One nation, many faiths

While "Americans have a high level of religious identification, they have a low level of religious literacy," she says. She proves her point with telling examples of ignorance, persistent stereotyping, and hate crimes that have complicated or seriously harmed the lives of immigrants - such as the "Dot Busters" gang formed to attack Hindus in New Jersey and the vandalism and burnings of mosques and temples in several US cities and small towns.

But there are also the heartening success stories, including the years-long struggle of Buddhists to be accepted in a residential neighborhood in Garden Grove, Calif., and the United Methodist Church and Islamic Center that together planned and built on adjoining lots in Fremont, Calif.

Most fascinating are Eck's in-depth explorations of the development of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam in the US (including such surprises as the deep appreciation Emerson and Thoreau had for the Hindu scriptures), and particularly the vivid visits to places of worship and the introductions to first- and second-generation Americans and their community struggles to find a place and fulfill their American dreams.

From the piles of Reeboks and Nikes stacked outside the doors of mosques, to the mixing of the Ganges and Mississippi River waters to consecrate a new Hindu temple, these symbols of the melding of cultures movingly portray a story that has gone on now for four centuries.

Eck also gives insight into the faiths themselves, such as an explanation of the many Hindu deities as depicting various aspects of the One Reality and the many paths through which to reach it. She shows that other faiths hold values in common with Judeo-Christian values, and have contributions to make toward creating a just society.

Americans have always felt they had a special calling, serving as a beacon for religious liberty in the world. Eck agrees that the US experiment has worldwide relevance. As a result of the ongoing massive movements of millions, she writes, "the dynamic global image of our times is not the so-called clash of civilizations but the marbling of civilizations and peoples." Can we really learn how to live together?

While our public debates may still include hymns sung by some to America as "a Christian nation," she suggests that the metaphor most appropriate for the interfaith exchange we need to have in our neighborhoods is jazz - recreating the American story afresh by listening carefully to each other's offerings and responding with our own inspired contributions.

The coins in our pockets and purses say "e pluribus unum" - "from many, one." At a time of increasing and perhaps unsettling awareness of our diversity, this book points toward a healthy way of redefining that one, "We the people...."

Jane Lampman writes about religion and ethics for the Monitor.

(c) Copyright 2001. The Christian Science Monitor

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