wfn.org | Religious pluralism is theme of Yearbook

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2000-040

Religious pluralism is theme of Yearbook of American and Canadian 
Churches

by James Solheim

     (ENS) America's emerging religious pluralism is the theme of 
the Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches for the year 2000.

     In a series of "snapshots," Prof. Diana Eck, who teaches 
comparative religion and Indian studies at Harvard, illustrates 
the richness and complexity of the American religious landscape 
that is constantly changing--welcomed by some and regarded as a 
threat by others.

     Religious diversity was fed by the variety of Protestant 
churches established in the colonial era and with subsequent 
waves of immigration. "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," Eck writes in her essay.

     "Pluralism is not just difference but engagement with our 
differences," she contends. Mosques and temples and monasteries 
now take their place beside Christian churches and Jewish 
synagogues across America. 

     The yearbook, edited by Eileen Lindner of the National 
Council of Churches and published by Abingdon Press in Nashville, 
is still regarded as a dependable compilation of statistical data 
and contacts for Christian churches in the U.S. and Canada but 
for the first time it includes a directory of eight non-Christian 
faith traditions. Included are brief histories and descriptions 
of Baha'i, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Native 
American Traditional Spirituality and Sikhism.

     Lindner said that "a serious gap appeared in relation to 
other faith groups in America" so the editors decided to make a 
change, "to fill that gap in ways that are sensitive to the faith 
traditions and organizational realities of others."

     Also included for the first time is a list of agencies that 
address issues of interfaith relations. "The evidence of the 
persistence of religious pluralism can be measured in part by the 
increasing number of ecumenical agencies that are engaged in 
active programs of interfaith dialogue and relationships," 
Lindner says. A calendar includes holy days of several faiths.

     As dialogue and interfaith relations continue to develop, 
Lindner says that "we hope that the material gathered in this 
millennial edition of the Yearbook will serve as a timely and 
useful guide through the unfamiliar and sometimes confusing 
terrain of religious pluralism."

     (The yearbook may be ordered by e-mail at 
yearbook@ncccusa.org or by calling 888-870-3325. The cost is $40 
plus shipping.)

--James Solheim is director of News and Information for the 
Episcopal Church.