Is modern moral relativism as advocated by rationalists, for instance turning out to be even more of a problem than absolutism as we know it in orthodox religion?
Relativism is a real problem. It can lead to a weakening of belief that all people have an absolute right to equal justice, to a weakening of the belief that some things (torture, rape and other atrocities) could never be justified on any grounds, and so on.
How would you compare Indian-style pluralism with the kind of secularism practised in France?
Pluralism is used both in the political and religious context; states are a bundle of diverse communities with a common administration but different communities have a life of their own. Indian pluralism recognises that religious communities have a right to be active and visible, though not privileged by the state. Most western secularism seems to want to make faith invisible. India is a good reminder that this western idea isn’t the only or the best way to secure a neutral state in a plural society.
Read it all.
Times of India–Rowan Williams a conversation with Narayani Ganesh
Is modern moral relativism as advocated by rationalists, for instance turning out to be even more of a problem than absolutism as we know it in orthodox religion?
Relativism is a real problem. It can lead to a weakening of belief that all people have an absolute right to equal justice, to a weakening of the belief that some things (torture, rape and other atrocities) could never be justified on any grounds, and so on.
How would you compare Indian-style pluralism with the kind of secularism practised in France?
Pluralism is used both in the political and religious context; states are a bundle of diverse communities with a common administration but different communities have a life of their own. Indian pluralism recognises that religious communities have a right to be active and visible, though not privileged by the state. Most western secularism seems to want to make faith invisible. India is a good reminder that this western idea isn’t the only or the best way to secure a neutral state in a plural society.
Read it all.