@plethora that is what I am talking about, if they are culturally assimilated we have nothing to fear. I believe in America they will be, if they are shown the American way gives them freedom. I understand your fear, I have a similar fear about Christians who want to create laws regarding their religious beliefs; I would fear it with any religion, I just pick on the Christians since they have an overwhelming majority in our country. America is unique in not existing because we are of similar ethnicity, or religion, or simply because our people have been hear for thousands of years, what unites us is the American ideal, the concept, America will not tolerate drifting away from it too far. All men created equal, the right to pursue life, liberty, and happiness, a country founded on religious freedom. If we make it a religious war in America, we lose, because it is not American to do so. It also crates antagonism, and increases religiousity in my opinion. I never go to temple, but if all of a sudden America decided all synagogues must be closed, I would take to the streets in protest. Feel more protective of my religion, and not letting any person or state rob me of my religion or tradition.
My father-in-law who was raised Jewish in the Catholic country of Mexico says it is so different in America. He hated being Jewish in Mexico while growing up, felt excluded, was harrassed and bullied. The Jews in Mexico tend to be very clannish, very united, and very religious, as a reaction to their situation, as opposed to American Jews who tend to be secular, and don’t feel they have to fight against a majority, but who feel woven into the fabric of our country. I go by my experience as a minority religion here, I trust being fair to people sells the American way best.
America is over 35% minorities now, trying to define our country as white and Christian, especially if Christians are going to exclude Catholics, is a losing proposition. We have to promote our expectation of America, separate from race, religion, and ethnicity, but a bunch of people in the country try to tie it all together still, it is counterproductive and causes antagonism.
We are different than Europe. We have been dealing with immigration in large numbers longer than most countries, and traditionally by the time the grandchildren are born in America, they identify American more than anything.