Hm. In the U.S. we're not cultural-diversity friendly. Even though we say we treat people equally, we dont. Native Indians arent seen as "U.S. Citizens" unless they agree to be recognized by the U.S. Federal Government. Of course you have minorities from gender, linguistic, racial, work status, to name a few. With religion, it is predominately christian. Not everyone is evangelist, but many people are highly conservative.
Of course, I havent been everywhere at once, but the only place I met a Hindu was when I visited their temple. The practitioners and their elder didnt speak English but where very very nice. If there is harmony, that's pretty much the consensus.
In the States, if you don't have the pronounced respect for people's culture in regards to identification and practice, its seen as discrimination and to others immoral. Its not the general consensus but if a Hindu was born and/or raised here or have American misinformation before they came over here, you can see the insults more than in a more universal country, I suppose.
There is a difference in regards to similarities in the States. We are a highly individualized country. Very competitive oriented. Very Me-people. Not negative just different values. So, for example, you know I like art. In America, if I stole someone else's work and copyrighted it to my own, Im breaking the law. Its not universal but we focus on what makes us unique.
Once you watercolor it with rays you're on a sticky slope of stepping on someone else's (or their community as a whole) identity.
To have some sort of harmony, it cant be just with people who have to be universal. Social harmony, maybe. However, cultural and spiritual? If one culture isnt universal and the other is, how can they be in harmony unless either its environmental and respect or one of us have to compromise our sense of identity for the whole.
Universalize doesnt fix anything anymore than us finding ourselves unique and loved in our differences. Im sure there is some harmony, but I know in the States, universalist wont cut it. Our UU Church broke away from The Church (or the Church decapitated them) because the UU felt all people should worship under the same roof but what makes them distinct is they welcome all people in all walks of life.
But, this happened because our religions wanted to keep their own identity rather than compromise for the wellbeing of the whole.
To me, it is not negative to have our personal and individual views. No one better than the other. Just, the States take that to their advantage without us laypeople having a say beyond our voting ballets, parades, and charities.
The US appears a very different beast to the country I live in. You guys appear polarised and issues to do with race and religion part of a volatile political terrain. Individualism is fine but if taken to an extreme community and unity are sacrificed. How about unity in diversity and social cohesion? That's multiculturalism after all.