Religious Pluralism

September 14, 1985
Lakeland

Published in THE LEDGER as:

Religious Pluralism Maintains Global Liberty

THE LEDGER, Attn: Marc Hook, Religious Editor
For release 9/14.85
From Rev. Carl J. Westman, Minister, Lake Region Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

When one reads these LEDGER pages devoted to the hundreds of religious enterprises in our community, the reality of religious pluralism is amply demonstrated.

By religious pluralism, I mean that in this world, there is no one faith that is universally regarded as true, no sacraments held to be valid by everyone, no one religious authority obeyed by all. In our nation, by Constitutional sanction, no one must adhere to a particular religion or any religion; no one particular religion may have advantages another may not have. A person professing no formal religion at all loses none of the rights of a citizen because of the absence of religious affirmation.

Historically such freedom of belief has been persecuted and punished by those who imposed by force “one faith” or “one creed.” History is replete with such inhumane chapters as the Crusades, the Inquisition, the mass execution of “witches,” and in our own memories, the Holocaust.

Are such dreadful events in the past? Would you advocate that our government should function according to “Scriptures?” Do you believe that we would be a better nation if public education taught one set of religious values to the exclusion of others? Would you prohibit a diversity of religions and the free expression of non-religious views? Should one group’s religious views be the only ones acceptable in society? Must women be submissive to men in the name of a “true” religion? Would you maintain that a secular view of the human condition is evil and must be prohibited? There IS a country where these views are official and enforced – Iran. Fundamentalism, under any name, does not control our nation. Not yet, anyway.

One basic premise of the Unitarian Universalist religion is the search for truth maintained by an inquiring mind. Most of us would endorse the wisdom of John Milton: “If the waters of truth flow not in perpetual progression, they sicken into a muddy pool of conformity and tradition... give me liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to conscience, above all liberties. And though all the winds of doctrine were let loose to play upon the truth in the field, we do injuriously to misdoubt her strength.” [1]

Contradictory views of religion need not have the consequence of malice or prejudice. When our views are open to each other, when the better thoughts of our minds are shared, a thoughtful, concerned pluralism will strengthen the liberties of all. Because I may disagree with others does not mean I dislike them or feel their views should be repressed or scorned.

The perils and problems of our dangerous times will not be assuaged by religious arrogance or unsubstantiated claims to “one truth.” The diversity of religions through the world: Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, and the many other communities of faith which have endured for centuries, make it impossible that there can ever be “one Big Church” for all. Our dreams for a better world depend more on the point of convergence where the dignity and worth of all persons are respected. From that premise, better and more relevant ethical actions by both the “religious” and “non-religious” groups and individuals may help deter the destruction of the Earth and all who live on it.


[1] Editor’s note: the Milton quote may be slightly inaccurate. There is some evidence that the following is correct: “Though all the winds of doctrine were let loose to play upon the earth, so Truth be in the field, we do injuriously, by licensing and prohibiting, to misdoubt her strength.”