宗教對話與生命教育

Religious Dialogue and Education of Life

這是我為一個研討會所作的主題演講的完整的記錄，以論文形式出之，其中心旨趣是闡述與發揮宗教對話對於生命教育的關係與意義。宗教的目的，是要處理人的終極關懷的問題，讓人能從生命的負面如罪、苦、孤獨、死亡等重要問題中解放開來，享受一種有意義的人生。故宗教信仰和活動對於我們的生命的培育具有教育的功能，讓我們的生活作宗教的轉向。由於宗教與現實生活有密切的關連，為了遷就現實的需求，宗教不得不在某一程度上淪於局限性，這包括世俗化、宗教狂熱、族群間的爭端以至相互敵視與仇殺。我們必須在這一點上提高警覺，努力突破、克服與超越這些局限性，消解種種由於不善於處理宗教問題而來的背反，如生與死、善與惡、罪與福、理性與信仰……等等。這便要有宗教的對話，增進各宗教間的相互了解，減少誤會與衝突。為了達致這個目標，我們也要加強宗教的動感，讓宗教能從一種寂靜的、疲弱的狀態變得活躍的、有生命力的狀態，對人類的福祉作出更大的貢獻。

This is a complete article based on a keynote speech for a conference entitled “Camparative Philosophy and Education of Life” sponsored by the Department of Philosophy, Nan Hua University. It is qenerally recognized that religious is to deal with the ultimate concern of human beings, so that they can release themselves from sin, suffering, solitude, and fear of death, and enjoy a significant and fruitful human life. It is thus clear that religious faith and ativities can cultivate our lives through education, consequently leading us to a religious turn. In view of the close relationsbip between religion and our daily life, and giving way to meet our sensual desires, religion is apt to fall to various limitations, such as secularization, fanaticism, tribal opposition and war. We should therefore be vigitant on these matter and try our best to breakthrough, overcome and transcend all these limitations, resolving all kinds of antinomy produced by irrational treatments of religious affairs such as life and death, good and evil, sin and bliss, reason and faith, etc. In order to achieve these goals, dialogue between different religions is indispensable. It is capable of decreasing misunderstanding and enhancing mutual understanding and friendship. In consequence, religious quarrel and war can be avoided.