There are two approaches we can take to America’s religious diversity. We can consider it something that will dilute our national identity and tear us apart as a nation, or we can, as Diana Eck writes, “create a truly pluralist American society in which our great diversity is not simply tolerated but becomes the very source of our strength.”

The American population is host to several kinds of diversity, whether it be socio-economic, cultural, racial, linguistic, or religious. This makes for a dynamic and ever-evolving society. But could diversity ever be “the very source of our strength”?

If this diversity is mishandled or poorly managed, the results could be damaging and divisive. On the other hand, the diversity presents an opportunity to reinforce the values upon which this nation was founded, to test and prove their resilience and malleability in the face of new and different circumstances. While forging one solid unit, people will have to work hard to retain the valuable aspects of their identities that make them distinct.

Of course, this is a difficult balance to achieve, and it is one I work towards every day. I especially faced this difficulty growing up with a sister who is one year older than me. She was a great student and very popular, and in grade school I always felt that I was in her shadow. Teachers and friends would compare us. I was quiet and she was loud; she was cool and I was a little (maybe a lot) nerdy. I knew I couldn’t be just like her, and I knew that I didn’t necessarily want to. But I remember complaining to my mom one day that my sister was so much better than me at everything. And my mom said that we are two different people; no one is better or worse. We are just different.

So once high school came around, I started to figure out what I was good at and what I liked. I loved Debate and she loved Drama. She ended up being the Homecoming queen and I was the in the marching band. Because we were so close in age and everyone expected us to be exactly the same, I became proud of what made me unique. I also became more outgoing because I admired that aspect of her character. From constant comparisons to my sister, I learned my strengths and my weaknesses, what I should improve in myself, and what makes me distinct and my own person. And as we both developed distinct interests and personalities, I came to value the bonds we shared instead of despising my sister because I couldn’t be just like her.

As Americans living together in a diverse society, we have a similar opportunity. As individuals or as groups, we can learn from and teach each other. We can discover our strengths and improve on our weaknesses. But we must all first acknowledge and respect that we will never be a homogeneous society. And most of all, we must value what unites us as a nation: our respect for equality, democracy, and justice. In this way, we can strengthen our country and each of its citizens, and our diversity will truly be the source of our strength.