Religious & Ethnic Groups
Latoya Ibanez
ETH/125
08/21/2015
Ms. Debra Bloom

Religious and Ethnic Groups America has changed from the nation it what it was once, a Nation where Christianity was the primary religion and our borders were not open to outsiders. Through the years many have migrated to America making our Nation today, the most diverse Nation, and not just in regards to ethnicity but religion as well. What is it that differs from one religion to the other? What causes people to discriminate against other races? Could it be the lack of information regarding other religions and ethnicities? We can start by comparing Buddhism and Asian decent and see what differences they have compared to other religions and ethnicities. Buddhism has made it’s was to America, and although many have already accepted much of its teaching others stand skeptical and feel it threatens their own beliefs. One of the differences between Buddhism and many of the other known religions is that they do not have a higher being, or one that they answer to (“Buddhism-Differences,1996). They do not believe that they need a higher being to make amends for their wrongs. These specific beliefs are very different from those of other beliefs, whereas they have a god, higher being and believe you must do something to atone for your wrongs. The fact is that there are major differences between each religion, whether we choose to accept them is another thing. Although many are unaware of the impact that Buddhism has already made on the American culture. Many seek to better themselves, looking to enrich their lives. One popular form is through Zen. Finding peace from within, it also affects a person’s surroundings and the atmosphere it creates. A famous Buddhist message from Asia says “America is the one place where Buddhism on the worldwide scale might begin a real renaissance in our era” (“Americas New Religious Orders”, 2001).There are a few things that can be learned through the studying the ways of Buddhists, bettering one’s self is one of them. As someone who is not Buddhist, this specific belief can easily be accepted in fact practiced without knowing it. Just as Buddhism and other religions have made its way to America and those who practice them experience judgement in one form or another, the same goes for different ethnic groups that have come to our country. One of the minority groups are Asians. Asian Americans are one of the fastest growing minority group in the nation (W.Cox,2015). In fact they are doing very well for themselves when compared to the other minorities yet they still face discrimination. Many view them as not being able to speak English or illegal immigrants. A major example of discrimination against Asian Americans can be remembered in WWII. Many Japanese Americans were imprisoned and it was based solely on their ethnic background. This discrimination has followed them throughout history. Today they still face inequality when trying to gain public assistance thus making it hard for them to achieve the “American Dream”. Although this may be true the influence of the Asian American culture can be seen in many states, with China Towns throughout the country. The influence of their food and culture has gained the interest of many along with religious practices. If there is one thing to learn about them, is that many are excelling in our country, in fact statistics show that among the minority groups they have the highest percentage of completing college and continuing on to higher level of education. Not all of them are struggling, many are making sacrifices to excel and make a better life. The importance many of them put on education when it comes to their children, many Americans could take not from. What those living in the United States need to do is understand and embrace the different religions, cultures and ethnicities that are present on our Country. The problem lays within one group feeling superior to another. Instead of fighting, judging, and discriminating we should be learning from one another and making our Nation and its future better.

REFERENCES: http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/snapshot01.htm
America's new religious landscape [Video file]. (2001). In Films On Demand. Retrieved August 23, 2015, from http://digital.films.com/PortalPlaylists.aspx?aid=7967&xtid=32505

http://www.newgeography.com/content/004825-asians-americas-fastest-growing-minority

Le, C.N. 2015. "Anti-Asian Racism & Violence" Asian-Nation: The Landscape of Asian America. <http://www.asian-nation.org/racism.shtml> ( August 25, 2015).