Hinduism in the UK

[Guest guest]

Dear List

 

Let me share my experience in portraying Hinduism in the UK.

 

On Tuesday, the Leicester Christian/Hindu forum organised an event focusing

on Interfaith. Interestingly the event was held inside a mainstream church

in the city. The co-ordinator of the event (the Interfaith advisor to the Bishop of

Leicester) said: "In the 110 year history of this church such an event has never

taken place!" The fact that such events are taking place at such venues shows

how rapidly Interfaith ideals are progressing. One of the ideas I offered was:-

 

Religions have to learn to displace Exclusivist claims (incorporating evangelical

ambitions) with pluralism . Pluralism is not a religion. It is a statement of fact that

recognises the contextual nature of each and every religion. The questions raised,

were the standard ones theologians like to pose:-

 

(1) Is Pluralism also not a form of exclusivism?

Response: No it is not. Pluralism recognises its own contextual framework.

'Plural' relies on many 'singulars'. Pluralism cannot have a basis without the singular.

Pluralism never claims any exclusive status. In fact the need of pluralism only arises

as we no longer have the luxury of living as single faith communities. The needs

of our times require that we invoke and incorporate pluralism within our faiths.

 

(2) Is Pluralism not relativism?

Response: No it is not relativism. Relativism would suggest lack of the absolute.

Pluralism never suggests that. It simply says, "The absolute can be viewed and

approached in a variety of ways." Pluralism is a statement of fact recognising the

impossibility of capturing the absolute within any relative framework. Every relative

framework leaves its own unique blemish when trying to view the absolute.

Hence all religions are really expressions of 'limitations imposed on the absolute'.

 

The presentation was well received. The co-ordinator - Dr Andrew Wingate - graciously

said that what was happening in the church now, "i.e.Interfaith dialogue" had been set

in motion in Chicago 110 years ago, by Swami Vivekananda. What a lovely tribute!

 

 

jay

Vivekananda Centre London