REFLECTION - THE PLURALISM PROJECT PART IV

REFLECTION - THE PLURALISM PROJECT PART IV

RELS 2400
Suzanne Jacobs
Salt Lake Community College
Utah

REFLECTION - THE PLURALISM PROJECT PART IV

The Pluralism Project Part IV

Reflection Paper

In what ways have you become more aware of your religious landscape?

The religious studies class gave me a new perspective on the extent of religious diversity in
America. In the course of the studies, I have been exposed to a lot of religious groups and
thereby helping me acknowledge the two main attributes that define religion; respect and
tolerance. Tolerance refers to the ideology where one acknowledges that various religious groups
have different beliefs which should be respected. To fully understand the religious beliefs of
other groups, I had to momentarily abandon my own religious beliefs. This allowed me to
understand the perspectives of various religious groups. For instance, we extensively discussed
Hinduism in class. These discussions helped me appreciate the similarities that exist between
Hinduism and the Catholic Church (my religion). I also realized that there was a Hinduism
temple at Salt Lake City. I previously lacked insight on Hinduism.
There exist certain similar elements between the Catholic Church/community and Hinduism.
In both the Catholic Church and Hindu Temple, there are religious statues and figurines that are
considered sacred and they are believed to perform miracles. Based on my Catholic background,
Ive always appreciated the different statues and the meaning upheld for each of them. The
situation was similar in the Hindu Temple where there were animal statues and other statues all
over the Temple. Since I had been exposed to statues, I wasnt surprised by their presence, unlike
my classmates. I also noticed that Hinduism had a similar to the Catholic community where the
ritual of praying to multiple saints or gods is upheld. Due to lack of religious exposure, I had
previously though its only the Catholics who were criticized for believing in saints and

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including statues in their place of worship. However, my interactions with fellow colleagues
changed my perspective.
The landscape project that we covered at the beginning of the semester also widened my
perspective about religious diversity. My research was based in Holladay, UT and involved
identifying the various religious groups in the area. Although the region was not as diverse as the
US, it helped me appreciate the existence of religious diversity. According to my findings, I
strongly believe that in a few more years, diversity will grow widely. This is further facilitated by
the exceptional work that the state of Utah is doing in promoting other religious groups to reside
and practice their faith in the region.

Refer back to how you answered the question Do you believe America is
a Christian nation? Has your response changed? Explain.

I strongly believe that America was a Christian nation. However, with recent developments,
the position has changed and I believe that it is no longer a Christian nation. The background of
Christianity founded by Protestants with the idea of promoting Christianity in America. Since the
onset of the first amendment aimed at separating the church and state, America has become less
of a Christian nation. This amendment increased the scope of freedom that states have while
disregarding the input of religion. For example, a state can implement the use of marijuana for
auto medication based on this amendment. The majority of the states have allowed the use of
guns for protection. Unfortunately, this can lead to violence and criminal activities. Recently,
America observed a case in Connecticut where around 28 children were killed by a man holding
a gun that belonged to his mother. Based on this occurrences, it implies that if the country was a
Christian nation, they would not occur. Other states promote Death penalty in extreme cases,
which is against the Christian teachings. Technology and science exploration seems to be carried

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out with no limit. However, these undertakings seem to disregard the role and input of religion.
Based on the study that I did on the cloning experiments in America, I found out horrible images
of animals that were used in these experiments. If Christian values were being upheld, such kind
of experiments would not be implemented. My opinion that America is not a Christian nation
remains the same as it was before based on the above explanations.

As we face increasing diversity, how are our beliefs and identities (American)
changing to accommodate this diversity?

I believe that most of us are becoming more tolerant to the idea that new communities of
immigrants are coming to America. Movement of the immigrants leads to the widespread
diversity in religious beliefs and traditions. The textbook points out many of the things we are
doing to accommodate this diversity. Exposure to other religious groups helps us understand
better the ideas and beliefs that other groups have. Studying religious diversity in college also
widens the scope that the learner has about the existence of religious diversity. However, the
main challenge is non-acceptance. This reduces unification of people as a nation. Different dress
code, food, family rituals and holidays may seem foreign to us but we should appreciate and
acknowledge its existence.
I believe that the worst thing Americans can do is to have an exclusive thinking. Exclusive
thinking in religion refers to the idea that other groups are not right about their religious beliefs,
and therefore we should avoid diversity. Our beliefs wont change as we accept diversity,
moreover, they tend to become stronger. Interaction with others religious groups doesnt imply
that individuals will convert into other religion based on diversity. I strongly encourage that
America should learn to understand and respect other religious groups because our law of

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freedom of religion allows them to practice their religious beliefs in the country. There is nothing
we can do about it, we have to accept diversity and have tolerance towards them.

Do you believe the risks associated with diversity are worth it? Why?

Yes, we want a country that appreciates diversity and one that does not disregard the input of
other cultures. According to the arguments brought about by an article that I read in my
psychology class, diversity component should be incorporated into the elementary school. The
article was based on a study where diversity had been included in the curriculum. During the
session, children were familiarized with the diversity of skin tones. This involved provision of
playing with dolls with different skin colors. The aim was to allow children see pictures from
other ethnics groups (Hispanic. Asian, African and more) and learn more about those cultures. It
was a very interesting experiment that stimulated conversation about diversity. When children
went back home, it was observed that they talked with their parents about what they learned in
class. Diversity is inevitable and it is important that children should be taught it to eliminate the
common stereotyping. In future, children will encounter many people from different
backgrounds. Teaching diversity at an early age, increases respect and tolerance for the wide
diversity in various aspects of the community. The risks associated with diversity are worth it
because somehow every one of us will encounter people with different beliefs than ours.
Promoting diversity also unifies the country and leads to a safe environment, where everyone
feels accepted and appreciated.

What can you do to encourage a reflective pluralism in your community?

I will be an example of those around me in being tolerant and respectful towards the religious
groups that are different to mine. To understand the beliefs of various religious groups we need
to be informed so that we can acknowledge the diversity of religion. This would also be helpful

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in eliminating stereotyping of religious groups. Isolating ourselves from the exterior world wont
make us any good, diversity exists and its widespread. We should critically analyze the situation
by evaluating the impact of isolation of religious groups. What would happen if its my religion
being isolated and criticized? What if we were the foreign individuals? Would we wish to be
treated differently? A critical analysis and meditation on these questions would give a wider on
the significance and relevance of religious diversity. Pluralism should be there to encourage our
community in acknowledging and accepting religious diversity.