When Faiths Collide

In the face of the growing threat from collisions of faith world-wide, this manifesto is a call to embrace religious pluralism. Martin E. Marty is a renowned commentator on religious matters, the author of over 50 books, winner of the National Book Award, and the recipient of 74 honorary doctorates Demonstrates that citizens, religions and identities can survive in radically pluralist settings Accessibly written, it tackles people’s fears of religious pluralism Argues that those involved in collisions of faith need to risk hospitality towards one another, as opposed to the conventional plea for tolerance Pays particular attention to the conflicts that affect or occur within those nations whose politics can be called republican, open, democratic, liberal, or free – particularly the UK, the US, and Western Europe.

Acknowledgments ix 1 Religious Strangers as Menaces 1 2 “Belongers” versus Strangers 13 3 When Faith Communities Conflict 36 4 The Pluralist Polity 97 5 Living with a Pluralist Polity 97 6 The Risk of Hospitality 124 7 Theological Integrity in Response 149 Notes 179 Index 186