Religion

Religion
Introduction
Religion in the United States is remarkable both for its high adherence level, compared to other
developed countries, as well as for its diversity. The First Amendment to the country's Constitution
prevents the government from having any authority in religion, and guarantees the free exercise of
religion. A majority of Americans report that religion plays a "very important" role in their lives, a
proportion unusual among developed nations, although similar to the other nations of the Americas.
Many faiths have flourished in the United States, including both later imports spanning the country's
multicultural immigrant heritage, as well as those founded within the country; these have led the
United States to become the most religiously diverse country in the world.
The majority of Americans (76%) identify themselves as Christians, mostly with Protestant
denominations. Non-Christian religions (including Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism),
collectively make up about 4% to 5% of the adult population. Another 15% of the adult population
identifies as having no religious belief or no religious affiliation. According to the American Religious
Identification Survey, religious belief varies considerably across the country: 59% of Americans living
in Western states (the "Unchurched Belt") report a belief in God, yet in the South (the "Bible Belt") the
figure is as high as 86%.
Several of the original Thirteen Colonies were established by English settlers who wished to practice
their own religion without discrimination: the Massachusetts Bay Colony was established by Puritans,
Pennsylvania by Quakers, Maryland by Catholics, and Virginia by Anglicans. Although some
individual states retained established religious confessions well into the nineteenth century, the United
States was the first nation to have no official state-endorsed religion. Modeling the provisions
concerning religion within the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, the framers of the Constitution
rejected any religious test for office, and the First Amendment specifically denied the federal
government any power to enact any law respecting either an establishment of religion or prohibiting
its free exercise, thus protecting any religious organization, institution, or denomination from
government interference. The decision was mainly influenced by European Rationalist and Protestant
ideals, but was also a consequence of the pragmatic concerns of minority religious groups and small
states that did not want to be under the power or influence of a national religion that did not represent
them.
US Religion is characterized by a number of features
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There are many different faiths
Religions with evangelical and fundamentalist characteristics are an important feature
These characteristics have often led to conflicts and thus ‘new’ religions/ churches.
Social aspects and welfare provision have played a large role in churches
Religious identity and membership are often connected to social class and ethnicity.
Historical Background
The diversity of religious life in the USA derives from Native- American religions, colonial history and
waves of later immigrants.
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16th- 17 Century
Colonial settlement and the fact that these European settlers had fled ‘The Old World’ for religious
reasons resulted in many different religious (Protestant) denominations in colonial America.
Most colonists were Christian Protestants whose faiths influenced future US society. There were
conflicts between these denominations resulting in more colonies, each with their own religious makeup.
Two fairly large groups of settlers were both Calvinists. One the one hand there were Pilgrims from
Britain and Holland who had separated from the Church of England and landed on Plymouth Rock in
1620. On the other hand there were the Puritans who wanted to purify the Church of England. They
settled in Massachusetts Bay in 1630.
Despite their European experience they were not religiously tolerant and both believed God had
chosen them for salvation
Religious diversity was more obvious in the Middle Colonies where protestant groups such as Welsh
and Dutch Calvinists, Scottish Presbyterians, Swedish and German Lutherans, Baptists and English
Quakers settled in Maryland (originally a haven for Roman Catholics), with religious tolerance for all.
The first Catholics to arrive in America in the sixteenth century, outside the 13 colonies, were
missionaries from Spain, Portugal and France. They established churches and missionaries in the
south and west of the country in present- day Texas, California, Florida and New Mexico.
A few European Jewish traders also settled in the English Colonies, despite a ban on Jewish
immigration, and Newport, New York City, Charleston and Philadelphia became Jewish centres
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18 century
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There was a change of emphasis in the 18 century. The majority of immigrants no longer came to
the American colonies for religious reasons but for material advancement, free land and adventure.
There was a decline in religious influence and only 17% of the population formally belonged to a
religious group. Different immigrants continued to arrive (more Jews too) but the emphasis was still on
Protestant Christian denominations.
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There were two important events in the 18 century that affected colonial communities and produced
more active religiosity (for the time being):
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The First Great Awakening was a period of heightened religious activity in the 1730s and
1740s and meant a shift to a more emotional way of practicing faith.
Up till that point most pastors read their sermons, which were theologically dense and
advanced a particular theological argument, and believers just listened.
The leaders of the Awakening believed stressed repentance and wanted to elicit an emotional
response from their audience. They believed that would lead to salvation and rebirth
The Great awakening led to friction and churches were split as ministers and congregations
either supported the revivalists or opposed the emotionalism and conversion practices.
The radicalism of the Great Awakening partly influenced revolutionary sentiments which led to
the War for Independence.
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The War for Independence from Britain: was a time of conflict for American religion because it
divided loyalties among churches. The main question was ‘which side are you on’? The
Presbyterians, Baptists, Catholics and Lutherans were mainly on the American side of the
struggle while the Anglican Church supported the British. Pacifist denominations such as
Quakers, and Mennonites were neutral but were persecuted for lack of support. Because of
their support for the British the Anglican Church lost much prestige and a new Epistocal
church in its stead was created.
Despite these events there was still weak religiosity at end of century and most Americans were not
active members of a church.
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19 century
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During the 19 century religion recovered.
Firstly there was the Second Great Awakening between 1810 and 1830. This was a new religious
revival with a theology which states that every person could be saved through revivals. Many converts
believed that the Awakening heralded a new millennial age. The Second Great Awakening stimulated
the establishment of many evangelical reform movements designed to remedy the evils of society
before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
Religious groups were subject to conflicts within themselves and with other churches and this resulted
theological quarrels, conflicts, divisions and the formation of many sects, such as Seventh- day
Adventism and Mormonism were formed particularly between 1830 and 1860.
Roman Catholicism grew because lots of Roman -Catholic immigrants arrived from Ireland and Italy
and the population of Jews grew due to discrimination and repression in Germany and central
Europe.
Despite having escaped the Eastern European pogroms Jews also experienced widespread antiSemitism in the United States.
Slavery and civil war were real threats to religion because both pro- slavery churches as well as
abolitionist positions were based on the Bible.
At end of the century US wealth increased substantially due to industrialization and a booming
economy, but divisions grew between rich and poor so there was much inequality and social misery.
The churches responded to these problems and became involved in education and charity work. The
active role that churches took in supporting people that needed help has remained a feature of
religious groups till this day
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20 century
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Religious pluralism increased at the end of the 19 century and during the 20 century as large
numbers of immigrants arrived from eastern, central and southern Europe as well as Latin America
and Asia.
On the whole this strengthened the Roman Catholic Church but ‘new’ religions such as Hinduism,
Buddhism, Islam and Sikhism were also introduced in the US.
Many new Jewish immigrants arrived because of anti- Semitism in Europe as well as Greek, Russian,
Syrian and Russian immigrants who founded Eastern Orthodox Churches.
Many immigrant groups concentrated in the big cities and thus created strong ethnic communities
which retained their own language and religious life. This also distanced them from many Americans
and led to intolerance against new arrivals.
Religious plurality can were indicate vitality and toleration but can also lead to quarrels and
intolerance. The Protestant Majority often treated Roman Catholic, Jewish and other immigrants with
suspicion and hostility but this first changed slowly and later considerably since the 1950s thanks to
immigration, population growth in ethnic communities, improved social attitudes and a decrease in
Protestant majority
Since the 1960s many Protestant churches experienced a series of conflicts among liberals,
modernists, evangelicals and fundamentalists about issues such as abortion, same- sex relationships,
the Evolution Theory and other interpretations of the Bible.
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As a result new religious groups have been formed. These fundamentalist and evangelical groups
within the Protestant church emphasize spiritual renewal and a desire for more personal religious
commitment and ‘simple faith’. They are traditional and orthodox and believe the Bible should be
interpreted literally.
They stress the importance of personal salvation, oppose new interpretations of Bible and reject
Darwinism in favour of Creationism (the literal Bible Story). Their anti- modern, anti- secular
conservative message is based on moral values, the role of the family and education and is very
appealing to many Americans because it provides simple certainties and stresses commitment en
responsibility.
1 The terms ‘evangelical’, ‘conservative’, ‘the Christian right’, ‘fundamentalist Christian’ tend to be
used interchangeably Evangelicals and fundamentalist movement use radio and TV to spread their message and have
become very skillful in their use of the media. They own or control some 1,300 radio or television
stations. The preachers have become famous celebrities and their media performances attract large
audiences and advertising revenues, with the result that religious broadcasting has become very
profitable and that evangelical churches have a strong political voice on the right.
Fundamentalist Beliefs:
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The Creation Myth
America has been chosen by God to lead other nations on the road to Paradise
God chooses those who are worthy (predestination)
Poverty is a sign that one is not doing God’s will.
Some Americans, in search for spiritual growth, ethnic identity and answers to modern problems have
shown interest in eastern religions like Islam (including the African- American ‘Nation of Islam’),
Buddhism, Hinduism and alternative beliefs, such as the occult, Native American religions, astrology
and witchcraft.
Contemporary US Religion
US religion underwent significant changes after the post- war revival. As in Europe, the influence and
membership of mainstream Protestant and traditional denominations declined in the liberal social
climate of the 1960s and 1970s.
At the same time pluralism increased and new religious groups such as fundamentalist and
evangelical churches (which attracted large numbers of members), various sects, cults and eastern
religions (such as Islam, Hidiusm and Buddhism) grew.
Despite these changes, the large majority of religious Americans today are still within the JudeoChristian tradition. US religion consequently consists of three main faiths in terms of their history,
numbers and influence.: Protestantism, Catholicism and Judaism.
Church State and Politics
Separation of church and state is a key concept in American government and culture. The first line of
the First Amendment of the United States constitution states that church and state are to be kept
forever separate. On this basis, the former custom of allowing prayers in public schools, even if nondenominational, has been discontinued.
Although religion is supposed to be a private matter, public and private lives are not inseparable and it
is inevitable that religion should influence public and political debates on issues such as abortion, the
death penalty, same- sex marriages and armed conflict.
A religious sensibility is also reflected in national symbols and emblems such as the US seal, the
currency and the pledge of allegiance which ends in ‘One Nation Under God’. Presidents often belong
to a religious groups and politicians frequently refer to God and the Bible in their speeches. US
presidents swear the inaugural oath of office on the Bible, sessions of Congress commence with
prayers and both Houses of Congress have official chaplains.
Religion and education
Administrative and financial organization of public schools is generally carried out by local
communities and school boards, composed of elected citizens, oversee the schools in their area.
They also decide school policy and what is to be taught. It is at this level that battles between
fundamentalists and modernizers over the school curriculum have been fought, such as the debates
over school prayers of the teaching of evolution and creationism.
Religious education is supposed to be neutral. The constitutional separation of church from state
means that public schools can not promote religion.
Despite this, the Supreme Court ruled that religious groups are allowed to meet for religious activities
in public schools after class hours (as long as the property can also be used by others for other
purposes) but the Supreme Court also banned clergy from offering prayers at graduation ceremonies
in public schools so it is obvious that religion has a place in schools as long as it is not compulsory.
Religions in the USA
Christianity
America is largely a Christian nation. Of the 85% of Americans with a Christian connection, Protestant
groups make up about 49%, Roman Catholics 28%, Eastern Orthodox, Armenian and Polish National
Catholics 4%, with the remaining 4% split between The Church of Latter Day Saints (Mormons),
Jehovah's Witnesses, Unitarians and Christian Scientists. The largest and most prominent nonChristian group is the Jews, about 3% of the population. The Islamic and Hindu populations are
growing due to immigration.
● Protestantism
The United States as a nation was founded and formed largely by Protestants, who remain a powerful
national group. Out of the all the men who have been presidents of the United States, only one (John
F. Kennedy, a Roman Catholic) was not either a Protestant or from a Protestant family background.
Hundreds of Protestant affiliations and sects exist. We'll examine some of the larger ones and
‘interesting’ ones’.
The Baptists
Baptists make up more than 10% of the American population, at least 27,000,000 people. Black and
white Baptist church denominations exist separately. The largely white Southern Baptist Convention
has about 12,000,000 members, while 9,000,000 African- Americans (30% of all blacks in America)
are members of their own National Baptist Conventions.
Baptists do not have a formal church hierarchy. Each local denomination is an independent
autonomous unit. Baptists hold sway in the Bible Belt region, which covers much of the south and
Texas. Communities in this region, especially in rural areas, are among the most religious in the
country. A New York City bank might give you a free toaster if you open an account; the Dallas bank
would give you a free bible.
Nearly 90% of African-American church-goers attend predominantly-black churches, mostly Baptist.
The black church has existed as a separate entity for hundreds of years. Black churches have
contributed many notable American religious and political leaders, the most prominent of whom have
been the civil rights leader the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. and his protege, the Reverend Jesse
Jackson. Some black churches are known for “bible preaching” in which a skilled preacher will whip
his followers into an enthusiastic religious frenzy. The gospel music of the black church is one of the
building blocks of America's unique musical heritage. It forms the basis for much of black music,
which itself forms the basis for much of American popular music.
The Methodists
Methodists number at least 13,000,000 and are the second largest Protestant group. While modern
Methodism has officially abandoned many of its more conservative views, American Methodism has
traditionally been associated with very strict standards of personal living regarding gambling, sex,
alcohol, or even card playing and dancing.Methodism is a socially active religion, with a great number
of colleges, missions and hospitals to its credit.
The Lutherans
Lutherans number about 9,000,000, with particular strength in the Mid- western states where many
immigrants from the Lutheran countries of Germany and Scandinavia settled. Lutheranism has the
lowest proportion of blacks of any Protestant group. Lutheranism began in 1517 with Martin Luther's
split from the Catholic Church. It is the oldest Protestant group. Lutherans emphasize theological
doctrine. A young person must engage in a long study of the Lutheran Catechism before becoming a
full-fledged church member. Lutherans stress spirituality rather than strict living.
Lutheran worship retains many Catholic practices, such as holy communion, in a simplified form.
These include altars, crosses, vestments and candles that many other Protestants find too elaborate,
but that Lutherans use to enhance their religious devotions.
The Episcopalians
Episcopalians are the richest and most powerful of all protestant groups. The Episcopal church
descends from the original Church of England. It is both Catholic and Protestant, Catholic in that it
retains much of Roman Catholic ritual, sacraments, creeds and orders of the church, Protestant (or
reformed) in that it rejects the authority of the Pope, conducts services in English and re-emphasizes
the authority of the Bible. The Book of Common Prayer, first promulgated in 1549, forms the basis for
Episcopal services. Like Roman Catholics, Episcopalians have priests, though marriage of the clergy
is allowed. Monks and nuns, who are strictly contemplative and may not marry, also exist. In general,
the Episcopal Church is tolerant of “vices” such as drinking and gambling.
The Presbyterians
Presbyterians number about 4,000,000, and they are primarily white. They are spread evenly around
the country, and are second only to Episcopalians among major Protestant groups in education and
income level. Presbyterians believe in the infallibility of the Bible as the revealed word of God, and in
a definite (though spiritual) concept of heaven and hell. Presbyterians believe that Jesus Christ was
the Son of God, and in the Holy Trinity as the revelation of God in three manifestations.
The Congregationalists
Congregationalists are members of the present-day United Church of Christ, which has approximately
2,000,000 members. The original Pilgrim fathers who landed at Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts in
1620 were Congregationalists. The emphasis is on the congregation and the autonomous local
church. The church recognizes the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion and the Holy Trinity,
but not the virgin birth of Jesus Christ or a strictly defined heaven and hell. Congregationalists view
the Bible as a work for inspiration and interpretation, not to be taken literally.
The Quakers
Another small group that has played an important role in U.S. history has been the Quakers,
members of the “Religious Society of Friends,” which numbers about 125,000. Quakers believe in
group- worship and yet a highly personal relationship with God. They have no fixed worship ritual but
spiritual exercises in their group meetings. They believe in an “inner” baptism and communion. Since
early days Quakers have been associated with pacifism, and with the use of plain dress and a
traditional type of archaic “plain” English language.
The Mennonites
Mennonites are yet another group with a distinctive lifestyle associated with pacifism, total abstention
from violence, special dress and social habits. They number about 170,000. The most conservative of
the Mennonites are called “Amish.” They refuse all modern conveniences. The Mennonite movement
began in Germany, was subject to great persecutions, and flourished in America beginning in the
seventeenth century. In some areas, particularly in Pennsylvania, the Amish people are known for
their German (“Pennsylvania Dutch”) dialects, their plain black clothing and their horses and buggies.
The Mormons
The Mormons, or Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, are by far the largest in the “other
Christians” category with 3,500,000 adherents. The church was founded in New York State in 1830 by
Joseph Smith, who claimed to have received his authority by direct divine bestowal. Mormons believe
in the Bible and in their own complementary work, The Book of Mormon. They believe in immortality
and in the need for the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They believe that people travelled to
ancient America from Israel to settle and that some of them were prophets. A prophet named
“Mormon” wrote the Book of Mormon which God preserved on gold plates for Joseph Smith to find in
1820 and translate. The Book of Mormon shows how Jesus Christ visited ancient America after his
Ascension.
Mormons were greatly persecuted in their early years and eventually found a home in the desert of
Utah. In earlier days, they were associated with polygamy (having many wives), though the church
now eschews this practice. They abstain from all alcohol, tobacco, coffee and tea. Mormons believe in
active conversion, and strive to serve at least a year as a missionary.
Because the Mormons believe a person can have his or her ancestors ordained and be capable of
eternal life, Mormons place great store on genealogy and finding one's ancestors. They maintain
large genealogical data bases which they allow outside researchers to use.
Jehova's Witnesses
Jehovah's Witnesses number about 950,000 in the U.S. They believe that God sent Jesus to earth as
a sacrifice to vindicate his sovereignty and that Christ took power in heaven as king in 1914. He cast
Satan out of heaven at that time, causing troubles to begin on earth. The “great tribulation” is going to
come, during which God will destroy everything that is wicked and begin a thousand year reign of
Christ. Jehovah's Witnesses believe in actively preaching their doctrine and trying to gain converts by
going door to door as much as they can. They refuse to salute the flag, receive blood transfusions, or
enter into military service. They believe that theirs is the only true faith.
Born Again Christians
A Major Phenomenon. American has a tradition of evangelism, mostly among Protestants. Using
television or filling stadiums and large arenas with live audiences, evangelical leaders preach to
millions of people. While most leaders come from one of the many established Protestant
denominations, they preach to and attract audiences from all religious groups, Christian or otherwise.
Two of the most prominent and highly respected are the Reverend Billy Graham and the Reverend
Robert Schuller, the man who first thought of the “drive-in” church in Southern California and who now
broadcasts to millions of people every Sunday morning from his architecturally unique “Crystal
Cathedral.”
Born again Christianity has suffered from controversy and scandal. Some very popular
“televangelists” have, in the past few years, been the subject of sex and money scandals and even
criminal actions based on their misuse of contributor funds. Many clergymen in the more “established”
religions see evangelism as a threat. Evangelism is often synonymous with or closely associated with
religious “fundamentalism,” a point of view that puts religious values ahead of earthly ones.
● Roman Catholicism
Roman Catholics are the largest individual religious denomination in the United States, with about
50,000,000 adherents. Few Roman Catholics are of English or Scottish descent, hence Roman
Catholics tend to have separate ethnic identification than most Protestants, at least in the larger cities.
Most people of Irish, Italian, Hispanic and Eastern European descent, with some Germans, are
Roman Catholic.
Differences Between Catholics and Protestants
Roman Catholicism differs from Protestantism in two critical areas. Protestants believe in private
interpretation of the Bible. Catholics believe the Church is appointed by God as custodian of the Bible
to interpret the scripture. Most Protestants believe in a universal priesthood of all believers, while
Catholics have a specially ordained priesthood.
Catholicism runs by a set dogma, or series of rules, emanating from the Pope in Rome. American
Protestant groups, even when they have a set dogma, keep their hierarchy entirely inside the United
States. Where Protestants vary on social issues like divorce, birth control, abortion and homosexuality
(many leaving these questions to the consciences of their members), the Catholic Church has set
guidelines on these matters. It also censors certain movies, plays and books, which Catholics may not
read or attend. Since Catholics are supposed to believe by absolute faith, they are expected to take
the Church's word on these matters. It should be noted that the Catholic Church is not as strict about
tobacco, alcohol or gambling as some Protestant churches are. The Catholic practices of confession
and absolution tend to mitigate some of these strictures. Catholic priests may not marry, and they
must be male. (Many Protestant groups allow or even encourage female clergy.)
Discrimination Against Catholics
Though Catholics have lived in America since its earliest days, they were discriminated against
through much of America's history (as were most people outside the Northern European, Protestant
majority). John F. Kennedy, a Roman Catholic, won the 1960 presidential election by an extremely
small margin against Richard Nixon. Kennedy's religion was an issue that nearly cost him the
election. Since that time, the world ecumenical movement that serves to unite Christians has caused
further integration of Roman Catholics into the American mainstream. It helps too that John F.
Kennedy was to become something of a mythical hero figure to all Americans after his assassination
in 1963, thus softening the views of many Protestants toward Roman Catholics.
Judaism
Religion, nationality or race? While many Jews and non-Jews consider the Jews to be more of an
ethnic group than a religion in America, most of the nation's 7,000,000 or so Jews have had at least a
nominal connection to Jewish religious practices. The Jewish religion is ancient. The Jewish people
have suffered through thousands of years of cruel persecution and oppression. America has served
as a great refuge for Jews, who quickly became part of American life. American Jews are a close
second to Episcopalians in average personal income and education level. The largest proportion of
Jews are concentrated in the Northeast and in the Miami and Los Angeles areas. More Jews live in
the United States than in any other country, including Israel.
Jews share many concepts with Christianity, yet differ in that they believe the Messiah has not yet
come. Jews believe in the immortality of the soul but not in Christian concepts of heaven and hell.
Rabbis, meaning teachers, are leaders in the Jewish faith, but any knowledgeable Jewish layman
may lead a Jewish service. The Torah, the first five books of the Bible, is kept on a scroll and read
aloud every Sabbath (Saturday) during worship. These scrolls are sacred to Jews. The Talmud is a
later compendium of Jewish custom and law that is studied by specialists. The Sabbath (Friday
sundown to Saturday sundown) is a special day in Religious Jewish ritual. Jewish families will get
together Friday nights for special meals on special dishes. They may not work, travel, write, do
business or carry money on the Sabbath. Stores run by orthodox or religious Jews are often closed
on Saturdays, but open on Sundays. In Jewish tradition, the family home is a sacred place. It is
customary for religious Jewish men to cover their heads with a skullcap (Yarmulke) either all the time
or when they pray. Extremely orthodox or Hasidic Jews also wear elaborate costumes, usually in
black, that tend to set them apart from other Americans.
Very religious Jews also observe ancient “Kosher” dietary laws: no pork or horse meat, no shellfish,
no mixing of meat and dairy products. Kosher food and meats must be prepared according to certain
rituals under rabbinic supervision. In neighborhoods with large Jewish populations kosher foods are
available in special stores, and even in special sections of supermarkets.
There are three major division of American Jews. Orthodox Jews are the most traditional and observe
all the customs strictly, including the separation of men and women in the synagogue. They conduct
their services in Hebrew. Conservative Jews follow many of the same customs but conduct services
in English. Reform Jews do not follow dietary laws, mix the sexes in worship and dress just like
everyone else. They follow Jewish tradition with modern forms. Nearly all Jews even atheists follow
the Jewish custom of ritually circumcising their newborn males. Nearly all Jewish males and many
Jewish females undergo a coming of age ceremony at 13 called a Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah.
Hiduism
As a result of immigration from India, Hinduism in the United States is growing. Hindu communities
and temples can be found throughout the United States.
For more than a hundred years, American philosophers and writers, beginning with Ralph Waldo
Emerson and Henry David Thoreau (who was deeply influenced in his own philosophy by the Hindu
Upanishads), have taken inspiration from Hindu thought. Since the 1960's, a growing number of
native-born Americans have become interested in the study and practice of Hinduism. Prominent
Hindu religious retreats and spiritual centers exist both in cities and rural areas.
Islam
From the 1840s to the 1920s, the first small-scale influx of Muslim immigrants from Arabic and
Turkish cities landed in America. Then the post World War II era sent a few more, but the third and
biggest influx started in the 1960s. The 1965 congress laws of immigration opened the door to more
than one hundred thousand Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Muslim immigrants. Eventually,
The Muslim population steadily grew due to high fertility rates and several conversions.
Meanwhile, the Nation of Islam was a Black Muslim movement that appeared in the 1930's. It
remained a small-scale group until Malcolm X brought its membership up to 25,000 in 1963. However,
Malcolm and many others like Mohammad Ali, the legendary boxer, soon left the movement and
adopted mainstream Islam. Over the next decades, the Nation of Islam adopted a Sunni orthodox
mainstream Islam, but a number of its old followers dissented and kept the old school.
Demographics: Islam today is the world's and America's fastest growing religion. According to the
2009 American religious identification survey, Muslims count for 0.6 percent of the American
population. Yet, other statistics show that up to seven million Muslims live in America. Even though
they live all over the United States, they are concentrated in four major areas: First, the New
York/Boston/Washington area; second, California; third, the Chicago/Cleveland/Detroit Midwest area;
and last, Texas cities like Houston and Dallas/Fort Worth.
Muslims are diverse in their ethnicities, religious practices and beliefs, as well as cultures. Their ethnic
backgrounds are mostly South Asian, Arab, and African-American, yet many come from Iranian,
Turkish, white, Latino and Native American origins. They are highly educated professionals. In fact,
they are more educated and affluent than the national average. According to a 2003 report, half of
American Muslims earn more than $50,000 a year, and almost sixty percent have a Bachelor's
degree or higher (the national average is 44 percent.) They are mostly professionals like engineers,
doctors and computer professionals among other professions. They are also a young population:
forty-seven percent are ages between 35 and 54.
Politically speaking, a recent shift in the American Muslim ideology reflects a more positive attitude
and mentality towards participating in elections and lobbying. Forty percent of American Muslims say
they are democrats, while twenty-three percent say they are republicans, and the rest see themselves
as independent. Eight in ten Muslims in America are registered voters according to a 2003 report.
Their voting patterns and interests are around education and civil liberties.
Muslims in general favor government solutions to issues like healthcare and poverty, but are more
conservative on issues like same-sex marriages and abortion. They support social service programs
by both donating monetary contributions and volunteering. A majority of them believe in multi-faith
dialogue with Jews and Christians based on common values, see that the terrorist attacks actually
harm American Muslims, and emphasize that they worship the same God as Christians and Jews.
Studies show that forty-two percent of Muslims say they volunteer for social service to the public. The
national average was twenty- nine in 2005. Doctors who offer free clinics, organizations who support
shelters and carry out food drives, MAS organizations that do charity work for the whole American
community are examples of the many social activities Muslims are engaged in.
The Muslim American hall of fame includes many popular and revered figures from every trade like
NBA stars Karim Abduljabbar and Hakeem Olajuon, congressmen Keith Ellison and Andre Carson,
journalists Farid Zakaria of Newsweek and Michael Wolfe, and many more.
Muslims proclaim the oneness of God and follow the teachings of Mohammad, who they believe to be
the seal of the prophets. The five daily prayers inscribed on Muslims are held in mosques that also
serve as community centers. Today, there are about 2000 mosques, Islamic schools and centers in
the USA. Most of them have been built in the 1980s. Even though all Muslims are required to adhere
to certain religious pillars, Muslims are religiously diverse. Almost one third of them attend mosque
prayers on a weekly basis and another third seldom pays the centers a visit. Diversity also reflects in
the attire. Muslim men and women are required to dress modestly: women cover their heads and
bodies and men often grow beards. Yet, many others dress up liberally and lead liberal lifestyles. In
between, there is a group of Muslims who practice some aspects of Islam but not others.
As diverse American Muslims are, the American public's viewpoint of Muslims is even more diverse.
The events of 9/11 raised a controversy about Islam, one so intense that it put all Muslims under the
spotlight, alienated them, and polarized the American public. Statistics show that one in two
Americans has unfavorable opinions about Islam and Muslims. There is a national trend of lumping
Muslims all together under a violent stereotype. Yet, Muslims globally and nationally have an
emerging voice defending their cause and faith against Western bashers and Muslim extremists.
When Mohammad Ali, for example, visited ground zero in the aftermath of 9/11, he declared: “I've
been a Muslim for 20 years... People recognize me for being a boxer and a man of truth. I wouldn't be
here representing Islam if it were terrorist... Islam is peace.”
When you turn the radio on, you may hear disturbing rhetoric from right-wing political activists,
authors, and media anchors slandering Muslims publicly. The more accommodations public or private
entities provide Muslims with, the more inflammatory rhetoric right-wing media commentators use.
They use terms like “Islamic terrorism” and “violent Islam” to portray Islam as a barbaric, irrational,
primitive and sexist religion. Several websites have been developed to watch for media news and
catch an early bird opportunity of any Muslim event or announcement. They smirch and smear
Muslims, and even oppose any Muslim efforts of reach out to the American community, like Muslim
Awareness Day, etc… They muster increasing hostilities by insinuating to the American public that all
Muslims are related to violent groups who want to take over America and hate everything America
stands for: principles and values.
Muslims, who only represent 0.6 percent of the American population, are not one bloc of
homogeneous people. In fact, radical Muslims represent a minority of the over one billion people who
share this faith globally. Yet, those extremists get most of the media and public attention. Muslims
believe that all people, including women, are created equal before God. They are required to be
peaceful, and most of those who live in America chose this country for the values and freedom it
stands for. They dream to raise their children in a civilized country where they don't have to
compromise their religious values. Hence, Muslims as well as Muslim majority countries are diverse
and cannot be treated as one big lump.
Islamophobia is a political, social, and cultural challenge in today's America. It represents a breach on
the constitutional rights for the freedom of choosing and practicing the religion one wishes to follow. It
downgrades the principles of social and personal justice which leads to negative effects on the civility
inside society at large. It threatens the integrity of America as a nation as it has become a
manipulative tool used for lobbying. Yet, in 2009, President Barack Obama assumed office and
promised America change; a change that will encompass all social, economic, political, organizational
and educational flaws. He often refers to the bridge of communication that America plans to extend to
the Muslim world. In his inaugural speech, he announced what may be a long awaited inclusion and
acknowledgement for many American Muslims: “We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews
and Hindus- and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end
of this Earth.” He pleaded: “We cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that
the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve.”
This declaration of toleration follows the footsteps of American heroes like New York Senator Robert
F. Kennedy, who pleaded to an angry crowd in Indianapolis, Indiana, on April 4, 1968, following the
assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. “You can be filled with bitterness, with hatred, and a desire for
revenge. We can move in that direction as a country, in great polarization.” He then said, “or we can
make an effort, as Martin Luther King did, to understand and to comprehend.” Indeed, toleration,
forbearance, compassion, and unity have been the pivots of the American legacy. These are the
elements you will need to challenge Islamophobia with when you choose to live in this great country.
Buddhism
Perhaps 100,000 Buddhists are active in the United States, many of them native-born Americans who
have turned to Buddhism from other religions. In Chinese communities around the country also,
people pray, burn joss sticks and give offerings at Buddhist temples. Buddhist meditation retreats
exist all over the country.
Religious Cults
Religious cults are still a frightening aspect of modern American life. They usually prey on confused
young people, separating them from their families at a time when their judgment is weakest. The cults
provide support networks for young people with adjustment problems or low self esteem. The most
famous cult group for many years was the Unification Church run by the Korean Dr. Sung Myung
Moon. Thousands of young “Moonies” would go door to door selling flowers and soliciting money for
the church, sleeping in vans or communal dormitories and preaching the sect's teachings on the
street. In controversial cases, parents had to kidnap and “de-program” their own children to save them
from the cult.
Other cults and millennial movements have from time to time caused shocking events such as mass
suicides. In 1997, for example, 39 members of the “Heavens Gate” organization committed suicide
together in an event designed to coincide with the arrival of the Hale- Bopp comet, which they
interpreted as their signal to leave the earthly existence. Cults do run the gamut from benign to
frightening, but they also highlight two key facts about religion in America: it is intense, and it is highly
varied.