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U.S. enjoys religious pluralism, says Zim scholar
US Embassy-Harare
October 16, 2006

"Human rights transcend all religion"
The United States of America enjoys a religious freedom that is exceptional in creating the necessary conditions to allow religious pluralism to flourish. Moreover, human values enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights pervade all aspects of religion in the U.S., says Nisbert Taringa, a lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe’s Department of Religious Studies, Classics and Philosophy.

Taringa is a recent participant in the intensive six week seminar on Religious Pluralism in the U.S. at the American Studies Institute. He presented his findings in a seminar organized by the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy. Taringa’s presentation examined the patterns and processes of religious pluralism and highlighted both parallels and differences in Zimbabwe to an audience of over 80 individuals representing various religious groups including the Muslim and Hindu communities.

"I didn’t have an actual concept of what it means to characterize a nation as one that enjoys religious pluralism. But after the six week seminar, I can say that the U.S is a perfect example of a society that enjoys, and actively promotes, religious pluralism. The U.S. government makes every effort to ensure that the necessary conditions for various religions to exist are present," says Taringa.

He added that "in America, there are certain conditions for religious pluralism that are not emphasized in Zimbabwe. These include religious liberty or freedom, the issue of democratic equality and the separation of the church and the state"

"In the U.S. the fundamental principle for all religious groups is, first and foremost, to value human dignity. This is not to say that there have not been controversies before. For example, in the case of Scientology, the church had to take their case to the courts and there were more than 15 hearings before they were allowed to register as a religion"

Taringa also noted that the conception of religion in America is different from that seen in Zimbabwe.

Religion in America has been commodified, argued Taringa.

"The various religious denominations in America are leaning towards congregationalism instead of the traditional reliance on hierarchical institutions. Pastors and priests market whatever package they have. The tendency is to make religion what the people want. In Zimbabwe, there is a tendency to want to be made something by religion" said Taringa.

Americans have created a culture where individuals in one religion are empowered by those in another, he said.

Further, religion is much more than spirituality. Citing the example of the Latter Day Saints in Utah, Taringa observed that the church had become a society in itself.

"They can handle any situation, including humanitarian causes without seeking resources outside the church. They make their own bread, wine and engage in other industries." said Taringa.

Religion occupies a central role in American culture, a State Department official revealed recently.

"A recent survey by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life shows that a very large number of Americans see religion as an integral part of who we are and how our country operates" said Stephen Liston, director of the Office of International Religious Freedom in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor at the State Department.

In the study, 78% of Americans view the Bible as the word of God, and Americans overwhelmingly favor more, not less, religion in the country.

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