From Diversity To Pluralism Analysis

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We all wish for a better society where we can accept each other’s diversity and work together to make this world a better place rather than work against each other. In Diana Eck’s article “From Diversity to Pluralism”, Diana wrote about how we should put in practice religious pluralism and explained that it is more than having tolerance for religious groups that are different than ones religion but to accept, participate and have knowledge of the religious groups that are out there. “American promise to immigrants was: come as you are, with all your differences and particularities, pledged only to the common civic demands of American citizenship. Come and be yourself, contributing in your distinctive way to the “orchestra” of American civilization” …show more content…
Eck states that pluralism is not being diverse but there being an active engagement with diversity, pluralism requires participation and engagement in other individual’s religions. Pluralism is not just having tolerance of others religions but have knowledge of others religion. One needs to know what the religion is about and have knowledge of what their practices are and what the religion consists of. “Pluralism is not simply relativism, but makes room for real and different religious commitments” (Eck, 1). Diana Eck also talks about pluralism in America and how the First Amendment to the Constitution was created based on pluralism. The First Amendment to the Constitution “no establishment” of religion and the “free exercise” of religion. According to Diana Eck, pluralism requires there be a nurturing and constructive dialogue with each other to reveal both common understandings and real differences in each other’s …show more content…
For example Westboro Baptist Church is a hate group that consider themselves old school Baptists following primitive Baptist and Calvinist principles. Westboro Baptist Church have been involved in actions against Jews, Catholics, gay people and they should not be allowed to participate in “public square” because religion is not based on hate and that is what Westboro Baptist Church is all about. This also applies to the groups of September 11th hijackers and ISIS that consider themselves an Islamic State. ISIS beliefs are based on a version of Islam which gives Islam the religion and Muslims a bad reputation. ISIS has publicly killed many individuals and harm women by raping and killing them or forcing young girls to marry older men. Violent groups should not whatsoever be allowed to participate in “public square” which contradicts Diana Eck’s definition of religious pluralism. Allowing all religious groups to have access to participate in a “public square” in the name of religious pluralism is something that should not be allowed due to the fact that it gives hate groups that consider themselves religious a platform to achieve power. Although Diana Eck’s idea of religious pluralism seems good on paper, others like Russell McCutcheon believe religious pluralism would not entirely be a good idea. There will always be hate groups