Submitted by Shawnbir Singh Gogia

The ability to tolerate differences among our societies is a prime example of evolution throughout the human race. Throughout history, we have been persecuted for our differences, whether they are cultural, social, or political. Mankind as a group had not realized the benefits of living within a more diverse society. However, today we are closer than ever to truly appreciating the dream of equality among all people, regardless of race, color, or religion.

Our tolerance of all religions and creeds, while an important step in the advancement of our society, is simply inadequate. More important than merely tolerating each other is embracing the opportunity to subscribe to a policy of religious pluralism. Religious pluralism exhorts each man, woman, and child to embrace their neighbors, regardless of differences of faith or belief, and to trust in a more complete and united species, to truly understand that each individual has something to contribute to the progression of the human people.

Religious pluralism is not a system newly introduced to our world. The simple concept has survived for millennia; however, we have only recently acquired the tolerance of religious freedom, a small step in the eventual evolution to religious pluralism. Religious pluralism is not a situation that will suddenly occur as the next evolutionary step after religious tolerance. While a new mentality of unity has swept our world, we must enforce a strict routine of absolute acceptance. The most significant aspect of religious pluralism is interred in its ability to enrich our lives. The active engagement of various religions and cultures will only lead to progress, never recession.

The ability to look out for oneself is not a distinctly human ability, it occurs within nature in all species; however, the ability to defend not only for yourself, but for others as well could be considered an ability defined by human nature. We are all born with the ability to tolerate, to acknowledge; however, it is an acquired ability to construct an active relationship with those that are different, because we are able to understand that it is a mutualistic association.

We are currently on the path to the acceptance and engagement of diverse cultures and religions; however, we are still in the beginning stages of our long journey. It is wholly necessary for each individual to understand that the other is not worse, just different, and that this difference is not a matter of right and wrong, but a difference of degree. A man’s religious views should not make him more or less acceptable to our society; only his character should be able to persuade emotions one way or the other. Unfortunately, until we all comprehend that diversity cannot lessen our value, but only enrich our lives, we will not reach the goal of religious pluralism. Throughout Martin Luther King Jr.’s most famous speech, given on a podium above a massive crowd enveloping all of Washington D.C., he encouraged us not to allow ourselves to be satisfied with mere tolerance. “We cannot walk alone. And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall walk ahead. We cannot turn back…This is our hope.”

Although his speech was mainly concerned with obtaining rights for African-Americans in a time where they were merely tolerated, not accepted, his words still ring with truth and veracity in any similar situation. In a time where most religions are tolerated, but not openly accepted, we have to come to live in a world where religion is worn as a symbol of status, not faith. It is absolutely necessary for each of us to realize that our success and longevity depends on other people. We cannot live solitarily; we must accept the benefits of a diverse society.

The benefits of a diverse society are plentiful. In a utopian society, each member would contribute fresh sentiment to an otherwise limited outlook. This allows the community to gain understanding and insight, allowing the public to determine a more informed course of action. While a truly diverse society is unrealistic at this point in time, we do currently have the opportunity to point ourselves to a path of variety, not conformity. Our world is currently made up of many different cultures and religions. As a people, we have grown enough to tolerate differences in opinion, belief, and faith; however, we currently lack acceptance. This is not to say we have not begun to change our thinking to keep up with the development of individual rights. For example, on October 28, 2004, the Royal Navy of Great Britain recognized its first Satanist crewman. The crewman, Chris Cranmer, will be allowed to perform Satanic rituals aboard the ship, much as Christians would be allowed to pray. Learning more about the differences in each religion, pronounced as they may be, will allow us to further comprehend the belief system of each individual. Once we are able to see their viewpoint as they are able to see ours, a sense of understanding should emerge. This feeling of mutual understanding can only be constructive to a society; it will never be detrimental. If we can continue down this path, to not only recognize, but also accept different views on religion and social issues, we will finally reach a plateau of open-mindedness never before achieved.

However, it is not enough to predict our future actions. We must begin take action now, to better prepare ourselves for the future. Our world, in an act of global cooperation, can end religious discrimination and persecution. For example, the current conflict in Darfur, Sudan is very much genocide, based on religious persecution. With events such as this as common occurrences in our world, we will never be able to end the hatred and follow the path towards religious pluralism. It is our responsibility to create a concentrated effort to rid the world of such prejudice and odium. Unless we act, these types of actions will continue to occur and multiply until our society regresses to the point of ignorance and bigotry.

Religious pluralism is produced by a state of mind, by a non-judgmental attitude. As time has passed, more people have realized that having an open mind increases opportunities and is overall very beneficial; however, we still have a ways to go before this is seen as common sense, unfortunately.

The key to finding and following the path of religious pluralism is to lay a solid foundation of education. Throughout history, the pattern is clear; the more educated a society, the less bigotry can proliferate. A solid education consisting of a class with a variety of cultures and religions will show us, from the early stage of childhood, that the character of a person is based within their minds, not their beliefs. They can learn through first-hand experience that everyone has something to contribute, regardless of their race, creed, or gender. A strong foundation of education will help to circulate the benefits of a diverse society throughout the coming generations by stressing the importance of acceptance in forming a prosperous world.

In order to create a world of religious pluralism, we must implement this form of education into our current curriculum. The sooner we begin, the sooner we will be able to enjoy a world where everyone is accepted and judged on the content of their disposition. It is imperative that we complete this task; we have an obligation to future generations to mend the rifts created by hatred, and to protect against new conflicts created on the basis of prejudice or ignorance.

If we do what we must do, our world will be a safer, happier place; where no one is afraid to distinguish themselves from others because of their beliefs. Our world will be a place where we truly have the “inalienable rights” Thomas Jefferson spoke of in the Declaration of Independence for the United States of America. Tolerance is the first step towards acceptance, and acceptance is the key to happiness. It is our duty to work towards this ideal society, for if we do not attempt to achieve the impossible, we will be stuck, forced to be happy with what we have. No forward progress can be made this way; we must set our goals higher than we expect to achieve. If we do not, we will have cheated not only ourselves, but our past ancestors, and our future descendants, as well as the society we live within. Those who laid the framework for a peaceful world did not expect to complete their objective within their lifetime; we must carry on the work of these great humanitarians, and help their dreams come true.

A world in which religious pluralism is prevalent is not a fantasy or a figment of the imagination; it is not an impossibility. However, to create this society where hatred and bigotry are scarce, and peace rules the normal state of affairs will require a dedication beyond what we have done so far. It will require global cooperation, and steadfast principles that are applied to societies where fear and despair are a normal part of everyday life. As Abraham Lincoln warned in 1858, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” We must not just merely tolerate one another, but we should truly care for each other, and through this principle, we will have the opportunity to live in a world where tolerance is interred within our bones and acceptance is interred within our hearts.

Bibliography

1. Clayton, E. Martin Luther King: The Peaceful Warrior. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1964.
2. Lincoln, Abraham. “A House Divided.” 16 June 1858.
3. “Royal Navy To Allow Devil Worship.” CNN.com – World. 24 October 2004. Cable News Network. 26 October 2004.