three and unitarian universalists. i put them in the middle ground simply because of something like cups , because they can be- they are so diverse in their beliefs, that sometimes they can be liberal to the point of, legitimizing as it is said in terms of the convention a coven. the coven, we met kate cogen way back sometime in the mythic or ritual dimension, a coven of unitarian universalists pagans. and so that open mindedness can create attention with a dominant society. as certain kinds of fundamentalists christian groups because of intensity of belief can create tension. one example you can-- be the second largest established protestant denomination in the united states, is the southern baptism. you might remember a while back where they came out with one of their conventions statements that women-- i forget exactly what it was but women should be-- should serve their husbands. now a statement like that, as we're struggling as we have so often in this class to rid ourselves of patriarchal attitudes, that pushes i

we'll tie up this scene, see a couple of provocative roll-ins and already with the unitarian universalists we will see there is some problem. so let's be even more careful i don't know whose toes i am going to step on with the non-conventionality here. but the key point is, think about longevity, how long they've been here traditions and it begins to see why people have some of prejudices they do. anyway, eastern traditions; only reason is they have not been in this country as long. although, they're moving much more into a middle ground. see how that is, they are moving into a middle ground because, now time is passing. we have a central world parliament of religion, the follow up we've had it's moving in conventionalities. other elements we might see here besides buddhism, are middle eastern traditions same situation. with islamic baha'i simply haven't been here as long there is some tensions with islam as we have seen, because of the political struggles between the middle east and the united states over a variety of issues. but more conventionality here, islam is now the second great fa

believing in the absence or rejection of god is in the house, and the first hindu and only unitarian universalistme now is democratic congressman keith ellison of minnesota. representative, always good to see you here. >> thank you. glad to be on. >> you know, as many know you were the first muslim elected to congress yet islam in america goes back more than a century. >> yes. >> that could be said of many of the religions i was just mentioning here. why do you think this is the era that people like this are finally being elected? >> well, i think it is because people are participating, people are engaged in our democratic process. america is more open and tolerant than it ever has been in its history and i think that folks want to be part of this great american experiment. i mean, america started out great for religion. it said congress shall make no law establishing religion nor bridge the free exercise thereof. also it said there is no religious test to hold office. and now we're seeing, reaping the fruits of that, those promises and it's really a great thing. >> un, we can't help but think of