Examining the impact of relativism on religious beliefs in postmodern thought: an Islamic perspective
Postmodernism is characterized by a celebration of diversity, difference in viewpoints and a rejection of universal truths. It often critiques the authority of institutions and traditional power structures and emphasizes the subjective nature of human experience. In terms of methodology, postm...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
2024
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| Online Access: | http://journalarticle.ukm.my/25478/ http://journalarticle.ukm.my/25478/1/IJIT_26_9.pdf |
| Summary: | Postmodernism is characterized by a celebration of diversity, difference in viewpoints
and a rejection of universal truths. It often critiques the authority of institutions and
traditional power structures and emphasizes the subjective nature of human experience.
In terms of methodology, postmodernists use deconstruction and analysis of language
and discourse to critique and challenge dominant narratives and beliefs. This paper
explores the challenges that relativism, as viewed through the lens of postmodernism,
poses to the concept of absolute religion. The areas of belief, epistemology, values, and
laws are specifically examined. Acceptance of relativism carries significant implications
for religion, such as the loss of religion’s exclusive status and the promotion of pluralism
- a key goal of postmodernism. A comprehensive literature review is conducted, drawing
on the works of philosophers and scholars who have explored the topics of
postmodernism and relativism, and their impact on religion. This study seeks to identify
the challenges posed by relativism and offer a brief counterargument. The findings
suggest that while relativism may recognize the existence of diverse truths and
encourage believers to maintain their own beliefs, it ultimately creates problems when
it assumes that the fact of truth itself is different and makes the plurality of truth
absolute. This leads to skepticism about religion and the view that religion is only
individual belief about truth. |
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