Erika Montes Contreras 1

Pluralism Project Part Three

1. How often do you find yourself thinking about religion, religious
issues or religiosity?
Since attending this religions class I find myself thinking about religious
landscape frequently. Learning about the other religious cultures have
made me come to learn how they worship, why the dress the way they
do, who they worship, the certain rituals or morals that need to be
followed, etc. I work for a company that has many diversities in the
building, for example, I see a man with a turban on his head an realize
he is part of the Sikh religion and he wears the turban as a sign to
show others their image of infinity and of their commitment. I also
think of their long hair underneath the turban as a sign of respect that
they dont cut their hair as well as their beard or any hair on their body.
As I have mentioned, religion is everywhere you look and many
individuals have their own beliefs and systems. Today in the world,
when you turn on the TV and watch the news there is always news
about the religions in other countries and the sad part is, that it is
almost never any positive news. Getting on my social media daily,
there are religious posts about the conflicts happening all over the
world and prayers being asked. Reading back on my first thoughts, my
mind has changed about religion greatly because I never noticed how
much it is actually around me and how much I think about it
throughout my day.
2. In what ways have you become more aware of your religious
landscape?
Of my religious landscape I realized that were all a family. We all come
together to worship, we create activities in the church to bring new
friends or to sit around and hangout with the friends we already have. I
have also realized that we get involve with our communities to help out
our neighbors with cleaning and even donating our time and supplies
to the homeless when it gets cold out. Being in this religions class has
taught me that my church is almost the same as a different church on
the other side of the world. I often watch documentaries and lately Ive
been watching some, where they are pertaining to different cultures or
religions and it is fascinating to see how much were alike. Of my
religious background it might hurt their ears to hear me say that,
however I honestly believe our God has placed us on this Earth for a
purpose and that is to live for our God and to be a family on this Earth,
we only live for a limited time and no one deserves to live it horribly,
we all need to show love towards another and it shouldnt matter what
religion their from. I feel its contradicting when religions ask to love
your neighbor but tell them their burning in hell for believing in what
they feel is right. I am opened to hearing others thoughts and opinions
but in the end, I will stick true to what I believe.

3. What is reflective (or generative) pluralism and is possible?

Generative pluralism is like doing more with less; it is to expand
lifestyle personalities and value others morals without it going to a
one-way path. For example, when people speak the same language
and have the same technology, the unity increases. Sharing the same
language, technology, money, beliefs, etc. allow more people to
interact together despite their conflicting beliefs. With the technology
increasing at a large rate in the United States, people become more
intellectual and are able of handling more difficult value-based
conflicts. People realize they cannot control over the lives of others, so
they try getting even by using less of their intelligence and to gather
information for power and to become manipulative.
4. Refer back to how you answered the question Do you believe
America is a Christian nation? Has your response changed?
After attending this religions class, its safe to say that majority of
statistics show that America is a Christian nation. After reading
Wuthnow, I believe he is correct in saying there are three major
classifications of Americans when it comes to one particular religion.
There is the exclusive Christians who believe there is only one way and
become upset when they are exposed to other views, almost finding
themselves threatened when challenged of their own beliefs. The
inclusive Christians start with the belief that God exists but also claim
to have experienced Gods presence by a kind of force that is present
in all things. Lastly, a spiritual shopper is an individual, who is
accepting in all religions and does not think there is one way. Learning
this has made me realize those majorities are Christian however it
doesnt necessarily mean that they are full-devoured Christians.
5. As we face increasing diversity, how are our beliefs and
identities (American) changing to accommodate this diversity?
Unfortunately, with all the bombings and attacks happening in the
United States and all over the world, it is sad to say that in this
moment in time, us Americans are not accommodating this diversity.
We call ourselves the land of the free but arent willing to accept a
culture because a few bad apples that decide to create havoc and
make a bad name for a religion or culture. However in the past recent
years, we have accepted diversity by accommodating to what they
believe in, for example, gay marriage. Of course many religions believe
it is a sin to be married to the same sex as he however we also created
an amendment that there would be separation of church and state
thus allowing this right to be true.

Erika Montes Contreras 3

Pluralism Project Part Three
6. Do you believe the risks associated with diversity are worth it?
Why?
At this time, with the reason being listed above, I want to say that the
risk is not worth it due to many people hurting. It is a domino effect
that is happening, from the shooters who are causing the crime, to the
family of the victims who are suffering for losing a loved one. Diversity
can cause conflict and unity both at the same time. Even with the bad
happening in the world today, I would like to keep a positive outlook
and say that diversity is worth it. Individuals can come together and
learn from one another, create new inventions, and share customs and
traditions.