discussion questions

A. Strict exclusivism is the view that there is one and only one absolutely true religion and that only the faithful of that one and only one absolutely true religion will be saved.  Several people have observed that geography is by and large the single biggest indicator of what religion one practices. For instance, if one is born in Saudi Arabia, it is highly likely that she will practice Islam; if one is born in Tibet, it is highly likely he will be a Buddhist, and so on. In light of this fact, do you think it is rational to adopt strict exclusivism? Why or why not?

B. There have been many holy and virtuous people produced by lots of different religions in the world.  Gandhi was a Hindu, while Martin Luther King Jr. was a Protestant Christian.  And the Dalai Lama is Buddhist.  Do you think that the fact that there have been many holy and virtuous people produced by lots of different religions in the world shows that strict exclusivism is false?

C. As we have noted, strict exclusivism is the view that there is one and only one absolutely true religion and that only the faithful of that one and only one absolutely true religion will be saved.  One worry that people raise with this view is that this position is intolerant and arrogant.  Do you agree with that criticism?  Why or why not?

D. Think back over all of the topics we have covered in this class.  At the end, think of the position that we studied that stands out to you as the most plausible.  Summarize that position in your own words and why you find it to be the most plausible.  Also think of the position that we studied that stands out to you as the least plausible.  Summarize that position in your own words and why you find it to be the least plausible