Geneza religii pozachrześcijańskich w ujęciu soboru watykańskiego II

Abstract

The paper seeks to show the problems as regards the genesis of non-Christian religions according to Vatican Council II. Those authors who often refuse to accept that non-Christian religions have real ways of salvation for their believers (maintaining at the same time the exceptional character of Christianity) refer to the teaching of Vatican Council II. They claim that these religions are shown by the Council as a result of human activity only in the quest after God, a fact which reduces them to be on a natural level. This is the reason why the author decided to discuss this matter in detail. From the theological point of view, this kind of genesis of religion excludes a possibility for grace and salutary elements to be present in them, and this was supported by the Council. The author points out that after a thorough analysis of all the councilor texts referring to non-Christian religion we can say that the Council does not define the concept of religion directly, does not provide any criteria of their truthfulness, nor does it attempt to present their genesis. The Councillor enunciations are purely pastoral and not theological. While supporting the standpoint that each religion has a salutary genesis, the author states that the documents of Vatican Council II contain significant premisses which may justify that standpoint.