THE PLURALISM PROJECT PART I

Robilyn Guess, Tawnia Page, Shayna Judd, Alicia Burgos, and Karson Phippen

Location
We decided to research a four mile
radius, using Temple Square as our
center point.
Our group said that overall we may notice other religious
institutions in our area, but aren't aware of their beliefs.
Diversity is the range of Religions in an Area, Where as
Pluralism is the state of social acceptance of diversity in a
society.
Diversity can balance a community offering a broad
perspective, but can also divide a community based on
religious disputes.
We believe America is managing religious diversity and
pluralism, be ensuring equal opportunity in society and
become more culturally aware.

Results

The majority of this area is made up

of multiple different Christian faiths
but there were various Non-Christian
faiths, Judaism and Muslim (Islam),
Buddhist, Hindu Masonic,
Wiccan/Pagan, Atheist, Agnostic and
other smaller meeting centers found
in the area.

Top Three Choices

Out of the numerous
amounts of religions we
stumbled upon while
searching, these were the
three that stuck out to us.
We wanted minority
religions that we all had
an interest in and wanted
to know more about.

The Church Of
Scientology

Kingdom Hall of
Jehovah's Witnesses

Islamic Society of
Salt Lake City

The Church Of Scientology

L Ron Hubbard, the founder, wrote the
book Dianetics which means Through
Mind.
Believe in finding one's true self, using
science, methodology and
psychoanalysis.

We are all Immortal spirits

Have Reactive Mind & Analytical
Mind (Temporary)
Repentance is called Auditing and
uses a Auditor and a machine.
Man is basically good
Believe in Exteriorization or Past
lives
Do believe in God
Recitations for their prayers

Call their Churches Orgs & Books Techs

8 Dynamics of Survival
Self
Creativity
Group
Species
Life forms
Physical Universe
Spiritual
Infinity

Scientology in Salt Lake

1.

2.

Scientology became a religion in 1953,

which spread by conventions to Salt
Lake valley in 1970s
Mental, social and cultural barriers
which prevent people from looking for
true spiritual enlightenment.
Lack of proper scientific methodology
of observation so that people can see
what they look for when asking
spiritual questions.

3.

Non-denominational, supplemental,
many members are of different
religions (Except anti-social groups
which are trying to destroy man).

Who are the Jehovah's Witnesses?

Established in 1870 by Charles Russell in Pennsylvania

Governed by the Elders

Distribute the Watchtower Magazine

Use their New World Translation Bible

7.86 average Membership

Beliefs

144,000 are preordained to go to heaven

Jehovah is God, there is no trinity, & has Body of Spirit

World Destruction is imminent and has begun

Sin is inherent and man is evil in nature

Salvation is obtained by Faith, Good Works and Obedience and not

grace.

Jesus is Michael the archangel and that his death was a ransom
payment for Adams sin and reject the idea that he died for
atonement.
Social Environment

Do not celebrate holidays, birthdays and customs that are

considered to be pagan origins incompatible with Christianity.

Are known to spread their belief by door to door preaching.

Do not accept blood transfusion

Refuse military service

Not into politics because it relies on human powerJeremiah 17:5

Dont recite the pledge of allegiance to keep yourselves away from

idols -1 John 5:21,( Idols meaning something that is not God)

Disciple Actions:

Dis-fellowship

Shunning

If baptized and disfellowed, they are not not allowed to talk to any
member of the congregation

May be reinstated if repentant & accepted by the Elders.

Kingdom Hall of the Jehovahs Witnesses

1.

They spread their beliefs via Door to Door sharing. Until their members and
congregations grew, they meet in the homes of Elders. They eventually were able
to obtain property to build a church.

2.

One challenge they face today is that their community is not very diverse and is
mostly comprised of the LDS faith. When confronting other faiths, theyve
experienced lack of interest or the willingness to have a conversation that differs
from their own.

3.

Most of the ones interviews, felt that the communities which they live and work,
would benefit greatly, if there were more communication and education regarding
JW which, would allow a greater sense of pluralism.

ISLAM/MUSLIM
Major beliefs

Oneness of God
Angels/Messengers
Scriptures

Day of Judgement Paradise/Hell

Divine Decree/ Preordination

Torah,Gospels,Psalms,Scrolls, Quran
Prophets, most recent being Muhammad

~They are not allowed to drink alcohol, eat pork, use mind altering
drugs, gamble.
They don't believe in fortune telling, killing, lying, stealing,
cheating, being greedy or having sex outside of marriage.
~No hierarchy in their church,
~Religious History of Polygamy
~Friday is Prayer Meeting, mandatory for males only

Islamic Society of Salt Lake City

1.

The first Mosque in Salt Lake, built in 1970s, came

about from Immigration. Middle East Students at the U
of U seeking a place to worship. ~Jacob, from the Islamic Society

2.

Challenges include false information from the Media

and extremist black Sheep are challenges they face in
society.Aakif, from the Islamic Society

3.

They are highly respectful of other religions , but are

purists.
Those who believe (in the Quran), and those who
follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians and the
Sabians, - any who believe in Allah and the last day, and
work righteousness, shall have their reward with their
Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve
Sura 2 - Ayat 62
Al-Baqara (The Cow)

DIVERSITY COMPARED

Diversity is available in Salt Lake City, there are a wide variety of religions. Just like
the national statistics the majority are Christian, however the LDS is predominantly
favored in this region.
*There were over 60 LDS Churches in our 4 mile radius., Tables provided by www.pewforum.org

WORLD RELIGION TRENDS

World trends
show a larger
distribution for
Muslims Hindus
and Buddhist.
Images: www.pewforum.org

Conclusion
In this section of downtown Salt Lake City
which is one of the most diverse places to
live here in Utah, there is still a lot of room
to grow with religious diversity.
86% of the religious population is of some
Christian denomination leaving only 14%
diverse in Non-Christian Faiths, with only
Judaism and Islam.
Religious pluralism goes beyond mere
tolerance and more acceptance which with
these statistics may have a lot further to go
to get to true acceptance.

References
Religious Geographical Profile
http://www.pluralism.org/directory/index/area:salt_lake_city
Islam
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/teach/muslims/beliefs.html
Interview with Aakif Rayzada and Jacob Amisal from the Islamic Society of Salt Lake City,
Telephone Interview with Khadeeja Islamic Centre Rep. Faeiza Javed.
Scientology
Interview with Cynthia the secretary for Scientology of Salt Lake City, and Educational Videos
"Church of Scientology of Salt Lake City." Scientology-saltlakecity.org. Web. 12 Sep. 2015
Email Interview with Scientology Information Centre Rep. Joe Riley.
Jehovah's Witnesses
Telephone Interview with Kingdom of Jehovah in Salt Lake City , Personal Interview with Nicole Page
1-"Who are Jehovah's Witnesses," Office of Public Information of Jehovah's Witnesses, at: http://www.jw-media.org/
2-The Watchtower, Feb. 15th, 1985 p. 13, 3- Nov 15th, 1954 p. 681
4-GotQuestoins.org
Diversity Compared
Images: www.pewforum.org