Religious Inequality in America - Essay Example

Religious Inequality in America The American way of life, for a very long time has considered Christianity as the most acceptable and thus branding it a national faith. However, it is very clear as provided in the constitution, everyone is entitled to freedom of worship, privacy and choice. Through this, other religions like Hinduism and Buddhism have to be considered. The whole idea already indicates that there is very little or no equality in America. Colonialists from Britain, France and Spain brought in the Christian faith, which outshined the Hinduism among the Red Indians. Christian followers increased in number through diversification of churches that broke away from the mother church; Catholic and Anglican, which saw the rise of Protestant churches. Ideally, all these religions have a strong belief in an almighty being; God. However, the written scriptures that guide each religion, the practices, life style and language used gives rises to inequality. Racism prevails in America, and any efforts to cover it up already indicate the urge to promote inequality. Due to the established negative attitudes towards Indians who practice Hinduism and Japanese and Chinese who practice Buddhism, it has increasingly become difficult for people who practice Christianity to openly associate with them. In real sense, human beings are all different. However, it is ethically wrong to use it as a basis to deny people equal opportunities. Evidently, marriage has proved the existence of inequality in American religions. According to the American Religious Identification Survey of 2001, though acknowledging an increase in inter-faith marriages, it is clear that those who engage in such marriages are three times more likely to be divorced as compared to their counterparts in same-religion marriages. This is a clear indicator of why inequality cannot end. It is because there is a always a high chance of either religion to reject because of religious beliefs and relations that exist between them. It is much easy for a Chinese-American to marry Japanese because they share same beliefs in religion. This stereotype is basically from the way parents raise their kids. Depending on the religion, they make sure their children adhere to all the guidelines and core principles. Actually, should an inter-religion marriage be a success, it is always advisable for couples to consider not having children. This can help escape the risk of polluting the innocent minds of children who have little knowledge on what is right and wrong. Marriages have been a pillar in the existence of religious inequality (David Barrett et al pp. 102). While people from different religions meet and happily themselves out, the differences in expectations vested in marriage prevent them from committing themselves fully into such issue. While the US constitution allows religious events through the freedom to worship, it has perpetuated religious inequality through negligence of the religious dimension. World conflicts rely heavily on the degree and speed at which religious groups strive to make peace. However, even a superpower like America has one of the worst systems that can handle religious problems. In1988, the Congress came up with an Act that saw the establishment of both Office of Religious Freedom and the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. Through the establishment of these bodies, it indicates that the America values religious freedom however, it promotes religious inequality but neglects religious conflicts and efforts towards peacekeeping. The Center for Strategic and International Studies came up with a report in 2007 in which it echoed the issue on negligence by the U.S. Government. In the report, it was evident that the government has got poorly spelt out approaches in handling religious issues. It is because the government assumes religion is a cultural issue and those in charge of such dockets lack expertise (13). By understanding how religions are motivated, it can be easy for the government to interpret them in a political scenario. In June 2007, Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa, the president of the United Nations General Assembly made a good suggestion in which he stated that dialogue between civilization and religions prove to be the best political instrument through which nations can realize peace and stability. Why is it that some of the religious groups co-exist peacefully while others widen the rift through increased violence? (Woolf & Hulsizer pp. 31). Leaders are the number one catalysts since they design and execute inter-religious violence. To promote this kind of violence by withdrawing the rights that a target group once enjoyed. Through this psychological game, the target group is left with very little efforts in resisting the violence. To achieve this, leaders adhere to a series of stages: stigmatization, dehumanization, moral exclusion, and impunity. The dominant group develops stereotypes and negative thinking about the target groups. For this reason, it is evident in movies and other media platforms. There is real inequality through the way characters are distributed in the movie. Hindus and Buddha faithful are given stereotypic roles while Christians are awarded major roles. Through their small roles, movies paint Hinduism and Buddhism religions in a sarcastic way with the aim of discouraging viewers never to be part of the religion. This, in a unique way humiliates and makes them susceptible to negativity. It will be nice to use a worldwide example to further illustrate how leaders frustrate some religious groups. During the famous World War II, Adolf Hitler had a mission to clear off the Jews population. It is clear that he did not begin off with genocide. In a clever way, he organized the attacks against Jews for instance through one-day strike against Jewish businesses before implementing laws that worked against Jews. It is interesting that Germans never reacted in a negative way. Evidently, religious inequality is perpetuated through incomplete teaching on reciprocity. As expected, all religions have guidelines on ethic of reciprocity. In simple terms, it is referred to as the Golden Rule. Even though the wordings are different, the message is meant to be the same. For instance, the most common teaching in religion is, people should treat others in a manner they could wish be treated. However, it is unfortunate that the Golden Rule, as portrayed by individual religions, is interpreted in a manner that favors, or only meant for people in a common religion. In most cases, it is an ideology that sprouts from a consideration where on religious group is seen as less important. Later on, things worsen into physical abuses, discrimination, and even violence. Christians in America have always considered Hindus and Buddha as people who have no sense of direction. This is because these two religions have so much belief in gods, statues, and other ungodly things. Since the faithful are mostly Indians, Chinese, Japanese and Koreans, Americans extent the hatred by turning it into racial discrimination. They make them feel less important, not because of their religion, but because of how they appear physically, how they dress and how they lead their normal lives. Attitude of exclusivity is a major contributor to religious inequality. As explained above, the Golden Rule is meant to promote ethical considerations in religions (Hicks 76). However, Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism all have different teachings. Each of them encourages their followers to see their particular religion as the true religion, and that the true knowledge about the true God is vested in them. In real sense, it is an indicator that the remaining religious groups worship a false god. Christianity for example, makes followers believe that other religions that do not acknowledge Jesus Christ, do not have an accurate account on the existence of God. This makes them perceive Hinduism and Buddhism as religions who worship either Satan or other ungodly beings. This brings in the concept of dualistic thinking; in which people perceive the world as a place controlled by good and evil forces. Through this thinking, Christianity is regarded as the true religion and thus Christians consider themselves as being on the good side while Hindus and Buddha are on the evil side. However, such superstitions are as a result of little knowledge on religion and race. It is very difficult to bring equality in religion especially in America. This is because it is has become part of everyone to link religion and nationalism. On most occasions, the former president George H.W. Bush denied foreigners who had no belief in the existence God a chance to be American citizens. Americans have a common misconception in which they generalize conclusions. For instance, all Chinese, Japanese and Koreans practice Buddhism while all Indians practice Hinduism. This comes in mind whenever a person of such racial background is in the midst of Americans. Already, it becomes difficult to give equal opportunities to such people because of stigmatizations surrounding their religions. However, this generalization sprouts from racial discrimination thus heightening inequality for no good reason. Though not part of discussion, it is important to use it as an example to drive the point home. Since the 9/11 attack, Americans have generalized their thinking about Muslims. Therefore, anyone with an Arabic origin is a terrorist, thief, or ill-mannered person. This is because the bombing was carried out by Islamic groups. The existence of hell. Most religions conquer to the fact that God, a sole creator of everything brings judgment. Most pre-dominantly in Christianity, it is believed there is Heaven and hell. Sinners will therefore be sent to face hell fire while the saved ones will enjoy everlasting peace in heaven. It is believed that Jesus saved humankind by accepting to be crucified on the cross and that by accepting Him as a personal savior, Christians are saved from hell. Since Buddhism and Hinduism do not show any belief in Jesus Christ and salvation, they are always termed as sinners who have effused to be saved. Since hell is meant for sinners, it is assumed that all other religions that do not accept Jesus as their personal savior will be sent to hell. Inequality is therefore evident in circumstances where Christians refuse to interact with Hindus and Buddha because they are sinners. The assumption is, if God does not associate Himself with sin, then, as Christians, it is equally important to dissociate from sinners in order to be close to God at all times. Religions hold different beliefs of a life after death. Christians believe that the dead will rise to meet their savior. Hindus and Buddha believe that the righteous will join their families in eternal world and bring peace to the living. This means that those who will be saved when the trumpet will be blown will be joined with their families and enjoy eternal peace in heaven. However, sinners and non-believers will remain on earth to experience the biggest mass slaughter. Top-down vs. bottom-up religions. Top-down religion is based on the fact that God reveals things to people through prophets while bottom-down is where humans, in their own way struggle to understand God. On most occasions, it is considered that top-down kind of faith is the true one. This is because God reveals Himself to people through Holy books and prophets. It is an indicator on truth since the messages depict the real situations as seen in the Christian context. However, religions which practice bottom-up kind of faith are termed as lost because they are limited by cultural factors, little knowledge, and beliefs. This makes Christians to show little tolerance on other religions because they do not have God’s revelation in them. Conclusion Religious inequality is something real in America, just like racial discrimination. While everyone is trying to end the persistent gender and racial inequality, religion seems forgotten yet it determines how effective the fight might be. Christians, having considered their religion as the true religion, it is very difficult for them, in a human away to give room and toerate other religions like Hinduism and Buddhism. This is because they term such believers as sinners who will never get access to the most glorified Heavens. To bring an end to such inequality depends on how effective religious and political leaders relate. People from different religions should be encouraged to embrace each other and maintain peace. This entails providing them with knowledge so that they understand how each religion. Just as the constitution gives people freedom of worship, it is important for people, in themselves to promote this freedom by ending religious inequality. Works cited David Barrett et al, "World Christian Encyclopedia: A comparative survey of churches and religions - AD 30 to 2200," New York: Oxford University Press. 2001. Print. Hicks, Douglas A. Inequality and Christian Ethics. Vol. 16. Cambridge University Press, 2000. United Nations press release, June 13, 2007. Woolf, L., M.,& Hulsizer, M., R. Intra- and Inter-Religious Hate and Violence: A Psychosocial Model. Journal of Hate Studies. 2.1(2010): 1-47. Read More