[MD] Imaginings

[craigerb at comcast.net]

CONTINUED... 
John & Arlo, 
IMHO part of the problem in your debate arises from not distinguishing 
between "diverse", "multi-cultural" & "open-minded" societies. 
A society can be culturally diverse when it has many sub-cultures, ranging 
from interacting to isolated. 
But a society can also be culturally diverse when there is only one (major) 
culture, if that culture is itself a "melting pot" of different cultures. 
Culturally open-minded societies are those which are willing to learn from 
& not oppress sub-cultures in their midst. 
Japan is an example of an open-minded society, but which is not diverse 
in either of the first 2 senses.   
(dmb thought Australia was the most multi-cultural country on earth because 
of its abundance of ethnic restaurants. 
I think John is in error by placing too much emphasis on religious diversity & 
Arlo by tending to identify culture with race.) 
Craig