Religious Pluralism and Inter-religious Friendship in Los Angeles

Religious Pluralism and Inter-religious Friendship in Los Angeles This article surveys the history of the various faiths found in Los Angeles, US, and stresses that historically the city has been able to negotiate commonalities among differences. Successfully overcoming the difficult legacy of American slavery and the anti-Asian sentiment, most neighbourhoods in Los Angles are now ethnically and culturally diverse. An array of faiths from Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Jain, Buddhist as well as the myriad ‘convert communities’ engaging in alternative forms of spiritual practice have contributed to the multicultural ethos of the city. This essay shows how coexistence of multiple faiths has helped the move from passive toleration to a culture of active appreciation of divergences and different faith traditions. One of the results of this diversity and plurality of religious traditions has been the emergence of robust intra-faith and interfaith conversations. The appreciation of diversity has helped the move towards freedom and dignity as the ultimate goal of humankind.