Professional paper
Youth Ministry in an Intercultural Perspective. Interview
Francis-Vincent Anthony
Abstract
We live in a globalized world in which there are various communication networks and technologies. Young people are no longer limited to national or continental boundaries. Immigrants from other countries add to cultural and religious pluralism. Christianity is spread out throughout the world and the largest number of Christians live in Latin America, Africa and Asia. Secularization and modernity influence the religious life of young people in different ways, for eg. in Europe and Asia. While the European youth are attracted to ideologically atheistic fundamentalism, the youth of Asia live in a socio-cultural environment that is deeply marked by religion and spirituality. In Asia, Christians are a small minority (3%) within a multi-religious context, which makes them aware of their Christian identity. The author recalls the positive and negative aspects, challenges and dangers of tolerance in multiculturalism and the concrete possibilities and achievements of intercultural pedagogy in the Indian sub-continent. Intercultural youth ministry helps young believers mature in their faith. The culture and spirituality of the East are an opportunity and challenge for further acculturation, debate and inter-religious dialogue. Comparing youth ministry in Italy and India shows some of their common points and their specific characteristics. The concrete realization further facilitates inter-religious acquaintance while pastoral workers and theologians should be prudent and vigilant in order to avoid the danger of relativism and syncretism.
Keywords
youth ministry; intercultural perspective; globalisation; intercultural ministry; interreligious encounters
Hrčak ID:
113061
URI
Publication date:
20.12.2010.
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