Pluralism And The Problem Of Religious Diversity

Stephen Prothero’s “God Is Not One” is a survey of world religions, comprising vital information on a vast array of different sets of belief. As someone who has never studied religion before, nor belongs to a particular faith, the variability within these religions is staggering. One might be satisfied to define religion as “how a person goes about believing in God,” but soon finds that even that definition has its holes. Thankfully, “God Is Not One” does an amazing job of cluing its reader into the nuances that are sometimes forgotten about the religions it approaches.

Although religions today take on many shapes and forms, and may seem so dramatically different from each other, in order to study and understand these religions, their similarities must be identified. This paper will first present a definition of religion that will connect to all religions at the simplest base. Then this paper will examine the common practices and experiences that are present in both the primary religions of the world, as well as the indigenous religions. Finally, this paper will discuss the issues that are critical to the academic study of religions.

Religion is a universal term that is widely used for a human’s belief system. The views on how religions compare to one another can be defined differently. One view explains religions using a united belief system by their common goals. Another view explains that different religions are just a shared essence and have vast differences between their specific traditions and customs. This shared essence, but vastly different theory, is explained by Stephen Prothero, using the term “pretend pluralism”. There are many major and minor religions that have guided people in their morals and beliefs. Religions, such as Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism. All five of these current, major religions have vast differences, but may have common goals in their morals, traditions, etc. Two of the most practiced religions, of these five, are Christianity and Islam. These two religions are constantly at battle with one another, but what many people don’t see is that there are just as many similarities between these two religions as there are differences. Through this paper we will discover the underlying similarities and differences between these two religions and, hopefully, conclude that supports either the common goal theory or the “pretend pluralism” theory.

“Religious pluralism generally refers to the belief in two or more religious worldviews as being equally valid or acceptable. More than mere tolerance, religious pluralism accepts multiple paths to God or gods as a possibility” (Got Questions Ministries, 2017). “Religious pluralism goes against the Christian claim to absolute truth as stated in John 14:6 (New Living Translation), “Jesus told him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (Sackett, 2014, p. 77).

Using proven facts and methodologies, the author supports her argument that various faiths can coexist outside of a singular perspective. Ward acknowledges every faith has defining guidelines followers must embrace, but maintains the

Reading over the brilliant work of Michael Walzer’s “What does it mean to be an American” I have discovered that the identity of Americans is that of a “melting pot.” We , as Americans, promote an abundance of cultures that are interconnected to make our country the amazing place it is today. Walzer believes in the diversity of America, he realizes that America’s cultural diversity is part of what makes us the best country in the world.

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.

Those who are raised within one religious tradition may find it difficult to understand the traditions of another religion. It is not until one is educated in the basics of the other major world religions, that it is possible to see the many similarities between them. Just as there are many similarities between the countries culturally, the major religions share more things than they are different. In viewing Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism with an open mind, it is easy to see the differences, similarities and ideals that make these religions as widespread as they are.

There are many religions and many differences. Everybody has different beliefs and today I’m here to inform you on three religions which include Judaism, Buddhism, and Roman Catholicism. The information I will give you may help you better understand different cultures.

I was apart of the debate arguing that American separation of church and state and tolerance for religious expressions in politics, is the best way to manage religious differences in politics. As societies modernize, new religious groups emerge, thus giving people greater religious choice. Within the United States, one can choose from a wide variety of world religions and feel free to express their religion openly within social culture, unlike in privatized countries such as France. The main example of a fully denominational system is the United States. The U.S. accepts the concept of religious pluralism. This pluralism is important in the U.S.’s strive to maintain the separation of church and state. Over the longer term, societies like the

The South has been experiencing a lot of religious diversity. Specifically in Tennessee, there has been a lot of religious diversity. There have been protests to prayers before football games and bans high school banners with Bible verses on them. Religion experts say that the South is just now catching up to the religious diversity that the rest of the world has been experiencing. The amount of Muslim families has increased a significant amount in the past 46 years. There are many other religions in different parts of the world that people have inherited from family members and continued on with religious family traditions and passing it on from generation to generation.

I believe that it is a good incentive to teach and learn about all the different religions, cultures, and faiths that are practiced all around the world. It not only expand one's knowledge about other ideologies, but moreover prevents people from categorizing, and labeling an individual with another faith. We have seen this phenomenon occur in the Sikh community after 9/11, simply because people are ignorant, and do not have any knowledge about other faiths. Now the question is, does understanding religious diversity promote religious tolerance? In my opinion, everyone around the world from different religions and backgrounds should be tolerated. We are all human beings with different goals, and ambitions in life. Howbeit, this tolerance comes to a halt

“God is not one and neither are the religions…” This has been the statement of the modern American Jesus Stephen Prothero, and this statement clearly explains the concept of religious pluralism. According to Prothero, religious pluralism related to the diversity of religion in the society and it exists in the society all over the world. According to Prothero, the world keeps changing and newer era takes place in the world, and the religious aspects face diversity in the form of religious claims, acceptance norms, truth and social norm, which should be fully welcomed. The religious pluralism is widely observed in the United States and that is why the Christianity was affected, which is the most followed religion. In the beginning, some Christians

On this vast planet religions are becoming more prevalent and are being studied more frequently in recent times. Many individuals want to study and learn about the origins of some religions, on where they were developed and what was the cause of this glorification of a divine. The art of religion is processed by many ideologies, background, beliefs, myths, and rituals. The five major religions of the world include: Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism are solely based on these ideologies, and ultimately leads to one goal, to follow the path of god, or to seek a euphoric state of salvation. In spite of all the differences among the world’s five major religions, they have very similar ethical constructs, which should encourage more mutual respect among them.

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