Recently, Lodi experienced how invocations were being handled at the beginning of City Council meetings. I found this to be rather amusing, in that the issue of religion, faith, and beliefs are based on the mentality of the dominate culture at large. ‘Culture’: the attitudes and behaviors that are characteristic of a particular social group or organization. (Princeton WordNet.) Now, nestled in this definition are the ethics/morals, varies principles, and beliefs that complete the mentality of a particular culture. Additionally, we should consider that most ‘cultures’ have a belief system, or if you will, religious preference. When considering the United States, Christ-centered faiths have been prevailing.

In order to maintain a ‘culture’, what is needed is immigration or a fertility rate that will ensure its existence and more importantly, its continuation. When considering the American Christ-centered culture, its fertility rate is such that its cultural dominance in the future will decline and with its decrease, stands to be displaced with a ‘culture’ which has a higher fertility rate or rate of immigration.

The one religious culture with the highest fertility rate and an adequate immigration rate to sustain itself and flourish as a culture in the United States in the future is the Muslim culture. The other factor that will propel the Muslim culture into dominance within the United State is the present conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan. But before I addresses this issues, I would like to posit another situation that relates to the topic.

Most of us are all too familiar with the conflict in Vietnam and that once it ended, the United States felt a moral obligation to create refugee programs and opened its borders to thousands of displaced people. Through social services, social and religious programs, and their hard work, the refugees of the Vietnam conflict embedded themselves into our society; thus, creating a sub-culture of the larger American culture. With the passage of time, their influence in local businesses, education, and politics has become apparent. Yet, their birth rate is not at a level that will sustain their culture. Additionally, most have chosen to marry outside their culture and thus a new culture has been created. If this example is not enough, think of the Mexican culture and how it has influenced the American Culture (enough said).

Now back to the Iran and Afghanistan conflict. Once the conflict in the area ends, the American people (our political leaders) will feel a sense of remorse for the displaced peoples of the area and create refugee programs; thus, allowing for the mass migrations of thousands of refugees from the area to enter the United States. In time, the Muslim population, because of their ideals regarding marriage, faith, social standards, and fertility rate, will become the dominant American culture.

The wonderful thing about a democracy is that the majority rules. If you think I am off the mark, please become aware of the Muslim transitions that are taking place in Europe.