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7 - Truth and Coercion

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 June 2014

Roger Trigg
Roger Trigg
Affiliation:
University of Oxford
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Summary

INTOLERANCE OR HUMILITY?

Many find it threatening that religions can make “objective” claims to truth that apply universally. This may be because the alleged truth in question is not just of marginal importance, or of interest to a few specialists. By definition, it could concern all humanity, and the place of humans in the scheme of things. If, in addition, the religion concerned considers that recognizing such truth appears important for the eternal destiny of each person, it might follow that everyone should be informed of this, so as to have a chance of living in accordance with that truth. There could appear to be a positive duty of proselytizing.

Christianity and Islam both believe they have a universal message. If there is one God, one would expect that He would be regarded as the God of all people, and not just some. Even in the Old Testament, the God of Israel is also often seen as the God of the whole world, so that one day “all nations” will acknowledge Him. The universalist message is muted, however, in comparison with the deliberate offering of the Christian message to Gentiles as well as Jews in the New Testament.

Type
Chapter
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Religious Diversity
Philosophical and Political Dimensions
 , pp. 114 - 131
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2014

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References

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  • Truth and Coercion
  • Roger Trigg, University of Oxford
  • Book: Religious Diversity
  • Online publication: 05 June 2014
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139151795.008
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  • Truth and Coercion
  • Roger Trigg, University of Oxford
  • Book: Religious Diversity
  • Online publication: 05 June 2014
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139151795.008
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Truth and Coercion
  • Roger Trigg, University of Oxford
  • Book: Religious Diversity
  • Online publication: 05 June 2014
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139151795.008
Available formats
×