Interreligious Relations Research Articles

FUNDAMENTAL ELEMENTS IN SUSTAINING INTER-RELIGIOUS HARMONIOUS RELATIONS UNDER ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVES IN THE AGE OF NEW MEDIA

Background and Purpose: Inter-religious harmony is crucial in maintaining peaceful co-existence and national stability of a multiracial and multi-religious society. The existence of minor racial or religious tension in the society can escalate to a crisis and jeopardise inter-religious relations in this age of new media. The failure to preserve religious harmony may expose the society to conflict and chaos. Thus, this article aims to discuss and elaborate the fundamental elements in sustaining harmony among multi-religious society from Islamic perspective in the age of new media.
 
 Methodology: This research employs the qualitative research design. The research method used is content analysis, and the library data that comprises the physical and online books and articles on topics related to religious harmony and new media, was collected from the years 2010 until 2021. Using deductive reasoning, the challenges of new media in the area were identified and solutions proposed.
 
 Findings: The findings indicated that the challenges of interreligious harmony in the age of new media are the rapid spread of atheism, religious pluralism, misperception of a religion due to its intra-faith issues, mistaken identity of a religionist versus racist, misunderstanding of ‘izzah as arrogance and misrepresentation of Islam. These challenges can be reduced by applying the fundamental elements to sustain interreligious harmony in Islamic perspective, namely ta`āruf (knowing each other), tafāhum (mutual understanding), ta`āwun (mutual cooperation), takāful (mutual protection), tasāmuḥ (mutual tolerant) and acceptance. Besides, Muslim educators or murabbiyun have to be the prosumers of the new media to continuously teach Islam, and instil iman and adab among fellow Muslims.
 
 Contributions: This article contributes to the foundation of peaceful co-existence in a multi-religious context because the fundamental elements discussed form the basis of fiqh al-ta’ayush or the understanding of co-existence, especially in the age of new media.
 
 Keywords: Basis of religious harmony, inter-religious relation in Islam, fiqh al-ta’amul, fiqh al-ta’ayush, religions in the age of new media.
 
 ite as: Mohd Khambali @ Hambali, K., Ghazali, A., & Senin, N. (2022). Fundamental elements in sustaining inter-religious harmonious relations under Islamic perspectives in the age of new media. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 7(2), 147-165. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol7iss2pp147-165

Exclusivism, Inclusivism or Gradualism? Udayana and the Plurality of World-Outlooks

It is an issue of already longstanding significance in philosophy of religion after John Hick, that is of differing models of religious consciousness, in the frame of interreligious relations which is tackled in the paper but it is done on the basis of the texts of a concrete philosopher and the narratives around his figure. One of the most eminent Naiyayikas, Udayana (11th C.A.D.), is singled out, as the author of the very renown composition in verse Nyāyakusumaňjali offering arguments for the existence of God (Īśvara) in the framework of polemics with the anti-theistic schools and the anti-Buddhist fundamental compendium Ātmatattvaviveka, along with the stories about his very resolute and victorious struggle against Buddhism in the epoch of the latter’s final extirpation from India. The author comes to conclusion that the features of exclusivism, inclusivism and gradualism are detected in his texts and traditions around him and, therefore, any univocal authentication of his attitude to otherwise-minded and those of other faiths is impossible. While participating in the supplantation of Buddhism from India, Udayana displays very resolute exclusivism. When he addresses the educated audience sermonizing his philosophical theism, he uses purely inclusivistic strategy of uncovering implicit knowledge of Īśvara even with those very far removed from the truth. And when he attempts to locate Nyāya on the map of philosophical world-views he uses gradualism (along with implicit inclusivism) as “philosophy of ascent” of the truth from lower to higher levels. As is impossible as well to mark out of his attitudes the so-called pluralism (the conception of equivalency of religions) considered by Hick as fundamental advantage of Eastern religions over the Western ones. Comparativistic parallels along with differences (Calvin’s conception of “the seed of religion”, Rahner’s conception of anonyme Christians and Hegel’s gradualism are taken into account) and some specification of the main categories of interreligious relations are also offered in the paper.

The Concept Of Inter-religious Life In The Medina Charter And Nostra Aetate

The diversity of society gives rise to the diversity of beliefs and religions held by the community. However, unfortunately the progress of people's lives is not followed by the progress of inter-religious relations which cannot be separated from the protracted conflict. Followers of a religion often doubt the purpose of realizing inter-religious harmony initiated by a religion, even though there are two major world religions that both have religious documents that contain the concept of inter-religious life, namely Nostra Aetate (Catholic) and Medina Charter (Islam).This study was structured to answer academic problems, including (1) knowing the concept of inter-religious life in the Medina Charter, (2) knowing the concept of inter-religious life in Nostra Aetate, and (3) comparing the concept of inter-religious life in the two documents. This research, which is classified as comparative religious research and uses a deductive analysis knife. Based on the results of the analysis, it was found that the concept of inter-religious life in the Medina Charter is understood that every individual has the right to freedom of religion and emphasis on inter-religious unity. The concept of inter-religious life in Nostra Aetate contains several points of meaning. As for after the two documents were compared, it was found that the difference lies in the content of the text and the views of other people. The parallel side lies in the goal of the concept of inter-religious life. Further research in historical and linguistic studies will be able to further complement this study.

Reinternalisasi NDP dalam Perikemanusiaan sebagai Representasi Kecintaan kepada Tuhan

Maturity of religious understanding is a major effort to achieve religious harmony in Indonesia. Muslim Students Association (Himpunan Mahasiswa Islam)’s Core Values of Struggle is the starting point to develop, to disseminate and to implement the religious maturity. At least, there are three aspects of its core values that important to achieve religious harmony in Indonesia, namely: Monotheism, the humanitarian aspects and social aspects. These three aspects will bring interfaith relations more open, tolerant and harmonious. Religious people fully realize that all men are ungodliness in the same God, the Almighty God, all religious people are given the freedom to understand, to appreciate and to practice their religion in full conviction. Religious people also should to believe that all human beings are basically good so that they can view a positive and optimistic attitude to other religious believes, instead of being suspicious of one another. Furthermore, inter-religious relations need the real cooperation in everyday life. All religions need cooperation against common enemies, those are social injustice, poverty, ignorance, violations of human rights and the tyranny that alienates the awareness of God. All religions have a responsibility to the real work.

THE MANIFESTATION OF RELIGIOUS AND POLITICAL RELATIONS IN THE KISWAHILI RELIGIOUS NEWSPAPERS DURING 2015 ELECTIONS

There has been a constant power struggle and unstable religious relations between Christians and Muslims in Tanzania, especially during elections. Many scholars have approached the issue of interreligious relations from the political and social dimensions, and no critical analysis on the role of religious newspapers in exacerbating such struggle and relations. This article analyzes the stories related to religious and political relations in Tanzania as religious newspapers framed them in 2015. The study used data from four selected religious newspapers published from January to December 2015 and used data from interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGD). The selected headlines were analysed using three dimensions of Textually Oriented Discourse Analysis (TODA) propounded by Norman Fairclough. The study found that the framing of election stories was affected by the religious biases of the newspapers. The analysis further shows that the religious newspapers in 2015 presented the mistrust between Christians and Muslims. It was found that Muslims mobilised fellow Muslims to change the Christian-dominated Government because Muslims' interests have been ignored for many years. The article concludes that when the inequality grows and is left unaddressed, it leads to social unrest.

Kerukunan Ummat Beragama Islam dan Kristen di Polman

The era of globalization makes the relationship between humans and between religions in Polman closer to Islam and Christianity. Sophisticated technology makes communication between religious communities more intimate. However, in this highly developed era, the behavior of a handful or a group of uncivilized humans is still very much against religious teachings, and can even threaten religious harmony in Polman. The purpose of this research is, first, how the harmony of the Muslim and Christian communities is, Second, the forms of Islamic and Christian community harmony activities, Third, what are the driving and inhibiting factors for religious harmony in Polman. The method uses qualitative research with data collection techniques of observation, interviews, and analysis. The results of religious harmony in Polman must be built and we believe that inter-religious harmony is the main element of national harmony. For the Muslim and Christian communities in Polman, the celebration of the Indonesian Independence Day is a medium to establish good communication between them. Muslims and Christians carry out joint activities to celebrate the Indonesian Independence Day in various activities, religious harmony is a state of inter-religious relations based on tolerance, mutual understanding and mutual respect. Conclusion For years, the Polman community has made efforts so that this diverse community lives in harmony. Inter-religious harmony between Islam and Christianity is one of the main pillars in maintaining the unity and harmony of Islamic and Christian communities in Polman. Harmony is often interpreted as living and living conditions that reflect an atmosphere of peace, order, peace, prosperity, respect, respect, respect, tolerance, mutual cooperation in accordance with the teachings of each religion. 
 
 Keywords: Harmony, Islam, Christianity.

Peaceful interreligious relations in Islam derive from covenants and treaties

Peaceful interreligious relations in Islam derive from covenants and treaties

Mohammed GamalAbdelnour. A Comparative History of Catholic and Aš’arī Theologies of Truth and Salvation: Inclusive Minorities, Exclusive Majorities. Currents of Encounter: Studies in Interreligious and Intercultural Relations, Vol. 66, edited by MarianneMoyaert. Leiden: Brill, 2021. 192 pages.

Mohammed GamalAbdelnour. A Comparative History of Catholic and Aš’arī Theologies of Truth and Salvation: Inclusive Minorities, Exclusive Majorities. Currents of Encounter: Studies in Interreligious and Intercultural Relations, Vol. 66, edited by MarianneMoyaert. Leiden: Brill, 2021. 192 pages.

Identity Politics and Inter-Religious Relations: Analysing the 2020 Election in Manado City

The 2020 Pilkada (pemilihan kepala daerah) in Manado City has had a lot of influence on the dynamics of society, one of which is the presence of religion-based identity politics. Political contestation by utilizing religious identity occurs because religion can become the basis of voice. But its impact on interfaith relations has been lack of attention or neglected. The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of religion-based identity politics that occurred in the Pilkada of Manado City on the relationship between Christianity and Islam. This research provides another perspective on politics in Manado City in the academic world and practically for the government and related institutions. This study used a descriptive qualitative method with a literature study, in which observations and literature studies were carried out. In this literature study, researchers used a variety of scientific writings, journal articles, books, newspapers and online news that are related to research. When the political battle began, the pilkada participants began to reveal their religious identity in the public sphere. This invites various reaction from the society to see the participants from their religious identity. Relations in society began to be disturbed when political talks were always side by side with religion. So what happens is that people support their candidates because of religion. This situation is considered to disturb inter-religious harmony in Manado City, especially Christianity and Islam.

Book Review: Transforming Interreligious Relations: Catholic Responses to Religious Pluralism in the United States

Book Review: Transforming Interreligious Relations: Catholic Responses to Religious Pluralism in the United States

Features of the public perception of the extremism and terrorism threats (on the example of the Republic of Bashkortostan)

Abstact. The article is based on the data of the sociological survey conducted in the Republic of Bashkortostan in August-October 2021. The study focused on the public perception of the influence of the ideology of extremism on the situation in the region and of the activities of the authorities to counter terrorism. 1030 respondents representing all 63 municipalities of the region and its social-demographic structure were interviewed with the formalized guide. The relevance of the study is determined by the potential of the destructive impact of the extremism and terrorism threats on the public consciousness - from anxiety and fear to apathy and aggression, which affects the social-political situation, estimates of the authorities and the state development trends. In recent decades, extremism and terrorism as means of influencing the authorities and society have attracted increasingly more participants and supporters, have globalized their goals, modified strategies and adapted to the measures of state-legal and social counteraction. Such quantitative and qualitative changes of extremism and terrorism explain the need for their more active study and a tough, irreconcilable, anticipatory reaction to them from both the state and society, which requires various means, including sociological, to monitor the dynamics of these phenomena, measure their destructive potential and the efficiency of measures to counter and prevent them at all levels of the social organization, including regional and local. Based on the statistical data for 2018-2020, the article considers the state and trends of the extremism and terrorism threats in the Russian Federation and the Republic of Bashkortostan, and based on the sociological data of 2021, the author identifies the peculiarities of the public perception of the extremism and terrorism threats in the region. The article also presents estimates of the interethnic and interreligious relations for problems and contradictions in this sphere often become causes and a favorable environment for extremist ideologies and terrorist practices; and the respondents assessments of their level of security and their attitudes to measures to counter the threats of extremism and terrorism.

The People in the Room: Rabbis, Nuns, Pastors, Popes, and Presidents by James Rudin

Reviewed by: The People in the Room: Rabbis, Nuns, Pastors, Popes, and Presidents by James Rudin Eugene J. Fisher James Rudin, The People in the Room: Rabbis, Nuns, Pastors, Popes, and Presidents. Mesa, AZ iPub Global Connection, 2022. Pp. 290. $25.97, paper ($9.99, in electronic formats). This excellent memoir is a must-read for all persons interested in Christian-Jewish and ecumenical relations leading up to the Second Vatican Council and what has happened since. Rudin takes us from his birthplace in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Alexandria, Virginia, which he notes was Robert E. Lee's hometown. There, as a member of the small Jewish minority, he learned how to befriend his Protestant, mainly Baptist, classmates and those of the small Catholic minority in the then very Southern city. Attending college, Rudin was [End Page 323] drawn to the rabbinate. After ordination he was required to serve as a chaplain, in his case in the Air Force, where he served in Japan and Korea. During this time, he engaged in close relations and conversations with his fellow chaplains and service members, people from a variety of Christian denominations, becoming very adept at interreligious, especially Jewish-Christian, dialogue. Rudin narrates how he joined the American Jewish Committee in charge of interreligious relations, as well as his marriage to his wife, Marcia. He goes into detail speaking of Catholic-Jewish relations and how the two communities had been discriminated against in American society, which brought them together in a number of ways. He follows this with a detailed account, set in the history of both Europe and the United States, and of the Auschwitz convent controversy, when a group of nuns set up a prayer community in a building at Auschwitz, a controversy finally resolved by Pope John Paul II, who asked the nuns to relocate to a new building built outside the camp that became a center where visitors to the camp could come and learn its history and that of the Shoah. He analyzes the 1998 Vatican statement, "We Remember, A Reflection on the Shoah," and a 2000 Jewish statement, "Dabru Emet." He finds both helpful but needing to go further to clarify what they had in mind. He then goes into detail, again giving the historical background and context, regarding Jewish dialogical relations with mainline Protestants, Black churches, and Evangelicals. Rudin speaks of two controversial situations in which he was personally involved, rendering the stained-glass windows at the presidential retreat, Camp David, to reflect the general views of our multireligious, multiethnic society, and working to see that the Oberammergau Passion Play (and others) would not blame the Jews for the death of Jesus or for other social ills throughout history. He, along with a number of supportive Christians (including myself) was successful in these endeavors. He concludes this section with an in-depth narrative of the interreligious efforts to free Soviet Jewry, helped in this effort especially by a Catholic nun, Sr. Ann Gillen. Chapter 18 deals with "special assignments," such as destructive so-called "Christian" cults, the 1985 farm crisis, Biafra Relief, the selection of music for a Vatican concert commemorating the Shoah, and attending Good Friday services. This last is of particular importance because, as the author notes, over the centuries Christians would storm out of their churches on Good Friday and attack the local Jewish communities, robbing them, raping the women, and often committing murder. This was because the lectionary readings and the homilies given would posit blame on the Jews for the death of Jesus, ignoring the fact that [End Page 324] Pilate alone had the authority to order a crucifixion. As the Christian Creed states, Jesus "suffered and died under Pontius Pilate." Rudin concludes with reflections on the future of Christian-Jewish relations, where they are likely to go and where they should go, titled "Ten Personal Interreligious Commandments" (which we should all carefully observe), and a list of questions that dialogue groups (which he carefully defines) should ask themselves and each other. This excellent volume has a foreword by Rabbi David Rosen of the American Jewish Committee and an afterword by Dr. Mary C. Boys, SNJM. Again, I highly recommend this...

Religious Harmony in the Era of Globalization: Social Interaction of Muslim and Christian Religions in Pelang Village, Lamongan

Religious harmony is a coveted hope in building a nation and state community in an effort to achieve a safe, peaceful, and prosperous life. The interaction of people who have different beliefs is not a trivial matter to be addressed. However, collective awareness is needed to understand the importance of harmony in building community life with various religions. This study takes the theme of the role of local culture in preserving harmony, as well as the impact of globalization on inter-religious relations in Pelang Lamongan Village. The purpose of this research is to understand the role of local culture in preserving religious harmony, and to know the impact of globalization on inter-religious relations in the Pelang Lamongan village community. As for the analysis knife, this research uses the Trilogy theory of religious harmony, Mukti Ali, with the model of internal harmony between religious communities, inter-religious communities, and religious communities with the government. Research using a qualitative approach seeks to examine more deeply the pattern of inter-religious harmony in the village of Pelang Lamongan. With the findings, that culture is one of the efforts to build religious harmony such as local traditions, namely earth alms and life cycle rites, they become routines that they do continuously and continuously. This directly or indirectly has the consequence that it can foster and strengthen inter-religious harmony. An inclusive religious attitude also underlies the tolerant attitude of the Pelang village community, this attitude is manifested in the practice of gotong royong in carrying out socio-religious activities involving Muslims (NU, Muhammadiyah) and Christians. In addition, globalization can be used as capital in strengthening the intensity of social interaction among the people of Pelang Lamongan village.

Eine kleine Theologie der Homoerotik?

What has compelled Jews in the Ottoman Empire, Turkey, and abroad to promote a positive image of Ottomans and Turks while they deny the Armenian genocide and the existence of anti-Semitism in Turkey? The dominant historical narrative is that Jews expelled from Spain in 1492 were embraced by the Ottoman Empire, and then later, protected from the Nazis during WWII. If we believe that Turks and Jews have lived in harmony for so long, then it is hard for us to accept that the Turks could have committed genocide against the Armenians. In this article, the author confronts these convictions and circumstances to reflect on what moral responsibility the descendants of the victims of one genocide have to the descendants of victims of another. Baer delves into the history of Muslim-Jewish relations in the Ottoman Empire and Turkey to tease out the origin of these many tangled truths. He aims to bring about reconciliation between Jews, Muslims, and Christians, not only to face inconvenient historical facts, but to confront it and come to terms with it. By looking at the complexities of interreligious relations, Holocaust denial, genocide and ethnic cleansing, and confronting some long-standing historical stereotypes, the author sets out to tell a new history that goes against Turkish antisemitism and admits to the Armenian genocide.

The Influence of Terrorism Activities on Muslim-Christian Relations in Garissa County, Kenya

Terrorism is no doubt a global problem of the 21st century and as evidenced by the continued terror attacks, the menace is causing major global security distress. In Kenya terrorism has among other things considerably affected the Muslim-Christian relations in the country. Despite vast literature on terrorism and interreligious relations, there are limited research on the influence of terrorism on Muslim-Christian relations in Garissa County, Kenya hence this study. The general objective of this study was to examine the influence of terrorism on Muslim-Christian relations in Garissa County, Kenya. The study employed both descriptive and explanatory design. The target population of the study was 199,469 from Garissa County from which a sample of 384 respondents were obtained through purposive sampling. Data was collected from primary sources using; questionnaires, interview guide and focus group discussions as well as secondary sources, through literature review. The findings revealed that, terrorist selective attacks of Christians and the use Islamic concept of jihad during attacks have created suspicion and mistrust among the Muslims and Christians in the area. The study concludes that unless the misunderstanding of the concept of Jihad is demystified, the Muslims-Christians relations will significantly be affected as the terrorist will continue propagating their attacks as an Islamic concept of jihad. The study recommends that Muslim leaders needs to demystify the concept of Jihad in order to restore Muslim-Christian relations. Also, the Government security agencies and civil society, Muslim leaders, and Christians should continually organize awareness campaigns in the region to create alertness about the terrorist’s schemes.

РЕЛІГІЙНА ТОЛЕРАНТНІСТЬ В УКРАЇНСЬКОМУ СУСПІЛЬСТВІ: НАБУТИЙ ДОСВІД , УПРОВАДЖЕННЯ

The problem of tolerance in inter-religious relations and that of deepening the tolerantisation of society is an urgent problem in Ukraine in the conditions of the challenges of the 21st century. Interconfessional and inter-religious relations in Ukraine are in fact a complicated system of mutual dependencies of the subjects of relations and their bonds. Tolerance in relations, a dialogue between confessions religions are becoming nowadays the imperative conditions for a practical settling problematic issues, the cultural and psychological basis only availability of which makes it possible to have a constructive cooperation and co-existence of religious, national and other communities in a поликонфессиональном, полиэтнонациональном государстве, каковым есть Украина. A study of the formulated problem from the point of view of the interpretation of the notion "tolerance" in the scientific and social discources reveals a partially different interpretation of the above said term notion both inside the mentioned discources, and between those too. Especially, this situation becomes more complicated due to inter-disciplinary studies, because of its actualisation in mass-media and after using the notion "tolerance" in the subjective meaning by representatives of various civilisationally-religious and philosophically-political communities or societies (while referring to quasi-legal documents like "declarations" or "manifests" concerning tolerance, including here that in the religious sphere too). That is why it is suggested to consider tolerance not as a socio-cultural phenomenon, but as a quality that is acquired artificially resulting from a target-oriented upbringing. Though, there is still a question, if the qualification of this quality as only a "positive" one, and, as this quality is acquired mainly resulting from a social forcing (through educational and upbringing institutions) or social disapproval. Then, then if that does not mean "intolerance to intolerance"? At this background interconfessional and interchurch relations in Ukraine have been considered lately as not identical and controversial, and there is no hope for a very optimistic result of the development of those relations in the future. We have to be very careful in making conclusions of the prospective noticeable improvement in the relations between confessions, churches and, consequently, between the believers, as there is a whole set of objective and subjective reasons for that, as well as because of a constantly changing of socio-political and spiritual contexts of the processes taking place within the Ukrainian social environment, and beyond its border. Tolerance in relations, dialoging between confessions and religion are becoming nowadays the imperative conditions for a practical settling problematic issues, the culturally-psychological basis only the availability of which makes it possible attainment of a constructive cooperation and co-existence of religious, national and other communities or societies in a poli-confessional, poli-ethnonational state, what Ukraine is.

Laudatory Note: Dr. Leo Lefebure

Laudatory Note: Dr. Leo Lefebure SBCS Executive Committee Dear Colleagues, On behalf of all of us in SBCS, I would like to congratulate our president, Leo Lefebure, on his book, Transforming Interreligious Relations: Catholic Responses to Religious Pluralism in the US (Orbis Books, 2020), on receiving the First Place Award in the category of Ecumenism and Interreligious Relations by the Catholic Media Association. Click for larger view View full resolution Hearty congratulations, Leo! [End Page 395] Copyright © 2022 University of Hawai'i Press

Ускладнення міжконфесійних взаємовідносин на Волині напередодні та під час Першої світової війни

The purpose of the article is to study the role of the Orthodox clergy in the aggravation of inter-confessional relations in Volyn at the beginning of the 20th century. The authors have researched archival documents and periodical press materials of the researched period, which highlight the key directions of the causes and consequences of the inter-confessional confrontation in Volyn, the role of the Russian Orthodox Church, authorities and the Pochaiv branch of the Union of the Russian People in this. The research methodology is based on the use of general scientific research methods (analysis, synthesis and generalization) and special historical (comparative-historical and chronological) methods, which, in combination with the principles of objectivity, historicism and multifactoriality, created the necessary conditions for impartial coverage of the tasks. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the fact that the authors, on the basis of archival documents and materials from the periodical press, found out the role of the Orthodox clergy, the imperial authorities and the Black Hundreds in the aggravation of inter-religious relations in Volyn in the period under study. Conclusions. After Emperor Nicholas II signed the manifesto on April 17, 1905, conditions were created for the transition of Orthodox to other denominations. Taking into account the peculiarities of the ethno-national composition of the population of the Volyn province, these processes have gained significant momentum in it. The Orthodox clergy, together with the Black Hundreds, who played an important role in the political life of the region, did everything possible to discredit representatives of other faiths in the eyes of the general population. However, despite this position, the number of Protestants and Roman Catholics in Volyn steadily increased. This was caused not so much by the propaganda of their beliefs among the inhabitants of the region, by mixed marriages, but primarily by those negative processes that took place among the Orthodox clergy, primarily Orthodox priests. The events of the First World War were used by the Orthodox clergy to intensify their attacks on Protestant communities, unjustifiably accusing them of ties to Germany, which further aggravated inter-religious relations. Conducting anti-Protestant and anti-Catholic courses not only with the participation of zealots of the Union of the Russian People, «allies», priests, but also teachers of the Law of God in primary schools, testified to an attempt to create a new round of confrontation between representatives of different faiths

Catholic Doctrines on the Jewish People after Vatican II by Gavin D'Costa

Reviewed by: Catholic Doctrines on the Jewish People after Vatican II by Gavin D'Costa Lawrence E. Frizzell gavin d'costa, Catholic Doctrines on the Jewish People after Vatican II (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2019). Pp. 240. €80. The potential for the impact of biblical scholarship on the modern world is profound and wide-ranging. Since the 1950s the collaboration among scholars of various religious heritages has been enriching in many ways. This has included a fruitful contribution by Jewish experts on the Hebrew Bible and its interpretation, moving from the varied literature of the Second Temple period to the rabbinic era and beyond. Now theologians are reviewing [End Page 132] the impact of these insights on the way the Christian message intersects with the Jewish people and their heritage. The book under review tackles a number of issues that flow from the Second Vatican Council's application of biblical studies to the Catholic faith with an impact on contemporary Catholic–Jewish relations. The four Constitutions of the Second Vatican Council laid the foundation for the spiritual life and practices of Catholics. From these flowed the Decrees and Declarations regarding Christian ecumenism and interreligious relations. All the texts are addressed to Catholics, but many other people are affected by the integration of the council's teachings into the worship and moral life of Catholics. The interpretation of the sacred Scriptures in scholarly settings has an impact on the prayer and practices of the faithful. In many areas the council documents lay a foundation for guiding Catholics into a deeper appreciation of the church's teaching. Gavin D'Costa has explored the developments of the council's insights, especially the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (Lumen Gentium) and the Declaration on the Church's Relation to Non-Christian Religions (Nostra aetate). He draws attention to the series of documents that interpret and apply Nostra aetate to the teaching of Catholic doctrine. He studies these texts in detail, along with papal encyclicals, statements, the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1992), and the Pontifical Biblical Commission's The Jewish People and Its Holy Scripture in the Christian Bible (2001). D'Costa's conclusions are summarized as follows: "The full authority of the magisterium stands behind the biblical teaching that the covenant with biblical Israel, God's people, is irrevocable (Romans 11:29)." This prepares for a doctrinal implication: "The cultic religious rituals of Rabbinic Judaism are alive and lifegiving, not dead and deadening," as was taught by Augustine and Aquinas (p. 188). The land is central to the covenantal promises to Israel. D'C. favors "a minimalist Catholic Zionism." This means that the founding of the State of Israel may be the working of God in history in relation to God's chosen people. However, this position "cannot underwrite any form of Israel government or political messianism . . . nor can it keep quiet about the just cause of a Palestinian homeland" (p. 189). The question of mission to the Jewish people is placed within "the necessity of witness to all those who do not know Jesus Christ and his Church. This witness cannot compromise the freedom of religion or be coercive in any manner. . . . [The] emerging Jewish Catholic ecclesia has a special witness to offer; it is possible to follow Yeshua and remain a Jew and be a Catholic . . . within the Catholic Church that is qualitatively made up of "the church of the circumcision and the church of the gentiles" (p. 7) (see Gal 2:7). D'Costa presents the magisterial authority for his conclusions flowing from the council in developments grounded in the teachings of the last three popes and three written statements of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity in 1974, 1985, and 2015. D'C. studies these documents and that of the Pontifical Biblical Commission. "They point to a trajectory that is supported by a range of existing magisterial teachings. They are advanced in this book as strong candidates for how the Church might develop its doctrinal teachings about God's Jewish people, both in their reaction to such theologies and more importantly from their faithful following of God's demands. In this process, the Church is also slowly discovering...

Arab contribution to the culture of Tanzania: Results of field studies

The article highlights the results of 5 field studies conducted in Tanzania in 2018-2021 by the scholars of the Institute for African Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences, and dedicated to the memories of the XIX century Arab slave trade and their influence on nowadays interethnic and interreligious relations in this country. More than 180 interviews were taken: formal, in accordance with pre-compiled question list, and informal ones, in a free form, closer to simple conversation. Interviews were conducted in English and Swahili in the following locations: Dar es Salaam, Bagamoyo, Kaole, Zanzibar, Tanga, Pangani, Mikindani, Kilwa Masoko and some others. The article outlines Tanzanians' views on the contribution of Arabs to Tanzanian culture. Most often, respondents mentioned Islam, culture (broadly speaking), Swahili language, and Muslim dressing style. Despite of the presence of some negative comments from Christians about the Arabs and Islam in general, there are no significant differences in the answers of representatives of the two confessions about the influence of Arabs on Tanzanian culture. We believe that such balance in the answers is due to the fact that almost all interlocutors said that the main source of information about the history of the slave trade and, in general, Arabs in Tanzania, is school textbooks, and they are created according to general government programs independent of religions. Therefore the influence of Arab culture on the current culture of Tanzania is significant and consciously recognized by many Tanzanians. Despite the low percentage of Arabs among the Tanzanian population in general, their contribution to the countries' culture is very clear and notable not only on Zanzibar, which was and still remains a part of Arab world, but on the mainland as well.