Title: The stranger's religion : fascination and fear /
Authors: Lännström, Anna.
Publisher: University of Notre Dame Press,
Year: 2004
Subjects: Religions Relations; Religion, Psychology of.; Strangers Religious aspects
Abstract: This volume examines the fascination and fear that humans inevitably experience when confronted with diverse religious beliefs and practices. Contributors argue that fear of the "stranger" and his or her religion can only be overcome through education, and they suggest ways in which we can better understand one another and the world in which we live. Part one of the collection, entitled "Talking with Strangers," explores avenues for finding common ground between "religious strangers." In this section Stephen Prothero examines the American reception of Hinduism, John de Gruchy analyzes the relationship between Christianity, Judaism, and Islam in South Africa, and Bhikhu Parekh imagines a dialogue between Osama bin Laden and Mahatma Gandhi. The second set of essays addresses the theme of understanding difference, with a particular focus on methodological approaches within philosophy of religion. Wendy Doniger argues for an approach to cross-cultural studies that recognizes both the similarities and the differences between us and the other.
Contents: Hinduphobia and Hinduphilia in U.S. culture / Stephen Prothero -- Christianity, Judaism, and Islam and the restoration of justice in South Africa / John W. de Gruchy -- Mahatma Gandhi and Osama bin Laden : an imaginary dialogue / Bhikhu Parekh -- Other peoples' religions, other peoples' kama and karma / Wendy Doniger -- Holy otherness : religious differences revisited / Eliot Deutsch -- Toward a theology of world religions : the existential threats / Robert Cummings Neville -- When Hindus become Christian : religious conversion and spiritual ambiguity / John B. Carman -- Christian-ish and Jew-ish : childhood on a religious shuttle / Werner Gundersheimer -- The convert--stranger in our midst : crossing borders in two worlds / Pravajika Vrajaprana.