Higher Education and Religious Pluralism

What

This past week, I was reading Douglas Hicks’ “Respectful Pluralism at Work” in Leading Organizations and thought about how easy it is in our culture to ignore religious diversity.  Some might assume that people should leave their faith at the door when entering the workplace.  In my opinion this is like asking someone to stop being who they are as a person.  This forces co-workers to compartmentalize their lives and not bring their full authentic selves to work.  Can you imagine not being able to express completely who you are?

Religious pluralism in the workplace approaches diversity from a different perspective.  It appreciates the diversity of all religions.  Hicks believes it starts with seeing each employee as a human; deserving respect and dignity.  As well, it insinuates that no one religion should receive preferential treatment and dominant the workplace. 

So, how do workers develop this competency and what role does higher education have in preparing future workers to value religious pluralism?

So What

College can be a natural place for future workers to develop the skills necessary to become more open to the religious diversity.  Too often college is thought of the place where student go to just develop the tools to enter the workplace.  Many students hope to improve their chances for a job and earn higher pay.  While others attend for academic development in their chosen career field.  However many do not realize the college experience should not just be about academics. The college experience should be a holistic experience where students develop academically and socially.  It is no longer just okay to know how to be an accountant, or engage in research or prepare to work in the health field.  Colleges today are charged with the responsibility to create an environment where students can learn the skills to work in a diverse and global society.

Peter Laurence (1999) wrote, “Religious diversity is a fact; religious pluralism might be thought of as an attitude toward that fact” (p. 13).  Higher education is a great place to interact with diverse people and to develop this attitude.  Alyssa N. Bryant’s research showed faculty members are one resource to help engage students on topics of religion in order for them to develop a more “ecumenical perspective” (p. 457).  The campus environment has to become a place where students are able to express, challenge and develop their own faith and spirituality.

Now What

As a higher education administrator, it is my goal to find ways to engage students to assist as they develop the attitude of pluralism and to openly express and develop the skills to engage with people from other faith backgrounds in a positive and safe way.  Two great examples that I have found that will help me as I move towards this goal include:  Education as Transformation and Harvard University’s Pluralism Project.  Both organizations work to assist students and community members to address religious pluralism.

* Laurence, P. (1999). Can religion and spirituality find a place in higher education?. About Campus, 4(5), 11-16.

*Bryant, A. (2011). The impact of campus context, college encounters, and religious/spiritual struggle on ecumenical worldview development. Research In Higher Education, 52(5), 441-459. doi:10.1007/s11162-010-9205-0