Dem and New Rel Plu Cap 12

T.
BANCHOFF, Edited by, DEMOCRACY AND THE NEW RELIGIOUS

PLURALISM, Oxford University Press, 2007.
12 Ameri!n "e#i$io%s P#%r!#ism
Civi !nd T&eo#o$i!# 'iso%rse
'i!n! (. E)

*n t&e +!st forty ye!rs, sine t&e +!ss!$e of t&e ,-./ *mmi$r!tion !nd N!tion!#ities At, ne0
immi$r!nts &!ve !rrived in t&e United 1t!tes from !## over t&e 0or#d, t&e #!r$est $ro%+s omin$
from v!rio%s +!rts of Asi! !nd (!tin Ameri!. T&ey &!ve bro%$&t not on#y t&eir eonomi !mbitions
!nd dre!ms, b%t t&eir B&!$!v!d 2it!s !nd 3%r4!ns !nd t&eir devotion to t&e Bod&is!ttv! 5%!n6yin
!nd t&e 7ir$in of 2%!d!#%+e. Over t&e +!st forty ye!rs, t&ey &!ve b%i#t mos8%es !nd *s#!mi enters,
Hind%, 9!in, !nd B%dd&ist tem+#es, 1i)& $%rd0!r!s, His+!ni !nd 7ietn!mese &%r&es. T&ey &!ve
$iven %s ! ne0 !nd more om+#ex re#i$io%s Ameri!, in 0&i& t&e iss%es of re#i$io%s +#%r!#ism !re
more im+ort!nt t&!n ever, es+ei!##y !s t&ey re#!te to o%r onstit%tion!# demor!y.
T&ese immi$r!nts &!ve ne$oti!ted ne0 !nd m%#ti+#e identities in t&e Ameri!n ontext. T&ey &!ve
disovered t&e #ever!$e of re#i$ion !nd re#i$io%s or$!ni:!tions in Ameri!n ivi# soiety !nd &!ve
be$%n to re!te t&eir o0n or$!ni:!tion!# infr!str%t%re to exerise t&eir inf#%ene. And some of
t&ese immi$r!nts, to be s%re, 0o%#d !#so desribe t&emse#ves !s t&oro%$&#y se%#!r. 1ome &!ve &!d
8%ite eno%$& of t&e domin!ne, even t&e o++ression, of re#i$ion in t&eir &ome o%ntries; t&ey !re
re#ieved to be in ! soiety t&!t reo$ni:es not on#y t&e freedom of re#i$ion, b%t t&e freedom not to be
re#i$io%s, s&o%#d t&ey so &oose. T&ese ne0 immi$r!nts &!ve m!de Ameri!4s et&ni !nd r!i!#
om+osition more om+#ex !nd v!ried, even !s t&ey &!ve m!$nified t&e re!#ity of Ameri!4s
re#i$io%s diversity.
end +.2<=
P"*NTE' F"O> O?FO"' 1CHO(A"1H*P ON(*NE @000.oxfords&o#!rs&i+.omA
B Co+yri$&t Oxford University Press, 200=62007. A## "i$&ts "eserved
T&e Conto%rs of "e#i$io%s 'iversity
"e#i$io%s diversity &!s !#0!ys been !n Ameri!n re!#ity. T&ere 0!s ! v!st, text%red +#%r!#ism
!#re!dy &ere in t&e m%#tiform #ife0!ys of t&e N!tive Peo+#es, even before t&e E%ro+e!n sett#ers
!me to t&ese s&ores. T&ose 0&o !me !ross t&e At#!nti &!d diverse re#i$io%s tr!ditionsC1+!nis&
!nd Fren& C!t&o#is, Britis& An$#i!ns !nd 3%!)ers, 1e+&!rdi 9e0s, !nd '%t& "eform
C&risti!ns. T&is diversity bro!dened over t&e o%rse of t&ree &%ndred ye!rs of sett#ement. T&e
nonest!b#is&ment of re#i$ion in t&e Ameri!n Constit%tion m!de re#i$io%s omm%nities vo#%nt!risti
$ro%+s 0it&o%t st!te s%++ort, !nd t&is, in t%rn, $!ve rise to !n entre+rene%ri!# re#i$io%s ener$y t&!t
+rod%ed Ameri!n denomin!tion!#ism, 0it& its do:ens of forms of B!+tists !nd Presbyteri!ns. As
for e!r#y evidene of *s#!m in Ameri!, it is estim!ted t&!t of t&e Afri!ns !+tives bro%$&t to t&ese
s&ores from Dest Afri! 0it& t&e s#!ve tr!de in t&e ei$&teent& !nd nineteent& ent%ries 0e## over
,0E 0ere >%s#ims.
,
T&e C&inese !nd 9!+!nese 0&o !me to see) t&eir fort%ne in t&e mines !nd
fie#ds of t&e 0est in t&e nineteent& ent%ry bro%$&t B%dd&ist, T!oist, !nd Conf%i!n tr!ditions 0it&
t&em. E!stern E%ro+e!n 9e0s !nd *ris& !nd *t!#i!n C!t&o#is !#so !rrived in fore in t&e nineteent&
ent%ry, !nd bot& C&risti!n !nd >%s#im immi$r!nts !me from t&e >idd#e E!st. P%nF!bis from
nort&0est *ndi! !me in t&e first de!de of t&e t0entiet& ent%ry, most of t&em 1i)&s 0&o
event%!##y sett#ed in t&e *m+eri!# !nd Centr!# 7!##eys of C!#iforni!. 1o re#i$io%s diversity is not ne0
to Ameri!, b%t t&e so+e !nd extent of t&is diversity &!s ex+!nded onsider!b#y in t&e +!st forty
ye!rs.
,
T&e P#%r!#ism ProFet, b!sed !t H!rv!rd University, &!s been do%mentin$ t&is ne0 re#i$io%s
Ameri! for over ! de!de no0. T&e tr!nsform!tion of t&e re#i$io%s #!nds!+e &!s been $r!d%!# !nd
in m!ny 0!ys invisib#e. T&e 0or) of t&e P#%r!#ism ProFet &!s been to !st t&e #i$&t of st%dy !nd
!ttention on m!ny omm%nities t&!t &!ve s!re#y been notied in t&eir o0n ities !nd to0ns. T&e
Hind% tem+#e mi$&t be in ! former onveniene store in 1%nnyv!#e, C!#iforni!, or in ! former
&%r& !t t&e orner of Po#) !nd Pine in >inne!+o#is. T&e mos8%e mi$&t be in ! former U6H!%#
offie in P!0t%)et, "&ode *s#!nd, in ! $ymn!si%m in O)#!&om! City, in ! tr!nsformed bo0#in$
!##ey in H!rtford, in ! former 1%+er Ei$&t >ote# in F#o0er >o%nd, Tex!s, or in ! former om+%ter
re+!ir om+!ny in Co#&ester, 7ermont. For t&e most +!rt, one o%#d drive ri$&t by t&ese enters
!nd not notie !nyt&in$ ne0 !t !##. A t0o6!r $!r!$e in C#!remont, C!#iforni!, be!me ! 7ietn!mese
B%dd&ist tem+#e. T&e sim+#e &ome #oo)s #i)e every ot&er &o%se on t&e street, !t #e!st %nti# 1%nd!ys
0&en &%ndreds of +eo+#e $!t&er in t&e drive0!y !nd t&e $!r!$e door $oes %+, reve!#in$ !n e#!bor!te
!#t!r 0it& its im!$es of t&e B%dd&!.
D&i#e m%& of t&e tr!nsform!tion is invisib#e, t&ese omm%nities !re !#so ex+!ndin$ t&eir visib#e
+resene, bot& t&ro%$& t&eir re#i$io%s enters !nd t&ro%$& t&eir +!rtii+!tion in +%b#i !ff!irs. (i)e
m!ny immi$r!nt omm%nities in t&e +!st, ne0 immi$r!nts &!ve +#!ed ! symbo#i v!#%e on re!tin$
t&e )ind of #!ndm!r) enters t&!t en%ni!te t&eir +resene. Here 0e mi$&t #oo) to
end +.2<<
t&e first m!For Hind% tem+#es, b%i#t in t&e #!te ,-70s in Pittsb%r$& !nd in F#%s&in$, 3%eens. T&e
s%bse8%ent de!des &!ve seen t&e rise of ne0 !nd s+et!%#!r Hind% tem+#es in s%& +#!es !s
(!n&!m, >!ry#!nd, At#!nt!, !nd N!s&vi##e. T&e ne0 B%dd&ist #!nds!+e in#%des &%$e tem+#e
om+#exes, s%& !s t&e Hsi (!i Tem+#e in H!iend! Hei$&ts, C!#iforni!, t&e C&%!n$ Gen >on!stery
nort& of Ne0 Gor) City, 7ietn!mese tem+#es in Or!n$e Co%nty, C!mbodi!n mon!steries in r%r!#
>innesot! !nd s%b%rb!n >!ry#!nd, !nd T&!i tem+#es in P&oenix !nd Nort& Ho##y0ood. D&i#e
s%rveyin$ t&e ne0 >%s#im #!nds!+e, 0e 0o%#d see #!ndm!r) mos8%es in s%& +#!es !s C#eve#!nd
!nd To#edo, Ho%ston !nd '!##!s, >i!mi !nd 1e!tt#e. 1i)&s &!ve b%i#t stri)in$ $o#d6domed
$%rd0!r!s from Fremont, C!#iforni!, to '%r&!m, Nort& C!ro#in!. A## of t&ese ne0 b%i#din$ +roFets
&!ve, ye!r %+on ye!r for some t&irty ye!rs no0, !dded ! %m%#!tive om+#exity to Ameri!4s
re#i$io%s #!nds!+e !nd r!ised t&e +rofi#e of non69%deo6C&risti!n tr!ditions in Ameri!.
'o%mentin$ t&eir +reseneCby t&e t&o%s!ndsC!nd reordin$ t&eir &istories &!s been +!rt of t&e
0or) of t&e P#%r!#ism ProFet. D&en t&e first6ever Hind% tem+#e is b%i#t from t&e $ro%nd %+ in t&e
st!te of 'e#!0!re, t&is is of some si$nifi!ne bot& for t&e &istory of 'e#!0!re !nd t&e &istory of
Hind%ism. 1omeone in t&e 0or#d of s&o#!rs&i+ s&o%#d be +!yin$ !ttention, !nd in m!ny !ses t&!t
somebody &!s been ! P#%r!#ism ProFet st%dent rese!r&er.
En$!$in$ 'iversityH "e#i$io%s P#%r!#ism
'iversity !nd +#%r!#ism !re not synonyms, !nd +#%r!#ism is not F%st t&e reo$nition of diversity.
P#%r!#ism is ! res+onse to diversity, !n en$!$ement 0it& diversity. T&ere !re ert!in#y ot&er
res+onses to diversity. Ex#%sion is !not&er res+onse, !nd indeed ex#%sion 0!s t&e intent !nd
+%r+ose of Ameri!n #e$is#!tion re$!rdin$ immi$r!tion from Asi!, be$innin$ 0it& t&e ,II2 C&inese
Ex#%sion At !nd ontin%in$ dee+ into t&e t0entiet& ent%ry. Ex#%sion si$n!#s !n in!bi#ity or
%n0i##in$ness to reo$ni:e or en$!$e t&e re#i$io%s or %#t%r!# ot&er !t !##. *n#%sion is !not&er
res+onse to diversityH 0!ntin$ t&e re#i$io%s or %#t%r!# ot&er to be in#%ded %nder t&e %mbre##! of
one4s o0n 0or#d, on one4s o0n terms, in one4s o0n #!n$%!$e, in t&e str%t%res !#re!dy m!deCby %s.
Bein$ in#%sive &!s m%& merit, b%t it sto+s s&ort of effetive !$eny for t&e in#%ded. 1ynretism
is !#so ! 0!y of de!#in$ 0it& diversity, see)in$ to f%se differene into ! ne0 re!tion. P#%r!#ism,
&o0ever, is not !bo%t me#tin$ or red%in$ differenes or f%sin$ t&em into ! synretism. P#%r!#ism is
!bo%t t&e inte$rity !nd t&e eno%nter of diversity !nd differene. P#%r!#ism does not re8%ire t&e
s&eddin$ of distintive %#t%r!#, re#i$io%s, or +o#iti!# differenes, b%t is t&e effort to re!te ! soiety
in !nd o%t of !## t&ese differenes. T&%s, t&e !n!#ysis of t&e +ro$ress of re!# +#%r!#ism needs to $o
2
beyond m!++in$ t&e ne0 onto%rs of o%r re#i$io%s #ife, beyond t&e st%dy of +!rti%#!r enters !nd
t&e omm%nities t&ey re+resent, to investi$!tin$ t&e 0!ys in 0&i& ne0 re#i$io%s omm%nities &!ve
been !tive#y en$!$ed in t&e +roesses of Ameri!n soiety.
end +.2</
T&e deve#o+ment of instr%ments of +!rtii+!tion in +%b#i #ife is ert!in#y one $!%$e of !n emer$in$
+#%r!#ism. '%rin$ t&e ,--0s, Ameri!n >%s#ims deve#o+ed m%#ti+#e or$!ni:!tions, !imed !t
f!i#it!tin$ t&eir invo#vement 0it& Ameri!n soiety. T&e *s#!mi 1oiety of Nort& Ameri! is !
bro!d n!tion0ide net0or) b!sed in P#!infie#d, *ndi!n!, 0it& !nn%!# onferenes of some forty
t&o%s!nd +!rtii+!nts, in#%din$ +ro$r!ms for men !nd 0omen, yo%t& !nd st%dents, ed%!tors !nd
!tivists. T&e >%s#im P%b#i Aff!irs Co%ni# desribes its mission !s J0or)in$ for t&e ivi# ri$&ts of
Ameri!n >%s#ims, for t&e inte$r!tion of *s#!m into Ameri!n +#%r!#ism, !nd for ! +ositive,
onstr%tive re#!tions&i+ bet0een Ameri!n >%s#ims !nd t&eir re+resent!tives.K T&e Co%ni# on
Ameri!n *s#!mi "e#!tions @CA*"A is t&e #e!din$ fore res+ondin$ to iss%es of disrimin!tion !nd
ivi# ri$&ts vio#!tions of >%s#ims !nd r!isin$ ! voie on ontin%in$ iss%es of r!i!# !nd re#i$io%s
+rofi#in$.
T&e emer$ene of CA*" is !n ex!m+#e of t&e ir%mst!nes t&!t s&!+e or$!ni:!tion!# &istories. *t
0!s ! re#!tive#y ne0 >%s#im 0!t&do$ or$!ni:!tion, 0&en t&e bombin$ of t&e >%rr!& Feder!#
B%i#din$ in O)#!&om! City too) +#!e on A+ri# ,-, ,--/. For more t&!n ! de!de, Ameri!n
>%s#ims, in#%din$ t&ose 0&o fo%nded CA*", &!d 0or)ed &!rd to dis+e# t&e stereoty+es !ssoi!tin$
t&em, one !nd !##, 0it& bro!d6stro)e im!$es of vio#ene. Get t&ose im!$es 0ere +%t into +#!y !#most
immedi!te#y !fter t&e O)#!&om! City bombin$, d%e, in +!rt, to t&e !ss%m+tion t&!t t&e bombin$ 0!s
#in)ed to J>idd#e E!sternL#oo)in$K men seen in t&e viinity. >%s#im omm%nities in O)#!&om!
!nd !## over Ameri! fe#t ! b!)#!s& of &!r!ssmentCt&re!tenin$ +&one !##s, bro)en 0indo0s,
drive6by s&ootin$s, !nd te#e+&oned bomb t&re!ts. >%s#im st%dents 0ere !ss!%#ted on !m+%s, !
f!)e bomb 0!s t&ro0n !t ! >%s#im d!y6!re f!i#ity, !nd individ%!# >%s#ims re+orted ! $re!t
inre!se in &!r!ssment by o0or)ers !nd in +%b#i. >!ny >%s#im 0omen 0ere !fr!id to !++e!r in
+%b#i 0e!rin$ *s#!mi dress.
*n >!y ,--/, CA*" re#e!sed ! re+ort, det!i#in$ more t&!n t0o &%ndred inidents of !nti6>%s#im
t&re!ts, &!r!ssment, !nd +ro+erty d!m!$e, re+orted in t&e immedi!te 0!)e of t&e O)#!&om! City
bombin$.
2
*t 0!s t&e first of 0&!t be!me +eriodi !nd no06!nn%!# CA*" re+orts.
T&e !fterm!t& of 1e+tember ,,, 200,, dr!m!ti!##y !m+#ified t&e im+ort!ne of CA*" !s ! n!tion!#
0!t&do$ or$!ni:!tion for >%s#im 0e##6bein$. *ts 0eb6b!sed reso%res +rovide ! 0!y of re+ortin$
inidents of &!r!ssment or vio#ene !nd s%$$est !tion res+onses on m!For iss%es. *ts !dvo!y
net0or) Foins 0it& m!ny ot&er ivi# ri$&ts $ro%+s in re+ortin$ ivi# ri$&ts !b%ses. T&e CA*" re+ort
re#e!sed in 9%#y 200= do%mented ! <=E inre!se in om+#!ints d%rin$ 2002H
T&ese inidents in#%ded t&e termin!tion or deni!# of em+#oyment be!%se of re#i$io%s !++e!r!ne;
t&e ref%s!# to !ommod!te re#i$io%s +r!ties in t&e 0or)+#!e, s&oo#s, !nd +risons; t&e sin$#in$
o%t of individ%!#s !t !ir+orts be!%se of t&eir distint n!mes, !++e!r!nes, !nd tr!ve# destin!tion; t&e
detention or interro$!tion of >%s#ims by feder!# !nd #o!# !%t&orities b!sed on +rofi#in$ riteri!;
!nd t&e deni!#
end +.2<.
of servies or !ess to +%b#i !ommod!tion f!i#ities be!%se of re#i$io%s or et&ni identity. A##
of t&ese ex+erienes &!ve ommon e#ements of settin$ re#i$io%s !nd et&ni fe!t%res of >%s#im #ife
or >%s#im re#i$io%s !nd +o#iti!# vie0s !+!rt from 0&!t is onsidered norm!# !nd !e+t!b#e.
=

T&e exe%tive s%mm!ry of CA*"4s findin$s st!tes ! 0ider +oint #e!r#y !nd sober#yH
'!t! $!t&ered for t&is re+ort demonstr!te t&!t >%s#ims in t&e United 1t!tes !re more !++re&ensive
t&!n ever !bo%t disrimin!tion !nd into#er!ne. U.1. $overnment !tions !fter 1e+tember ,,, 200,,
!#one im+!ted more t&!n .0,000 individ%!#s. >%s#ims &!ve &!r$ed t&!t t&e $overnment4s !tions
=
vio#!ted t&e First !nd Fo%rt& Amendments to t&e U.1. Constit%tion be!%se t&ey in#%ded et&ni!##y
!nd re#i$io%s#y6b!sed interro$!tions, detentions, r!ids, !nd #os%res of &!rities.
<

T&e 1i)& omm%nity &!s !#so been !bo%t t&e b%siness of ed%!tion !nd !dvo!y t&ro%$&o%t t&e
,--0s. *n midde!de t&e 1i)& >edi!0!t& !nd "eso%res T!s)fore 0!s formed to orret mist!)en
!nd dero$!tory im!$es of 1i)&s in t&e medi! !nd to +rovide reso%res to t&e 1i)& omm%nity !nd
t&e +ress. *n 200< t&e $ro%+ &!n$ed its n!me !nd bro!dened its m!nd!te to #e$!# defense. Under its
ne0 n!meCt&e 1i)& Ameri!n (e$!# 'efense !nd Ed%!tion F%ndCit &!s beome !
om+re&ensive so%re for 1i)& !dvo!y in t&e United 1t!tes !nd &!s !ttem+ted to brin$ its identity
!nd !$end! into #ine 0it& ot&er s%& !dvo!y or$!ni:!tions in t&e United 1t!tes.
Es+ei!##y sine -M,,, 1i)& !dvo!y $ro%+s &!ve $!ined +rominene !nd %r$eny. T&e n%mber of
1i)&s &!r!ssed !nd s%bFeted to v!rio%s forms of disrimin!tion es!#!ted 0it& t&e +o+%#!r
onf#!tion of t&e t%rb!n60e!rin$ 1i)&s 0it& t&e t%rb!n60e!rin$ Os!m! bin (!den. *n t&e d!ys
immedi!te#y fo##o0in$ -M,,, ! 1i)& 0!s m%rdered in >es!, Ari:on!, 0&i#e +#!ntin$ f#o0ers !ro%nd
&is C&evron 1t!tion. T&e 1i)& Co!#ition 0!s formed, first in t&e Ne0 Gor) !re!, to t!)e %+ t&e
$ro0in$ n%mbers of iss%es re#!ted to 1i)& ivi# ri$&ts. *n t&e +!st t&ree ye!rs, t&e $ro%+ &!s served
!s !n !dvo!te for 1i)&s 0&o &!ve been &!r!ssed !nd be!ten. *t &!s !ssemb#ed ! te!m of #!0yers
0&o &e#+ 1i)&s 0&o &!ve f!ed disrimin!tion in t&e 0or)+#!e. T&ey &!ve t!)en %+ !ses, s%& !s
t&e #on$6st!ndin$ ontroversy of ! 1i)& 0&o &!s so%$&t +ermission to 0e!r &is t%rb!n !s !n offier
of t&e Ne0 Gor) Tr!nsit A%t&ority. *n t&e 200=L< re+ort of t&e 1i)& Co!#ition, t&e !&ievements t&e
$ro%+ &!s &i$&#i$&ted indi!te ! #eve# of en$!$ement 0it& Ameri!n soiety !nd +roesses t&!t
onstit%te re!# +#%r!#ismH 0or)in$ 0it& s&oo#s to en!b#e 1i)& st%dents to !ttend 0e!rin$ t&e kirpan
!nd t%rb!n, 0or)in$ 0it& em+#oyers to !##o0 ! 1i)& 0om!n to 0e!r &er t%rb!n !t 0or), en$!$in$
0it& t&e Ne0 Gor) Po#ie 'e+!rtment over t&e 8%estion of t%rb!ned offiers, !nd r%nnin$
ed%!tion!# +ro$r!ms for #!0 enforement offiers !nd bi!s offiers in ities !ross t&e o%ntryH
end +.2<7
T&ese !re F%st t&e first ste+s in t&e #on$ Fo%rney for t&e 1i)& omm%nity to be reo$ni:ed !s !
vibr!nt +!rt of Ameri!n #ife. De dre!m of ! 0or#d 0&ere no 1i)& &i#d is b%##ied; t&e saroop N1i)&
dressO is reo$ni:ed !nd res+eted !s t&e +ro%d identity of ! distint re#i$io%s $ro%+; o%r friends !nd
f!mi#y !re free from n!me !##in$, ins%#ts, !nd vio#ene driven by +reF%die; $overnment !$enies
s%++ort !nd eno%r!$e t&e ri$&ts of 1i)&s; !nd no member of soiety !n #!im i$nor!ne of 0&o is
! 1i)& !nd 0&!t v!#%es 0e &o#d de!r.
/

'%rin$ t&e 200< e#etion, P#%r!#ism ProFet rese!r&ers !#so st%died t&e emer$ene of more
0ides+re!d +o#iti!# +!rtii+!tion on t&e +!rt of ne0 re#i$io%s omm%nities.
.
*n 200< t&e >%s#im
Ameri!n T!s)fore on Civi# "i$&ts !nd E#etions 0!s formed to oordin!te t&e 0or) of m!ny
n!tion!# >%s#im or$!ni:!tions, to &o#d to0n6&!## meetin$s on t&e iss%es in t&e e#etion, !nd to
mobi#i:e over fo%r mi##ion >%s#im voters in t&e United 1t!tes. T&e +revio%s ye!r, t&e *nstit%te for
1oi!# Po#iy !nd Underst!ndin$, b!sed in 'etroit, ond%ted ! st%dy of 'etroit >%s#ims 0it&
!stonis&in$ on#%sionsH -=E res+onded t&!t it is im+ort!nt to be invo#ved in omm%nity !nd
+o#iti!# !ff!irs, I7E s!id t&ey +!rtii+!ted in t&e +o#iti!# +roess, !nd .IE s!id t&ey 0ere
re$istered to vote. *n t&e end, in t&e e#etion of 200<, ! m%& &i$&er +erent!$e of >%s#ims voted
for 9o&n 5erry or +er&!+s, more +reise#y, voted !$!inst 2eor$e B%s&, 0&om t&ey +ereived !s
&!vin$ m!de overt%res to0!rd t&e >%s#im omm%nity !nd t&en &!vin$ betr!yed t&e omm%nity, by
t&e +rom%#$!tion of 0&!t 0ere vie0ed !s o++ressive !nd overt#y disrimin!tory me!s%res in t&e
U.1. P!triot At, fo##o0in$ -M,,.
7

1o%t& Asi!n Ameri!ns 0ere !#so !tive in t&e 200< e#etion, 0it& or$!ni:ed !%%ses for bot&
+residenti!# !ndid!tes !nd extensive deb!tes in t&e +!$es of 1o%t& Asi!n ne0s+!+ers, s%& !s India
Abroad. T&e 1i)& Co!#ition &e#d !n JEvery 7ote Co%ntsK drive to brin$ 1i)&s to t&e +o##s. Bobby
9ind!#, ! "e+%b#i!n from (o%isi!n!, 0!s e#eted t&e first 1o%t& Asi!n Con$ressm!n sine 'i#i+
1in$& 1!%nd 0!s e#eted to Con$ress from C!#iforni! in ,-/7. On 1e+tember 200< t&e P#%r!#ism
<
ProFet $!t&ered !t t&e N!tion!# Press C#%b re+resent!tives of n!tion!# 0omen4s or$!ni:!tions, bot&
re#i$io%s !nd se%#!r, t&!t 0ere !tive#y invo#ved in e#etor!# ed%!tion. T&ey in#%ded
re+resent!tives of Protest!nt, C!t&o#i, !nd 9e0is& or$!ni:!tions, !s 0e## !s t&e >%s#im Domen4s
(e!$%e !nd t&e 1i)& Co!#ition. At t&e end of t&e d!y, 1!mmie >os&enber$ s%mmed %+ some of t&e
onerns of t&e members&i+ of t&e N!tion!# Co%ni# of 9e0is& Domen !nd s!0 t&em +resent in t&e
!$end!s of ot&er 0omen4s $ro%+s !s 0e##H JC&i#d!re, 0or)6f!mi#y iss%es, domesti vio#ene,
s&oo# +r!yer !nd vo%&ers, !bortion ri$&ts, $%n ontro#, +e!e in t&e >idd#e E!st, intern!tion!#
f!mi#y +#!nnin$, F%dii!# nomin!tions, !mon$ ot&ersH t&ese !re t&e iss%es t&!t 9e0is& 0omen !re
!bo%t. And it4s stri)in$ t&!t t&ese !re t&ese iss%es t&!t 1i)& 0omen !re !bo%t, t&!t >%s#im 0omen
!re !bo%t, C&risti!n 0omen !re !bo%t, B%dd&ist 0omen !re !bo%t.K
I
T&e m!For 0omen4s
or$!ni:!tions of t&e C&risti!n ri$&t 0ere !#so invited, b%t none e#eted to ome. T&is 0!s s%$$estive
of ! si$nifi!nt divide in t&e Ameri!n e#etor!te,
end +.2<I
not bet0een t&e C&risti!n ri$&t !nd !n emer$in$ C&risti!n #eft, b%t bet0een t&e C&risti!n ri$&t !nd
!n emer$in$ m%#tif!it& o++osition, 0&et&er it !n !%r!te#y be desribed !s J#eftK or not. D&i#e t&e
domin!nt ne0s on t&e re#i$ion front fo##o0in$ t&e 200< e#etion 0!s t&e #o%t of ev!n$e#i!#
C&risti!ns, it m!y 0e## be t&!t t&e #on$6#!stin$ si$nifi!ne of t&e 200< e#etion ye!r 0!s t&e entry
into !tive voter +!rtii+!tion of m!ny re#i$io%s $ro%+s t&!t &!d not been &e!rd from +revio%s#y.
A#on$ 0it& +o#iti!# +!rtii+!tion, servie is !#so ! $!%$e of invo#vement in t&e #!r$er +roFet of
+#%r!#ism. T&e ts%n!mi dis!ster t&!t str%) in #!te 'eember 200< +rovided ! #ens t&ro%$& 0&i& to
vie0 t&e ener$ies of Ameri!4s ne0est immi$r!nts, direted o%t0!rd in +%b#i servie. Asi!n
re#i$io%s omm%nities in t&e United 1t!tes 0ere !mon$ t&e first to res+ond. Ameri!4s first
#!ndm!r) Hind% tem+#e, t&e 1ri 7en)!tes0!r! Tem+#e in Pittsb%r$&, immedi!te#y &e#d ! +r!yer
servie, 0&ere Hind%s dre0 %+on t&e omfort of t&e B&!$!v!d 2it! !t ! time of mo%rnin$. T&ey
0or)ed 0it& t&e T!mi# N!d% Fo%nd!tion of 0estern Pennsy#v!ni!, o##eted tens of t&o%s!nds of
do##!rs, !nd immedi!te#y sent ! de#e$!tion from t&e tem+#e to t&e to0ns in T!mi# N!d% t&ey )ne0
best. Every0&ere Hind% tem+#es s+r!n$ into !tion, from >idd#eto0n, Conneti%t, to At#!nt!.
Disonsin4s bi$$est Hind% tem+#e, in >i#0!%)ee, &e#d ! f%ndr!iser, 0it& s+ei!# +r!yers by
>%s#ims, B%dd&ists, !nd C&risti!ns. And so, too, ! Hind% tem+#e in Om!&! &e#d ! +r!yer servie
t&!t $!t&ered +eo+#e of !## f!it&s to +r!y for t&e #ivin$ !nd t&e de!d. *n t&!t s&o++in$6enter6t%rned6
tem+#e in 1%nnyv!#e, C!#iforni!, Hind%s &e#d ! f%ndr!iser t&!t bro%$&t t&e fo%r 8%!rters of *ndi!
to$et&erCP%nF!bis, 2%F!r!tis, T!mi#s, !nd Ben$!#is. *n Ne0 Gor)4s 2!nes&! Tem+#e in F#%s&in$,
t&e Hind% yo%t& of t&e tem+#e +%##ed to$et&er ! o!#ition of F#%s&in$ yo%t& $ro%+s of every
re#i$io%s tr!dition for ! benefit !rts +erform!ne.
B%dd&ist res+onse 0!s extensive, !nd not on#y !mon$ T&!i !nd 1ri (!n)!n immi$r!nts 0&ose
&ome o%ntries 0ere most immedi!te#y !ffeted. T&e &%$e C&inese Hsi (!i B%dd&ist tem+#e in
H!iend! Hei$&ts, C!#iforni!, s+onsored !n interf!it& servie in t&e +o%ndin$ r!in. *t 0!s !ttended
by m!ny &%ndreds of +eo+#e !nd some P,00,000 0!s r!ised in ! d!y. T&e B%dd&ist tem+#e in
Cryst!# (!)e, *##inois, sent its 1ri (!n)!n mon) &ome 0it& P=0,000 in #o!# don!tions for &is
&ometo0n in 1ri (!n)!. A $ro%+ of 1ri (!n)!n f!mi#ies in >innesot! +#ed$ed to b%i#d t0enty6five
ne0 &omes, ! medi!# #ini, ! s&oo#, !nd !n or+&!n!$e in ! sin$#e to0n in 1ri (!n)!.
>%s#ims 0ere very m%& +!rt of t&e res+onse !s 0e##. T&e >%s#im omm%nity in 1!#t (!)e City
Foined 0it& t&e >ormons to send ! !r$o +#!ne fi##ed 0it& seventy tons of re#ief s%++#ies from Ut!&
to *ndonesi!. One of t&e mos8%es in Co#%mbi!, 1o%t& C!ro#in!, sent don!tions to t&e *ntern!tion!#
"ed Cresent. T&irteen mos8%es in P!#m Be!&, Bro0!rd, !nd >i!mi6'!de o%nties in F#orid!
o##eted P,02,000. On Ne0 H!m+s&ire Aven%e in 1i#ver 1+rin$, #e$end!ry for its #ine%+ of diverse
re#i$io%s omm%nities, t&e >%s#im Comm%nity Center $!t&ered its m!ny nei$&bors for !n interf!it&
+r!yer servie. 1!ffron6robed B%dd&ist mon)s from t&e C!mbodi!n tem+#e do0n t&e street offered
&!nts. 2%F!r!tis, nei$&bors on t&e ot&er side, offered Hind%
/
end +.2<-
+r!yers. 9e0s, Protest!nt C&risti!ns, 7ietn!mese C!t&o#is, !nd U)r!ini!n Ort&odox Foined !s 0e##.
As t&e diretor of t&e >%s#im Comm%nity Center +%t it, JD&en tr!$edy stri)es, it doesn4t
disrimin!te 0it& ert!in )inds of f!it&.K T&e U)r!ini!n Ort&odox +riest s!id, JDe s&o%#d not on#y
0!it for tro%b#ed times to ome to$et&er.K
* s)et& t&is +ortr!it of instit%tions !nd or$!ni:!tions, !tivism, +o#iti!# +!rtii+!tion, !nd soi!#
servie in 0&!t m!y seem ! b#i::!rd of s+eifis, be!%se, for t&e most +!rt, !## t&is $oes %nnotied
in m!instre!m medi!. T&e text%re of Ameri!4s re#i$io%s +#%r!#ism is #o!#. *t is visib#e, b%t %s%!##y
not beyond its o0n #o!#e. 2!t&erin$ it to$et&er in ! +!t&0or) of &%ndreds of #o!# +iees $ives %s
! 0ider, more det!i#ed, !nd more om+#ex +it%re of t&e emer$in$ forms of re#i$io%s +#%r!#ism in
Ameri!. P!rt of t&e 0or) of t&e P#%r!#ism ProFet &!s been to do t!r$eted se!r&es of #o!#,
re$ion!#, !nd et&ni ne0s so%res !nd to om+i#e !n edited reord of J"e#i$io%s 'iversity Ne0s.K
Here one !n see +!tterns not observ!b#e t&ro%$& t&e so#e instr%ment of #!r$e ity ne0s+!+ers. An
interf!it& $ro%+ s+rin$s %+ in 1!#t (!)e City !t t&e time of t&e O#ym+is !nd beomes ! m!For
on$oin$ fore in interre#i$io%s re#!tions; ! ne0 interf!it& initi!tive is #!%n&ed in >em+&is in t&e
0ee)s fo##o0in$ -M,,; !n interf!it& H!bit!t for H%m!nity +roFet is s+onsored by t&e *nterf!it&
Co%ni# of Centr!# O&io; !n interf!it& b#ood drive t!)es +#!e in P#!no, Tex!s. A## t&ese !re
individ%!# stories, b%t m%#ti+#ied by ! &%ndred, t&ey indi!te ! s+irit of brid$e b%i#din$ one mi$&t
not ot&er0ise see. *t is #o!#. As one of t&e P#!no +#!nners +%t it, JDe m!y not be !b#e to brin$
+e!e to t&e >idd#e E!st, b%t 0e s%re !n m!)e ! differene in P#!no if 0e 0or) to$et&er.K
-

>!ny +eo+#e in Ameri! &!ve not ome to terms 0it& !## t&is diversity. Norm!tive C&risti!n
onsio%sness is sti## stron$, !nd, !fter !##, t&e United 1t!tes is more t&!n I0E C&risti!n by se#f6
identifi!tion. >ost estim!tes &!ve >%s#ims !nd 9e0s !bo%t tied !s t&e seond6#!r$est re#i$io%s
tr!dition, e!& &!vin$ !bo%t six mi##ion +eo+#e.
,0
T&is me!ns t&ere !re no0 more >%s#ims t&!n
E+iso+!#i!ns or members of t&e Presbyteri!n C&%r& in t&e U1A. *n !ddition, t&ere !re Ameri!n
B!&!is, Qoro!stri!ns, 9!ins, !nd 1i)&s, 0&ose n%mbers !re not #!r$e b%t 0&ose +resene is
si$nifi!nt. T&ere !re &%ndreds of N!tive trib!# %#t%res !nd #ife0!ys, !s t&e most !nient +!rt of
t&is diverse #!nds!+e. D&i#e it is tr%e t&!t t&e C&risti!n m!Fority m!y f#ex its ev!n$e#i!# stren$t&
in t&e e#etions, it is !#so tr%e t&!t re#i$io%s diversity +resents ! #!r$er &!##en$e to its fore t&!n t&!t
of n%mbers. *t +resents ! onstit%tion!# &!##en$e, for t&e Bi## of "i$&ts is fr!med +reise#y to
+rotet t&e 0e#f!re of t&e sm!##est of minorities, even !nd +er&!+s es+ei!##y, t&ose 0&o do not 0in
e#etions.
D&o Are DeR
Co+in$ 0it& !## t&is diversity !nd 0rest#in$ 0it& t&e en$!$ements of +#%r!#ism &!s t!)en +#!e on
m!ny fronts in t&e +!st de!desH deb!tes in st!te bo!rds of ed%!tion over t&e s&!+e of ! so6!##ed
m%#ti%#t%r!# %rri%#%m; dis+%tes over t&e +%b#i observ!ne of C&ristm!s 0it& !ro#s in t&e +%b#i
s&oo#s or rS&es
end +.2/0
on t&e o%rt&o%se #!0ns; :onin$ ontroversies over t&e b%i#din$ of >%s#im s&oo#s or t&e est&eti
om+#i!ne of $o#d6domed $%rd0!r!s; +%b#i dis+%t!tions over >%s#im or B%dd&ist +r!yers in st!te
#e$is#!t%res. A## in !##, Ameri! &!s been $oin$ t&ro%$& somet&in$ of !n identity risis. 1+e!)in$ to
t&is m!tter, 1!m%e# H%ntin$ton reent#y 0rote ! boo) 0it& t&e tit#e Who Are We Cha!!en"es #o
A$eri%an Na#iona! Iden#i#&. He !r$%es t&!t Ameri! &!s been deisive#y s&!+ed !nd defined by its
ore An$#o6Protest!nt identity !nd t&!t 0e Ameri!ns m%st embr!e t&!t ore identity !nd its v!#%es
#est 0e be$in to disinte$r!te into ! on$#omer!te n!tion, more #i)e E%ro+e t&!n o%rse#ves. *n &is
vie0, it is on#y t&e An$#o6Protest!nt identity t&!t Jtr!nsends o%r s%b6n!tion!# et&ni, re#i$io%s, !nd
r!i!# identities.K
,,

D&!t H%ntin$ton !##s Jt&e Ameri!n CreedK of #iberty, e8%!#ity, demor!y, ivi# ri$&ts,
nondisrimin!tion, !nd t&e r%#e of #!0 is, in &is vie0, JEn$#is& in ori$in, !nd !t its &e!rt Protest!nt.K
.
He !r$%esH JT&e Creed is %n#i)e#y to ret!in its s!#iene if Ameri!ns !b!ndon t&e An$#o6Protest!nt
%#t%re in 0&i& it &!s been rooted. A m%#ti%#t%r!# Ameri! 0i##, in time, beome ! m%#tireed!#
Ameri!, 0it& $ro%+s 0it& different %#t%res es+o%sin$ distintive +o#iti!# v!#%es !nd +rini+#es
rooted in t&eir +!rti%#!r %#t%res.K
,2
T&e boo) is fi##ed 0it& +o##s !nd st!tistis t&!t s%++ort
H%ntin$ton4s onern !bo%t immi$r!tion. He is onvined, fin!##y, t&!t t&e very diversity t&!t J0e
t&e +eo+#eK no0 re+resent !nd t&e very re#i$io%s minorities t&!t t&e P#%r!#ism ProFet st%dies !re !
t&re!t to t&e Ameri!n +o#ity. Not s%r+risin$#y, * dis!$ree 0it& &is +ro$nosis for ! Jm%#tireed!#
Ameri!.K B%t ! more im+ort!nt onern is &is %nderst!ndin$ of diversity itse#f, 0&i& &e
%nderst!nds to be more !n J!$end!K t&!n ! re!#ity. He 0rites of t&e reent de!desH J>!ny e#ite
Ameri!ns 0ere no #on$er onfident of t&e virt%e of t&eir m!instre!m %#t%re !nd inste!d +re!&ed
! dotrine of diversity !nd t&e e8%!# v!#idity of !## %#t%res in Ameri!.K
,=
He s+e!)s of 0&!t &e
!##s t&e J%#ts of diversity !nd m%#ti%#t%r!#ism.K
,<

For t&ose of %s 0&ose 0or) t!)es %s into t&e streets of 3%eens !nd 'etroit !nd into t&e s%b%rbs of
C&i!$o !nd (os An$e#es, it is very #e!r t&!t diversity is not !n ideo#o$y, nor ! %#t of #iber!#
!!demi!, b%t ! very re!#, &!##en$in$ f!t of o%r n!tion!# #ife. >%#ti%#t%r!#ism is not ! dotrine
+re!&ed, b%t ! re!#ity #ivedC#ived in !## t&e +#!es 0&ere 0e ome to$et&er on t&e ommon
$ro%nd of o%r ivi #ife, from +%b#i s&oo#s !nd &os+it!#s to ity o%ni#s !nd :onin$ bo!rds.
2r!++#in$ 0it& t&e me!nin$s of t&is si$nifi!nt ne0 re!#ity !nd t&e +ossibi#ities for s&!+in$ !
vibr!nt demor!ti soiety from !## t&is diversity is s%re#y one of t&e most im+ort!nt &!##en$es of
o%r time. P#%r!#ism does not me!n !b!ndonin$ t&e Ameri!n ommitment to #iberty, e8%!#ity,
demor!y, ivi# ri$&ts, nondisrimin!tion, !nd t&e r%#e of #!0, b%t r!t&er m!)in$ $ood on t&is
ommitment in t&e more om+#ex soiety t&!t is no0 o%rs.
For !## * m!y 0is& to dis+%te 0&!t #ies bet0een t&e overs, t&e tit#e of H%ntin$ton4s boo) is
immense#y im+ort!ntH Who Are We T&e J0eK 8%estion is even more im+ort!nt to iss%es of identity
t&!n t&e J*K 8%estion. A## of %s %se t&!t +o0erf%# t0o6#etter 0ordCJ0e.K B%t 0&om do 0e me!n
0&en 0e s!y J0eKR Obvio%s#y 0e me!n m!ny $ro%+s, #!r$e !nd sm!##, over#!++in$ !nd distintC
&%r&es !nd +o#iti!# +!rties, f!mi#ies, #%bs, !nd ed%!tion!#
end +.2/,
instit%tions. A## +osition %s in different J0eK $ro%+s. 'o 0e me!n 0e C&risti!ns, 0e 9e0s, 0e
>%s#imsR 'o 0e me!n 0e !t H!rv!rd University or 2eor$eto0n UniversityR 'o 0e me!n 0e
s&o#!rs 0&o 0or) on iss%es of om+#ex identitiesR 'o 0e me!n J0e Ameri!ns,K J0e t&e +eo+#eKR
And 0&o is in#%ded, ex#%ded, e#ided in t&e J0eK t&!t 0e %se. *n ! m%#tire#i$io%s soiety, 0e need
to be$in to 0!t& o%r %se of J0eKCes+ei!##y in ivi !nd re#i$io%s settin$s.
(ivin$ more #ose#y in t&e +resene of one !not&er +oses ne0 8%estions for %s !##C!bo%t re#i$ion,
!bo%t re#i$io%s tr%t& #!ims, !bo%t o%r re#!tions&i+ !s +eo+#e of f!it&, !bo%t o%r re#!tions&i+ !s
iti:ens of ! ommon soiety. "e#i$io%s diversity is not sim+#y ! f!t observed, b%t ! f!t
inter+reted. (et %s onsider t0o r&etori!# ontexts, re#!ted !nd yet distint, in 0&i& 0e inter+ret
!## t&is re#i$io%s differene !nd $ive voie to J0eK 8%estions. On one &!nd, 0e Ameri!ns inter+ret
differene in ! ivi ontext !nd in ! ivi voie. On t&e ot&er &!nd, 0e, !s +eo+#e of one f!it& or
!not&er, or even !s nonre#i$io%s +eo+#e, inter+ret re#i$io%s differene 0it& ! re#i$io%s or v!#%e6
fr!med et&i!# voie. De need to distin$%is& 0&!t * 0o%#d !## ! JiviK !nd ! Jt&eo#o$i!#K voie.
De need to )no0 0&i& is 0&i&. *nre!sin$#y, t&e ontroversies of t&e +%b#i s+&ere $ive evidene
of o%r in!bi#ityCor %n0i##in$nessCto distin$%is& bet0een t&e 0!ys in 0&i& 0e voie o%r vie0s
!s +eo+#e of f!it& !nd !s iti:ens. T&e ne0 re#i$io%s diversity of Ameri! &!s reve!#ed +res%m+tions
!nd norm!tive e#ements, #on$ %nm!r)ed in t&e re#!tion of re#i$ion !nd +%b#i #ife.
En$!$in$ re#i$io%s diversity is ! ivi !nd +o#iti!# 8%estion in m!ny n!tions tod!y. Ne0 !nd o#d
m%#tire#i$io%s n!tions s%& !s >!#!ysi!, *ndonesi!, *ndi!, Brit!in, Fr!ne, !nd 2erm!ny &!ve
different onstit%tion!# b!ses on 0&i& to !dF%di!te iss%es of re#i$io%s differene. Get in one 0!y or
!not&er, t&ey &!ve to !ns0er t&e 8%estion of &o0 +eo+#e of v!rio%s tr!ditions of f!it& 0i## re#!te to
7
e!& ot&er !s o6iti:ens of ! ommon n!tion. *s one tr!dition domin!nt, +er&!+s even est!b#is&ed,
!s C&risti!nity in t&e United 5in$dom or *s#!m in >!#!ysi!R *s t&e st!te offii!##y se%#!r, 0it& no
est!b#is&ed re#i$ion, !nd +er&!+s mi#it!nt#y so, !s in Fr!ne, 0&ere &e!ds!rves, y!rm%#)es, !nd
t%rb!ns in t&e +%b#i s+&ere !re seen to be !n !ffront to t&e se%#!r st!teR D&!t !bo%t se%#!r
Ameri!, 0&ere ! te!&er 0&o tried to send ! &i#d &ome from s&oo# for 0e!rin$ ! &e!ds!rf
0o%#d be re+rim!nded or firedR
Ho0ever, t&e inter+ret!tion of re#i$io%s diversity is not on#y ! ivi !nd +o#iti!# 8%estion; it is !#so
! 8%estion of f!it&, ! t&eo#o$i!# 8%estion. *t is !n o#d 8%estion, b%t one 0&i& &!s beome ever
more +ersistent !nd im+ort!nt for +eo+#e of every re#i$io%s tr!dition. 2iven t&e f!t t&!t t&ere !re
obvio%s#y m!ny re#i$io%s tr!ditions, m!ny 0!ys of bein$ re#i$io%s, &o0 do J0eK %nderst!nd,
inter+ret, !nd v!#%e t&e re#i$io%s ot&erR Cr%de#y +%t, !re ot&er re#i$ions !#so tr%eR *s o%r re#i$ion
!#one tr%eR *s no re#i$ion tr%eR T&e 0!y in 0&i& * &!ve +osed t&is 8%estion !#so m!)es #e!r t&!t
even t&ose 0&o !re !rdent !t&eists !nd &!ve no re#i$io%s !ffi#i!tion !#so &!ve !n ideo#o$i!#
inter+ret!tion of re#i$ion !nd t&e diversity of re#i$io%s tr!ditions.
'istin$%is&in$ bet0een t&e r&etori!# !nd soi!# ontexts of o%r t&eo#o$i!# !nd ivi #!n$%!$e,
bet0een t&e s+&eres in 0&i& J0eK en$!$e 8%estions of onern, eit&er !s iti:ens or !s +eo+#e of
f!it&, is essenti!#. *t is not t&!t
end +.2/2
re#i$io%s diso%rse is +riv!te, 0&ere!s ivi diso%rse is +%b#i. "!t&er, bot& re#i$io%s !nd ivi
s+ee& !n be very +%b#i, b%t t&ey !re different. T&ey !re direted to different !%dienes; t&ey
em+#oy ! different r&etori of +ers%!sion; t&ey !re s%bst!nti!ted 0it& different JfootnotesK !nd
!++e!#s to !%t&ority. Bot& !re +reeminent#y onerned 0it& et&is; bot& inre!sin$#y re8%ire
en$!$ement !ross t&e #ines of re#i$io%s differene. T&e J0eK !n Ameri!n +resident s+e!)s !bo%t,
inside 1t. 9o&n4s E+iso+!# C&%r& !ross t&e +!r) from t&e D&ite Ho%se, !nnot be t&e s!me J0eK
&e brin$s to t&e +%b#i !ren!, 0&en &e !ddresses t&e n!tion !s +resident of !## t&e +eo+#e, even t&ose
0&o m!y dis!$ree 0it& &is re#i$io%s vie0s.
T&e s+ee& of +%b#i offii!#s !nd !ndid!tes for +%b#i offie in ! +#%r!#isti demor!y m%st be
Jbrid$in$ s+ee&,K not s+o)en in t&e +!rti%#!r di!#et of ! sin$#e re#i$io%s tr!dition. P%b#i s+ee&
is not !nd s&o%#d not be t&e )ind of s+ee& t&!t one 0o%#d %se in ! +#!e of 0ors&i+ 0it& its
+!rti%#!r omm%nity6oriented symbo#i forms, b%t t&e s+ee& t&!t en!b#es omm%ni!tion 0it&
+eo+#e 0&ose re#i$io%s +res%++ositions m!y be 8%ite different !nd in ! ontext in 0&i& !## !re
e8%!##y iti:ens. T&e referenes !nd t&e Jfootnotes,K so to s+e!), of ivi r&etori s&o%#d not be to
t&e Bib#e, t&e 2%r% 2r!nt& 1!&ib, t&e 3%r4!n, or t&e (eviti!# odes, b%t to t&e oven!nts of
iti:ens&i+ t&!t !re re+resented by st!te !nd feder!# #!0s !nd onstit%tions. T&is does not me!n t&!t
+%b#i offii!#s do not em+#oy re#i$io%s s+ee&, b%t 0&en t&ey do, t&ey s&o%#d ex+#iit#y +osition
t&emse#ves 0it&in t&e re#i$io%s ontextH J1+e!)in$ !s ! C&risti!n, * 0o%#d s!y. ... Get, !s !n e#eted
+%b#i offii!#, * !m +#ed$ed to serve ! onstit%eny of m!ny re#i$ions, !nd not one f!it& !#one.K
D&en 0e or o%r e#eted re+resent!tives move from one voie to !not&er, from ! re#i$io%s to ! ivi
re$ister, 0e m%st be ert!in to %se t&e Jt%rn si$n!#sK t&!t +osition %s in ! ne0 ontext.
"e#i$io%s P#%r!#ismH T&eo#o$i!# Pers+etives
Ameri! is f!mo%s for its overt re#i$iosity, !t #e!st 0&en vie0ed from ! E%ro+e!n +ers+etiveH I0E
of Ameri!ns identify t&emse#ves !s C&risti!ns, !nd .0E identify t&emse#ves !s members of !
&%r& or syn!$o$%e. >!ny s&o#!rs !ttrib%te t&e ener$eti re#i$iosity of Ameri!ns to t&e
vo#%nt!rism t&!t 0!s neessit!ted by t&e disest!b#is&ment of re#i$ion. One of t&e first observers to
ex+ress t&is vie0 0!s t&e Fren&m!n A#exis de To8%evi##e, 0&o to%red Ameri! in t&e ,I20s !nd
disovered, to &is s%r+rise, t&!t severin$ t&e ties bet0een &%r& !nd st!te !t%!##y seemed to m!)e
re#i$ion stron$er, r!t&er t&!n 0e!)er. T&e s+irit of vo#%nt!rism ins+ired intense om+etition in
re#i$ion !nd t&e re!tion of t&e t&ron$ of denomin!tions t&!t &!ve beome ! distintive fe!t%re of
Ameri!n re#i$ion. He 0roteH JT&ere is no o%ntry in t&e 0or#d 0&ere t&e C&risti!n re#i$ion ret!ins
I
! $re!ter inf#%ene over t&e so%#s of men t&!n in Ameri!; !nd t&ere !n be no $re!ter +roof of its
%ti#ity !nd of its onformity to &%m!n n!t%re t&!n t&!t its inf#%ene is +o0erf%##y fe#t over t&e most
en#i$&tened !nd free n!tion of t&e e!rt&.K
,/

end +.2/=
Protest!nt C&risti!ns, 0&i#e s%++ortin$ t&e ide!# of re#i$io%s freedom, ontin%ed to s&!+e t&e vision
of ! JC&risti!n Ameri!K !s !n et&os, even t&o%$& not !n est!b#is&ed re#i$ion. *t 0!s t&ro%$& t&e
vo#%nt!ry ener$ies of t&e &%r&es t&!t ! +res%m+tive#y C&risti!n et&os 0o%#d be est!b#is&ed. As
D!s&in$ton 2#!dden 0rote in ,-0/, JAnd 0&i#e 0e &!ve no desire to see t&e est!b#is&ment of !ny
form of re#i$ion by #!0 in t&is #!nd, most of %s 0o%#d be 0i##in$ to see t&e n!tion in its +%r+oses
!nd +o#iies !nd r%#in$ !ims beomin$ essenti!##y C&risti!n. ... *t m%st be, in s+irit !nd +%r+ose !nd
&!r!ter, ! C&risti!n n!tion.K
,.

Tod!y t&!t +res%m+tion of ! C&risti!n or 9%deo6C&risti!n Ameri! &!s been &!##en$ed by t&e
+resene of m!ny re#i$io%s minorities 0&o !re not sim+#y Jnei$&bors !ro%nd t&e 0or#d,K
eno%ntered in t&e re+orts of &ometo0n mission!ries, b%t #iter!##y nei$&bors !ross t&e street. A
b#o) do0n t&e street from ! United C&%r& of C&rist on$re$!tion in 2!rden 2rove, C!#iforni!, is
t&e (ien Ho! B%dd&ist Tem+#e, t&e &ome of sever!# 7ietn!mese B%dd&ist mon)s !nd ! t&rivin$
on$re$!tion of B%dd&ist #!ity. "i$&t next door to t&e Atonement (%t&er!n C&%r& in 1!n 'ie$o is
t&e ity4s #!r$est *s#!mi enter. *n Fremont in t&e E!st B!y, ! >et&odist C&%r& !nd !n *s#!mi
enter bo%$&t +ro+erty to$et&er, ne$oti!ted e!sements, +%t in ! front!$e ro!d, !nd b%i#t ! ne0
&%r& !nd ! ne0 mos8%e. T&is very +roximity r!ises 8%estions of t&eo#o$i!# inter+ret!tion. From
bot& sides, +eo+#e !s) &o0 t&ey s&o%#d %nderst!nd t&eir nei$&bors, t&eir 0ors&i+, !nd t&eir 0!ys.
T&ese 8%estions re8%ire +eo+#e of e!& f!it& to mine t&e de+t&s of t&eir o0n re#i$io%s tr!ditions !nd
to investi$!te dee+6se!ted !ttit%des to0!rd !nd inter+ret!tions of re#i$io%s differene. Ho0 do J0eK
0&o !re C&risti!n, 9e0is&, Hind%, or >%s#im t&in) !bo%t t&e re#i$io%s ot&erR *t is ! 8%estion t&!t
often s&!des into !nd o#ors ivi ontexts of eno%nter. De often do not reo$ni:e it !s !
t&eo#o$i!# 8%estion !nd mist!)e it for ! ivi 8%estion.
*n >!y 200,, for ex!m+#e, ! >innesot! st!te re+resent!tive +rotested !nd dissented from t&e visit of
t&e '!#!i (!m! to t&e st!te #e$is#!t%re on t&e $ro%nds t&!t B%dd&ism is Jinom+!tib#e 0it&
C&risti!n +rini+#es.K T&is is ! t&eo#o$i!# +oint deservin$ of dis%ssion !nd di!#o$%e, b%t one t&!t
&!s #itt#e to do 0it& t&e '!#!i (!m!4s !ddress to t&e >innesot! st!te #e$is#!t%re. *n ! simi#!r vein, on
>!r& =, 200=, t0o D!s&in$ton st!te #e$is#!tors 0!#)ed o%t of t&e Ho%se &!mber in O#ym+i!,
0&en !n im!m 0!s introd%ed to offer t&e invo!tion of t&e d!y. D&!tever t&eir o0n t&eo#o$i!#
%nderst!ndin$ of *s#!m, t&e im!m4s invo!tion ert!in#y 0o%#d &!ve more to do 0it& t&eir ivi
%nderst!ndin$ of t&e %stom of #e$is#!tive invo!tions in t&e 1t!te of D!s&in$ton. Fin!##y, onsider
t&e s#i++!$e bet0een re#i$io%s !nd ivi ontexts in t&e ontroversy over t&e N!tion!# '!y of Pr!yer
in Troy, >i&i$!n. *n >!r& 200/ t&e #o!# +#!nners of t&e N!tion!# '!y of Pr!yer reeived !
re8%est from ! Hind% 0om!n to +!rtii+!te. After !##, Troy &!s one of t&e m!For 'etroit !re! Hind%
tem+#es, t&e B&!r!tiy! Tem+#e. 1&e 0!s ref%sed. *t be!me evident t&!t t&e s+onsor of t&e N!tion!#
'!y of Pr!yer 0!s ! onserv!tive C&risti!n $ro%+, t&o%$& it &!d $!rnered t&e !++rov!# of t&e m!yor
of Troy !nd t&e event 0!s to t!)e +#!e !t ity &!##. JA#t&o%$& Nt&e N!tion!# '!y of Pr!yer isO o+en
for !## to
end +.2/<
ome, 0e oordin!te o%r o0n s+e!)ers, F%st #i)e !ny ot&er $ro%+ 0o%#d do,K s!id (ori D!$ner, one
of t&e +#!nners. 1&e !dded, JDe !re t&ere to +r!y, not to m!)e ! +o#iti!##y orret dis+#!y of
diversity.K
,7
A$!in, &er rem!r)s !re most !++ro+ri!te#y seen 0it&in t&e ontext of C&risti!n
t&eo#o$i!# ex+ression. And t&e C&risti!n6s+onsored N!tion!# '!y of Pr!yer mi$&t be more
!++ro+ri!te#y !##ed t&e N!tion!# C&risti!n '!y of Pr!yer. *f President B%s& &!d not endorsed t&e
-
n!tion0ide observ!ne !nd if t&e s+onsorin$ $ro%+ &!d not !s)ed t&e m!yor for ! +%b#i ven%e, !##
0o%#d be 0e##. D&en t&e Hind% 0!s ref%sed +!rtii+!tion, t&e m!yor 0it&dre0 &er s%++ort.
*n C&!im Poto)4s nove# A 'ook o( Li"h#s, &is m!in &!r!ter, ! Ne0 Gor) r!bbi, servin$ !s !
&!+#!in in 5ore! d%rin$ t&e 5ore!n D!r, t!)es ! brief &o#id!y to 9!+!n !nd finds &imse#f !t !
B%dd&ist s&rine. He 0!t&es ! m!n st!ndin$ t&ere before t&e !#t!r, &!nds +ressed to$et&er, eyes
#osed, in 0&!t &e !n desribe on#y !s +r!yer. He t%rns to &is om+!nion !nd !s)s, J'o yo% t&in)
o%r 2od is #istenin$RK 1!re#y 0!itin$ for ! res+onse, &e $oes on, J*f not, 0&y notR *f so, 0e##,
0&!t !re )e !## !bo%tRK
T&is, in sim+#e #!n$%!$e, is t&e n!t%re of t&eo#o$i!# 8%estionin$. *t +robes not on#y t&e iss%e of
&o0 0e t&in) !bo%t 2od, b%t !#so &o0 0e re$!rd t&e +erson !nd t&e f!it& of !not&er. *s t&e one
0&om 9e0s or C&risti!ns !## J2od,K t&e m!)er of !## t&!t is in &e!ven !nd on e!rt&, #istenin$ to t&e
+#e!s of t&is m!n 0&o seems to be dee+#y !t +r!yerR *f not, 0&y notR D&!t )ind of 2od 0o%#d t&!t
beR *f so, t&en, 0&!t !re )e !## !bo%t, 0e 0&o &!ve #!imed s%& ! s+ei!# re#!tions&i+ 0it& 2odR
As 0it& every $ood t&eo#o$i!# 8%estion, it interro$!tes more t&!n o%r %nderst!ndin$ of 2od. *t !#so
reve!#s o%r %nderst!ndin$ of t&e J0e.K D&o !re 0eR D&!t !re 0e !## !bo%tR
*n Febr%!ry 200/ * reeived !n em!i# from one of my >%s#im st%dents, ! 0om!n 0&o &!d $ro0n %+
in t&e >%s#im omm%nity in 1t. (o%is, 0&o 0!s $oin$ to >e! on t&e &!FF. J>!y * offer ! +r!yer
for yo% 0&en * !m t&ereRK s&e !s)ed. * 0!s moved !nd res+onded t&!t * 0o%#d be dee+#y &onored to
be +r!yed for t&ere !nd t&!t * 0o%#d !#so offer +r!yers for t&e s%ess of &er +i#$rim!$e. D&!t )ind
of t&eo#o$i!# %nderst!ndin$ %nder$irds t&is ex&!n$eR On t&e ot&er &!nd, 0&!t )ind of t&eo#o$i!#
%nderst!ndin$ %nder$irds t&e re+rim!nd of ! >isso%ri 1ynod (%t&er!n +!stor for offerin$ ! +r!yer
!t G!n)ee 1t!di%m on t&e s!me +#!tform 0it& 9e0s, >%s#ims, !nd Hind%sR D&!t t&eo#o$i!# vie0s
%nder#ie t&e st!tement of ! +rominent former !ttorney $ener!# !nd member of t&e Assemb#ies of
2od C&%r& t&!t J*s#!m is ! re#i$ion 0&ere yo% send yo%r son to die for 2od, b%t C&risti!nity is !
f!it& 0&ere 2od sends &is son to die for yo%.K
,I

*n t&eo#o$i!# terms, t&ere !re m!ny 0!ys of t&in)in$ !bo%t differene. For t&e ex#%sivist, o%r
re#i$io%s tr!dition is tr%e, ex#%sive of ot&ers. O%r 2od sim+#y does not re$!rd t&e +r!yer offered in
!not&er voie. For t&e in#%sivist, o%r re#i$ion is tr%e, in#%sive of ot&ers. Of o%rse, 2od #istens to
t&e +r!yers of ot&ers, b%t it is Jo%r 2odK 0&o does t&e #istenin$. For t&e +#%r!#ist, t&ere is no s%&
2od !s Jo%r 2od.K De m!y +res%me t&!t t&e one 0e !## 2od is #istenin$, b%t 0e do not +res%me
t&!t o%r %nderst!ndin$ of 2od is om+#ete or enir#es t&e re!#ity of 2od. De need to #isten
!ref%##y to t&e distintive voie of t&e
end +.2//
re#i$io%s ot&er, 0&i& is not sim+#y !n e&o of o%r o0n. T&e &!##en$e is to eno%nter t&e f!it& of
t&e ot&er 0it&o%t first eretin$ 0!##s !$!inst t&em.
*f 0e 0!nt to en$!$e t&eo#o$i!# 8%estions of re#i$io%s differene, 0e, 0&omever 0e !re, m%st do
so in t&e ontext of o%r tr!dition of f!it& !nd its o0n distintive #!n$%!$e. T&is is ! %sef%# t!s), !nd
it +oses im+ort!nt 8%estions, even t&e most seemin$#y sim+#e of t&emH *s o%r 2od #istenin$R 'oes it
m!)e sense to s+e!) of 2od !s o%rs !t !##R Ho0 do 0e %nderst!nd t&ose B%dd&ist nei$&bors 0&o
s+e!) of t&e B%dd&!4s re!#i:!tion, b%t do not %se !ny 2od #!n$%!$eR Ho0 do 0e t&in) !bo%t o%r
o0n f!it& !s 0e ome into dee+er re#!tions&i+ 0it& +eo+#e of ot&er f!it&s !nd !s 0e $!in ! #e!rer
sense of t&e &!r!ter of t&eir re#i$io%s #ivesR *t $oes 0it&o%t s!yin$ t&!t !## of t&ese !re not ivi,
b%t t&eo#o$i!# 8%estions.
T&ere !re ex#%sivists !nd +#%r!#ists in m!ny re#i$io%s tr!ditions. De )no0 t&e ex#%sive voies !##
too 0e##. T&eir insistene on #!imin$ 2od4s f!vor, #!imin$ 2od4s #!nd, )no0in$ 2od4s 0i##, or
)no0in$ t&e so#e 0!y to &e!ven is often +ers%!sive 0it& its ert!inty !nd #!rity. For m!ny
ex#%sivists, re#i$io%s differene is ! t&re!tCnot on#y differene !mon$ tr!ditions, b%t differene
0it&in t&eir o0n tr!dition. Ex#%sivists !re, for t&e most +!rt, not di!#o$i!##y en$!$ed 0it& t&ose
0&o differ from t&em. T&ey often reFet t&e m%#tisidedness !nd mor!# !mbi$%ity of diffi%#t et&i!#
&oies.
,0
B%t t&ere !re !#so t&ose in every tr!dition 0&o see re#i$io%s differene !s !n o++ort%nity to ex+!nd
!nd dee+en t&eir f!it& !nd for 0&om t&e t&eo#o$i!# ex+#or!tion of re#i$io%s +#%r!#ism is !n %r$ent
!##in$. Here !re t&ree ex!m+#es, e!& ! t&eo#o$i!n !nd 0riter, 0&ose voie is 0ide#y &e!rd !nd
0&ose boo)s !re +o+%#!r#y re!d. On t&e C&risti!n side, >!r%s Bor$ sees ! ne0, emer$in$
+!r!di$m of C&risti!nity t&!t bot& !e+ts !nd ex+#ores t&e mystery of 2od4s +resene in m!ny
re#i$io%s tr!ditions. Bor$, #i)e m!ny C&risti!n t&eo#o$i!ns tod!y, 0rest#es 0it& 0&!t it me!ns to be
! C&risti!n in !n !$e of inre!sin$ !0!reness of re#i$io%s diversity. He !s)sH JD&en 0e t&in) !bo%t
t&e #!im t&!t C&risti!nity is t&e on#y 0!y of s!#v!tion, it4s ! +retty str!n$e notion. 'oes it m!)e
sense t&!t Tt&e >oreU 0&om 0e s+e!) of !s re!tor of t&e 0&o#e %niverse &!s &osen to be )no0n in
on#y one re#i$io%s tr!dition, 0&i& F%st fort%n!te#y &!++ens to be o%r o0nRK
,-
C&risti!n f!it&, for
Bor$, is dee+#y $ro%nded in its +!rti%#!rity, 0it&o%t bein$ #osed to t&e f!it& !nd 0itness of t&ose
dee+#y $ro%nded in ot&er tr!ditions.
"!bbi 9on!t&!n 1!)s, &ief r!bbi of t&e United 5in$dom, ! stron$ !dvo!te of di!#o$%e in !nd
t&ro%$& re#i$io%s differenes, 0rites of 0&!t &e !##s t&e Jdi$nity of differene.K *n !ddressin$ t&e
&!##en$es of $#ob!#i:!tion from ! re#i$io%s +ers+etive, &e 0ritesH
C!n 0e find, in t&e &%m!n ot&er, ! tr!e of t&e 'ivine ot&erR C!n 0e reo$ni:e 2od4s im!$e in one
0&o is not in my im!$eR T&ere !re times 0&en 2od meets %s in t&e f!e of t&e str!n$er. T&e $#ob!#
!$e &!s t%rned o%r 0or#d into ! soiety of str!n$ers. T&!t is not ! t&re!t to f!it& b%t ! !## to ! f!it&
#!r$er !nd more dem!ndin$ t&!n 0e &!d
end +.2/.
sometimes s%++osed it to be. C!n *, ! 9e0, &e!r t&e e&oes of 2od4s voie in t&!t of ! Hind% or 1i)&
or C&risti!n or >%s#imR C!n * do so, !nd not fee# diminis&ed, b%t en#!r$edR
20

T!ri8 "!m!d!n, ! 10iss6born >%s#im t&eo#o$i!n of E$y+ti!n !nestry, 0rites of t&e &!##en$es of
+#%r!#ism !t t&e o%tset of &is boo) Wes#ern M*s!i$s and #he +*#*re o( Is!a$H J*n my vie0, t&e iss%e
is to find o%t &o0 t&e *s#!mi %nivers!# !e+ts !nd res+ets +#%r!#ism !nd t&e be#ief of t&e Ot&erH it
is one t&in$ to re#!tivi:e 0&!t * be#ieve !nd !not&er to res+et f%##y t&e onvitions of t&e Ot&er.K
JT&e +ost6modernist s+irit 0o%#d #i)e to #e!d %s %nonsio%s#y to onf%se t&e seond +ro+osition
0it& t&e first. * ref%seH *t is in t&e very n!me of t&e %nivers!#ity of my +rini+#es t&!t my onsiene
is s%mmoned to res+et diversity.K
2,
*n !ddressin$ re#i$io%s +#%r!#ism, &e t%rns to &is o0n
t&eo#o$i!# st!rtin$ +oint in t&e >%s#im dotrine of #a)hid, t&e oneness of 2odH
*t is t&e +rini+#e on 0&i& t&e 0&o#e of *s#!mi te!&in$ rests !nd is t&e !xis !nd +oint of referene
on 0&i& >%s#ims re#y in di!#o$%e. T&e intim!te !0!reness of #a)hid forms t&e +ere+tion of t&e
be#iever, 0&o %nderst!nds t&!t +#%r!#ity &!s been &osen by t&e One, t&!t He is t&e 2od of !##
bein$s, !nd t&!t He re8%ires t&!t e!& be res+eted. ... *t is o%t of t&is onvition t&!t >%s#ims
en$!$e in di!#o$%e, !nd t&is is !ss%med in formin$ re#!tions 0it& t&e ot&er.
22

* mention s%& t&in)ers &ere sim+#y to %nder#ine t&e f!t t&!t t&in)in$ !bo%t re#i$io%s +#%r!#ism is
one of t&e $re!t t&eo#o$i!# 8%estions of o%r time. *t is ! f%nd!ment!# 8%estion t&!t s&!+es t&e
onsider!tion of m!ny ot&er 8%estions. *t is not sim+#y t&!t t&ere mi$&t be ! +#%r!#ity of re#i$io%s
vie0s on !bortion, environment!# de$r!d!tion, or stem e## rese!r&. *t is t&e dee+er 8%estion of
&o0 0e re$!rd t&e v!#idity of ot&er re#i$io%s vie0s !nd t&e inte$rity of ot&er re#i$io%s voies.
E!& re#i$io%s tr!dition is embedded in ! +!rti%#!r J0e,K 0it& its distintive +res%++ositions,
vo!b%#!ries, forms of re!sonin$, !nd +ers+etives. T&ose of %s 0&o !re C&risti!ns exerise t&!t
+!rti%#!r J0eK 0&en 0e !ffirm o%r f!it& in t&e 0ords of t&e Niene CreedH JDe be#ieve in One
2od t&e F!t&er A#mi$&ty, >!)er of &e!ven !nd e!rt&, !nd of !## t&in$s visib#e !nd invisib#e.K B%t
t&!t is not t&e s!me J0eK t&!t 0e !s iti:ens %se 0&en 0e re!d t&e o+enin$ 0ords of t&e U.1.
Constit%tionH JDe t&e +eo+#e of t&e United 1t!tes.K
To s%mm!ri:e t&e differene in t&e iss%es t&!t !re !ddressed in t&eo#o$i!# !nd ivi ontexts, #et %s
t%rn to t0o !ses invo#vin$ t&e Hind% omm%nity in t&e United 1t!tes in ,--- !nd 2000. First, in
,--- t&e 1o%t&ern B!+tist Convention +%b#is&ed ! +r!yer $%ide to en!b#e C&risti!ns to +r!y for
,,
Hind%s d%rin$ t&eir f!## festiv!# of #i$&ts, !##ed 'i0!#i. *t s+o)e of t&e nine &%ndred mi##ion Hind%s
0&o !re J#ost in t&e &o+e#ess d!r)ness of Hind%ism ... 0&o 0ors&i+ $ods 0&i& !re not 2od.K
2=
T&e
C&risti!ns res+onsib#e for t&is +r!yer $%ide seem to &!ve no tro%b#e !t !## s+e!)in$ of Jo%r 2odK in
C&risti!n ex#%sivist terms. T&e +rob#em 0it& s%& ! res+onse, &o0ever, is t&!t, from !
end +.2/7
Hind% st!nd+oint, it mis%nderstood bot& Hind% 0ors&i+ !nd Hind% %nderst!ndin$s of 2od.
T&e 1o%t&ern B!+tists in Ho%ston !t 1eond B!+tist C&%r& 0ere no do%bt s%r+rised to find
+rotesters !nd +i)eters o%tside t&eir &%r&, 0&en t&e 'i0!#i !me !ro%nd t&!t f!##. Per&!+s m!ny
did not f%##y re!#i:e t&!t t&ese #ost so%#s of 0&om t&ey 0ere s+e!)in$ 0ere t&eir nei$&bors in
Ho%ston, not sim+#y im!$ined, o++ressed, +overty6ridden Hind% vi##!$ers &!#f0!y !ro%nd t&e
0or#d. And t&e Ameri!n Hind%s 0&o !rried +#!!rds +rotestin$ t&e 1o%t&ern B!+tist +r!yer $%ide
did so not be!%se t&ey 0ere !verse to bein$ t&e fo%s of C&risti!n +r!yers, b%t be!%se t&e
&!r!teri:!tion of t&eir re#i$io%s tr!dition 0!s so i## informed !nd i$nor!nt. *t 0!s &%rtf%#, !nd it
m!de t&em !n$ry.
1ever!# Hind%s 0ere so o%tr!$ed by t&e B!+tist +%b#i!tion t&!t t&ey +rotested to 9!net "eno !nd
t&e 'e+!rtment of 9%stie !nd on#y $r!d%!##y !me to re!#i:e t&!t it 0!s not !$!inst t&e #!0 for
1o%t&ern B!+tists to be#ieve !nd to s!y 0&!t t&ey did !bo%t t&e Hind% f!it&. To t&e Hind%s it 0!s
re#i$io%s s#!nder, to t&e B!+tists it 0!s re#i$io%s be#ief. T&e Hind%6C&risti!n t&eo#o$i!# dis%ssion,
!t #e!st in Ameri!, is sti## in its inf!ny, yet it is to t&e ven%e of interre#i$io%s di!#o$%e t&!t t&e
8%estion of 0&et&er Hind%s or B!+tists &!ve seen t&e #i$&t more #e!r#y m%st be referred. T&e
'e+!rtment of 9%stie !n be of no &e#+.
D&i#e t&e t&eo#o$i!# ide!s of B!+tists !nd Hind%s !re not $overned by o%r Constit%tion, t&eir
m%t%!# ommitment to t&e free exerise of re#i$ion is. No m!tter 0&!t B!+tists m!y t&in) of Hind%
$ods !nd no m!tter 0&!t Hind%s m!y t&in) of B!+tist bi$otry, bot& !re o6iti:ens of ! st!te t&!t
s&o%#d ide!##y tre!t t&em e8%!##y.
*n f!## 2000, ! Hind% 0!s invited, for t&e first time in Ameri!n &istory, to offer t&e invo!tion in
Con$ress.
2<
T&e o!sion 0!s ! st!te visit of t&e +rime minister of *ndi!, !nd t&e +riest 0!s from
t&e 1&iv!67is&n% Tem+#e in P!rm!, O&io, ! s%b%rb of C#eve#!nd. A C&risti!n $ro%+ voifero%s#y
+rotested. T&e F!mi#y "ese!r& Co%ni# iss%ed t&e !#!rm, !##in$ t&e Hind% invo!tion ! move
to0!rd Jet&i!# &!osK !nd s!yin$ it 0!s Jone more indi!tion t&!t o%r n!tion is driftin$ from its
9%deo6C&risti!n roots.K T&e next d!y, &o0ever, t&e $ro%+ iss%ed ! #!rifi!tionH JDe !ffirm t&e tr%t&
of C&risti!nity, b%t it is not o%r +osition t&!t Ameri!4s Constit%tion forbids re+resent!tives of
re#i$ions ot&er t&!n C&risti!nity from +r!yin$ before Con$ress.K
2/
T&is time t&ey $ot it ri$&t.
*n t&ese t0o inst!nes, Hind%s !nd C&risti!ns bot& eno%ntered t&e distintion bet0een ivi !nd
t&eo#o$i!# vie0s. No m!tter &o0 0e t&in) !bo%t !nd ev!#%!te re#i$ions t&!t !re different from o%r
o0n, no m!tter &o0 0e t&in) !bo%t re#i$ion !s ! 0&o#e, if 0e !re !t&eists or 0&o#e&e!rted
se%#!rists, t&e oven!nts of iti:ens&i+ to 0&i& 0e !d&ere +#!e %s on ommon $ro%nd. As for
re#i$io%s be#iefs, T&om!s 9efferson +%t it t&is 0!yH JT&e #e$itim!te +o0ers of $overnment extend to
s%& !ts on#y !s !re inF%rio%s to ot&ers. B%t it does me no inF%ry for my nei$&bor to s!y t&ere !re
t0enty $ods, or no 2od. *t neit&er +i)s my +o)et nor bre!)s my #e$.K
2.

end +.2/I
"e#i$io%s P#%r!#ismH Civi Pers+etives
T!)in$ ! ivi +ers+etive on re#i$io%s +#%r!#ism #e!ds %s, first !nd foremost, to t&e Constit%tion.
"e#i$io%s diversity in Ameri! is ! onomit!nt of Ameri!4s onstit%tion!# ommitment to re#i$io%s
freedom. D&i#e most of t&e Jfo%ndin$ f!t&ersK 0ere C&risti!ns, some 0it& stron$ deist #e!nin$s,
t&ey de#iber!te#y re!ted ! ivi s+!e t&!t 0o%#d not be domin!ted by t&eir o0n f!it& or !ny ot&er.
,2
2od is not mentioned in t&e Constit%tion. 2iven t&e n%!ne of onstit%tion!# dis%ssion of re#i$io%s
m!tters, t&is !n be no oversi$&t.
Time !nd !$!in in deb!tes !bo%t re#i$io%s est!b#is&ment, t&e #i)es of 9efferson !nd >!dison !r$%ed
!$!inst st!te s%++ort for re#i$ion !nd did so in 0&!t 0e mi$&t !## t&eo#o$i!# #!n$%!$e !nd o%t of
re#i$io%s onvition. T&ey 0ere not Jse%#!r,K ! term t&!t 0o%#d be !n in!%r!te !n!&ronism.
T&ey 0ere $%ided by dee+ re#i$io%s sensibi#ities to !r$%e for ! ivi s+!e t&!t is not s&!+ed by
re#i$ion. *n &is ,7I/ J>emori!# !nd "emonstr!ne,K >!dison !r$%ed t&!t t&e st!te is not !
om+etent F%d$e of re#i$io%s tr%t& !nd &!s no b%siness interferin$ in m!tters of re#i$ionH JD&i#st 0e
!ssert for o%rse#ves ! freedom to embr!e, to +rofess, !nd to observe t&e re#i$ion 0&i& 0e be#ieve
to be of divine ori$in, 0e !nnot deny !n e8%!# freedom to t&ose 0&ose minds &!ve not yet yie#ded
to t&e evidene 0&i& &!s onvined %s.K
27

*n t&e t0o6ye!r deb!te over re#i$io%s freedom in 7ir$ini!, T&om!s 9efferson !r$%ed t&!t t&e At for
Est!b#is&in$ "e#i$io%s Freedom in 7ir$ini! Jme!nt to om+re&end, 0it&in t&e m!nt#e of its
+rotetion, t&e 9e0 !nd t&e 2enti#e, t&e C&risti!n !nd t&e >!&omet!n, t&e Hindoo !nd infide# of
every denomin!tion.K
2I
T&e +oint 0!s one t&!t &e m!de in +rini+#eH re#i$io%s freedom &!s to me!n
freedom for !## re#i$io%s tr!ditions. T&e ,7I. 7ir$ini! At, 0&i& in m!ny 0!ys mode#ed t&e Bi## of
"i$&ts, insisted Jt&!t o%r ivi# ri$&ts &!ve no de+endene on o%r re#i$io%s o+inions.K
2-

T&e first freedom of t&e Bi## of "i$&ts, dr!fted in ,7-,, 0!s freedom of re#i$ion o%+#ed 0it& t&e
nonest!b#is&ment of re#i$ionH JCon$ress s&!## m!)e no #!0 res+etin$ !n est!b#is&ment of re#i$ion
or +ro&ibitin$ t&e free exerise t&ereof.K T&ose 0&o si$ned t&e Constit%tion o%#d not &!ve f%##y
im!$ined t&e re#i$io%s diversity of Ameri! tod!y, yet, over t&e o%rse of more t&!n t0o ent%ries,
t&e st%rdy +rini+#es of free exerise of re#i$ion !nd t&e nonest!b#is&ment of re#i$ion &!ve stood t&e
test of time. Ameri!4s re#i$io%s diversity &!s bro!dened to in#%de s%bst!nti!# !nd inre!sin$#y
vo!# $ro%+s #i)e t&ose 9efferson on#y im!$inedH Hind%, 1i)&, 9!in, >%s#im, !nd B%dd&ist
omm%nities. "e#i$io%s freedom is, to be s%re, t&e fo%nt!in&e!d of t&is diversity. And, of o%rse,
Ameri!4s se%#!r &%m!nist tr!ditions !re !#so +!rt of t&e diversity !nd !re +roteted by t&e freedom
of onsiene b%i#t into t&e onstit%tion!# fo%nd!tions. Freedom of re#i$ion is !#so freedom (ro$
re#i$ion of !ny sort. 9efferson4s intention in 7ir$ini!, !s &e +%t it, 0!s to +rotet not on#y t&e v!riety
of be#ievers, b%t !#so t&e m!ny forms of nonbe#ievers, t&e Jinfide#sK of every f!it&.
1%rveyin$ t&e res%#ts of %no%+#in$ &%r& !nd st!te in t&e ,I20s, To8%evi##e 0!s s%r+rised to find
t&!t, in Ameri!, freedom !nd re#i$ion seemed to
end +.2/-
m!r& in t&e s!me diretion, r!t&er t&!n freedom s+!r)in$ t&e !b!ndonment of re#i$ion, !s &!d been
si$nifi!nt#y t&e !se in Fr!ne. He s+o)e of re#i$ion in Ameri! !s t&e Jfirst of +o#iti!#
instit%tions,K !st%te#y disernin$ t&!t even t&o%$& t&e &%r&es of Ameri! 0ere not s%++orted by
t&e $overnment !nd 0ere not diret#y invo#ved in +o#itis !s s%&, t&ey 0ere nonet&e#ess extreme#y
inf#%enti!# in t&e +o#iti!# s+&ere.
T&ere 0o%#d soon be ! fe0 !tivists, &o0ever, #i)e t&e onserv!tive ev!n$e#i!#s 0&o st!rted t&e
N!tion!# "eform Assoi!tion in ,I.<, 0&o 0is&ed to brin$ t&e re#i$io%s !nd ivi J0eK to$et&er
more firm#y. T&ey 0or)ed, in t&eir 0ords, Jto se%re s%& !n !mendment of t&e Constit%tion of t&e
United 1t!tes !s 0i## indi!te t&!t t&is is ! C&risti!n n!tion, !nd 0i## +#!e !## t&e C&risti!n #!0s,
instit%tions !nd %s!$es of o%r $overnment on !n %ndeni!b#e #e$!# b!sis in t&e f%nd!ment!# #!0 of
t&e #!nd.K
=0
T&ey did not s%eed in t&eir bid to re0rite t&e Constit%tion, b%t t&ey )e+t on tryin$.
7!rio%s efforts to insert !n !)no0#ed$ment of J(ord 9es%s C&rist !s 2overnor !mon$ t&e N!tionsK
into t&e U.1. Constit%tion 0ere +%rs%ed %nti# t&e midd#e of t&e t0entiet& ent%ry. T&is effort to
revise t&e Constit%tion !0!y from t&e nonest!b#is&ment of re#i$ion &!s t!)en m!ny forms, !nd it is
f!r from def%nt. *n t&e s!me de!des t&!t &!ve 0itnessed t&e ex+onenti!# $ro0t& of non6C&risti!n
re#i$io%s omm%nities in Ameri!, t&e C&risti!n ri$&t &!s $ro0n in stren$t& !nd in determin!tion to
,=
&!ve ! ro#e in s&!+in$ +%b#i +o#iy. Att!)s on t&e inde+endene or so6!##ed !tivism of t&e
F%dii!ry tod!y mi$&t 0e## be seen !s tod!y4s !#tern!tive efforts to !#ter t&e Constit%tion.
*n t&e +%b#i ontext of ! demor!ti, m%#tire#i$io%s n!tion, &o0 s&o%#d 0e reo$ni:e re#i$io%s
diversityR 1ome 0o%#d #i)e to !r$%e for no reo$nition of re#i$ion or re#i$io%s diversity !t !##.
Ot&ers 0o%#d see reo$nition !s t&e nod to0!rd re#i$io%s minorities t&!t ! +o0erf%#, norm!tive
m!Fority !n 0e## !fford. For t&e +#%r!#ist, t&e freedom, t&e initi!tive, !nd t&e inde+endent voie of
minorities is tr%#y t&e test of t&e 0e##6bein$ of soiety. E!& +erson !n !nd s&o%#d be !b#e to s+e!)
for &imse#f or &erse#f, be!%se t&e ri$&t to do so is onstit%tion!##y $r!nted, not $r!nted by t&e
to#er!tion of t&e m!Fority. T&e r&etori of in#%sion &!s m!de si$nifi!nt !dv!nes in t&e +!st
de!de, b%t t&e en$!$ement of $en%ine +#%r!#ism is sti## ini+ient. *t is one t&in$ for t&e +resident to
on$r!t%#!te t&e >%s#im omm%nity on t&e observ!ne of Eid !nd 8%ite !not&er to se!t ! >%s#im on
t&e N!tion!# Commission on Terrorism.
=,

One of t&e inre!sin$#y ommon forms of +%b#i r&etori t&!t $est%res to0!rd t&e ne0 re#i$io%s
diversity is t&e s+ee& of in#%sion !nd reo$nition. *n t&e ,--0s, +%b#i offii!#s be$!n to %se
#o%tions, s%& !s J&%r&es, syn!$o$%es, !nd mos8%es.K *n &is 200/ in!%$%r!# !ddress, President
2eor$e D. B%s& $!ve r&etori!# reo$nition to t&e Abr!&!mi f!it&s 0&en &e s+o)e of Ameri!4s
edifie of &!r!ter !s Js%st!ined in o%r n!tion!# #ife by t&e tr%t&s of 1in!i, t&e 1ermon on t&e
>o%nt, t&e 0ords of t&e 5or!n, !nd t&e v!ried f!it&s of o%r +eo+#e.K
=2
T&is is t&e s+ee& of
in#%sion. *t is b%t ! $est%re in t&e diretion of re#i$io%s +#%r!#ism, b%t t&ere is no 8%estion t&!t it is
im+ort!nt.
T&ro%$&o%t t&e +!st de!de, ity o%ni#s, st!te #e$is#!t%res, !nd $overnors be$!n to iss%e t&e %s%!#
&o#id!y on$r!t%#!tory +ro#!m!tions for ! ne0
end +.2.0
set of &o#id!ys. T&e $overnor of 5!ns!s re#e!sed ! +ro#!m!tion in &onor of t&e mont& of "!m!d!n
in ,--7. T&e Bo!rd of 1%+ervisors in F!irf!x Co%nty, 7ir$ini!, +ro#!imed '%r$! Tem+#e
A++rei!tion Dee) in &onor of t&e onser!tion of ! ne0 tem+#e to t&e Hind% $oddess '%r$! in
,---. T&e $overnor of Ari:on! iss%ed ! +ro#!m!tion for t&e B%dd&!4s birt&d!y in 2000. T&e 1t!te
of >i&i$!n form!##y &onored t&e fo%r &%ndredt& !nnivers!ry of t&e 2%r% 2r!nt& 1!&ib in 200=.
T&ese m!r)s of reo$nition !re insti$!ted, to be s%re, by t&e omm%nities t&emse#ves, b%t in t&ese
!ses !nd &%ndreds of ot&ers, t&e +%b#i notie of t&e +resene !nd ontrib%tion of B%dd&ists !nd
1i)&s ex+!nds t&e +%b#i fie#d of vision.
*nvo!tions in ity o%ni#s, st!te #e$is#!t%res, !nd t&e U.1. Con$ress !#so &!ve beome +%b#i
forms of reo$nition. Here members of ! minority omm%nity s+e!) in t&eir o0n voie in ! +%b#i
s+!e. T&e 0ider iss%e of 0&et&er re#i$io%s invo!tions !re !++ro+ri!te in $overnment!# bodies
not0it&st!ndin$, t&e inre!sin$ diversity of s%& eremoni!# +r!yers !n be tr!)ed t&ro%$& t&e
,--0s. T&e first time ! >%s#im offered t&e invo!tion in t&e U.1. Ho%se of "e+resent!tives 0!s in
,--,, 0&en 1ir!F D!&!F, !n Afri!n Ameri!n >%s#im #e!der from Broo)#yn, #ed t&e +r!yer. *n f!##
2000 ! Hind% +riest $!ve t&e invo!tion before ! Foint session of Con$ress. 9!in n%ns o+ened !
session of t&e O&io #e$is#!t%re in 200,, s&ort#y !fter -M,,. 1i)&s 0ere invited to de#iver t&e
invo!tion before ! session of t&e >!ss!&%setts st!te #e$is#!t%re in 200<. *n >ont!n!, t&e def!%#t
invo!tion !t t&e o%tset of t&e st!te #e$is#!tive session &!s beome t&e rit%!# voie of t&e N!tive
Ameri!ns, 0it& dr%mmin$ !nd &!ntin$ in t&e !+ito# rot%nd!. A## t&is, m!ny times over,
onstit%tes t&e %m%#!tive evidene of t&e +resene of ne0 voies, &o0ever eremoni!# s%&
o!sions m!y be. As 0e &!ve seen from t&e obFetions to >%s#im +r!yers in t&e D!s&in$ton
#e$is#!t%re, t&is $r!d%!# s&ift from !n o#der Protest!nt, C!t&o#i, 9e0is& +!ttern &!s not been 0it&o%t
its ontroversies. One of t&e most si$nifi!nt !ses %nder dis+%te invo#ved ! Di!n +riestess 0&o
!s)ed to be in#%ded !mon$ #er$y 0&o offer invo!tions !t t&e C&esterfie#d Co%nty Bo!rd of
1%+ervisors in "i&mond, 7ir$ini!. 1&e 0!s ref%sed, !nd t&e !se 0!s t!)en %+ by t&e Ameri!n
Civi# (iberties Union. T&e U.1. 'istrit Co%rt r%#ed t&!t t&e ex#%sion of t&e Di!n 0!s
%nonstit%tion!#, b%t t&e Fo%rt& Cir%it Co%rt of A++e!#s reversed t&e deision on !++e!#. *n 200/
t&e U.1. 1%+reme Co%rt #et st!nd t&e A++e!#s Co%rt r%#in$ !nd did not !e+t t&e !se.
==

,<
T&e ,--0s s!0 ! +!rti%#!r#y stri)in$ $ro0t& in Ameri!4s +%b#i !0!reness of *s#!m !nd in t&e
+%b#i reo$nition of *s#!m !s !n Ameri!n re#i$ion. By t&e mid6,--0s, +%b#i offii!#s from t&e
m!yor of Co#%mb%s, O&io, to t&e $overnor of 5!ns!s !nd t&e +resident of t&e United 1t!tes 0ere
iss%in$ $reetin$s on t&e observ!ne of t&e mont& of "!m!d!n !nd t&e e#ebr!tion of Eid !# Fitr. T&e
0ord i(#ar entered t&e +%b#i #exion, !s >%s#ims re!&ed o%t to t&e 0ider omm%nity, invitin$
m!yors, s&oo# s%+erintendents, +rofessors, !nd offie o0or)ers to bre!) t&e "!m!d!n f!st 0it&
t&em !nd enFoy ! me!# to$et&er. Hostin$ i(#ar me!#s for t&e >%s#im omm%nity !#so be!me !
ommon +r!tie !mon$ +%b#i offii!#s. *n Ho%ston, for ex!m+#e, it &!s beome t&e %stom of
some fo%r ye!rs4 st!ndin$ for t&e m!yor to &ost !n i(#ar for
end +.2.,
!re! >%s#ims by t&e City of Ho%ston4s "ef#etin$ Poo#. At t&e feder!# #eve#, t&ere &!ve been
inre!sin$#y visib#e i(#ar observ!nes for >%s#im !nd non6>%s#im em+#oyees on C!+ito# Hi##, in
on$ression!# offie b%i#din$s, !nd in t&e Pent!$on. At ! 200= $!t&erin$ &osted by "e+resent!tive
9o&n Conyers of >i&i$!n, !#on$ 0it& fo%r ot&er on$ressmen in t&e Ho%se 9%dii!ry Committee
He!rin$ "oom, "e+resent!tive Conyers rem!r)edH JBy +!rt!)in$ in t&is re#i$io%s tr!dition, 0e &o+e
to +romote t&e to#er!tion, %nderst!ndin$, !nd !e+t!ne of !## re#i$ions !nd re#i$io%s %#t%res !nd
to e#ebr!te re#i$io%s diversity, one of t&e m!ny $re!t +rini+#es t&!t o%r o%ntry 0!s fo%nded
%+on.K
=<
*n ,--I >!de#eine A#bri$&t +resided over !n i(#ar dinner !t t&e 1t!te 'e+!rtment, !
tr!dition t&!t ontin%ed %nder 1eret!ry Co#in Po0e##. Addressin$ t&e 1t!te 'e+!rtment i(#ar in
200=, Po0e## noted 0it& !++rei!tion t&e #on$ tr!dition of >%s#im &os+it!#ity re+resented by t&e
i(#arH JAs t&e i(#ar 0e#omes !## in ! s+irit of brot&er&ood, so Ameri! &!s been o+en to 0e#omin$
!##C!s 0e !n see in t&e diverse !nd t&rivin$ >%s#im omm%nity in Ameri! tod!y.K
=/

*n !ssessin$ t&e #im!te of re#i$io%s +#%r!#ism in Ameri!, tr!)in$ t&ese sm!##, sin$#e, b%t
%m%#!tive offii!# !ts of +ositive reo$nition is !s im+ort!nt !s tr!)in$ t&e sm!##, sin$#e, b%t
%m%#!tive inidents of &!tred !nd &!r!ssment. *t is in t&is om+osite +%b#i reord t&!t 0e be$in to
!ssemb#e ! more om+re&ensive +it%re of 0&o J0eK no0 !re. D&en >%s#ims 0ere 0e#omed for
t&e first time to t&e D&ite Ho%se on t&e o!sion of Eid in ,--., 0&en t&e first >%s#im &!+#!in
0!s !++ointed to t&e Ne0 Gor) City Po#ie 'e+!rtment in ,---, 0&en bot& t&e 2000 "e+%b#i!n
!nd 'emor!ti n!tion!# onventions in#%ded ! >%s#im +r!yer, ne0 +&oto$r!+&s 0ere !dded, so to
s+e!), to t&e Ameri!n f!mi#y !#b%m. As Hi##!ry C#inton +%t it on t&!t Eid d!y in ,--.H JT&is
e#ebr!tion is !n Ameri!n event. De !re ! n!tion of immi$r!nts 0&o &!ve #on$ dr!0n on o%r
diverse re#i$io%s tr!ditions !nd f!it&s for t&e stren$t& !nd o%r!$e t&!t m!)e Ameri! $re!t.K
=.

T&ere !re, to be s%re, some Ameri!ns for 0&om t&is +%b#i reo$nition of re#i$io%s diversity is not
0e#ome. T&ere !re ot&ers for 0&om s%& $est%res of in#%sion do not $o f!r eno%$&. D&en
President C#inton iss%ed ! +ro#!m!tion on t&e birt&d!y of t&e 1i)& te!&er6fo%nder, 2%r% N!n!),
&e s!idH J"e#i$io%s +#%r!#ism in o%r n!tion is brin$in$ %s to$et&er in ne0 !nd +o0erf%# 0!ys.K
=7

B%t for m!ny, t&e ontroversies t&!t !rise 0it& t&e ne0 re#i$io%s diversity !re not brin$in$ %s
to$et&er b%t t&re!tenin$ to te!r %s !+!rt. As o%r re#i$io%s diversity $ro0s, !re 0e seein$ t&e
emer$ene of ne0 ommon $ro%nd or ! ne0 b!tt#e $ro%ndR
T0o of t&e most si$nifi!nt symbo#i iss%es in t&e b!tt#e !re t&e P#ed$e of A##e$i!ne !nd t&e Ten
Comm!ndments. Bot& &!ve m!de t&eir 0!y to t&e U.1. 1%+reme Co%rt. T&e !se to de#!re t&e
0ords J%nder 2odK in t&e P#ed$e of A##e$i!ne %nonstit%tion!# 0!s bro%$&t by ! C!#iforni! !t&eist
on be&!#f of &is d!%$&ter 0&o 0!s re8%ired to reite t&e +#ed$e in s&oo#.
=I
T&e !se %#tim!te#y
f!i#ed before t&e 1%+reme Co%rt in 200< for re!sons t&!t &!d to do 0it& >i&!e# Ne0do04s
st!ndin$ in brin$in$ t&e !se.
=-
D&!t m!y be most interestin$
end +.2.2
,/
from t&e st!nd+oint of Ameri!4s re#i$io%s +#%r!#ism, &o0ever, is t&e a$i%*s brief fi#ed by Ameri!n
B%dd&ists st!tin$ t&eir di#emm!H !s B%dd&ists t&ey s&o%#d not be fored to &oose bet0een t&eir
o%ntry !nd t&eir re#i$ion. T&ey s&o%#d not be m!de to fee# o%tsiders in t&e Ameri!n +roFet, eit&er
by s!yin$ t&e +#ed$e or rem!inin$ si#ent.
<0
*n !s)in$ B%dd&ist s&oo#&i#dren to reite t&e +#ed$e,
Jt&ey !re !s)ed to !rti%#!te ! re#i$io%s one+t irreoni#!b#e 0it& t&e te!&in$s of t&eir re#i$ion
!nd t&e s%+reme 0isdom, t&e !0!)enin$, t&!t is t&eir $o!#.K
<,

T&e Ten Comm!ndments B!tt#e
A visitor or 0ors&i+er enterin$ m!ny syn!$o$%es in Ameri! m!y 0e## find stone t!b#ets !rved
0it& Hebre0 #etters st!ndin$ for t&e Ten Comm!ndments, +rominent#y visib#e in t&e stone +ediment
!bove t&e exterior door. T&e t!b#ets mi$&t be re+e!ted in t&e interior iono$r!+&y of t&e syn!$o$%e,
!nd, of o%rse, t&e fo!# +oint of t&e syn!$o$%e is t&e !r) of t&e oven!nt ont!inin$ t&e sro##s of
Tor!&, 0&ere t&e text of t&e Ten Comm!ndments m!y be fo%nd.
De ex+et to be reminded of t&e Ten Comm!ndments on enterin$ ! syn!$o$%e. And 0e mi$&t not
be s%r+rised to be reminded of t&e Ten Comm!ndments on enterin$ ! C&risti!n &%r& !s 0e##,
!#t&o%$& * !m not !0!re of C&risti!n &%r&es 0&ere +ostin$ t&e Ten Comm!ndments !t t&e
door0!y or on t&e #!0n is +r!tied. B%t s&o%#d t&e Ten Comm!ndments be in t&e foyer of t&e ity
&!## or t&e o%rt&o%seR Or on t&e #!0n of t&e st!te !+ito# b%i#din$R *n ! m%#tire#i$io%s n!tion
fo%nded on t&e nonest!b#is&ment of re#i$ion, 0o%#d t&is not be +reise#y t&e endorsement of !
+!rti%#!r re#i$io%s tr!dition or, indeed, of st!te re#i$ion in $ener!# t&!t t&e U.1. Constit%tion
+rosribesR
*n >!r& 200/ t&e U.1. 1%+reme Co%rt &e!rd t0o !ses on t&e +%b#i dis+#!y of t&e Ten
Comm!ndmentsH ,an Orden -. Perr& from Tex!s !nd M%Crear& Co*n#& -. ACLU from 5ent%)y.
T&e 1%+reme Co%rt &!d not t!)en %+ t&e iss%e in t0enty6fo%r ye!rs. 1ine t&en, t&ere &!d been !n
es!#!tin$ dr%mbe!t of ontroversy, !s t!b#ets of t&e Ten Comm!ndments in +%b#i +#!es !ross t&e
o%ntry from E#)&!rt, *ndi!n!, to 2r!nd 9%ntion, Co#or!do, 0ere &!##en$ed by t&ose 0&o !r$%ed
t&!t t&e dis+#!y is !n %nonstit%tion!# endorsement of re#i$ion. (o0er o%rts &!d r%#ed bot& 0!ys on
t&e iss%e. Fo%r feder!# !++e!#s o%rts &!d r%#ed t&e Ten Comm!ndments dis+#!ys onstit%tion!#,
0&i#e t&ree &!d r%#ed t&ey !re not.
T&e dis+#!y of t&e Ten Comm!ndments in +%b#i, $overnment b%i#din$s is ! str!te$i dr!m!
seemin$#y st!$ed for t&e +reserv!tion of ! C&risti!n or 9%deo6C&risti!n Ameri!. 9e0s, &o0ever,
&!ve not Foined in t&e fr!y, exe+t on t&e nonest!b#is&ment side t&ro%$& m!For 9e0is& &%r&6st!te
0!t&do$ $ro%+s. *t is t&e C&risti!n ri$&t t&!t fr!med t&is iss%e !s riti!# for t&eir !%se, even
t&o%$& t&ere !re fe0 C&risti!n &%r&es t&!t dis+#!y t&e Ten Comm!ndments on t&eir o0n #!0ns or
vestib%#es. 9%d$e "oy >oore, C&ief 9%stie of t&e A#!b!m! 1%+reme Co%rt, set t&e st!$e for t&e
most +%b#i en!tment of
end +.2.=
t&e s!$! in A%$%st 200,, 0&en &e inst!##ed ! t0o6!nd6!6&!#f ton mon%ment of t&e Ten
Comm!ndments in t&e feder!# o%rt&o%se in Birmin$&!m. As 0e )no0, ! onstit%tion!# b!tt#e
ens%ed to remove t&e mon%ment from t&e &!## of t&e A#!b!m! o%rt&o%se. J*t4s !bo%t t&e
!)no0#ed$ement of t&e 2od %+on 0&i& t&is n!tion !nd o%r #!0s !re fo%nded. ... *t4s time for
C&risti!ns to t!)e ! st!nd,K s!id 9%d$e >oore.
<2
*n t&e end, 9%stie >oore not on#y #ost &is !%se,
b%t !#so #ost &is Fob. T&e mon%ment 0!s removed, b%t not before 0ee)s of demonstr!tions, in
0&i& C&risti!n !tivists !me from f!r !nd ne!r to enir#e t&e t!b#ets !nd to )nee# !nd +r!y by t&e
mon%ment in 0!ys t&!t ert!in#y 0o%#d &!ve evo)ed t&e ondemn!tion of >oses &imse#f.
9%d$e >oore +ro#!imed, JDe need to re#!im o%r Bib#i!# &erit!$e.K His very #!n$%!$e s%$$ests
o%r +rob#emH 0&!t J0eK is &e t!#)in$ !bo%tR >!ny !mon$ J0e,K t&e +eo+#e in t&e United 1t!tes, do
indeed #!im ! bib#i!# &erit!$e, !nd yet, even in A#!b!m!, m!ny do not. 9%d$e >oore4s J0eK does
not in#%de t&e !rr!y of Ameri!ns, m!ny of t&em ne0 iti:ens, for 0&om t&e mor!# om+!ss is set
,.
in ot&er 0!ys. *n !ddition, t&!t J0eK does not in#%de Ameri!ns ne0 !nd o#d 0&o t&in) of
t&emse#ves !s se%#!r. Are t&ey o%tsiders to t&e Ameri!n +roFetR
*n November 200= 9%d$e >oore 0!s removed from &is se!t on t&e A#!b!m! 1%+reme Co%rt, !nd !n
!++e!# to reinst!te &im f!i#ed. B%t t&e ontroversy ontin%ed. A r%r!# F%d$e in A#!b!m! too) to
0e!rin$ ! robe, 0&i& &e &!d embroidered 0it& t&e Ten Comm!ndments !t &is o0n ex+ense. *n
Otober 200= &%ndreds of C&risti!ns r!##ied in D!s&in$ton to s!ve t&e Ten Comm!ndments. 1ome
of t&em &!d ome 0it& ! five6d!y J1!ve t&e Comm!ndments C!r!v!nK t&!t &!d st!rted its five6st!te
Fo%rney in >ont$omery, A#!b!m!. T&ey ended t&eir +i#$rim!$e on t&e ste+s of t&e U.1. 1%+reme
Co%rt 0it& &!ntin$ !nd +r!yer. JDe !re not &ere for ! +o#iti!# iss%e, 0e !re &ere for t&e very
f%t%re !nd s%rviv!# of o%r n!tion,K s!id t&e "ev. P!tri) 9. >!&oney, diretor of t&e C&risti!n
'efense Co!#ition. J*n >ont$omery, ! fire 0!s #it, !nd 0e !re t!)in$ it to t&e n!tion. T&e &%r& of
9es%s C&rist is !risin$.K
<=

T&e overt#y re#i$io%s r&etori fr!min$ t&is symbo#i iss%e is !#!rmin$ for t&ose onerned 0it& t&e
est!b#is&ment #!%se of t&e Bi## of "i$&ts. *n t&e t0o !ses before t&e 1%+reme Co%rt in 200/, !
m%#tit%de of onserv!tive C&risti!n or$!ni:!tions !ssoi!ted t&emse#ves 0it& t&e +ro+onents of t&e
+%b#i dis+#!y of t&e Ten Comm!ndments, !s did t&e B%s& !dministr!tion. T&ere 0ere !#so
+rominent C&risti!n, 9e0is&, !nd interf!it& $ro%+s t&!t fi#ed briefs, %r$in$ t&e Co%rt to stri)e do0n
t&e +%b#i dis+#!y. One brief in +!rti%#!r, &o0ever, si$n!#s t&e ne0 er! of re#i$io%s +#%r!#ism t&!t is
t&e Ameri!n re!#ity, !n a$i%*s brief si$ned by nine $ro%+s re+resentin$ Hind%s, 9!ins, !nd
B%dd&ists in t&e United 1t!tes !nd s%bmitted on t&e Tex!s !se.
*n Tex!s, t&e six6foot6&i$& stone mon%ment be!rin$ t&e Ten Comm!ndments is sit%!ted on t&e #!0n
of t&e st!te !+ito# b%i#din$ !nd m!int!ined 0it& st!te s%++ort. T&e brief ites t&e $ro0t& of Hind%,
9!in, !nd B%dd&ist omm%nities in Tex!s over t&e reent de!des. *t notes t&!t t&e Fift& Cir%it, in
%+&o#din$ t&e onstit%tion!#ity of t&e mon%ment, &!d !r$%ed t&!t no one &!d ontested its +resene
for forty ye!rs. T&e a$i%i +oint o%t t&e #e!r f!t t&!t
end +.2.<
Ameri! &!s &!n$ed in t&ese forty ye!rs, !nd t&e re!#ity of Hind%, 9!in, !nd B%dd&ist +resene is
+!rt of t&!t &!n$e. T&ey note t&!t t&e first m!For Hind% tem+#e in t&e United 1t!tes 0!s b%i#t on#y
in t&e #!te ,-70s, !nd t&!t tod!y in Tex!s !#one t&ere !re some forty Hind% tem+#es, five 9!in
tem+#es, !nd over one &%ndred B%dd&ist tem+#es.
T&e Hind%s, B%dd&ists, !nd 9!ins !#so dis+%te t&e Fift& Cir%it4s st!tement t&!t t&e Ten
Comm!ndments >on%ment is Jnonset!ri!n,K +ointin$ o%t t&!t t&ey #e!r#y me!nt on#y t&!t it
dis+#!yed ! Jnonset!ri!n version of t&e text.K *t did not onsider serio%s#y t&e f!t t&!t t&e Ten
Comm!ndments t&emse#ves !re not nonset!ri!n b%t very m%& +!rt of ! 9%deo6C&risti!n re#i$io%s
0or#dH JT&e settin$ of t&e >on%ment in&erent#y, ines!+!b#y, si$n!#s to t&e re#i$io%s minority of
t&ose +r!tiin$ non69%deo6C&risti!n re#i$ions, often reent immi$r!nts, t&!t t&ey !re not mere#y
re#i$io%s o%tsiders, b%t %n0e#ome str!n$ers to t&e +o#iti!# omm%nity !s 0e##.K
<<

Astonis&in$#y, t&e 'istrit Co%rt t&!t first &e!rd t&e !se, be$!n its o+inion 0it& !n ,I-2 8%ot!tion
from "%dy!rd 5i+#in$H J1&i+ me some0&ere e!st of 1%e:, 0&ere t&e best is #i)e t&e 0orst. D&ere
t&ere !4n4t no Ten Comm!ndments, !n4 ! m!n !n r!ise ! t&irst.K Hind%, 9!in, !nd B%dd&ist a$i%i
m!y 0e## &!ve been dee+#y !ffronted by t&e %se of s%& im!$es of t&eir %#t%res Je!st of 1%e:.K B%t
in t&e brief, t&ey t%rn t&e 0ords of ins%#t to t&eir o0n +%r+osesH
T&e 'istrit Co%rt f!i#ed to reo$ni:e t&!t t&e 0or#d is sm!##er no0, !nd t&ere !re m!ny +eo+#e in
t&e Destern 'istrit of Tex!sC!nd mi##ions in t&e United 1t!tesCfor 0&om Jt&ere !4n4t no Ten
Comm!ndments.K T&e 'istrit Co%rt !#so f!i#ed to reo$ni:e t&!t !##o0in$ t&e Ten Comm!ndments
>on%ment to st!nd on t&e Tex!s C!+ito# $ro%nds, !ffets t&ose +eo+#e in 0!ys t&!t t&e m!Fority, for
0&om t&e Ten Comm!ndments !re +o0erf%# @or !t #e!st inoffensiveA symbo#s of re#i$io%s f!it&, 0i##
never ex+eriene.
</

,7
T&e Hind%s, B%dd&ists, !nd 9!ins #e!r#y st!te t&eir res+et for t&e et&i!# +rini+#es of t&e Ten
Comm!ndments. T&!t is not t&e iss%e. Ho0ever, t&e so%re of t&e Ten Comm!ndments, t&e
ex#%sive vie0 of 2od, t&e re+%di!tion of t&e im!$in$ of 2od, !nd t&e +resri+tion of ! +!rti%#!r
1!bb!t&C!## r%n !$!inst t&e $r!in of Hind% t&eo#o$ies. As for B%dd&ists !nd 9!ins, t&e very
one+tion of ! re!tor $od 0&o ord!ins omm!ndments !s ! )in$ mi$&t &!nd do0n r%#es for &is
s%bFets is not on#y !#ien, b%t is seen !s !n obst!#e to en#i$&tenment. T&e do%ment st!tesH JT&e
+rim!ry effet of t&e >on%ment, t!)in$ into !o%nt t&e +ers+etive of t&e A$i%i, is to +%t t&e
0ei$&t of t&e st!te be&ind !n im!$e %ndersorin$ t&e ot&erness of t&e A$i%i.K
<.

T&e iss%es !t st!)e in t&e Ten Comm!ndments !ses 0ere not +rim!ri#y !bo%t re#i$ion vers%s
nonre#i$ion or re#i$ion vers%s se%#!rism, !#t&o%$& t&is deb!te !nd ot&ers &!ve s+%rred ! F%m+ in
members&i+ of bot& !t&eist or$!ni:!tions !nd t&ose ommitted to ivi# #iberties. T&e #!r$er iss%e,
&o0ever, 0!s 0&et&er ! +!rti%#!r re#i$io%s vie0 0i## be endorsed !nd 0&!t onstit%tes
endorsement. T&is str!te$i +ere+tion 0!s s&!red bot& by t&ose 0&o fr!med t&e Ten
Comm!ndments deb!te on t&e C&risti!n ri$&t !nd t&ose of non6C&risti!n
end +.2./

tr!ditions 0&o !##ed !ttention to t&eir o0n ex+eriene of ex#%sion. D&!t v!#%es 0i## o%r
$overnment, t&e o##etive J0e,K ex+ress in t&e +%b#i s+!e 0e !## s&!reR From t&e st!nd+oint of
t&e C&risti!n ri$&t, it is !bo%t +rotetin$ t&e Ten Comm!ndments. From t&e st!nd+oint of t&eir
o++onents, t&e +rotetion of t&e Ten Comm!ndments is t&e b%siness of &%r&es !nd syn!$o$%es.
T&e iss%e is, r!t&er, +rotetin$ t&e Constit%tion !t ! time 0&en it is bein$ %ndermined !s never
before.
*n 9%ne 200/ t&e 1%+reme Co%rt deided t&e t0o !ses. *n t&e !se of t&e 5ent%)y dis+#!y of t&e
Ten Comm!ndments inside t&e o%rt&o%se, t&e o%rt r%#ed t&e dis+#!y %nonstit%tion!#. *n t&e Tex!s
!se, &o0ever, t&e &istory of t&e mon%ment, +#!ed !s m!ny ot&ers &!d been by t&e Order of t&e
E!$#es, 0!s seen in its &istori!# ontext !s one of some t0enty mon%ments on t&e !+ito# $ro%nds.
*t 0!s not deemed !n Jest!b#is&mentK !nd 0!s t&erefore r%#ed onstit%tion!#. *n bot& !ses, t&e
F%d$es 0ere s+#it five to fo%r. 9%stie 1tevens in &is dissentin$ o+inion on t&e Tex!s !se 0!s t&e
on#y one to referene t&e Hind% Ameri!n Fo%nd!tion a$i%*s brief, in ! footnote to t&e fo##o0in$
o+inionH JEven if, &o0ever, t&e mess!$e of t&e mon%ment, des+ite t&e insribed text, f!ir#y o%#d be
s!id to re+resent t&e be#ief system of !## 9%deo6C&risti!ns, it 0o%#d sti## r%n !fo%# of t&e
Est!b#is&ment C#!%se by +resribin$ ! om+e##ed ode of ond%t from one 2od, n!me#y ! 9%deo6
C&risti!n 2od, t&!t is reFeted by +rominent +o#yt&eisti sets, s%& !s Hind%ism, !s 0e## !s
nont&eisti re#i$ions, s%& !s B%dd&ism.K
<7

Con#%sion
T&e $#ob!# movements !nd events of t&e +!st de!de &!ve !%$mented t&e im+ort!ne of bein$ !b#e
to desribe t&e &!n$in$ re!#ity of o%r time, to reo$ni:e it !s ! om+#ete#y ne0 ontext, !nd to t!)e
sto) of &o0 0e 0i## de!# 0it& t&e ne0 diversity of o%r soiety. "eent#y, * too) note of ! si$n on !
st%dent b%##etin bo!rd !t H!rv!rd 'ivinity 1&oo#. J'iversity is Exe##ene,K it s!id. *s t&is re!##y
soR * t&in) t&!t diversity !#one is not exe##ene. 'iversity is F%st ! f!t. De m!y de!# 0it& it in
exe##ent or im+overis&ed 0!ys. De m!y i$nore t&ose 0&o differ from %s, iso#!te o%rse#ves from
t&em, or en$!$e 0it& t&em !s fe##o0 iti:ens, !s +eo+#e of ot&er f!it&s.
P#%r!#ism is not !n ideo#o$y, not ! ne0 %nivers!# t&eo#o$y, !nd not ! free6form t&eo#o$i!#
re#!tivism. "!t&er, +#%r!#ism is t&e dyn!mi +roess t&ro%$& 0&i& 0e en$!$e 0it& one !not&er in
!nd t&ro%$& o%r very dee+est differenes. For some t&!t en$!$ement 0i## be in t&e re#i$io%s or
t&eo#o$i!# re$ister, !nd for ot&ers it 0i## be in t&e ivi re$ister. For m!ny if not most of %s, it 0i##
be bot&. P#%r!#ism is not F%st !not&er 0ord for diversity, b%t is en$!$ement 0it& t&!t diversity. *t
does not dis+#!e or e#imin!te dee+ re#i$io%s ommitments. *t is, r!t&er, t&e eno%nter of
ommitments, in bot& t&e re#i$io%s !nd t&e ivi s+&ere. P#%r!#ism does not me!n !b!ndonin$
differenes, b%t &o#din$ o%r dee+est differenes, even o%r re#i$io%s differenes, not in iso#!tion, b%t
in re#!tions&i+ to one !not&er. T&e #!n$%!$e of +#%r!#ism is t&!t of di!#o$%e !nd
,I
end +.2..
eno%nter, $ive !nd t!)e, ritiism !nd se#f6ritiism. *n t&e 0or#d !s it is tod!y, it is ! #!n$%!$e 0e
!## 0i## need to #e!rn.
Notes
,. A##en A. A%stin, A(ri%an M*s!i$s in #he Ne) Wor!d/ A So*r%ebook (or C*!#*ra! His#orians
@BostonH 2!r#!nd, ,-I,A; idem, A(ri%an M*s!i$s in An#ebe!!*$ A$eri%a/ A So*r%ebook @BostonH
2!r#!nd, ,-I<A; !nd 1y#vi!ne A. 'io%f, Ser-an#s o( A!!ah/ A(ri%an M*s!i$s Ens!a-ed in #he
A$eri%as @Ne0 Gor)H Ne0 Gor) University Press, ,--IA.
2. T&e first CA*" re+ort 0!s +%b#is&ed in The Minare# @9%ne ,--/AH <=, ! mont&#y m!$!:ine of t&e
*s#!mi Center of 1o%t&ern C!#iforni!. T&is fi$%re om+!res 0it& ! tot!# of ,,- s%& inidents
re+orted d%rin$ !## of ,--,, t&e ye!r of t&e 2%#f D!r.
=. 1ee t&e CA*" 0ebsiteH &tt+HMM000.!ir6net.or$Mivi#ri$&ts2002M .
<. *bid.
/. 1i)& Co!#ition, J200=L< Ann%!# "e+ortH *ntrod%tion,K 000.si)&o!#ition.or$ .
.. 1ee J"e#i$ion in t&e 200< E#etionK on t&e P#%r!#ism ProFet 0ebsiteH &tt+HMM000.+#%r!#ism.or$ .
7. *t is 0e## )no0n t&!t ! o!#ition of >%s#im or$!ni:!tion s%++orted 2eor$e B%s& in 2000,
+ers%!ded, in +!rt, by &is 0i##in$ness to meet 0it& t&em !nd by &is st!tement in t&e seond
+residenti!# deb!te o++osin$ seret evidene !#on$ 0it& r!i!# or re#i$io%s +rofi#in$. *n t&e 2000
e#etion, t&e %se of seret evidene to det!in ! >%s#im s%s+eted of s%++ortin$ terrorism, 0it&o%t
m!)in$ +%b#i eit&er t&e s+eifi &!r$es or t&e evidene, 0!s on t&e to+ of t&e #ist of >%s#im
+o#iti!# +riorities. *n t&e 0!)e of -M,, t&e %se of seret evidene &!s been #itt#e &!##en$ed.
I. 1ee &tt+HMM000.+#%r!#ism.or$M0omenvoteMindex.+&+ .
-. Da!!as Mornin" Ne)s, >!r& 22, 200<.
,0. T&e 8%estion of >%s#im n%mbers in t&e United 1t!tes is &ot#y ontested, !nd t&ere is no
8%estion on re#i$ion in t&e U.1. ens%s. *n 2000 t&e >os8%e 1t%dy ProFet of CA*" in oo+er!tion
0it& t&e H!rtford *nstit%te for "e#i$io%s "ese!r& estim!ted t&ere !re more t&!n ,,200 Ameri!n
mos8%es 0it& ! ombined !tive members&i+ of !t #e!st t0o mi##ion. AdF%stin$ for t&e n%mbers of
>%s#ims not !ffi#i!ted 0it& ! mos8%e, t&e st%dy estim!ted t&e >%s#im +o+%#!tion !t bet0een .
mi##ion !nd 7 mi##ion, !bo%t =0E of 0&om !re Afri!n Ameri!n. T&!t s!me ye!r, t&e En%&%!opedia
'ri#anni%a +%t its estim!te !t <., mi##ion >%s#ims, b!sed on t&e demo$r!+&i rese!r& of '!vid
B!rrett, t&e re#i$io%s demo$r!+&er of t&e Wor!d Chris#ian En%&%!opedia. T&e 200, Ameri!n
"e#i$io%s *dentifi!tion 1%rvey of t&e City University of Ne0 Gor), b!sed on fifty t&o%s!nd
te#e+&one !##s, +#!ed t&e n%mber !t ,., !nd 2.2 mi##ion !d%#ts, or !bo%t 2.I mi##ion >%s#ims, 0&en
!dF%sted for &i#dren. T&e #o0est estim!te is t&!t of t&e C&i!$o6b!sed 2ener!# 1oi!# 1%rvey of t&e
N!tion!# O+inion "ese!r& Co%ni#, 0&i& estim!ted t&e fi$%re !t ,.I- mi##ion. Critis s!y t&e
2ener!# 1oi!# 1%rvey m!y 0e## be #o0 be!%se of t&e m!ny non6En$#is&6s+e!)in$ +eo+#e !mon$
first6$ener!tion immi$r!nts.
,,. 1!m%e# H%ntin$ton, Who Are We Cha!!en"es #o A$eri%an Na#iona! Iden#i#& @Ne0 Gor)H 1imon
V 1&%ster, 200<A, -.
,2. *bid., =<0.
,=. *bid., 200.
,<. *bid., ,<<.
,/. A#exis de To8%evi##e, De$o%ra%& in A$eri%a @Ne0 Gor)H 7int!$e, ,--0A, ,.=0=L<.
,.. Cited in *s!! 5r!mni) !nd ". (!%rene >oore, The God!ess Cons#i#*#ion @Ne0 Gor)H Norton,
,--7A, ,<..
end +.2.7
,7. JCo%ni# to "evisit 'eision on '!y of Pr!yer "e8%est,K Tro& E%%en#ri%, >!r& =,, 200/.
,-
,I. 1ee t&e 0ebsite of t&e Ar!b Ameri!n *nstit%teH &tt+HMM000.!!i%s!.or$M+rMre#e!se0260I602.&tm ;
!nd !rti#es in S#. Lo*is Toda&, Feb. ,2, 2002; !nd Washin"#on Pos#, Feb. 20, 2002.
,-. >!r%s Bor$, The Hear# o( Chris#iani#& @1!n Fr!nisoH H!r+er, 200=A, 220.
20. 9on!t&!n 1!)s, The Di"ni#& o( Di((eren%e/ Ho) #o A-oid #he C!ash o( Ci-i!i0a#ions @(ondonH
Contin%%m, 2002A, ,7L,I.
2,. T!ri8 "!m!d!n, Wes#ern M*s!i$s and #he +*#*re o( Is!a$ @Ne0 Gor)H Oxford University Press,
200=A, /L..
22. *bid., 20=.
2=. Di-a!i/ +es#i-a! o( Li"h#s Pra&er (or Hind*s @"i&mondH *ntern!tion!# >ission Bo!rd of t&e
1o%t&ern B!+tist Convention, ,---A.
2<. 1ome mi$&t 0onder 0&y t&ere !re #e$is#!tive invo!tions !t !##, b%t t&e eremoni!# +reedent is
0e## est!b#is&ed !nd not onsidered !n Jest!b#is&mentK of re#i$ion. *nre!sin$#y, &o0ever, t&ese
#e$is#!tive +r!yers &!ve in#%ded t&e reo$nition of >%s#ims, Hind%s, B%dd&ists, 9!ins, 1i)&s, !nd
N!tive +eo+#es.
2/. 1te+&en 5off, JCritiism of Hind% P#%)ed from t&e Deb,K C!e-e!and P!ain Dea!er, 1e+t. 2=,
2000.
2.. T&om!s 9efferson, JNotes on t&e 1t!te of 7ir$ini! @,7I2A,K in Tho$as 1e((erson/ Wri#in"s, ed.
>erri## '. Peterson @Ne0 Gor)H (ibr!ry C#!ssis, ,-I<A, ,2=L=2..
27. 9!mes >!dison, J>emori!# !nd "emonstr!ne,K in Le##ers and O#her Wri#in"s o( 1a$es
Madison @P&i#!de#+&i!, ,I.7A, ,.,.2L,.-.
2I. Cited in 1%s!n 9!oby, +ree#hinkers/ A His#or& o( A$eri%an Se%*!aris$ @Ne0 Gor)H Ho#t, 200<A,
,-.
2-. T&om!s 9efferson, JAn At for Est!b#is&in$ "e#i$io%s (iberty,K in The Li(e o( Tho$as 1e((erson,
ed. Henry 1. "!nd!## @Ne0 Gor)H 'erby V 9!)son, ,I/IA, ,.2,-L20.
=0. "obert H!ndy, A Chris#ian A$eri%a @Ne0 Gor)H Oxford University Press, ,-7,A, ,00.
=,. 1!#!m A#6>!r!y!ti of t&e >%s#im P%b#i Aff!irs Co%ni# 0!s nomin!ted for t&e N!tion!#
Commission on Terrorism in ,---, b%t &is nomin!tion 0!s revo)ed in ! storm of +rotests from t&e
Qionist Or$!ni:!tion of Ameri! !nd ot&er 9e0is& $ro%+s.
=2. 1ee &tt+HMM000.0&ite&o%se.$ovMne0sMre#e!sesM200/M0,M200/0,206,.&tm# .
==. 1im+son v. C&esterfie#d Co. @7AA. 1ee re#!ted do%ments !nd ne0s stories !t
&tt+HMM000.+#%r!#ism.or$Mne0sMsim+sonv&esterfie#d.+&+ .
=<. 1ee t&e CA*" 0ebsiteH &tt+HMM000.!ir6net.or$ @Nov. ,=, 200=A.
=/. "em!r)s by 1eret!ry of 1t!te Co#in (. Po0e## !t t&e 1ixt& Ann%!# 1t!te 'e+!rtment *ft!r
'inner, November <, 200<, BenF!min Fr!n)#in "oom, D!s&in$ton, 'C.
=.. J>%s#ims 9oin C#intons to Ce#ebr!te Eid6%#6Fitr,K The Minare#, >!r& ,--..
=7. San Die"o Union Trib*ne, Nov. ,=, ,--I.
=I. No. 026,.2<, E#) 2rove Unified 1&oo# 'istrit !nd '!vid D. 2ordon, 1%+erintendent,
Petitioners v. >i&!e# A. Ne0do0, "es+ondent.
=-. As ! divored f!t&er, &e did not &!ve st!ndin$ to brin$ t&e !se on be&!#f of &is d!%$&ter
be!%se &e did not &!ve %stody of &er.
<0. H%ntin$ton4s vie0 of t&is m!tter is t&!t Ne0do0, &is fe##o0 !t&eists, !nd +res%m!b#y t&e
B%dd&ists too re!##y are o%tsiders in Ameri!n %#t%re. He $oes on to s!y t&!t t&e >%s#ims or
B%dd&ists 0&o +rotest t&e +#!ement of ! ross on +%b#i #!nd in Boise, *d!&o, be!%se it m!)es
t&em fee# #i)e str!n$ers in t&eir o0n ity sho*!d fee#
end +.2.I
#i)e str!n$ers, be!%se t&ey !re. T&is 0!s ! #!nd fo%nded !nd +eo+#ed, for t&e most +!rt, by
C&risti!ns. 1ee H%ntin$ton, Who Are We I=.
<,. Brief Ami%s C%ri!e of B%dd&ist Tem+#es, Centers, !nd Or$!ni:!tions re+resentin$ over
=00,000 B%dd&ist Ameri!ns in 1%++ort of "es+ondents, 5ennet& ". Piere, Co%nse# of "eord.
20
T&e s%mm!ry of !r$%ment be$insH JD&en &i#dren from B%dd&ist &omes !ross t&e United 1t!tes
reite t&e P#ed$e of A##e$i!ne, t&ey %tter ! +&r!se t&!t is inonsistent !nd inom+!tib#e 0it& t&e
re#i$io%s be#iefs !nd et&i!# +rini+#es t&ey !re t!%$&t by t&eir +!rents, by ot&er !d%#ts in t&eir
omm%nities, !nd by t&eir te!&ers !t !fter s&oo# re#i$io%s +ro$r!ms !nd !t 1%nd!y '&!rm! s&oo#.
T&!t +&r!se is t&!t t&is is ! n!tion T%nder 2od.U A#t&o%$& t&ese &i#dren m!y 0is& to s!y t&e P#ed$e,
ex+ress t&eir +!triotism, !nd st!te !#o%d t&eir ommitment to t&is Tindivisib#eU o%ntry !nd t&e
v!#%es of T#iberty !nd F%stie for !##U re+resented by t&e f#!$, t&ey !n on#y do so by referrin$ to !
deity !nd ! +!rti%#!r re#i$io%s +!r!di$m t&!t is !t odds 0it& t&eir B%dd&ist be#iefs.K
<2. 1ee t&e P#%r!#ism ProFet 0ebsiteH &tt+HMM000.+#%r!#ism.or$Mne0sMindex.+&+R
xrefWA#!b!m!X,0XComm!ndmentsXControversyVsortW'E1CY&e!d#ine<.2= .
<=. 1ee t&e CN1N Ne0s 0ebsiteH
&tt+HMM000.nsne0s.omMC%#t%reMAr&iveM200=,0MCU(200=,00.b.&tm# @Ot. ,0, 200=A.
<<. Brief for t&e Hind% Ameri!n Fo%nd!tion !nd Ot&ers "e+resentin$ t&e *nterests of Hind%s,
B%dd&ists, !nd 9!ins, !s Ami%s C%ri!e in 1%++ort of "evers!#. No. 0=6,/00 in t&e 1%+reme Co%rt
of t&e Unites 1t!tesH T&om!s 7!n Orden v. "i) Perry, 2overnor of Tex!s !nd C&!irm!n, 1t!te
Preserv!tion Bo!rd, et !#., ,<.
</. *bid., =L<.
<.. *bid., 22.
<7. No. 0=6,/00 in t&e 1%+reme Co%rt of t&e Unites 1t!tesH T&om!s 7!n Orden v. "i) Perry,
2overnor of Tex!s !nd C&!irm!n, 1t!te Preserv!tion Bo!rd, et !#., 9%stie 1tevens, dissentin$, ,=
@deided 9%ne 27, 200/A.
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Ar!b Ameri!n *nstit%te. A(ri%an M*s!i$s in An#ebe!!*$ A$eri%a/ A So*r%ebook. BostonH 2!r#!nd,
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Bor$, >!r%s. The Hear# o( Chris#iani#&. 1!n Fr!nisoH H!r+er, 200=.
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by >erri## '. Peterson. Ne0 Gor)H (ibr!ry C#!ssis, ,-I<.
5r!mni), *s!!, !nd ". (!%rene >oore. The God!ess Cons#i#*#ion. Ne0 Gor)H Norton, ,--7.
end +.2.-
>!dison, 9!mes. J>emori!# !nd "emonstr!ne.K *n Le##ers and O#her Wri#in"s o( 1a$es Madison,
,.,.2L,.-. P&i#!de#+&i!, ,I.7.
P#%r!#ism ProFet. J"e#i$ion !nd Po#itis 200<H Domen4s 7otes, Domen4s 7oies.K
&tt+HMM000.+#%r!#ism.or$M0omenvoteMindex.+&+ .
CCC. J"e#i$ion in t&e 200< E#etion.K &tt+HMM000.+#%r!#ism.or$ .
"!m!d!n, T!ri8. Wes#ern M*s!i$s and #he +*#*re o( Is!a$. Ne0 Gor)H Oxford University Press,
200=.
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1!)s, 9on!t&!n. The Di"ni#& o( Di((eren%e/ Ho) #o A-oid #he C!ash o( Ci-i!i0a#ions. (ondonH
Contin%%m, 2002.
1i)& Co!#ition. J200=L< Ann%!# "e+ortH *ntrod%tion.K 000.si)&o!#ition.or$ .
end +.270
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