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INSTRUCTIONS: Please choose one of the following questions and post an answer/response by Thursday 11:59pm ET. Also please make sure to respond to at least two posts of your classmates and/or the instructor by Sunday 11:59pm ET. To earn full credit for this discussion assignment you need to make three substantive posts (see Discussion Guidelines under Course Home).  Make sure to include references to the course materials in your responses.
 

(1) Alvin Plantinga does not agree with John Hick's rejection of religious exclusivism.  Indeed, Plantinga attempts to defend religious exclusivism, even going as far as to reject the idea that there is something inherently misguided or objectionable about the religious exclusivist position.  Briefly summarize Plantinga's arguments in defense of religious exclusivism.  What do you think?   More specifically, when reading Plantinga's essay, did you find yourself more in agreement with Plantinga or Hick?  Does Hick make any good points that Plantinga fails to adequately address?  Does Plantinga make any good points that Hick fails to adequately address?  Make sure to support your answer with references to the assigned readings

(2) Basinger does not completely agree with either John Hick or Alvin Plantinga.  Instead, Basinger argues for a "middle way" between the positions of Plantinga and Hick on the issue of religious exclusivism.  Briefly summarize Basinger's arguments about religious exclusivism.  Do you find yourself in agreement with Basinger?  Why or why not?  What type of argument do you think John Hick would make in response to Basinger?   What type of argument do you think Plantinga would make in response to Basinger?  Make sure to support your answer with references to the assigned readings.