Religion has taken significant transformation throughout the history of mankind. The world is currently accommodating more than 20 religious doctrines with diverse believes and practices. Religion can as well be juxtaposed with a culture which keeps on changing over time. There is a sense in which the continued multiplication of many religious affiliations has affected the trajectory in which religion is generally taking. The paper focuses on the effects associated with multiple religions on religion and religious oppression.
Pluralism defined
In relation to religion, pluralism can be described as the act of celebrating, learning and accommodating all religious believes without prejudice (Chaves " Gorski 2011). It is the capacity of acknowledging and accepting that all religions are the same, viable, important and that they all facilitate worshipping of one God. In other words, it can be defined as the integration of many religions into one by accepting their existence and accommodating the diverse perspectives that coexist. It advocates for tolerating other religions and learning their ways but does not constitute subscribing to them. The United States is one nation with multiple religions but that does not affect controversy and mayhem amongst the religious groups.
Religion
There is a sense in which pluralism has enhanced harmony and unity, in the sense that all religions have been accommodated. Religion is a commitment to the worshipping of a supreme being, and that is what all religions no matter how different they conduct their affairs are subscribed to (Silk 2011). Christians may not conduct their business as Muslims does, but there is a unifying factor in the sense that the two religions worship the same God.
Religious Oppression
Historical moments of torture and persecution of individuals on the basis of their religious affiliation is still fresh in the minds of many. It can be affirmed that a lot of people have lost their lives not through natural calamities or diseases but via religious conflicts. There is the manner in which due to pluralism, some people perpetuate the killing, dehumanization, and persecution of others only because they belong to a different religion. United States Religious Knowledge Survey did a research and found that the conflict between Muslims and Christians has led to the establishment of a great rift of hatred and intolerance (Silk 2011). Pluralism has benefits and drawback as well.
Support of the Pluralism Statement
Pluralism indeed remains the greatest philosophical ideal in the current 20th Century (Chaves " Gorski 2011). Christians and Muslims worship one God whereas the Hindus worship a multiple of gods but we seem to have accepted and respected that. India is among the largest religious nation with more than 10 religions including Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, and Sikhism among others and each religious group operates independently protecting into culture and identity. Pluralism has been fully accepted and accommodated in the world. Gone are the historical periods where one or two religions did exist. There is the freedom of worship in all the nations which is documented in law books and this gives every person the freedom and mandate to worship anytime, anyplace and in whatever religion (Chaves " Gorski 2011).
Conclusion.
Pluralism appears a unifying factor. It has brought a lot of controversies and conflicts but generally, it has contributed to global unity, love, and harmony. There is nothing that promotes unity and harmony than the freedom to do something. Pluralism has taught us to accommodate, recognize, learn and respect other religions even if we do not belong to them, and that has really enhanced unity. There has been little clashes and conflicts between Christians and Muslims, especially in the Middle East. Much of it has been governed by hatred and competition on whose god is superior or whose procedure of worship is valid. Pluralism should be used to unify everyone and not to divide us.
References
Chaves, M., " Gorski, P. S. (2011). Religious pluralism and religious participation. Annual
review of sociology, 27(1), 261-281.
Silk, M. (2012). Defining religious pluralism in America: A regional analysis. The
ANNALS of the American academy of political and social science, 612(1), 62-81.
