Interfaith Relations- A Sikh Perspective

About the Book This book, Interfaith Relations: A Sikh Perspective, a premier work in the field, attempts to study the issue of interfaith relations from Sikh perspective. The book takes each religion as a different historical manifestation of the Real One, presenting visions of God, world, and humanity from a localized, historically particular perspective. The book begins by providing a theoretical basis to the issue of interfaith relations and tries to define religious pluralism. It then goes on to discuss the social and theological implications of pluralism followed by a discussion on the attitude of other religions toward Sikhism both in India and abroad. It makes a thorough study of the Sikh scripture and tradition to highlight the Sikh response to plurality. The Sikh acceptance of other faiths, it’s favoring of dialogue (as against polemic) to reach the truth, its rejection of the myth of religious superiority and monopoly over truth can help bring about harmonious and meaningful relationship between different faith-communities.

Scholars and students working in the fields of Sikh and interfaith studies should welcome the book for its contemporary relevance as well as for its easy but impeccable style.

About the Author Gurnam Singh Sanghera, a postgraduate in history, political sociology and social work from different universities in England and Canada, holds a doctorate on interfaith relations from Punjabi University, Patiala. Though Dr Sanghera retired as medical counselor from the Ministry of Health of British Columbia, Canada, he has throughout remained involved in interfaith work. He was a member of the UNO's non-government organization for Europe for immigration affairs and also of the Federal Government of Canada's forum for multi- cultureless. He is a widely traveled man, and is presently working on Sikh Diaspora.

Foreword congratulate Dr. Gurnam Singh Sanghera for selecting a very sensitive and relevant topic for his doctoral research and subsequently for the present book on interfaith relations from the Sikh perspective.

The book begins with the history of inter-religious relations and the shifting paradigms such as exclusivist, inclusive and pluralism. Their shift in the course of recent history has been very well traced in all detail. While the Christian and Islamic exclusivist and Hindu inclusive are rightly criticized, the emerging paradigm of pluralism in the contemporary world is appreciated. The author then goes on to discuss the theological and social implications of religious pluralism. This brings to focus the relation between European colonialism and Christian missionary work and consequently the immanent orient list relationship between the two. Dr. Sanghera names Professor John Hick as the Copernicus in the study of inter-religious relations who proposed that recognition of every faith as authentic was the pre- condition for genuine inter-religious dialogue. Hick also insisted for a paradigm shift from Christ (Christ centrism) to God (Theo centrism). Sociologically, recognition of plurality is a step towards social justice, equality and ethical dialogue.

Introduction The past about a hundred years: the world population has got transformed into one global community diverse in many aspects and religiously plural. Varied religions and religious communities are to-day placed face to face with one another. They interact and interpenetrate one another on daily basis. Satellite communication and other technological advancements have turned this world into a global village, and they are making us think globally and act accordingly.

The global society has gelatinized traditional boundaries between varied faith-communities and nations. We are living in a world/universe which is being coordinated and integrated as a whole. In some cases (such as markets) lines of demarcation are getting blurred but in other cases (such as identity and personal religion) these are being drawn deep. Economies of nations are intertwined and problems. of poverty and environment are becoming global. We need to acknowledge our inter-dependence in this society which will be determined and shaped by co- operation and/or hostility.

**Contents and Sample Pages**