Understanding religious pluralism

By Ashley Ciglar

Our global society has confronted issues of diversity in the past involving gender, sexuality and ethnicity but has ignored a crucial element in every culture: religion. There is a stigma about the "r" word that repels people like rotten eggs. The word religion has been substituted by words like spirituality and personal beliefs, although both of these constitute religion.

Anything is done to avoid the words religion and faith, as a measure against any small conflict that may arise. But why do we avoid religious issues when we are willing to fight battles about sexuality and ethnicity? Maybe it is the long history of war and intolerance tied to religion that quickly leads us to forget the goodness that dovetails this piece of culture.

Some occurrences may be too painful for some people to talk about, yet this pain will never cease if we, as a society, do not discuss heated issues to resolve them. We will never learn from our past if we do not remember it, for religion is ingrained in our history, our cultures and our future.

The two words that can unite our diverse world are "religious pluralism." It has taken me six months to fully understand religious pluralism -- it is the ability to appreciate the similarities and to respect the differences across faiths.

Religious pluralism hinges on an understanding of both sides of an argument, which can be accomplished through interfaith dialogue, so that we are capable of possessing two opposing arguments while remaining sane.

Interfaith dialogue facilitates an environment for world cultures to develop in a peaceful means and opens a seat at the table for everyone. When we are at this table we are able to convene and may effectively argue our controversies while admiring our similarities; through this there is hope for beneficial change in the future.

Bring yourself to the table and invite everyone, for there is a bounty ready to be shared.

Ashley Ciglar is a sophomore civil engineering major.