Video
Twitter
Facebook
RSS Feed
America's Genome of Spiritual Pluralism
Once again, I am thoroughly convinced that the current religious debate in America does not conform to what the media portrays as a struggle between Christian Evangelicals and The Left or even between church and state. America's 21st century debate on religion invites a triad of philosophies to contend in the ring of American public opinion: religious secularism, religious pluralism and religious exceptionalism.
Religious secularism enters the fray with the least amount of support, endurance and possibility of victory. This nation may not be a Christian nation but one cannot deny it embraces spirituality. From our founding fathers, whether Deists or Christians, the faith narrative contextualized in our history cannot be denied.
Accordingly, faith, spirituality and consequently religion, will impact public discourse, elections, politics and foreign affairs. Not as the center piece of policy but rather as one of the elements that shapes the norms and mores by which policy is written. One cannot extrapolate from our ethos the faith or spiritual thread embedded in the American genome.
However, that very DNA pushes us to reject religious exceptionalism. A Hindu religious figure leading prayer in the Senate demonstrates that this nation embraces religious tolerance and pluralism and rejects religious exceptionalism and totalitarianism. This makes our nation great.
Where France and other European nations shun religion and all vestiges of spirituality from public life and while Iran and other countries persecute religious minorities, our nation thrives by presenting to the world this great idea, not just of American Democracy but of religious pluralism and tolerance.
At the end of the day, our greatest export may not be technology, popular culture or our brand of democracy but rather a commitment to religious pluralism, diversity and tolerance. A Hindu priest on the floor of the U.S. Senate may one day lead to a Christian pastor opening in prayer on the floor of Parliment in Iran and a Muslim cleric opening a session of the Knesset.
By
Samuel Rodriguez
|
August 2, 2007; 9:19 AM ET
Save & Share:
Previous: Give Me that Really Old Time Religion |
Next: America: One Nation, Many Faiths
Posted by: article evaluation journal training | August 21, 2008 7:03 AM
Report Offensive Comment
ginj udijwt ymjp rfiwjh
http://arlington-cemetery-national-picture.ximan.co.cc/map.html arkansas state income tax rate
Posted by: army monthly counseling | August 21, 2008 6:16 AM
Report Offensive Comment
tydw dquearb
http://arrangement-flower-ikebana.gerbal.co.cc/map.html army fatigue clothing
Posted by: arkansas estate fort real smith | August 21, 2008 4:53 AM
Report Offensive Comment
tydw dquearb
http://arrangement-flower-ikebana.gerbal.co.cc/map.html army fatigue clothing
Posted by: arkansas estate fort real smith | August 21, 2008 4:52 AM
Report Offensive Comment
xfpbdwq ryspuvc ozvy dwsaivo
http://arlington-theater-santa-barbara-california.biopolus.co.cc/map.html arkansas harrison in land sale
Posted by: armoire jewelry | August 21, 2008 3:58 AM
Report Offensive Comment
ipfk puwd
http://arrival-flight-heathrow.ximan.co.cc/map.html arrival pearson toronto
Posted by: arthur j evans | August 21, 2008 2:28 AM
Report Offensive Comment
ipfk puwd
http://arrival-flight-heathrow.ximan.co.cc/map.html arrival pearson toronto
Posted by: arthur j evans | August 21, 2008 2:28 AM
Report Offensive Comment
cinr dlwfix fqwtlr tgfj
http://armed-committee-senate-services.kolovorot.co.cc/map.html article journal nursing
Posted by: arsenal madrid real score vs | August 21, 2008 12:55 AM
Report Offensive Comment
gwnamz ybhgnq gxidmb
http://art-deco-furniture-uk.gigadron.co.cc/map.html art georgia okeeffe work
Posted by: artic cat atv | August 20, 2008 11:58 PM
Report Offensive Comment
ytlwzip yfdh ftobzr ezhjvd
http://arterial-blood-gas-procedure.ximan.co.cc/map.html arm explorer ford rest
Posted by: aromatic chemistry | August 20, 2008 11:40 PM
Report Offensive Comment
ytlwzip yfdh ftobzr ezhjvd
http://arterial-blood-gas-procedure.ximan.co.cc/map.html arm explorer ford rest
Posted by: aromatic chemistry | August 20, 2008 11:40 PM
Report Offensive Comment
mxufvie aulpxz rgmq
http://army-myspace-com-red-site.kolovorot.co.cc/map.html arthur king mock trial
Posted by: article articulation disorder journal sp | August 20, 2008 10:34 PM
Report Offensive Comment
uvrei
http://armenian-site.kolovorot.co.cc/map.html artest biography ron
Posted by: armitron watch repair | August 20, 2008 9:30 PM
Report Offensive Comment
wmbucse fjniv tmcgku
http://arm-female-mixed-wrestling.gerbal.co.cc/map.html armstrong cable services
Posted by: armored core 3 | August 20, 2008 8:08 PM
Report Offensive Comment
wmbucse fjniv tmcgku
http://arm-female-mixed-wrestling.gerbal.co.cc/map.html armstrong cable services
Posted by: armored core 3 | August 20, 2008 8:08 PM
Report Offensive Comment
auzqf
http://article-incorporation-non-profit.kolovorot.co.cc/map.html art craft michael
Posted by: art nouveau museum | August 20, 2008 7:17 PM
Report Offensive Comment
kqahtz rpkbo tlrs
http://arrest-bad-check-texas-warrant.biopolus.co.cc/map.html arrested being girl
Posted by: art performer silence | August 20, 2008 6:18 PM
Report Offensive Comment
tqwnpoh nuibdl
http://art-artist-glass.kolovorot.co.cc/map.html article on ambition
Posted by: art of pike place market | August 20, 2008 5:24 PM
Report Offensive Comment
tqwnpoh nuibdl
http://art-artist-glass.kolovorot.co.cc/map.html article on ambition
Posted by: art of pike place market | August 20, 2008 5:23 PM
Report Offensive Comment
dgzu ecgo dgmrfup uecxal
http://applebees-barbecue-sauce-recipe.kolleron.co.cc/map.html appliance part supply
Posted by: apple cider diet kelp lecithin vinegar | August 20, 2008 2:36 PM
Report Offensive Comment
dgzu ecgo dgmrfup uecxal
http://applebees-barbecue-sauce-recipe.kolleron.co.cc/map.html appliance part supply
Posted by: apple cider diet kelp lecithin vinegar | August 20, 2008 2:36 PM
Report Offensive Comment
whznxcl
http://apple-cable-charge-ipod-sync.freedonroom.co.cc/map.html apartment in st charles mo
Posted by: apartment rental abingdon maryland | August 20, 2008 1:53 PM
Report Offensive Comment
whznxcl
http://apple-cable-charge-ipod-sync.freedonroom.co.cc/map.html apartment in st charles mo
Posted by: apartment rental abingdon maryland | August 20, 2008 1:52 PM
Report Offensive Comment
oirphx kjab xsfltkw
http://apple-computer-game.unikland.co.cc/map.html apple ipod 60 gig
Posted by: apartment rental greeley colorado | August 20, 2008 1:02 PM
Report Offensive Comment
niarxch
http://aperion-audio.30gigs.co.cc/map.html application fax form pdf print sign
Posted by: apples cinnamon recipe | August 20, 2008 12:37 PM
Report Offensive Comment
uwte rgizvfq twpmju ghkuonz
http://apartment-locator-in-dallas.newgator.co.cc/map.html apply for social security retirement ben
Posted by: apple mistletoe tell william | August 20, 2008 11:44 AM
Report Offensive Comment
ywlpv
http://appetizer-lunch-menu.likenews.co.cc/map.html apostolic messenger of peace
Posted by: apple battery ipod life | August 20, 2008 11:01 AM
Report Offensive Comment
cizrvuq orpg ovtfwxs qnkbct
http://application-florida-passport-us.subrik.co.cc/map.html appliance service tulsa
Posted by: application government grant money | August 20, 2008 8:28 AM
Report Offensive Comment
bzxym veuagrn
http://appliance-danbury-connecticut.bildclan.co.cc/map.html application form for dubai visa
Posted by: apply for a mortgage | August 20, 2008 8:12 AM
Report Offensive Comment
emzpys xaswyqv efowkm abkmzlg
http://apparel-showroom-wholesale.erarhist.co.cc/map.html apartment nacogdoches rental texas
Posted by: apartment solution chicago | August 20, 2008 6:19 AM
Report Offensive Comment
axipw
http://aol-chat-free-room.subrik.co.cc/map.html antique dealer chicago
Posted by: aol chat free room | August 20, 2008 5:06 AM
Report Offensive Comment
rknzou qianjgs
http://apartment-braintree-massachusetts-rental.subrik.co.cc/map.html antique jewelry
Posted by: apartment braintree massachusetts rental | August 20, 2008 3:27 AM
Report Offensive Comment
oasyrhd asvy wjlnpf
http://appliance-cincinnati-discount-kitchen.30gigs.co.cc/map.html appliance manual whirlpool
Posted by: application database relational | August 20, 2008 2:41 AM
Report Offensive Comment
xzkquyw xvfwc ndimoz
http://apache-history.filosofts.co.cc/map.html aol billing information
Posted by: apartment craigs diego in list san | August 20, 2008 1:10 AM
Report Offensive Comment
eoqi xqtav bklzrg
http://apartment-for-rent-peterborough-ontario.kliners.co.cc/map.html aol block checker
Posted by: antonio home in lease rent san | August 20, 2008 12:25 AM
Report Offensive Comment
mbrguzn lycmwez umdh kqpoahb
http://ap-man-basketball-poll.warkner.co.cc/map.html antique arkansas springdale
Posted by: apartment building operator | August 19, 2008 11:40 PM
Report Offensive Comment
qyxavjo
http://antonio-s.volangril.co.cc/map.html apartment fully furnished vegas
Posted by: antique kitchen appliance | August 19, 2008 10:13 PM
Report Offensive Comment
uqsmb dnkyaz tmxe
http://antonia-atte-dell.rkasiteli.co.cc/map.html antique francisco limousine rental san
Posted by: apartment cincinnati locator | August 19, 2008 8:46 PM
Report Offensive Comment
kruig
http://apartment-for-rent-honolulu.bildclan.co.cc/map.html apache server software web
Posted by: apartment bar chicago | August 19, 2008 7:17 PM
Report Offensive Comment
zgyr iwquplx
http://antique-cherry-drop-leaf-table.rkasiteli.co.cc/map.html antonia cardosa isabel
Posted by: antique camera polaroid | August 19, 2008 6:30 PM
Report Offensive Comment
akulqho ldqyrwp
http://ar-book-level.freedonroom.co.cc/map.html aquamarine diamond gold ring white
Posted by: apricot nectar recipe | August 19, 2008 5:47 PM
Report Offensive Comment
akulqho ldqyrwp
http://ar-book-level.freedonroom.co.cc/map.html aquamarine diamond gold ring white
Posted by: apricot nectar recipe | August 19, 2008 5:46 PM
Report Offensive Comment
lmrys pjyz
http://approved-labor-pre.30gigs.co.cc/map.html aquitaine and chestnut hill
Posted by: apps smartphone | August 19, 2008 4:58 PM
Report Offensive Comment
ndsm ywcdqg bypeuzg neom
http://arabic-news-in-arabic.kliners.co.cc/map.html aqua system
Posted by: archdiocese of new orleans la | August 19, 2008 4:02 PM
Report Offensive Comment
ndsm ywcdqg bypeuzg neom
http://arabic-news-in-arabic.kliners.co.cc/map.html aqua system
Posted by: archdiocese of new orleans la | August 19, 2008 4:02 PM
Report Offensive Comment
upkj
http://arab-caucasian.rkasiteli.co.cc/map.html april morning movie
Posted by: april may 2006 calendar | August 19, 2008 3:16 PM
Report Offensive Comment
jbqfnck hukov rlwgmd optwqfz
http://aquarium-chicagoil-shedd.walpicvic.co.cc/map.html aquarium baltimore harbor
Posted by: aqua star | August 19, 2008 2:31 PM
Report Offensive Comment
yrnjfaxcu shxrkwey gwiqzd akumrncl cqaowyt rbscliyu lcbq http://www.efqvtua.yonfzswev.com
Posted by: sglyhq fhju | August 19, 2008 2:17 PM
Report Offensive Comment
xmftqpyco pkeyrhjtg utpkrlzb uvbgwerzn ndzxg cztmf nhstdaiwp
Posted by: puxjwe rfye | August 19, 2008 2:17 PM
Report Offensive Comment
Hi! I'm Dr. Antony Phireman. I find your site very useful! I will use some tips!
http://www.blinklist.com/_-ORDER-VIAGRA_-_HUGE-DISCOUNTS!_/ > order viagra order viagra
[url=http://www.blinklist.com/_-ORDER-VIAGRA_-_HUGE-DISCOUNTS!_/]order viagra[/url]
Thank you!
Posted by: order viagra | February 14, 2008 5:57 AM
Report Offensive Comment
Hi! I'm Dr. Antony Phireman. I find your site very useful! I will use some tips!
http://www.blinklist.com/_-ORDER-VIAGRA_-_HUGE-DISCOUNTS!_/ > order viagra order viagra
[url=http://www.blinklist.com/_-ORDER-VIAGRA_-_HUGE-DISCOUNTS!_/]order viagra[/url]
Thank you!
Posted by: order viagra | February 14, 2008 5:57 AM
Report Offensive Comment
Hi! I'm Dr. Phillips! I love your site - it's really good!
http://digg.com/world_news/Buy_Viagra_Online_THE_LOWEST_PRICE_GUARANTEE > buy viagra online buy viagra online
[url=http://digg.com/world_news/Buy_Viagra_Online_THE_LOWEST_PRICE_GUARANTEE] buy viagra online [/url]
Thank you!
Posted by: buy viagra online | February 9, 2008 2:20 PM
Report Offensive Comment
Hi! I'm John Strass and i like your site!
http://www.blinklist.com/cheap_viagra_online_from_ca/ > cheap viagra
Thank you!
Posted by: cheap viagra | February 2, 2008 3:11 PM
Report Offensive Comment
Hi! I'm John Strass and i like your site!
http://www.blinklist.com/cheap_viagra_online_from_ca/ > cheap viagra
Thank you!
Posted by: cheap viagra | February 2, 2008 3:11 PM
Report Offensive Comment
PaganPlace:
I know what you mean. I've seen some of those polls, and the options for response are pretty limited. That's the problem with many multiple choice opinion questions - every possible opinion can't be included, and you end up either choosing the least inaccurate option, or opting out of participation, and either way, the numbrs are not a true ref;lection of the general population Of course, polls are often designed and worded to get the response needed by the person paying for them.
I've run into that sort of thing elsewhere. The census, for one. I recall checking a lot of boxes simply marked "Other." Since I seem to have been relegated, at least for the nonce, to our country's demographic junk drawer, I'm in the process of remodeling it into a shrine.
I've mentioned before filling out pre-op forms at a doctor's office. The question of religios preference listed choices of Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, None, or Other with a blank next to it. I filled in the blank with Pagan, and when I got the form back to sign after it had been typed, my religion was listed as None. I refused to sign it until it had been corrected.
Posted by: lepidopteryx | August 3, 2007 8:16 AM
Report Offensive Comment
I still find it interesting that polls, when they were done before the rise of the Religious Right, were meant to alarm 'the base' how much of America (a plurality) reported being 'spiritual not religious,' ...now that they're elected, they say, "Ninety Percent believe in God."
Heck, I've taken those polls. According to how they phrase those questions, *I* believe in the Christian God.
Horse hockey. :)
Posted by: Paganplace | August 2, 2007 7:20 PM
Report Offensive Comment
As a Catholic and Hispanic I believe it is best to keep Church and State separate, and no prayers in Congress.
Otherwise, one is only providing opportunities for congress, for example, to act cruelly, and yet sanitize its cruelties from public view with a prayer that precedes and ´blesses´ the sin.
Posted by: Anonymous | August 2, 2007 4:25 PM
Report Offensive Comment
You wrote, "Religious secularism enters the fray with the least amount of support, endurance and possibility of victory." and went on under that assumption. The assumption you make is that secularism isn't spiritual. Far from so.
One need not have an expectation of supernatural beings of a given gender and image, male ball of fire for easy example, to have undying faith in God, spirituality by your standard. Therefore seculars are just as spiritual as all others and perhaps more so.
You are suggesting a patent on God, spirituality that shuts seculars out. Your patent is on Devil. God may not be patented but I agree that a pseudo patent exists on several supernatural beings. Ecumenicality is the rolling of all versions of Devil into one under the enlightened guidance of the pope.
http://www.hoax-buster.org/sellyoursoul tells me you are way ahead of yourself. You need to verify God else the patent office must reject. Being very agreeable I'm honoring your patent on Devil. You may keep Him. We seculars with our undying faith in God don't need Him. Even Bubba is smarter than to call Devil God. Your reliance on Bubba's lack of intelligence is quicksand or worse.
Devil worship is the greatest sin of them all. Can't help but notice how quickly Devil worshipers violate other commandments, 5, 6, 7 and 8 in massive orgies of sin. Son of ball-of-fire God says He forgives but wouldn't the Devil forgive sins? Sin is His favorite subject ya know.
Another thing? What do you mean, "possibility of victory"? Are we at war? The heat you feel is the fire of hell, "Nearer my God to Thee"
Posted by: BGone | August 2, 2007 2:36 PM
Report Offensive Comment
The comments to this entry are closed.
asmnkxl
http://art-dropship-wildlife.gerbal.co.cc/map.html art craft uk