How Religion Divides & Unites
http://thekojonnamdishow.org/shows/2010-12-22/how-religion-divides-unites
It's a paradox -- Americans are deeply divided and polarized along religious lines. But Americans are also increasingly likely to intermarry, change religions and accept with tolerance the religious faith of others. Social and political scientist Robert Putnam helps us decipher the numerous and sometimes contradictory roles religion plays within society.
Guests
Robert D. Putnam
Peter and Isabel Malkin Professor of Public Policy at Harvard; author most recently of "American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us" (Simon & Schuster)
Comments
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Dear Kojo and friends,
During today's conversation with Putnam, you may want to see the Wash Post On Faith column which connects Putnam's research to family Christmas celebrations. The column is by Robert P. Jones, Public Religion Research Institute.
http://networkedblogs.com/c6QTS
Here's an excerpt:
New research suggests that the end of the so-called "Christmas wars"--battles over how exclusively Christian public greetings or holiday displays should be--may come from a surprising place: Aunt Susan.
The "Christmas wars" seem this year to have been limited to a few smoldering skirmishes. The flagging enthusiasm for a 2010 holiday fight at least in part stems from worries about gifts and tight budgets, and a weariness with political divisiveness in the wake of one of the most divisive and negative campaign seasons in recent memory.
But it also reflects a more enduring trend: the increasing diversity of American families and social networks. In their recent book American Grace, researchers Robert Putnam and David Campbell have recently described the effects of these trends as the "Aunt Susan" and "my friend Al" principles: as more Americans have diverse families and friendships, they have warmer views of other religious traditions.
For example, here are just two examples of Putnam and Campbell's findings on the diversity and churn in the American religious landscape:
• Between one-third and one-half of all Americans are in interfaith marriages;
• About one-third of Americans have switched religions at some point in their lives.
Really interesting hearing about Mr. Putnam's personal experiences with interfaith marriages within his own family. Several years ago I recall reading an article about how most places of worship remain racially segregated, the exception being large, evangelical churches. Any indication as to whether the rise of interfaith marriages are breaking down the historical racial divides in places of worship?
www.yesweretogether.com
I was raised Christian and now practice Buddhism. My extended family had horrible issues at family reunions dealing with the different Christian religions -
Jehovah Witnesses couldn't be there during the prayer that the Baptist members said and visa versa. It was too ridiculous, it made me repel the religion all together.
When I got older I did want a religious community, though, and picked the Buddhist community as one that fit me.