Question

Briefly summarize the arguments of John Hick and then compare and contrast Hick's arguments with the perspective that is presented in The Dalai Lama's "Buddhism, Christianity, and the Prospects for World Religion." Do you think The Dalai Lama would agree with John Hick's rejection of religious exclusivism? Why or why not? Make sure to support your answer with references to the assigned readings.

Answer 1

John Hick's religious pluralism hypothesis - Hick suggested in his book " God and the universe of faiths " that the religions in this world are merely different responses to one divine being. Fifteen years later in his book called " An Interpretation of Religion " he stated his pluralism hypothesis that suggests that all religions are culturally conditioned responses to the same ultimate reality.

Hick attended worship services held in temple, mosque, gurudwara and believed that same thing is happening in all religions; human beings connecting with a higher divine.

He argued that all religious paths lead to the same destination irrespective of the religious traditions.

While Hick does not deny the existence of a higher supernatural being nor does he believe that religion is merely an illusion. He believes that all religions fulfill a specific goal of salvation.

But this hypothesis is not without its own shares of difficulty. It poses a contradiction in truth-claims of different religions.

In Dalai Lama's book "Buddhism, Christianity and the prospects of world religion " Dalai Lama refutes John Hick's religious pluralism hypothesis stating that not all religions have the same purpose.

For example , Christianity and Buddhism - Christianity seeks to connect with a higher divinitive spiritual form whereas Buddhism practices the state of enlightenment of an individual's mind. Christians see God as their creator whereas there is no creator or superior being in Buddhism.

He thinks that variety is a beautiful thing in religion and adds that different ways reaps more spiritual growth.

In conclusion, Dalai Lama would not agree with John Hick's rejection of religious exclusivism because that would contradict the truth claims in different religions.