Talk of religious diversity is often framed around percentages and numbers. Surveys and polls can tell us how many different religions are practiced in the U.S. (a lot) and how many Americans are married to someone of a different religious affiliation (37% according to one Pew Study). But numbers, however important don’t begin to tell us what it actually means to live in a country that’s religiously diverse.
For many Americans, especially those living in urban centers, religious diversity is not just read about, it’s experienced: It’s about seeing a woman in a hijab walking down the street past a Jewish temple — or learning about a Halal Butcher in Queens, in New York City, where Muslim immigrants from places like Bangladesh, and Pakistan and Jordan go to get Halal meat for Qurbani (Eid al Adha).
It isn’t always easy. There are challenges, and people in a diverse society regularly struggle with their own identities. In short, diversity isn’t always simple, or pretty.
So when I had the chance to view “A Son’s Sacrifice,” an independent film about a young man of mixed Puerto Rican-Bangladeshi heritage following in his father’s footsteps as a Halal butcher in New York, I thought, “Yeah, that’s it: That’s what religious diversity actually feels and looks like” — at least in the United States.
I wanted to share that with you and get your feelings on how faith-related issues play out in different societies. So each week of August, join us at “Talking Faith” for a select clip from the award-winning documentary directed by Yoni Brook and co-produced with Musa Syeed.
And we want to know: What does religious diversity look or feel like in your country? And what does it mean to you?
Alexandra Abboud has five years experience reporting on the legal and cultural dynamics that shape American society. At America.gov, she manages coverage of cultural diversity, the arts, education and sports. Abboud has also served as a managing editor of the State Department's eJournal USA series, producing internationally circulated publications on innovation and fighting corruption.
Comments (5)
nazir ahmad bhat
13 May 2009 at 06:04 EDT
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religion for all practical purposes is nt and shd nt be counted a numerical advantage .religion in whtever; form and capacity do detemine the attitude of the individual towards understanding the life and living the life withinthe required standard.in advanced countries including united states religion by and large got marginalised due to the influnce of science and the scientific temper of the people. previous religuous persecutions led people to believe tht non-religious life is preferable and developed certain habits and attitudes now knwn as the free life concept. hwever; post twenth century wth all its isms found tht there is some palce of religion in the human society whch needs to be taken into considration.even; the logical athiest of century bertrand rusell desired tht religion ought to be there yet wth equation wth modern scientific trends.those mixed communities who hve settled in the united states primarily in pursuit of jobs hve at one stage or the other found the desrisarbility to hve their relligious cultures to be found in their family and social ilfe due to their inner feeling to be always different from the lifestyle of their host countries to safeguard their own social and moral values.this is all the more a compulsive thining nt thinking by habit.united states has all open opportunities to see tht well read people hve tendency to practise the moral concept of their religions freely which eventually shall render many benifits to the ntional and social aspects of america. thx
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Location: USA
14 July 2009 at 12:54 EDT
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Pretty cool post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say
that I have really liked reading your blog posts. Anyway
I’ll be subscribing to your blog and I hope you post again soon!
LnddMiles
Location: Romania
21 July 2009 at 16:55 EDT
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Great post! I’ll subscribe right now wth my feedreader software!
ElenaLisvato
Location: Ukraine
4 August 2009 at 15:40 EDT
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thanks !! very helpful post!
play keno
Location: Turkey
12 November 2009 at 10:30 EST
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some very interesting points… but i think your research and bias leaves a lot to be desired… then of course, that’s just my opinion…
have a great day… definitely a thought-provoking post!