Religious Pluralism Is Theme of Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches
Episcopal News Service. February 18, 2000 [2000-040]
(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.)