Beyond Tolerance: Globalization, Freedom, and Religious Pluralism

If “Globalization” is to mean something other than imposing a single set of uniform, unexamined, and unchallengeable ideas on the entire human race, we must find ways to incorporate concepts of difference, freedom, and religious pluralism. If we are to build a truly human and humane global community, we must rethink (i) human nature (especially as regards the age-old search for spiritual values and religious truths), (ii) the complex and often murky relationship between religion and culture, and (iii) competing, confusing, or ill-defined concepts of tolerance, diversity, and freedom. Because Globalization is often driven by economic engines that are blind to these considerations and values, we stand at a unique turning point in human history. Unchecked and unguided, this powerful but sightless form of Globalization threatens to eliminate religious and cultural practices of “less developed” countries. A rich history that stretches hundreds or thousands of years into the past may be wiped out in a single generation. For some, it is already too late. To avoid further cultural erosion of this sort, we must guard against two natural human inclinations: (i) religious conversion (converting the residents of “less developed” countries to the religions of the rich and powerful), and (ii) reinterpreting traditional practices of one culture in terms of concepts and categories characteristic of a different (more familiar) religion/culture. Acknowledging the need for principles of difference, freedom, and religious pluralism is the easy part. The hard part consists of two tasks: (i) deciding the specifics of those principles and (ii) formulating an effective plan that will lead to widespread adoption and practice without stifling difference and disagreement in the process. As a step in what I believe to be the right direction, this presentation proceeds from a series of reflections drawn from Classical Greece and Rome to an analysis and comparison of three very different models of religious tolerance and pluralism: those exemplified in India, Classical China, and the United States. Special consideration is given not only to the strengths and merits of the various models, but to their assumptions, liabilities, and drawbacks as well. 1 The issues that form the core of this paper are complex and controversial; to some, they may even seem intractable. Because a truly lasting solution requires consideration and discussion in a wide variety of international venues, this paper – even in its published form – represents a work-in-progress. Earlier versions have been presented at the International Society for the Comparative Study of Civilizations in St. Petersburg, Russia: “St. Petersburg in the Dialogue of Civilizations and Cultures of East and West” (September 2003), the East-West Center International Conference in Tokyo, Japan: “New Challenges For Building An Asia Pacific Community” (August 2004), and the Sixth World Congress of the International Society for Universal Dialogue in Helsinki, Finland: “Humanity At The Turning Point: Rethinking Nature, Culture, And Freedom” (July 2005). The author is grateful for the insights and perspectives offered by participants in each of those venues. Presentations in Russia and Japan were supported in part by a Faculty Development Award. Sincere appreciation is extended to SUNY Oneonta, especially Provost F. Daniel Larkin and Dean Michael Merilan.