Jain Journal 2004 01

SR No.: 520153
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 2004
Total Pages: 74
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 3 MB

Page 11

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JAIN JOURNAL VOL-XXXVIII, NO. 3 JAN. 2004
the speck in another's are eye unmindful of one's own defects. We often do not know the faiths of other believes and their practices. This type of ingorance sometimes leads us to petty quarrels, fights and other harmful relationship. At times, it takes the form of a tolerance, which almost negates the other or at the most, ignores the other. It sabotages seriousness in mutual learning and relationship. As one affirms one's own faith or ideology to be the only truth there is neither openness nor healthy encounter. Fundamentalism is a form of closure. The eyes are turned inside and there is a refusal to see the world at large.
While fundamentalism often refers to religious fundamentalism, it is also seen in other spheres of life like politics, where political ideologies do not make easy way to encounter the rest. Today interreligious/cultural or inter-ideological dialogue is useful and necessary not only for coming to know the other better, for dispelling prejudices, etc. but also for a healthy collaboration between religious communities and ideological parties in order to promote common humanity based on values of equlity, justice and freedom.
Stanley Samartha20, one of the leading Asian Christian theologians, suggests that exclusivism needs to be re-examined "as it puts fences round the Mystery. It divides people into 'we' and 'they' (making) it almost impossible to live together with neighbours of their faiths except on very superficial social terms." Acknowledging the menace of religious exclusivism and fundamentalism, the Christian theologians came up with a Statement in the context of Hindutva's challenges, emphasising the need for dialogues and collaboration: "We invite all Christians to build up a positive relationship with our Hindu brothers and sisters and those of all other religious by means of healthy
20. S.J. Samartha: "Inter-religious relationships in the Secular State" Quoted in Rao, Sreenivasa CH (Ed), Inter-Faith Dialogue and World Community, The Christian Literature Society, Madras, 1991, p.. 66
21. The Challenge of Hindutva an Indian Christian Response: Statement of Indian Theological Association (ITA), 23rd Annual Meeting, April 26-30, 2000, Dharmaram College, Bangalore, Quoted in Indian Theological Studies, Volume XXXVII, September/December 2000, No. 3/4, pp. 318-319)