exklusivism

Exclusivism, in religious and philosophical discourse, is the view that access to ultimate truth, salvation, or a correct understanding of a domain is limited to a specific group, belief, or revelation. Proponents maintain that only these paths or claims are true or efficacious, and that alternative viewpoints are incomplete or false.

In religious contexts, exclusivism often argues that salvation is available only through adherence to a particular faith or through a disclosed divine revelation. In Christianity, for example, some doctrinal strands assert that belief in Jesus Christ is necessary for salvation and that non-believers cannot attain eternal life. Similar exclusive claims exist in other traditions, though the form and emphasis vary, and the term is commonly discussed in debates about mission, evangelism, and interfaith relations.

Related positions include inclusivism, which allows that people outside a faith might be saved through Christ or through the same divine revelation in an indirect way; pluralism, which affirms multiple religious paths as valid; and universalism, which proposes universal salvation. In epistemology and philosophy of language, exclusivism can denote the view that a single theory, method, or meaning uniquely captures truth, though this usage is less common than in theological discussions.

Critics argue that strict exclusivism can impede dialogue and foster intolerance, while supporters claim it upholds truth-claims and moral accountability. Debates continue in theology, ethics, and interfaith discourse, shaping attitudes toward proselytism, ecumenism, and religious liberty. The term exklusivism is sometimes used in non-English contexts to reflect similar ideas.