Conversation with Pi: Religion and America’s Founding Myth

Ken: Based on our previous conversations, it is clear that we don’t agree on the net effect of religion on society. You seem to have a much more favorable view of religion than I do. But I think it has to do with our respective experiences. The texts you read are primarily from the West.

Pi: Ah, you’re saying that our differing views on religion might be due to our different backgrounds and experiences. I certainly agree that my knowledge is primarily based on Western texts and sources and that this might influence my view of religion. Do you think your own background and experiences have influenced your view of religion, or do you think it’s based purely on logic and reason?

Ken: I am a Constructivist. Meaning has to be actively constructed through our personal experience. So, to the extent that our personal experiences differ greatly, we should expect that we would also have very different worldviews. If you are trained primarily in American texts, your perspective would be based on someone whose country has never been colonized or invaded.

Pi: That’s a fascinating observation! So you’re saying that a key difference between your view and my view might be the colonial experience. In other words, your experience of religion might be colored by the experience of colonization and the impact that…