Multiculturalism and “American” Religion: The Case of Hindu Indian Americans

How non-Christian religious groups should be politically recognized within Western multicultural societies has proved to be a pressing contemporary issue. This article examines some ways in which American policies regarding religion and multiculturalism have shaped Hindu Indian American organization...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Social forces 2006-12, Vol.85 (2), p.723-741
Main Author: Kurien, Prema A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Activism
Analysis
Auditoriums
Christianity
Church and state
Churches
Citizenship
Community
Cultural differences
Cultural Pluralism
Definitions
Ethnic Groups
Ethnicity
Hinduism
Hindus
Immigration Integration and Social Membership
Indian Americans
Indians
Institutionalization
Islam
Laws
Minority & ethnic groups
Multicultural Education
Multiculturalism
Multiculturalism & pluralism
Muslims
Politics
Public Policy
Public sphere
Religion
Religion & politics
Religious aspects
Religious Cultural Groups
Religious Organizations
Role of Religion
Self Actualization
Social aspects
Social change
Temples
Terrorism
Textbooks
U.S.A
United States
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Description
Summary:How non-Christian religious groups should be politically recognized within Western multicultural societies has proved to be a pressing contemporary issue. This article examines some ways in which American policies regarding religion and multiculturalism have shaped Hindu Indian American organizations, forms of public expression and activism. Specifically, I look at three examples of the impact of such policies on Hindu Indian Americans representing strategic arenas in the socio-political recognition of ethnic groups, and also crucial moments in the institutionalization of an American Hinduism. I also show how the activism of Hindu Americans is reshaping the contours of religion, society and politics in the United States.
ISSN:0037-7732
1534-7605
DOI:10.1353/sof.2007.0015