Worldview Considerations for Tonight's Discussion
A worldview is a comprehensive view that people have about reality or the way the world works. Here are some categories to help us think through the ways different religions would answer the following worldview questions:
PROBLEM - What is wrong with the world and humanity?
CAUSE - Why is the world and humanity not right?
REMEDY - What is the solution?
MEANS - How do we access the solution?
QUESTIONS TO HELP US CARE FOR AND UNDERSTAND OTHER PEOPLE AND THEIR WORLDVIEWS
Question 1: What do you mean by that?
Question 2: How did you come to that conclusion?
Example:
Claim: "God doesn't exist."
Question #1: "What do you mean by that?"
Answer: "Well, ......"
Question #2: "How did you come to that conclusion?"
I know the above questions may appear somewhat canned or silly at first, but I have found that they help in at least 3 ways:
1) These questions take the pressure off us. The other is making a claim, they, not us, should be the ones who have the burden of proof to prove it;
2) These questions help us understand what the other person means by what they say. This prevents us from talking past them (or one another) when we finally began to engage their views; and
3) These questions give great insight into how the other person came to their particular conclusion. The importance of this cannot be overstated. Sometimes people repeat common slogans (assertions not arguments) that they may not have given a lot of thought to. Sincere answers to these questions may allow the other person to critically reflect upon what they believe and why they believe it.
4) This gives us a great vantage point from which to address their worldview. (I know this appears the same as #2, but it bore repeating.