Jose Monterroso

RELS 2400-401
Reflection

1. In what ways have you become more aware of your religious landscape?
This class has opened up my mind completely to my religious landscape. Groups or
religions that once appeared so foreign to me, now have a familiar feeling. Before taking this
class, Hinduism was a concept so distant to me that I thought it was an ethnicity. I knew
nothing about them until we started to learn about Hinduism in class; reading chapter 2 from
the Robert Wuthnow book. I was so curious that I attended a festival at the Sri Ganesha
Temple in South Jordan. I live in a neighboring city and had no clue that there was a Hindu
temple nearby.
When our group did the Geographical analysis for the Religious Landscape Project we
learned a lot about our community. Furthermore, when we started to do the site visits, it was
really cool to attend unique places of worship. We attended the Cathedral of the Madeline,
and the Holy Trinity Cathedral. But the thing that helped me the most to become aware were
the class lectures and readings. Religions like Summum, that started in Utah, and Eckankar
both of which I have never heard of become a new interest.

2. What do you believe is a responsible relationship between religion and American

Culture? Explain.
I think that a responsible relationship between religion and American culture is how
we are now. It’s obviously not perfect, but what we have is a work in progress. It’s difficult
to define a religion or find the differences between a religion and a cult. But, I like how the
government handles it. Usually the Supreme Court handles the cases in a fair way, but in
situations that deal with religion, every case should be held unique and trialed as such. It’s
difficult to create rules, and guidelines that all religions should follow because each one is
different.
When it comes to tax exemption, which seems to be the way the United States
government ordains groups into religions, they are ill-equipped to handle the situations. The
IRS are a group of lawyers and accountants, they don’t know what a religion is or what a
religion should be, they do their best, but it’s not enough. They need to hire theologist, and
religious specialists that have a better understanding of what a religion is.

3. As we face increasing diversity, how are our beliefs and identities (as American)
changing to accommodate this diversity?
America is a nation of immigrants that is constantly evolving over time. We have
religions that come here and adapt to us. They change their ritual language to English,
accommodate to different times, and they are creating temples and churches that appear to be
native with their surroundings. They do so much to adapt, and we in return try to accommodate.
The religious diversity courses help educate people that know little of religions. In the classes
you discuss different religions and what they believe in, and how they deal with issues in
America. People tend to fear what they don’t understand, and these class give a peace of mind.
We also create new laws that accommodate religions. The Religious Accommodation Law is a
law that requires an employer to reasonably accommodate an employee’s religious beliefs or
practices. A growing number of issues on the topic of religion arise, and the Supreme Court
creates laws accordingly.

4. How well is America (and Americans) coping with religious diversity?

Not too well, I think that there is so much more that we can do. It all starts at the top.
Our elected leaders are our nation’s representatives of who and what we are. If they don’t
reflect feelings of patience, empathy, and acceptance you can’t expect the people to do the
same. However, there is only some much our elected leaders can do. They can create laws
that protect religions from persecution or set examples of how we should treat those different
from us. It all relies on the people. I remember we were talking about hate crimes in class and
how they are on the rise. Especially how after 9/11 some Americans were attacking people of
the Sikh community, because they confused them for Muslims. Which brings me to another
topic of how American’s lack education on religions. How do you expect people to accept
what they don’t understand? America sadly relies on the religions of America to educate the
public of who and what they are. It’s tough to change a stereotype or a stigma, but if we can
educate, and show people that these religions aren’t so different from what they know, then
maybe only then will religious pluralism properly begin to form.

5. How is this course connected to other courses you have taken and/or to your
everyday life?
As a Computer Science major, this course hasn’t really connected with any other
courses I have taken. But I have taken Jewelry, where we learned foreign art styles. I
remember learning about Buddhist, and Hindu art, and now being taught about them you
understand better why they choose the art style that they choose. This course will help me in
my everyday life. Now I know about different religions, and what they believe in. My past
stereotypes are gone and replaced with understanding and knowledge. I realize that these
religions aren’t foreign at all, but rather a different interpretation of what Americans believe
to be true. This classes helped me become a better person, a person who sees and accepts all
religions.