Is the world polarizing religiously, or are we coming together? (America, myth)

[Green Gaia]

What do you think and why?

[Jaymes]

I think it depends on the groups. Some are moving to embrace other faiths, and others are turning it into an 'us versus them' thing.

[The Voice of Reason]

I think most organized religions will, over time, face the same fate as Christianity. That is to say that entropy will have its way with these religions and they will only become more and more fractured over time.

This will be especially true for religions that rely on a divine text (i.e. the Bible, the Quran, etc.). I say this because, these scriptures will be interpreted differently by individuals as their needs dictate.

I must say that Islam seems to be less effected by this than Christianity, but it will inevitably suffer the same consequence, as the Middle Eastern societies are opened up to more freedoms - and I think the internet will be like pouring gas on a fire in this arena.

TVOR

[Sunstone]

In America, it sure seems like society is polarizing. I wonder, though, how much of that polarization is true and how much of it is media myth.

I know that some groups, like Focus on the Family, have a vested interest in selling people on the notion that we are in a culture war. They gain money and supporters for doing so. I sometimes wonder what would happen to America if we ever got into a real culture war -- civil strife like Northern Ireland experiences.

Myself, I think there is far more basic consensus on most issues in this country than is being reported.

[The Voice of Reason]

That's odd Sunstone. I took my son to the orthodontist today (now there's a license to print money!), and started reading a Time magazine from August. It had an article talking about this very thing. They had some data showing that the country is nowhere nearly as divided as the situation is portrayed.

TVOR

[maggie2]

I think that the media has been a major contributing factor to the polarization in America. They continue to exhause this issue, particularly as it relates to politics. Additionally, I have found that fundamentalists in any religion tend to create polarization...it's their way or the highway. That doesn't help to bring people together. There are groups out there who are working to bring people from various faiths together and that's a good thing. We still have a long way to go, however.

[Sunstone]

I agree the media plays a part in creating the impression that we're a polarized society, but it's not just the media. I think some politicians and religious leaders are actively working to polarize this nation. James Dobson of Focus on the Family comes to mind, as does Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, etc. In my opinion, these people are doing evil. A polarized nation eventually risks civil war.

[skills101]

I personally think America is moving towards religious unity. Not necessarily working for it, but definitely moving towards it. Maybe there will be a civil war in a very long time. I doubt it, but like Sunstone said, it's a huge risk.

[The Voice of Reason]

Originally Posted by skills101

I personally think America is moving towards religious unity.

I'm just curious skills - what would lead you to believe this?

Thanks,
TVOR

[Lightkeeper]

I think it's static right now, polarizing and becoming united at the same speed. I think it would take a major outside threat to everyone in the world to unite us. If we had one common enemy we would become united. I don't know if you can ever have complete unity with so much diversity. The only thing we can do is agree to disagree. Our common enemy is not knowing how to celebrate diversity.