Ideal vs. Reality: Religious Pluralism vs. Religious Tolerance

Tolerance- tolerant people have a positive view of reality, thinking that different lifestyles and beliefs are all equally valid. They accept that there are different beliefs in the community so are able to tolerate them.

Tolerance is very important in today’s American society and also in Africa’s society. Even though we live across an ocean, tolerance is as important to our society as it is to theirs. Tolerance is the ability to tolerate how someone thinks, looks, and acts. In 2 of the short stories read in class tolerance is one of the main themes and focus points in the story. In “Dead Men’s Path” by Chinua Achebe, a new headmaster of a school Michael Obi tries to westernize the school and in doing so he shuts down a sacred path for the towns people. Also, in “The Quarry” by Alan Paton, a young boy named Johnny Day climbs this massive quarry and people of all races and ethnicities try to help this young boy get down. Tolerance is very important in

Pluralism has been historically important, in regards to religion, and American society. This has held true since the American colonies liberated themselves from

We live in a society that has prospered generously over the years. America has opened its doors for so many different people by establishing itself as a free country. Not only have we progressed in technology and economically but we have created our own identity by becoming a free nation in which every individual has the same rights and eligibility as the other. This is the core of our countries success; we are not a nation unified distinctly by a specific race, religion or culture but by the compulsive efforts of our nation’s laws to uphold freedom in every aspect of a civilian’s life. People are not only allowed but encouraged to practice the religion of their choice, eat the food they desire, speak the language they prefer. There is even freedom in the most minute of things such as being able to listen to the music of your choice, these are the laws that promote diversity and strengthen our nation today. Our nation’s identity and prosperity is built upon multiculturalism and ethnic tolerance. However, this was not always the case it has taken many long and brutal years become the stable and versatile country that we are today. Specifically dating back to when this land was first founded and thereafter we see our nation has struggled with conflicts against politics, discrimination, and public affairs up till this very day.

We can foster a climate of acceptance and cultural pluralism by treating one another with respect and being open minded. We all need to take time out of our lives and actually realize what we are showing the next generation. The youth is what are future is and what is holds, and if we cant even show one another respect for each other, that can you imagine what this place we call home will look like in a couple of years or even further down the road.

I sort of just expected the US to be a little bit more diverse in religion, but it turns out that it isn’t. I had this expectation because I assumed that if the US was a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities, that it should also be a melting pot of various religions.

Pluralism is a state in which racial and ethnic categories, though distinct, have equal social standing. (Macionis, 2012 pg.84) So in stating what it is we are looking to foster gives us a better idea of what to expect if we do foster a climate of acceptance and cultural pluralism in the United States. Though to get there we need to teach, I mean really teach each other and about one another in every way form what we eat to how we celebrate traditions. We need to get everyone involved as much as possible, which means in schools, jobs, and community. By doing all of this we will have a better understanding of one another which well level out the minorities with the majorities and make acceptance easier all around.

How can we foster a climate of acceptance and cultural pluralism in the United States?

“If we have no common faith and are divided by morality and cultures, and are separated by ethnicity and race, what holds us together? Especially in light of Putnam’s report that ‘diversity’ dilutes ‘social capital’, erodes community, and engenders mutual mistrust.” (Buchanan 472)

Tolerance is the ability or willingness to tolerate the existence of opinions or behavior that one dislikes or disagrees with. In the short story What, of This Goldfish, Would You Wish? by Etgar Keret, a newspaper editorial: American Flag Stands for Tolerance by Ronald J. Allen, and Night by Elie Wiesel the characters in these passages had very little to no tolerance for at least one person or more. The quote “We, as human beings, must be willing to accept people who are different from ourselves.” by Barbara Jordan, was supposed to refer to the passages because they both have one word that can fit with both of them which is tolerance.

America is considered to be one of the most tolerant and diverse countries in the world compared to others. However, Americans as individuals, are highly intolerant of each other’s beliefs and racial background. We are all not as accepting of each other as we claim to be. Race and religion are amongst a plethora of examples on how diversity in America can be intolerable.

Pluralism is the freedom of having many faiths accepted, while post pluralism is in a sense the new faiths that come about after time of taking in and observing other distinct religious practices and adding to one’s belief in order to shape something new and different. The author may feel that America has a oneness of religion because it seems as if even though there is no exact way everyone views and expresses religion it all still manages to come around to the same basic concept of looking up to a higher power and following a certain procedure or rituals to reach out to that higher power and express ones culture or religion. I personally have got in the routine of giving thanks every day, and in a way at times I do feel there is an oneness

The Dalai Lama once said, “Major religious traditions carry basically the same message, that is love, compassion and forgiveness… the important thing is they should be part of our daily lives” (Huffington Post). This quote by the Dalai Lama speaks to the issues of pluralism and interfaith understanding. Pluralism is used to describe the diversity of different cultures and how they actively interact with one another. It engages the differences between cultures to obtain a deeper, more profound understanding of each other’s beliefs. To engage in pluralism means to equally support, accept and participate in the decisions of various religious groups as well as placing a positive value on faith and practice. In pluralism, all religious practices are considered beneficial as long as they follow the laws of the state and do not harm individuals within the community.

Pluralism is a worldview in which the society members structure their culture based on acceptance and diversity. These common traits all strive for the common good of all and also realize there is some truth in other beliefs (Pluralism, 2015). This worldview stresses the importance of tolerance of other religions but does not however deviate from their own beliefs.

On July 12, 2007, for the first time in American history the Senate session that day was opened by a prayer; unlike any other prayer, it was given by a Hindu priest. At first sight, it would seem as though the ideals designed by the framers of the Constitution were alive and well; the pluralization of the United States of America, the land of freedom of religion, and the right to worship without persecution. However, the Christian right wing religious group Operation Save America entered the Senate floor and began to heckle Rajan Zed, the Hindu priest, perpetuating that Hinduism is an “abomination”, as Hindus do not worship “The lord Jesus Christ”. This leads us to ask the question: Is America a land of religious pluralism, or is it a