1. Exploring the Religions of Our World Chapter 1 Beginning the Journey Chapter 1 Beginning the Journey

2. Why Study World Religions? Why Study World Religions? to gain a clearer understanding of one’s own faith to foster openness and acceptance of human differences to gain insights into human beings by understanding their religious activities to gain a better understanding of humankind’s various civilizations to gain a better understanding of various human cultures to learn from some great sources of wisdom to dispel fears and misunderstandings misunderstandings

3. Chapter 1 Beginning the Journey Catholic Attitude Towards Other Religions  Catholics reject nothing which is true and holy in other religions (Nostra Aetate, 2)  Pope John XXIII’s vision was that the Catholic Church not set itself against the world, but engage in dialogue with the world Catholic Attitude Towards Other Religions CCCCatholics reject nothing which is true and holy in other religions (Nostra Aetate, 2) PPPPope John XXIII’s vision was that the Catholic Church not set itself against the world, but engage in dialogue with the world

4. Chapter 1 Beginning the Journey Catholic Attitude Towards Other Religions (continued)  “Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart … may achieve eternal salvation (CCC, 847)  The Catholic Church has primacy over other faith traditions because of its apostolic succession by which it can offer the “means of salvation” Catholic Attitude Towards Other Religions (continued) ““““Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart … may achieve eternal salvation (CCC, 847) TTTThe Catholic Church has primacy over other faith traditions because of its apostolic succession by which it can offer the “means of salvation”

5. Chapter 1 Beginning the Journey Related Documents from the Second Vatican Council Related Documents from the Second Vatican Council The Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions (Nostra Aetate) The Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions (Nostra Aetate) The Declaration on Human Freedom (Dignitatis Humanae) The Declaration on Human Freedom (Dignitatis Humanae) The Decree on Ecumenism (Unitates Redintegratio) The Decree on Ecumenism (Unitates Redintegratio)

6. Chapter 1 Beginning the Journey Ecumenical Dialogue 1. All Catholics are to evangelize the world through dialogue with non-Catholics 2. God offers the gift of salvation to all the nations 3. The scriptures of other religions point to a future of communion with God 4. People from other religious traditions can be recipients of God’s grace 5. Dialogue can be through words, actions, or both. Ecumenical Dialogue 1. All Catholics are to evangelize the world through dialogue with non-Catholics 2. God offers the gift of salvation to all the nations 3. The scriptures of other religions point to a future of communion with God 4. People from other religious traditions can be recipients of God’s grace 5. Dialogue can be through words, actions, or both.

7. Chapter 1 Beginning the Journey Common Elements or Patterns of Religions Common Elements or Patterns of Religions  sacred stories and sacred scriptures  beliefs and practices  sacred time  sacred places and sacred spaces ssssacred stories and sacred scriptures bbbbeliefs and practices ssssacred time ssssacred places and sacred spaces Examples:____________________________________________________________________________________ Examples: _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________

8. Chapter 1 Beginning the Journey Vocabulary religionreligion empathyempathy liturgyliturgy ecumenismecumenism evangelizationevangelization witnessingwitnessing mythsmyths Vocabulary religion empathy liturgy ecumenism evangelization witnessing myths