Dr. Wade Clark Roof, a professor of religion at University of California, Santa Barbara, delivered a lecture at the Ventura College Theater Oct. 16.

Roof, J.F Rowney Professor of Religion and Society at UCSB and director of the Walter H. Capps Center for the Study of Ethics, Religion, and Public Life, was invited to speak at Ventura College by Dr. Nasri Farzeen, political science and international studies professor.

Roof’s speech, “America’s Gods and Politics,” wrestled with the multitude of religions and beliefs in the United States. With so many beliefs and cultures that exist just here in Southern California, not to mention worldwide, Roof asked, who is the one true God?

“9/11 made a huge impact on our consciousness especially in regards to Muslims. Most Americans feel they should affirm a belief in God,” Roof said. “A study by Baylor University conducted in 2005 showed just 5.2 percent of Americans are atheists, while the majority of citizens believe in God yet have different beliefs on how God works and what the outcome of human decisions will be.”

Baylor is a Baptist university in Waco, Texas.

In regards to how to deal with the differences in religious beliefs, Roof said, “Think of a larger picture of a multi-religious society, pluralism or spirit of respect and appreciation of the other religion.”

With so many choices, who is right and who is wrong? One third of the respondents to the Baylor University survey said God favors the U.S., thus turning religion into political ideology, Roof said.

“If we believe in equality, why don’t we practice equality?” he asked.

“Those that bring about change need to appeal to an underlying moral enthusiasm. Faith and those of non-faith are not a threat to democracy or freedom; rather they are the staples in human society that need to watch the nuances in religious language,” Roof said.

“We must move beyond tolerance and move to a more genuine conception of respect. There is no magic formula. People in every belief need to look deep at the traditions of their faith to change,” Roof said.

“Pluralism is a work in progress. Much hangs in the balance – in creating and implementing a positive change from diversity to pluralism.”