Models for Understanding the Relations between Religions

Abstract

In considering the possibilities of differing models of the relation between the various major religious traditions, we had better ask: From what point of view are we doing the modeling? Are we thinking to be neutral somehow? Or are we standing within a tradition? Or, more nebulously, are we occupying a certain religious position, though not precisely identifying with one tradition? Moreover, are there models which work with some pair or group of religions but do not work with others? And again, are there models which function across religions, but only in relation to sub-traditions within them?