Religious Pluralism and the Satanic Temple Pluralism is defined by Webster's Dictionary as "a condition or system in which two or more states, groups, principles, sources of 'authority, etc., coexist'. and Harvard writer Diana Eck highlights this idea with respect to religion in her two articles “What is Pluralism?” and “From diversity to pluralism”, but is pluralism really that simple and achievable? Russell McCutcheon criticizes Eck's ideas on pluralism in his work "Our 'Special Promise' as Teachers: Scholars of Religion and the Politics of Tolerance" stating that his view on pluralism is biased based on his position in the company. Throughout this essay, these opposing views on religious pluralism will be discussed in reference to a debate over whether or not a statue of Baphomet should be displayed in front of an Oklahoma state courthouse at the request of the Satanic Temple. This essay will also serve to explain how the Satanic Temple identifies itself in comparison to how other, more dominant groups label it to support McCutcheon's idea that Eck's views on pluralism are problematic. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essayEck defines pluralism as “a forceful commitment to diversity.” Eck believes that pluralism “holds our deepest differences, even our religious differences, not in isolation, but in relation to each other” (Eck). She explains that simple tolerance is not enough, that tolerance allows ignorance to flourish. “The foundations are too thin for a society as religiously diverse and complex as America's” (Eck). She explains how pluralism does not require us to leave our own beliefs in the dust, but rather to actively engage with the beliefs of others while proudly displaying our own. McCutcheon believes that pluralism is only “the friendly face of tolerance.” He believes that Eck shares his beliefs about pluralism only from his own perspective, which he considers privileged and in control, rather than "politically oppositional or socially marginalized" (McCutcheon). McCutcheon believes that these groups are not those who tolerate, but those who are tolerated. Therefore, they “do not set the standards for what should be considered real commitment, nor can they change their situation, even if they wanted to” (McCutcheon). Eck believes that the types of religions allowed to express themselves in the public square are all religions that do not believe in exclusivity. However, according to McCutcheon, the characteristics that Eck would need for a religion to express itself in the "public square" include "that it already operates according to a set of sociopolitical values ​​and rhetorical norms that make it possible, attractive , significant and convincing the “encounter”, the “understanding”. ', and 'appreciate' the other just in this way, just in this context, just for this purpose” (McCutcheon). McCutcheon criticizes Eck's project as "liberal sentiment" due to his view that pluralism is not as simple as Eck implies by using words such as "openness" and "commitment". McCutcheon argues that under Eck's standards of open engagement, "only a rather narrow partisan line of engagements will be admitted into this public square." He argues that Eck speaks from a perspective of privilege, having never been religiously oppressed, which makes it easy for her to believethat religions can mix so peacefully. “The apparently benign speeches about tolerance therefore have a subtle irony in their essence: they are speeches of the powerful” (McCutcheon). In Oklahoma, the Satanic Temple wants its members' voices to be heard and wants a statue of Baphomet placed in front of a state courthouse. After all, is the United States truly displaying pluralistic values ​​if it doesn't let any, or ALL, religious voices have a say? Satanic Temple spokesman Lucien Greaves is outraged that the Ten Commandments are displayed in front of the courthouse when there are so many other religions in the United States. This situation is controversial due to the large percentage of Christians in the United States and their belief that the Satanic Temple has evil intentions. For the Satanic Temple, Satan is “a rebel angel challenging the autocratic structure and preoccupied with the material world” (Greaves, VICE). This group advocates for religious pluralism in the United States. “We have moved far beyond a simple political ploy to become a very sincere movement that seeks to separate religion from superstition and contribute positively to our cultural dialogue” (Greaves, Vice). This religious organization should not be taken literally, because an act of kindness in the name of Satan is still an act of kindness. If this is the case, why are they and their desires discriminated against? McCutcheon weighs in on this issue in “Our Special Promise As Teachers.” “Ask yourself whether the values ​​that motivate the goals of tolerance, pluralism and inclusion are as simple and neutral as some colleagues seem to think,” McCutcheon says, arguing that people like Eck makes his religious agenda seem pluralistic is so achievable. Eck believes that "people of all faiths or none can be themselves, with all their particularities, while engaging in the creation of a civil society", and McCutcheon criticizes his beliefs by stating : “tolerance is part of a normative discourse of domination and domination”. is the trace of an ongoing socio-political protest.” McCutcheon's version of pluralism is more realistic, and therefore more correct. He explores the "public square" of Eck's membership and argues that many religious groups would refuse to be part of it and that those who would agree are already in power, which does not bring about any change in society. Although his views may be "practical and banal," Eck's seems far less realistic. One problem that prevents pluralism from flourishing in the United States is the difference between how religious groups identify themselves and how outsiders classify them. The Satanic Temple, for example, is classified by other religions as a group that advocates evil, while the Satanic Temple identifies itself as a group that uses blasphemy in order to distance itself from traditional norms that it considers counterproductive. progressives. In a VICE interview with The Satanic Temple spokesperson, Greaves said, "This Satan, of course, is nothing like the embodiment of all the cruelty and suffering and negativity that some apocalyptic segments of society believe in." Judeo-Christian culture. This classification by outsiders causes ignorance and does not promote pluralism. This particular group does not fit Eck's understanding of pluralism because many other religious groups look down on them and, just as the idea of ​​placing a statue of Baphomet in front of the Oklahoma courthouse seems ridiculous to many, this shows how this group is not allowed to “talk at the table.” If McCutcheon was talking about..