Catholicism: End or Beginning? An Open-Ended Journey Toward a Theology of Difference

This essay examines Mary Daly’s unfinished manuscript through the lens of a scholar from a distinct cultural and intellectual background. Reflecting on the author’s first encounter with Beyond God the Father as a philosophy student in early 2000s Iran, the essay reinterprets Daly’s Catholicism: End or Beginning? beyond its Western context. It highlights Daly’s “logic of doubt” as both a method and an epistemic value promoting empathy and inclusivity. This marks a shift from the resolute tone of her earlier works to a more dialogical critique of institutional religion. The essay also explores Daly’s theorization of difference as a foundation for a transformative, humanist theology. By centering love, communication, and openness, Daly proposes a universalist vision of faith that transcends doctrinal limits. Ultimately, the essay argues that her manuscript lays the groundwork for a theology of peace and diversity, contributing to contemporary discussions on coexistence.