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Historically the paradigm of religious governance in South Korea focused on controlling and regulation, with a constrained conception of "diversity" and a thin veneer of tolerance. The traditional pattern of religious governance in Korea reflects a merely nominal pluralism and problematic oligopolistic assumptions. Religious and worldview diversity is increasing in numerous ways. The mismatch between religious governance and religious diversity can be seen in the government's treatment of unconventional religious groups. There is a need in Korea for the kind of robust, relational, and non-relativistic model represented by covenantal pluralism. Fortunately, there are emerging signs of potential progress toward this model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Embracing religious belief and societal norms, in addition to state laws and policies, covenantal pluralism has the potential to address key limitations of existing approaches to dealing with religious diversity. Nevertheless, it also shares some of the problems of other ideals. Notably, the demands of covenantal pluralism seem too onerous for most of the world, relying as they do on most of the population recognizing the value of religious pluralism. This article explores the possibilities and limits of covenantal pluralism in India, once heralded as a pluralist democracy, currently under the grip of Hindu supremacist authoritarianism. India's historical record challenges key assumptions of theories of pluralist co-existence, illuminating problems and prospects for covenantal pluralism across the globe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By focusing on the Chinese state's shifting policies toward Islam and its Muslim minorities, this article considers the possibilities of implementing covenantal pluralism in contemporary China. While the current socio-political conditions in China hold little promise for the realization of covenantal pluralism, there are important social and cultural sources that may be leveraged to reorient the state policy toward a more pluralistic future. This article suggests that to put down roots in China and elsewhere, covenantal pluralism must acknowledge and address the political and economic hierarchy in the world system, which are unlikely to relinquish in the foreseeable future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The core teachings of the Bahá'í Faith are often summarized as the "Oneness of God, the Oneness of Religion, and the Oneness of Humanity." Can such principles resonate with a pluralism based on the recognition of difference? Covenantal pluralism outlines a set of principles of co-existence based on deep respect for difference that acknowledges the exclusive truth claims of different actors. In this article, we examine how the teachings and practices of the Bahá'í Faith relate to this framework of covenantal pluralism. The "covenantal" vision of human solidarity resonates strongly with the Bahá'í Faith's own conception of "Covenant" as the foundation of its community, internal constitutional order, and ultimate aims, as well as with the Bahá'í understanding and practice of consultative deliberation. However, the test of pluralism is how Bahá'ís engage with those who reject their religion's truth claims and aspirations to oneness. In this regard, the Bahá'í teachings affirm the legitimacy of other religions, as well as the choice not to be religious. Bahá'í social engagement emphasizes collaboration with people of different religious and ideological backgrounds in community building, social action, and public discourse. A foundational principle of such engagement is the freedom not to accept the Bahá'í Faith or its teachings. Overall, the Bahá'í approach to pluralism is rooted in an affirmation of ontological oneness that is the foundation for honoring, respecting, and engaging with the social reality of diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Russia's multi-faith society has formed over 1,000 years of geopolitical and cultural evolution. This heritage is key to understanding modern Russia and assessing prospects for "covenantal pluralism." The Russian government has always managed religious diversity strategically—for national security, domestic stability, and international relations. Covenantal pluralism envisions more—a mutually-reinforcing combination of state-protected equality and societal cross-faith support. This article explains religious plurality as part of Russia's cultural DNA and analyzes the ensuing contemporary state and societal dynamics of religious freedoms, including in cases of Russian relations with Crimea, Constantinople, Turkey, the U.S., and France, as well as legislation, attitudes, and cyber security. Strategic uses of religion and cultural narratives leverage the dual meaning of "faith in Russia"—religious and patriotic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]