Diana Eck’s book, A New Religious America, has raised many questions and comments for me. She brings to light religions I have both never heard of and know nothing about, which is interesting, but also a little troubling. Troubling because of how little either school or life experience had taught me about the diversity of religion. When I was little and first beginning to even grasp the concept of religion and what it meant I knew only that it was a way of thinking that influences how a person chooses to live their life. As I got older I started to understand that there were multiple religions practiced within the United States, but the only ones I knew of or ever heard anything about were Christianity, Judaism, and Catholicism. Now that I am older it is apparent to me that there is a reason that this is the case. Eck’s book highlights the multitude of religions present within the United States, which not only go unnoticed, but have historically been said to be a “threat” to America. Although America boasts religious freedom, it is also said to be a Christian nation, which until recently had banned the teachings of Evolution and has historically had problems separating church and state.
Though this country has been said to be founded on the ideas of freedom and equality, its history has proven it to be something far from that (unless of course you were a moderately wealthy white Christian male.) Religious and racial intolerance have been cornerstones in the founding of this country. However Eck’s book enlightens its readers to the fact that the American religious landscape, as well as its racial landscape, has changed drastically from its beginnings. Because of this Americans have been forced, though through much pain and suffering to be tolerant and aware of different perspectives and beliefs about our positions in the world.
Some of the questions which she poses in her book are “How many customs and languages can we accommodate? How much diversity is simply too much? And for whom?”(Eck, 2) All which are so simple and yet conversely such profound and thought-provoking questions. These questions were present at the beginning of American history (for that matter world history) and are still present today. Based on the various religious wars that have spanned the known history of the planet and my first response to them would be to say “few”. Though it may seem easy and sensible to tolerate another person’s point of view and beliefs, the planet has seen countless battles fought in the name of God and religion. Evident as it may be that there are numerous religions in America, countless efforts have been made to convert, indoctrinate, and force people to all believe in and follow the same line of thinking. I realize that Eck’s book and research actually show the change in religion in America and the rise of religions other than Christianity as dominant, but the question still remains “what does this mean?” Yes the religious landscape has changed dramatically from what it once was, but has this changed American ideals, morals, beliefs, or practices? Even with the changed landscape, the message is still being sent to other countries that America is a Christian nation and furthermore in this sense “Christian” has come to mean good, clean, virtuous, and pure, while other religions have been seen as a contrast to this, being impure and often times evil.
Eck makes inarguable the fact that because of this changing landscape Americans need to learn how to become not only tolerant, but embrace the religious freedom that the country was said to be founded on. Because our religious landscape is now so diverse brutish tactics, discrimination, and bullying that once took place no longer have any place in this society. The idea of pluralism (which the country was allegedly founded on) has already been introduced to America in the form of multiculturalism and now in having a multireligious society as well. If the idea of pluralism is really accepted in American society than embracing this multitude of religions only makes sense. Whether or not people choose to accept it, the world is an extremely diverse and constantly changing place and because of this learning to respect and appreciate (as cliche as it may sound) is necessary for not only for Americans, but the survival of the planet.
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In response to Sheralise’s post about Eck’s perspective on America, I agree. The questions she brought up are about Ack’s same troubled thoughts. Is there too many religions? Is that why there is war? Well, that is why there is war; people do not want others to have too many religious freedoms. For centuries religion is what kept certain people in power. For other parts of the world religious groups are still in power. That is why America is different from other countries today. We separated church and state, which made this country the most religiously freed country. However, America abused this right in many different ways. Maybe America didn’t need to keep everyone confined in religion because the ruling religion was Christianity.
ReplyDeleteSheralise also writes the troubles about church and state in schools. Now that there are so many wide and different religions, like Hinduism in the 3rd chapter, white Americans are scared about loosing the popular vote of Christian faith. Maybe that’s why schools are having such a hard time of separation? Furthermore, our country is losing a center fold of similar faith, and that could be separating the people of America. It makes one wonder if there is another way of bringing America together. I learned in one of my other AMCS classes that most countries are based on religion and class, but for America it is race. Race is the one noticed thing in America and the hardest to ignore because its been a constant argument in this country. There needs to be something else people need to hold on to and connect each other with.
The true question she asks is does the change in religious landscape change Americans morals? It should, but people are still ignorant to others. People choose to ignore that there are other cultures and religions that have migrated to America. This could be the biggest downfall in America. To change the countries history, is to change how they look at it. It is all about educating people. I believe the most uneducated person is the most likely to hold the most judgmental points of view. Also, what does it mean for other religions to be evil? What do these religions do to become evil? I would say, in America, they would look different, and threatening. Threatening is evil for white Americans. Christians are scared of other religions. What does it mean that there are other religions with different colored skin?
To embrace religious freedom people need to embrace color, ethnicity, food, and culture, everything different from what they know. Furthermore, America is going to keep changing even if people disagree with it. The world is globalized now, and pluralism is the new idea of the 21st century. America is the new way of the century, we set an example, and to have people who disagree is only a minor displacement in the growth of multiculturalism. People have embrace differences or somehow, I believe, it is going to turn against them and have a karmic repercussion.