Diversity and Acceptance
The United States of America is often cited as one of the most religiously-mired countries of the world. Certainly it is a hugely populous country. Most certainly it is religiously-diverse. And the presence of churches of every conceivable Christian sect is a ubiquitous sight in every town, city, metropolis and suburb. Americans take their religion seriously. And there are a whole lot of people there, to do that.It is a hugely evangelical country of people emotionally passionate about their views of Christianity. And most of those individuals are of a sternly conservative bent. Naturals for the Republican Party. The United States is also a country that, either despite of, or because of its religiosity, often becomes very accepting of sects and religions unlike their own. Because religion merits respect.
And while racism is alive and well, albeit on the wane, religion is held by its practitioners to represent the pathway to a higher order, where the finest emotions and characteristics of civility and godliness can be realized. Individuality is also highly prized in the United States. Expressions of faith, ideology, and political and social values are welcomed and held dear, even those that offend.
And now, it seems that barriers that once seemed impermeable, impervious to permitting a candidate to aspire to the highest office in the land, have been relaxed to the extent that almost anyone may apply. If a man whose biracial heritage setting him in the camp of the persecuted and humiliated could become a popular and well-loved president of the United States, then anyone can.
Even, it seems, a Mormon. A sect of Christianity viewed by those same evangelicals who comprise the majority of the Republican Party, as a cult religion. What makes a Mormon different from, say, an Episcopalian? Well, for one thing, Mormons shun alcohol, tobacco and caffeine. Although, in its not-so-distant past, the Mormon Church upheld the rites of polygamy.
Yet how very peculiar that the great American public that is beginning to open wide its mind to the possibility of electing a Mormon president, is not welcome in his church, unless they convert to Mormonism. None but Mormons may enter a Mormon temple. That kind of exclusivity is common to few other Christian sects, or, in fact, any other houses of worship be they Judaic, Sikh, Buddhist, even Islamic and Hindu.
With all due respect, perhaps it is time for Mormons to embrace and accept the differences in Christianity and other religions, in lock-step with other Christian sects' willingness to accept a Mormon as being no different in essence, value and trustworthiness to any other citizen, irrespective of his/her mode of conviction and spiritual guidance.
Labels: Human Relations, Political Realities, Religion, Social-Cultural Deviations, United States
posted by Pieface @ Sunday, June 03, 2012
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