offer the “means of salvation” Chapter 1 Beginning the Journey Related Documents from the Second Vatican Council The Declaration on Human Freedom (Dignitatis Humanae) The Decree on Ecumenism (Unitates Redintegratio) The Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions (Nostra Aetate) Chapter 1 Beginning the Journey Ecumenical Dialogue 1. All Catholics are to evangelize the world through dialogue with non-Catholics 2. God offers the gift of salvation to all the nations 3. The scriptures of other religions point to a future of communion with God 4. People from other religious traditions can be recipients of God’s grace 5. Dialogue can be through words, actions, or both. Chapter 1 Beginning the Journey Common Elements or Patterns of Religions Examples: sacred stories and sacred scriptures _____________________ beliefs and practices _____________________ sacred time _____________________ sacred places and sacred spaces _____________________ Chapter 1 Beginning the Journey Vocabulary • religion • empathy • liturgy • ecumenism • evangelization • witnessing • myths