Module 18 Pluralism versus Fundamentalism

At the end of this module, you are expected to:

1. To differentiate the Pluralist and Fundamentalist Philosophies
2. To explain Globalization and Pluralism
3. To define Filipino Millennials or Filinnials
4. To understand the role of religion in ethics

Pluralism versus Fundamentalism

Let us define Pluralism – it is the holding of two or more beliefs or concepts in a single
society. This is the prevailing idea that is introduced in the modern world to make this a better
place to live in. The Pluralist ideology fell on the following premises: 1) Pluralism is engagement
with diversity. This means that the walls that divide people due to religious beliefs shall be
removed, at present religious diversity is present but devoid of religious pluralism. That is in
certain countries religious ghettoes allow religious minorities to exist in their fold but is still
alienated due to their biases by the adherents of the dominant religion. 2) Pluralism is
understanding that transcends lines of differences. Many are mistaken that we have to learn the
entire religious doctrine of another only a portion is enough to at least build a bridge to connect
them. Absence of knowledge of another culture led to bias and alienation. 3) Pluralism is
encounter of commitments, this is simply to empathize to people of another religion. We should
not isolate ourselves from what we know but break borders. 4) Pluralism is based on dialogue –
talking is the most basic way of communicating, silence will bring us nowhere.
Fundamentalism is defined as a strict belief in the literal interpretation of the religious
tenet. Fundamentalists view of other religious beliefs are biased and contrary to their fundamental
beliefs are considered “heretic”. Their religious tenets adhere to the idea that morality is ebbing
due to modernization.
Globalization and Pluralism
In our ever-changing world, pluralism are political responses to different historical
challenges that they shape history that build bridges than Fundamentalism that create walls.
Policies geared religious pluralism center on religious toleration, rights for denominations, or
individual religious freedom. They believed that even if they subscribe to religious beliefs they
belong to One Faith and are unified by the philosophy of being one. Globalization since we are now
in the Digital Age, play a major role in achieving common understanding that Ecumenical Services
accepted people of “alien” religions to be at one thanks to the internet. With the continuing
development in telecommunications that will prove brighter in the years to come, will lead to
peaceful co-existence and even to ideological convergence. Then again, like a double-edged sword,
pluralism may also lead to social dissolution, since the awareness of fundamental differences
between religious world-views and might lead to misunderstanding and lead to religious wars.
One example is the Crusades that occurred in the Middle Ages between Muslims and Christians in
spite of the fact that Islam revered Christ as one of their prophets and the Muslim beliefs foster
humility and brotherhood akin to Christian traditions.
Course Module
The Filipino Millennials aka Filinnials
Time Magazine, described millennials as people born from 1980 to 2000. This generation
comprise the largest age group in America and Asia. Their age group is called the “yuppie” age
(from the acronym YUP or Young Urban Professionals). In the Philippines, they are described as
the “selfie” generation and followers of social media no thanks to modern communication gadgets
such as mobile phones, laptops and tablets that seems they can never do without. A Filinnial
(short for Filipino millennials) are usually spendthrifts due to their propensity to spend money for
luxury goods which left their bank accounts “broke.” Another trait that unified most of them is
their narcissistic attitude, making them known as the “Me, Me, Me Generation.” They are so
conscious of what and how they look that selfies are a common thing. It must be noted though that
there are also good attitudes which millennials possess among them are their politically and social
astuteness. The social media opened their eyes that traditional media such as TV, movies, radio
and print are no longer the source of information. Compared to other generations, millennials
have their say about issues and are more involved with politics and are not squeamish about
revealing their opinions.
The Role of Religion in Ethics
Even in the current situation, many are still arguing about the role of religion in Ethics. Will
this age-old institution be the primary agent for the right ethics for they propagate the Word of
God? Most religions have an ethical component because ethics is yardstick for right conduct and
good life. A necessary component of making this a guide to temporal happiness. Is this the most
reliable conception of analyzing what is right from what is wrong? The central theme of ethics is
"the good life", the very reason we aspire for in this temporal world we live in that ancient Greeks
regarded as eudaimonia or happiness. The ancient Greeks believed happiness was brought about
by living one’s life in accordance with virtue – positive traits of character. Virtue is the source of
good character, that us integrated by good personal habits such as courage and temperance, but
also friendship and justice and intellectual virtue.
References and Supplementary Materials
Online Supplementary Reading Materials
1. What is Pluralism; http://pluralism.org/what-is-pluralism/; 2006
2. What is Fundamentalism; https://www.gotquestions.org/fundamentalism.html
3. Modes of Religious Pluralism under Conditions of Globalization;
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/social-and-human-
sciences/resources/periodicals/diversities/past-issues/vol-1-no-1-1999/modes-of-
religious-pluralism-under-conditions-of-globalisation/#topPage; 1999
4. Millennials in the Philippines; http://primer.com.ph/blog/2016/06/27/millennials-
in-the-philippines-who-are-they-and-what-do-they-do/
5. Can we be ethical without being religious; http://www.ethicssage.com/2012/09/the-
role-of-ethics-in-religion.html; Sept. 4, 2012
Written by:
Christopher S. Espiritu
AMA Caloocan Campus
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