Hinduism in America

After visiting the Hindu Temple and Cultural Center of Wisconsin website, http://aha-svtemple.org/,I was able to see how local Hindus embrace their culture. In our readings, we learn about their rituals and importance of community. This website has many links where users can see community involvements and times for their Puja services. Their mission statement and vision is centered around preserving their culture and bringing a community together.
They post calendars, news updates and newsletters to their user, keeping their community updated and current with events. They are becoming connected through social media as well. There are many opportunities for those interested to reach out and get connected electronically. In our readings, we learn that Hindus were largely accepted when they made their way into our mainstream culture. By having the "finger tip" accessibility, they are able to do so faster.

I found it interesting because I live right outside Madison and didn't know there was this large of a community around me. I want to make my way to a service and see first hand this culture on a whole new level.

Anti-Mormonism

      Mormonism has been around in our country since the middle of the 19th century but hasn't always been accepted. Like many religious groups we have studied so far, the Mormons have been making their way into society to be accepted by humanity.

New Age Religion

I read the article "Actress Leah Remini blasts Scientology in exclusive '20/20' interview". It was written in reflection on an interview 20/20 had with former Scientologist believer Leah Remini. 

Leah Remini describes her 30 years with this religion in her new book Trouble Maker.  Growing up, she worked laborious hours because that was what the faith required of children. They saw them are spiritual creates and not treated as a child. You are given a lot of responsibility and because of this, your ego is inflated. She continues to explain her comments towards Tom Cruise, Scientology's biggest image and follower. Remini told Cruise to "get a freakin' room" when she was teaching him and his girlfriend Katie Holmes salsa dancing as Cruise was "forcibly kissing" Holmes. The church of Scientology later wrote up Remini for her comments, correlating her disgust towards Cruise and her disgust towards the religion. 

Scientology interview with Leah Remini

In our book, Religion in Contemporary America, Scientology is described as being a cult, which is something Remini talks about in the interview. The book also talks about Tom Cruise being a major figure in it. It doesn't talk as much as how the see children in Scientology, but it was interesting to see how it has affected Remini's life. Both the book and Remini talk about the payments Scientologists make to become more involved in the church and gain access to it's higher levels.

Overall, I really enjoyed watching this clip and reading the interview. I feel more inclined to read Leah Remini's book to see a more in depth experience inside the church. 

Religion and Race

Reb. Jerry Young

In the article, "Black, White Baptist Presidents Lead Racial Unity Event" form the RNS, a merger of two largest Baptist denominations, leaders Rev. Jerry Young, of the NBCUSA and President Ronnie Floyd of the SBCUSA, will meet with pastors from both groups in Mississippi for a “Conversation on Race in America”. These leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention and the National Baptist Convention will come together to reconcile their racial differences in hopes to bridge the gap in their religion's segregation and find peace within the crisis of their religion in America. They will be joined by 10 other religious leaders of similar backgrounds for their annual luncheon. 

President Ronnie Floyd

As we have learned in our book, race is an issue for many minorities when it comes to being in power of a religious group(Lippy 161). Young admits that "they do not have the same level of influence on the protests triggered by recent events that they had during the civil rights movement.(RNS, Banks)" This is linked to the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s when blacks began to fight for their rights. America was build with a large Caucasian base and many believe they are superior. Because of this, it is harder for those of color to be seen as equal. 

I think it is really special that these men are coming together to try and make right with the racial injustice that can be present in religion. This is different than the history of the religions talked about in our book. They really don't try and see people for actually being people, but rather as just their color. 

Here is the link to this article: 

Religion and Race