Davie 7, 8

How is religious pluralism in the US and Europe different? How do these differences account for the status of Islam as a minority religion in both places? How is this dynamic different in places where Islam is the majority religion?

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I believe that it is fair to say the United States is very diverse and is known as a melting pot. In America, Islam is not, to me, a "minority religion". There are actually a fair amount of Christians, Muslims, and Jews in the USA. In Europe, it is less acceptable in certain areas due to the fact that the government is not as caring as it is here. In America, we accept all races and all beliefs. Places like Iran, Nigeria, Turkey, and Nigeria populate the a vast Muslim population.

Agree to a certain extent. The United States is a diverse nation with multiple religions that people follow. Compared to Christianity and it's denominations in the U.S, Islam is a minority religion. Both the United States and Europe have a history of prejudice and terror against the Islam population, many of these cases going undocumented. In, Europe this dislike is blatant compared to the U.S where it is subtle and the religions coexist, generally speaking. Islam and Christianity being the worlds two largest religions have engaged in thosaunds of years of indifference, leading to the death of many on both sides to this day. It is safe to say that in majority Muslim countries those who are not Muslim particular Christian have many pre-conceived notions about them, and as well experience instances of violence, again generally speaking. Many Christians and Muslims have no judgments for one another and their religious belifes understanding it's a matter of choice and not who is right.

The difference between religious pluralism to me between Europe and The United states is in the time of introduction of religious pluralism and the way it interacted with the dominant socio-religious norms and practices that were established in either region. In America, Religious pluralism has been around since the beginning of the country, even before the founding of the country as we know it the diversity and tolerance for a variety of religious beliefs was taken as a given. Thusly, there was no established state or overriding religion so the influx of new religious groups was accepted with less friction than in Europe, where state churches and national religions in decline often reacted with apprehension to the influx of immigrants who brought with them whole new faith traditions from their country of origin.

The dynamic differs in many muslim countries because of the deep interweaving of the religion of Islam to the political structure. The seperation between church and state is a bit thinner and the connection for the faithful between religious choices and political views are more pronounced.

Pluralism in the United Stated ensures a variety of religious traditions. Different beliefs of rituals are free to express their religion to society. Pluralism initiates the justice to all living in the United States. European pluralism on the other hand does not agree with this structure. The diversity of Islam in religion expresses many religious beliefs, interacting in various ways. It connects with individuals from different races, ethnicities, literatures, and interpretations.

I agree with the previous response because what is stated is all true. However, I would like to touch on the idea of religion being part of the political structure in some countries. This actually what tears people apart and causes more problems then solving any. Forcing the religion on everyone is not the right thing to do. It should always be in the hands of whoever wants to follow or not follow the faith and shouldn't be something forced on someone. Hopefully in the future this will change for the better..

Being that the United States is a country of immigrants, I believe that pluralism was an unavoidable factor in the development of this country. This doesn't necessarily mean that people of the United States have been welcoming or respectful of religious pluralism, but it's safe to say that it's a naturally occurring effect from being in a "melting pot". This is not the case of European nations because the idea of pluralism was not part of their foundation or culture. I think this is also why secularization in the certain European countries (like France) has developed in the way that it has because I think this is their way of protecting religion from influencing public policy in any way.

though I agree the presence of immigrant culture in the US has been an important aspect impacting its pluralism, I think its also important to add that it is the pluralism invited by the foundations of this country that guarantee that pluralism. Because the founding fathers didn't sanction a specific church/institution to represent it, this allowed every religion to stand on theoretically equal ground with each other. There are plenty of immigrants in Europe. I don't think the amount of immigrants in the US can be used as the sole explanation for its degree of pluralism

I agree with you on the idea that immigration is an important part of pluralism and the melting pot of any country,especially the USA.However it is true that immigration isn't the only factor of pluralism.The interests,traditions,values of the people play an important factor in pluralism as well.

Agreed, America has provided numerous amounts of opportunities for immigrants to develop in opening up to new ideas, and as well as being able to participate in a variety of different religious beliefs, since religion has been widespread. Religious Pluralism encouraged people to become more open to other beliefs and be respectful of others, however in other countries people did not have an opportunity to explore and partake into new ideas due to strict policy or because of a primarily dominant religion within that country.

When it comes to pluralism, the US still comes out on top. This is because of its relatively new roots. Many of the countries in Europe, have still, or have had until recently, a state sanctioned religious institution, or a religion deeply embedded into the structure of the social/political institutions of that country. However, even though the US does have a religious majority (it is predominantly christian) because it was formed by an influx of various immigrants, and because the constitution was formed with the separation of church and state in mind, without any specific church/religious institution being chosen to be sanctioned above others, this allowed the pluralism we see in the US today. Even if one religion or sect has more political/economical clout because it has more members, it is still not, intrinsically, any more legitimate than any other religious institution in this country.
As for the status of Islam, Islam is a relatively new addition to Europe and the US. For a long time the US and Europe were leaders in a sort of religious colonialism that was all about spreading its own religious culture. It is only recently that that flow has been reversing. It is possible that as time moves on, Islam will become major players in both the US and Europe.

In the United States, there are lots of people come from different countries. In other words, people have different religions. However, it is clear that Islam involves people of different cultures, races, ethnicity and languages. Certainly, I believe that religious commitments will come into come into conflict with demands of politics. I also believe that Islam includes aspect of our lives, such as economic and culture. However, religious support politics in so many ways in United States.

I agree with your idea about the religious commitments. In my perspective, some individuals will always use certain religion and applied into some situation that good or worse. We and all others should respect everyone religious belief and we definitely should educate ourselves before judging others.

I believe cultural diversity is great in society, its always good to have people of different culture and different backgrounds share their ideas and culture, however with the concept of religion and politics I can only agree to an extent, because although politicians may appeal to religious beliefs and support many concepts of the biblical aspect causing them to abide by the spiritual way; can have an affect on certain ideas such as Religious Pluralism, abortion, same sex marriage etc... Some people in politics tend to mask their religious backgrounds due to excessive criticism, and or wanting to receive support from the things they're against.

In my perspective, the differences between United States pluralism and Europe is that there are more varieties of religious belief in United States and people are free and more willing to try out different religion as they please. while in Europe, there are less choices regarding religion and people are more likely to stick with the religion that they believe in.

The differences between religious pluralism in the United States and Europe is due to the way how each country was to begin with. Pluralism has existed in the US before every another religion started growing. The reason for the growth of another religious is because the US has respectfully allowed it, in terms of the first amendment “free exercise of religion”. However, it doesn’t just mean that immigrants impacted pluralism since there are another factors as well. In Europe pluralism hasn’t been taken well and we due to religious warfare and taken more as a policymaker. The difference account for the status of Islam as a minority religion in both the US and Europe because Muslims have responded to the contemporary challenges of plurality by coexisting among diverse population. The dynamic may be different in places where Islam is the majority religion by the way the religion is engage/practiced as well as the political views that the Muslim countries may have.

Religious pluralism is an attitude towards the existence of different religions co -existing.More differences exist in the U.S since ,the United States is a country that represents democracy which supports pluralism.Individuals in the United States are able to keep their own culture and beliefs ,living in a pluralistic country.In Europe there are many countries that are less democratic ,and as a result less pluralistic.The reason Muslims might be the minority in the USA and in Europe ,might be because the way muslims have responded to pluralism ,being able to co exist and maybe adapt to other religions ,faiths,or ideas.As a result the Muslim religion just like many others might've gotten smaller.In places where Islam is the majority religion ,the religion might be able to effect political views ,political ideas,societal norms etc.

In my opinion on pluralism in the US and Europe. It’s very different starting with how different both countries are with government, economy and diversity. The U.S is a little more open with all types of religion especially that the U.S isn’t so judgmental in who wants to believe in what religion. In Europe it would be the opposite in my opinion as to not being so open to what who believes in.

In my opinion Religious Pluralism does the job of explaining that people have a tendency to be religious sometimes from default. Most religious traditions have the capacity to transform the lives of its followers by engaging with diversity. I Agree to a certain extent. The United States is a diverse country that offers a variety of religions that people follow such as Christianity,Judaism and Islam etc. Christianity which tends to be the largest religion, Islam is a minority religion. Both the United States and Europe have a history of prejudice toward the Muslim population. Islam and Christianity being the worlds two largest religions have their differences which has ultimately divided the two religious groups.