Is there a difference between ecumenism and indifferentism?

Question

Dear Rabble R,
I do not agree since i see a big difference in Indifferentism,which acts as if all belief systems are equally valid or equally invalid, and Ecumenism ,which emphasizes the commonalities in a particular religious faith family and belief system (like Christianity or Judaism or Islam or Hinduism,etc) and dialogues and cooperates with that ff but does face the real or assumed differences

Answer 1

I see a difference in intent, but not in outcome. Whether you set aside genuine and important differences for the sake of unity, or explicitly declare that there's no such thing as an important difference, the end result is that differences on important truths are discarded.

When I think of ecumenism, one big example that comes to mind is how Christian and Muslim clergy will sometimes pray aloud and agree in prayer at the same prayer gathering. Regardless of which religion is right, this puts God's truth on equal footing with falsehood; and so both religions are demeaned by this practice.

Answer 2

Indifferentism is a religion that does not care what you believe as long as you get along well with others. Ecumenism, on the other hand, tries to find a common ground on every belief system and works towards unity - all other non-esentials are not discussed or ignored.

Answer 3

ecumenism seems (from what I've read) to be a repackaging of Unitarianism... with a catholic twist...

Like: "We accept all Christians but we're really just Catholic when it comes right down to it..."

Unitarianism is more like: "We all believe in all the good things about eachothers religions and we choose to focus on that."

Am I correct?

Answer 4

yes