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National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA
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Direct Questions/Interview Requests to: NCC News, 212-870-
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12NCC2/14/2000                                                                 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

"RELIGIOUS PLURALISM: AMERICA IN THE YEAR 2000"
Theme Article, Year 2000 Yearbook of American and Canadian 
Churches

 February 14, 2000, NEW YORK CITY - What better way to 
introduce readers to America's growing religious pluralism 
than through a series of "snapshots?"  That essentially is 
what Dr. Diana L. Eck offers in the theme article for the 
Year 2000 Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches -- a 
book brimming with resources for both research on and 
engagement with a diversity of faith communities.

 Dr. Eck is Professor of Comparative Religion and Indian 
Studies at Harvard University.  In "Religious Pluralism: 
America in the Year 2000," she illustrates the richness and 
complexity of an American phenomenon that is welcomed by 
some, feared or resisted by others.  Among her "snapshots," 
each inviting fuller exploration:

  Already home to Native American traditional 
spiritualities, America's religious diversity increased 
through the inherent diversity of Protestant churches 
established in the colonies and with the 19th and 20th 
century immigration of Roman Catholics, Jews and persons 
who practiced Chinese religion, Islam and Sikhism.  "It 
was not, however, until America's immigration policy 
changed in 1965 that significant communities of Muslims, 
Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs and Jains settled in the United 
States," reports Dr. Eck.
  "Pluralism is not just difference but engagement with our 
differences," Dr. Eck notes.  New Muslim mosques and 
community centers; Hindu, Jain and Zoroastrian temples, 
and Buddhist monasteries are taking their place alongside 
Christian churches and Jewish synagogues.  Is this 
phenomenon of architectural interest only, or are their 
members encountering each other in meaningful ways?  
  "Religious traditions are irreducible, and they tend to 
resist syncretistic amalgamation," Dr. Eck points out.  
And different faith traditions, and traditions within 
traditions, hold very different views of interreligious 
dialogue.  So how can we engage our differences but keep 
our respective identities?  How can we foster dialogue 
aimed not at achieving agreement but rather relationship, 
based on real give and take?
  For many Americans, religious pluralism is threatening.  
The shadow of vandalism and violence perpetuated against 
religious groups, particularly minority or ethnic 
communities, falls across Hindu temples, Sikh gurdwaras, 
mosques, synagogues and minority Christian churches 
alike.  Our common life as communities is menaced by many 
forms of belligerence and discrimination, negative 
stereotypes, benign ignorance and willful 
misrepresentation.
  "There are also many other controversies that engage our 
new religious differences across complex issues," Dr. Eck 
continues.  "Can a turbaned Sikh work on a hard-hat job 
or wear his turban in the U.S. Army?  Can a Sikh high 
school student carry the symbolic dagger of Sikh 
religious initiation to school?  Will the Whirlpool 
Corporation in Nashville find a way for Muslim employees 
to meet their obligation for prayer?..Zoning boards, 
school boards, city and state judicial bodies have become 
the sites of interreligious encounter as new questions 
like these are posed."
  Public awareness, community life and public policy are 
just beginning to catch up with the changes in our 
demography.  For example, the Governor of the State of 
Kansas, in 1997, issued his first official proclamation 
on the Muslim observance of Ramadan.  In it he called on 
Kansas citizens to recognize "the dedication and service 
of Muslims as an important part of the fabric of 
religious pluralism which enriches us all."  President 
Clinton, in 1998, issued similar greetings on an 
important Sikh observance.  Increasingly, public figures 
and heroes including astronauts, business leaders, 
scientists, engineers are identified as Buddhist, Muslim, 
Sikh, Jain, Hindu, Zoroastrian ..

 Prepared by the National Council of Churches and 
published by Abingdon Press, Nashville, Tenn., the 408-page 
Yearbook is chock full of useful and fascinating facts, 
figures, maps, graphics and detailed listings related to 
American religious life, invaluable for church leaders, 
journalists, scholars, seminary and public libraries and 
others engaged in research or ministry.

The Year 2000 Yearbook of American and Canadian 
Churches may be ordered by e-mail (yearbook@ncccusa.org); 
phone (888-870-3325); fax (212-870-2817); or mail (Yearbook 
Orders, National Council of Churches, Room 880, 475 
Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115).  Cost is $40 including 
shipping.

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