...My New Views on Religion Cesar Flores Religious Diversity in America “There is immense diversity within American Christianity—dozens of independent Protestant denominations or sects and various sub-groups within Catholicism—but the predominance of Christianity provides crucial context to any discussion of religious pluralism in the United States... Christianity may still dominate the religious landscape of the United States, but religious pluralism has now become its defining feature,” (Boisi Center 2). Christianity without a doubt has had a great impact on the United States in many different aspects. The Bible has been cited before in presidential speeches numerous times. The Bible has also been used in important events, such...
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...Historically, Christianity has been largely practiced in America. Christianity, and branches thereof, has been the leading religion in America။in terms of numbers. Although this is still true in modern day, as America becomes an increasingly diverse country, a myriad of different religions are brought into our culture. In respect to this, is America a Christian nation? As America continues to develop as one of the most diverse, advanced countries in the world, religious presence and affiliation develops as well. Definitively, America is not strictly a Christian nation. First off, America was not founded upon Christian values; also, the government has established clear lines between itself and religion; and there has always been much religious diversity in the country....
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...Early American’s Challenges with Diversity in Religion, Gender and Ethnicity Life was not easy for the first Americans to set foot upon our wonderful country; individual freedom was challenged daily. In the early years, religion dominated daily life; strict religious observance was not a choice but a mandate. Gender diversity was a grim struggle for most women and children; women were treated as objects, belonging to their husbands. White women were awarded a few more freedoms than black women. Likewise, ethnic diversity was a challenge for Africans and Native Americans; wars were fought over the destiny of an individuals right to be free. Immigrants flocked to the United States to avoid persecution and strict religious worship guidelines; persecution and worship...
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...The religious and economic rivalries between European nations allowed for England to become the frontrunner in colonization in North America which caused the modern day Atlantic Coast of the USA to become religiously and economically diverse. There was competition about the religion and the spreading of religion. Also, there was competition regarding economics, the conflict was about mercantilism. Meanwhile, there were different religions throughout the English colonies. Finally, there was ethnic diversity within the colonies as well. All of these contributed to the religious and economic diversity today. There were two rivalries happening in the colonies; the religious and economic rivalries. First, the religious rivalry was about the...
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...today. (33 marks) In today’s society there are sociological arguments that say society is becoming more and more secular. A secular society is where religious beliefs and values have lost influence and importance in society. Some seem to think that this has happened in Britain. There is much evidence for this for example statistics show that there has been a decline in the proportion of the population going to church. There has also been an increase in the average age of churchgoers, fewer church weddings and baptisms, a decline in the numbers holding traditional Christian beliefs and greater religious diversity. Wilson has argued that Western societies had been undergoing a long term process of secularisation. Sociologists put forward different explanations of these trends and have reached different conclusions. A common theme that is put forward to explain the recent patterns that secularisation is taking place is modernisation. Weber comes up with the theory of rationalisation and the fact that rational ways of thinking and acting have come to replace religious ones. He argues that the protestant reformation started the process of rationalisation of life whereby rational scientific outlook found in modern society has undermined religious worldview. He says that this has contributed to the decrease in influence if religious beliefs in society today. He also argues that disenchantment of religion has taken place with the protestant reformation. This meant that events are no...
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...are being torn asunder by racial, ethnic, and religious conflicts that fuel fanaticism and terrors," he declared. "We are the world's most diverse democracy. And the world looks to us to show that it is possible to live and advance together across those kinds of differences. America has always been a nation of immigrants....We started as an experiment in democracy fueled by Europeans. We have grown into an experiment in democratic diversity fueled by openness and promise...We must never believe that diversity is a weakness — it is our greatest strength." [State of the Union Address of February 9, 1997, President Bill Clinton] What some people fail to see is that immigrant has become a greater part of American culture. To signify this there have been movie portrayals of immigrants celebrating how they have changed America for example My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Coming to America. One thing that has not been addressed, is that how immigrants have changed America, how do they contribute to the U.S.A.? In the United States immigration has always been controversial issue. Americans in the past thought that immigrants would not be able to conform to the American lifestyle in a way that could contribute to America. In modern day America the same fears are raised about immigrants from all over the world. But like their counterparts from previous eras, their criticism of immigrants are just as wrong. Immigrants has given America diversity of ethnicity and religion which has been lucrative...
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...is the process whereby religious beliefs, institutions and practices have lost their social influence. Max Weber concluded that society is undergoing a process of modernisation – a transition from religious tradition to rational and scientific ways of thinking – and rationalisation – the process by which rational ways of thinking have gradually replaced the religious teachings and understandings of the world. This secularisation is said to have started by Marten Luther when he challenged the principles and ideas of the Roman Catholic Church. This religion was the main religion especially within the UK that most of the population believed to be true. Luther undermined the popular religious view by writing 93 reasons challenging the churches beliefs and this initiated the processes of modernisation and rationalisation. Luther had started the end of the rule of the church within the UK by causing a Protestant revolution and disenchantment. Weber talks about disenchantment as a way of escaping the beliefs of the church, this caused the thought that the world operates according to its own laws of nature based on science and reason instead of religion and superstition and that God is transcendent. There is strong evidence to suggest that secularisation is very high within European societies, especially the UK as we can see from church attendance statistics. Crockett identifies the 19th century to be the golden age of religiosity as in 1851 census of Religious worship 40% or more of...
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...American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us Robert Putnam & David Campbell Summary Points: Changes in American Religiosity & Tolerance (Chapters 3, 4, 5, and 15) Chapter 3 & 4: Religiosity in America Lifecycle, Generational, and Period Effect Change Ø Most people’s religious views and habits are formed fairly early in life. All of us tend to evolve in fairly predictable ways as we age, following what social scientists call life cycle patterns. These patterns produce a kind of life cycle escalator toward greater religiosity as an individual ages. Ø However, people born and raised in different eras get onto that escalator at different levels. People raised in a less religious era may never become as observant as people raised in a more observant time… Such a difference between people born and raised in different eras is termed by social scientists a generational effect. Ø Both generational and life cycle patterns involve change, but in pure form they produce very different...
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...A Diverse America This paper focuses on the question “How can people be made more accepting of diversity?” The paper is organized into five sections: What I Knew, What I Want to Know, Literature Review, My Search, and the Conclusion. The sections What I Knew and What I Want to Know provide background knowledge on why this topic is one of personal importance and why I fell others should see its importance as well. The two sections also address what subjects will be spoken of and researched in the paper. The Literature Review is divided into three sections: What is Diversity, How Does Diversity Affect Individuals, and How Can Acceptance of Diversity be Promoted. Each of these sections provides research on their respective questions, mostly focusing on religious and racial diversity. The My Search section contains information from a personal Interview with Dominik Unger, a previous political refugee. Finally, the conclusion contains personal...
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...Assess the view that religious beliefs and practices are changing to reflect a new era of diversity and choice. (33 marks) Some sociologists reject the secularisations theory, they are beginning to say that instead of religion declining, it is changing, in terms of changing to reflect a new era of diversity and choice. Sociologists such as Davie argue that religion isn't declining but the need to publicise it is reducing, religion is taking a more privatised form. This can explain the decline in churchgoers; they no longer feel like they have to go to church to be religious, now attending church is a matter of choice rather than society frowning upon those who chose not to go. This has brought around ‘believing without belonging’, thus the decline of traditional religion is matched by the growth of a new form of it. Proving that modern society is not becoming increasing secular but forming new religions through choice and diversity. However, Voas and Crockett reject the claims Davie puts forward, explaining that if her thesis was to be true the British Social Attitudes survey from 1983 to 200 would show that belief in God is increasing, although it shows that not only is church attendance declining but also peoples belief in God. If Davie were right with new religions forming the surveys would've shown higher levels of belief. Bruce also interjects the view that if those who are religious are not willing to invest time into attending church, this must reflect the declining...
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...Thinking About Diversity and Inclusion Shantha Whitehurst SOC/315 Due Date 01/25/2014 Instructor What are the dimensions of cultural diversity? Identify and briefly explain the dimensions by referencing both textbooks. The world in which people call home is a composite of diversity. People interact with one another through culture beliefs. Since humans spread throughout the world, unions have separated from each other. Stories of humans emerging to the United States became different throughout many ethnic communities. According to Schaefer (2011), the of diversity features in the United States include, ethnicity, age, race, martial status, religious beliefs, gender, and even appearances(Chapter 1, Ethnic Groups). Racial groups socially set themselves apart because of physical differences, and each society defines what it finds obvious. In the United States skin color is one of the obvious differences. Communities today have a more elaborate system of classification, in the United States hostility between races became higher than expected. Ethnic groups set apart from others because of national origin or distinctive culture patterns. Hispanics, Puerto Rican, African American, and Cubans describe some ethnic groups in America. The culture traits which made diversity exclusive originated from lands of segregation(Harvey, "Section I," 2009). With what ethnic, cultural, or other groups do you identify? Describe what members of your social circle have in common The ethnic...
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...4-MAT Book Review “Church and State In America” Okechukwu C. Nwaneri CHPL 600 9/17/13 Abstract The free expression of religion has been an ongoing struggle since way back when and through the establishment of the First Amendment; a solution to the madness was created. Before the implementation of this amendment; societies’ involvement in trying to influence the U.S.’s practices of religion has become an ongoing controversy within the history books. Based on the first amendment, Hutson’s Church and State in America tells us that “The amendment simply states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” This amendment prevented the federal government from establishing a national religion and allowed people to freely exercise their religious beliefs and practices. The amendment appeared straightforward, but in practice it was ambiguous and increasingly controversial.” Hutson emphasized in the earlier parts of the text how although there were several belief systems that existed during the 17th century like the Anglicans, Puritans and Catholics; there was a solution needed for the state to intervene and establish a central church for everyone to follow by force. As a result of Constantine’s efforts, the doctrine of exclusive salvation was established which stated that “uniformity of faith – for if all were to be saved, all must believe the same truth – and persecution of dissent. “The case for theological persecution...
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...Thinking About Diversity and Inclusion Jodi Jewett SOC 315 May 16, 2011 Tramayne Butler Thinking About Diversity and Inclusion Diversity and Inclusion are a part of everyday life in America. Diversity is within every culture and group including ethnical groups, gender, and workplaces. Diversity is the similarities and differences where Inclusion is the act of being included in that diversity group. It is important to know and understand the diversity and inclusion to gain the knowledge and understanding of people around us. What are the dimensions of cultural diversity? Identify and briefly explain the dimensions by referencing both textbooks. “Cultural diversity is commonly interpreted in relation to ethnicity. However, the term should be understood within a broader context where it recognizes the unique attributes of all persons” (La Trobe University, Oct). The dimensions of culture diversity are the difference and similarities within the culture groups. There are many different dimensions within a culture group, such as, dress attire, language, race, and gender. Within a culture there are many different languages, especially in American culture. While some women must not show in sin in one culture, they may be allowed to show as much as they want in another culture. There also different diversities with genders and cultures. In one culture women are treated as equal as men, and in another the women must wait on the man and are not as high ranked as the...
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...Dear friend, I completely understand why you would think that the United States is dominated with Conservative Christians but I do believe that here in the United States, there's a grown diversity of religions other than Conservative Christian practices. From my experiences of living in the United States, I've found and met many individuals with a different belief other than Christianity. Religion in the United States may be characterized by a diversity of religious beliefs and practices. Various religious faiths have prospered, as well as perished, in the United States. A majority of Americans believe that religion plays a role and affects their daily lives. Today the United States is considered the most diverse nation in the world compared to 50 years ago. During the past fifty years, immigrants from around the world have not only dramatically changed the landscape of America, but also created a diversity of religion. From Christianity to Judaism, from Buddhism to Hinduism and a variety of other faiths are found today around the different regions of the United States, such as in our own cities and neighborhoods. Religion in America has many branches, due to its large pool of different belief and multicultural traditions that have developed over time. The signing of the Immigration Act of 1965 by President Johnson was just the beginning of contributing to the end of discrimination toward immigrants, leading to a dramatic change in the way in which immigration functions...
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...The overall concern of religion conviction in the United States of America possesses equally; advantages and disadvantages in the public domain; assemblies and federations of multicultural dogmas and viewpoint in which these religious theories exhibit within the community. Understandably, in regards to religion the First Amendment protects the right to freedom of religion and freedom of expression. Really, on average Americans results in a minimum of two free will self-determination’s; the privilege to be free from a forced government faith and the permission to exercise any religion of choice.Loyalty, responsibility, and faith are just a few of the dutiful religious standards, these holy parties hold as sacred acceptance today while living in society. At that time, many of the pious truths and principals’ in America were originated to create justice, peace, impartiality and legitimacy to all. Religion in the work place is said to be no different; several spiritual groups maintain that Religion in the workplace creates a strong consciousness within the organization culture, a purposed appreciation which can be an extraordinary valuable commodity within the community (Sire, 1990). The Equal Employment Opportunity Act, EEOC, of 1964 affirms that religion in the work room must serve both God and society. As Thomas Jefferson says it best “a wall of division concerning the church and government". In addition many Christian maintain that religion from their perspective overflows...
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