Academic Journal of 2011, 2, 139 – 143 Social Sciences Concepts and comments

Studying Religious Diversity in Suriname and Trinidad: Review and Research Design

Mirella P. Nankoe 1*, Soulamy A. Laurens 1, Rayah Bhattacharji 1

1Institute for Graduate Studies and Research, Anton de Kom Universiteit van Suriname, , Suriname

Abstract

This article reviews the research design of the master thesis “Religious Diversity in Suriname and Trinidad: An Exploration of the Institutional Development of , Hinduism and ” (Algoe 2011). We identified a few limitations in the existing design, concerning: (1) the number, the comparability and the definition of the social spheres, (2) the criteria for selecting the media as a case, (3) the definition of politics and (4) the relationship between religion and ethnicity. Unlike Algoe’s thesis that focused on the institutional development of religions and on interreligious relations, we propose an alternative design with a focus on the sphere of national decision-making in general, and the interaction between the state and religious institutions as part of development in particular. The key questions and concepts of the alternative design would include (a) the vision of colonial and post-colonial government, and Christian and Hindu institutions on religiously diverse societies and the nation, (b) the policy of colonial and post-colonial governments regarding religious diversity, and (c) Christian and Hindu institutions’ interaction with and participation in national decision making processes. The proposed design would be a comparative study between Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago, using a quantitative and qualitative research strategy and mixed methods such as secondary analysis of quantitative data, qualitative content analysis, and interviews.

Key words : Religion, diversity, Suriname, Trinidad, research design, (colonial) policy

Introduction Table 1: Population by religion in Suriname & Trinidad Suriname and Trinidad are two post-colonial societies in the Caribbean. Historically, both Religion Suriname 2004 Trinidad 2000 societies share a significant similarity in their religious diversity. After slavery, both societies Abs % Abs % received a large influx of East Indian immigrants, Christianity 2007744 40.7% 641930 57.6% bringing new religions (Hinduism and Islam) to the existing Christian landscape. This brought with it Hinduism 98240 19.9% 250760 22.5% specific challenges in harmonizing interreligious relations. Islam 66310 13.5% 64648 5.8%

Table 1 indicates that both societies can now None 38076 7.7% 21598 1.9% be characterized as religiously diverse societies, i.e. Other 12255 2.5% 120666 10.8% a society with religious institutions devoted to different faiths (Sacco, 2004). As will be explained Not stated 77204 15.7% 15170 1.4% later in this article, there are different ways of studying the role of diversity in a society and in a Total 492829 100% 114772 100% nation.

Source: Algemeen Bureau voor de Statistiek. Statistical papers 5, 2007; Census reports of Trinidad 2000, compiled by Kirtie Algoe (Algoe, 2011)

* Correspondence to: Mirella Nankoe, Institute for Graduate Studies and Research, Leysweg 86, Paramaribo, Suriname, Tel:(597) 490900/ Fax: (597) 491022, E-mail address: [email protected]

Available on-line June 23, 2011

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Most academic discourse and research on sphere of politics is also strictly viewed as political diversity is done by academic centers in Western parties, which we consider an impractical limitation, Europe and North America, which show a as we will illustrate later in this article. The study distinctive orientation of diversity as a destabilizing showed that the social sphere in which differences in factor in society. There are not many scholars who colonial policy is most marked, is that of religious reject this point of view and regard diversity as an festivals and practices. In spite of that, the media is asset. A scholar who examined diversity from this still selected as a case, without sufficient other point of view is Algoe (2011). In this area underpinning. research can be designed in many ways. Therefore, in this article we will examine the research design Finally, we agree with the author that the by Algoe and then present an alternative idea for relationship (overlap or lack thereof) between studying the subject. The purpose of this article is to religion and ethnicity is not fully taken into contribute to academic discourse on the design of account. This is especially complicated for Islam in diversity research from a viewpoint in which Suriname, due to the immigration of a large number diversity has a positive feature. This article stems of Javanese as indentured laborers, joining from an essay assignment given to students for the the already present East-Indian Muslims. Thus, in subject Research Designs for the Masters course in contrast to Hinduism, Islam in Suriname had Research Methods (Nankoe, Laurens & followers from different ethnic groups. In Trinidad, Bhattacharji, unpublished essay, 2011). Muslims were predominantly East-Indian. Since this research design is far too broad, we have Review of existing design decided to limit the perspective of our alternative Algoe (2011) examined interreligious design regarding diversity. relations in Suriname and Trinidad extensively for her Master thesis titled “Religious Diversity in Alternative design Suriname and Trinidad: An Exploration of the In our view the study of religious diversity Institutional Development of Christianity, Hinduism can be conducted from a different approach. In the and Islam”. This thesis examined the factors proposed design the focus is on decision making by influencing the institutional development of these the state in general, including government, three religions in Suriname and Trinidad from 1900 parliament and political parties, because all three – 1945 and from 1945 – 2010 as well as their impact institutions are involved in this aspect. Religious on relations among these religions. She institutions’ participation in and interaction with conceptualized development according to the three each element of the state is different. We also pillars of Sankatsing (participation, sustainability propose to limit the study to Christian and Hindu and concerted diversity) for six social spheres: labor, institutions, because of the larger overlap between religious practices and festivities, education, social ethnicity and religion in these institutions than in services, media, and politics. To illustrate and Islam, and the different ways that Islam occurs in explain differences in relations between the major Suriname and in Trinidad. Ethnic diversity as religions in Suriname & Trinidad, she selected a ‘deciding factor’ then goes more to the background contrasting case study, based on historical analysis and the institutions are easier to compare. through documentary research. The media was selected as a case. In Algoe’s study, a key role was identified for colonial policy. In our research objective the focus Algoe concludes that (colonial) government is more on the interaction between colonial policy policy, responses of religions to this policy, and and religious institutions, rather than the broader relations between religious institutions are the main theme of development of religious institutions. We factors influencing institutional development. This propose to restrict the study to the national decision is most evident in the sphere of religious practices making, because participation in decision making and festivities. She also states that Trinidad (interaction) is critical for the emancipation and experienced more religious tensions between groups development of any religious group. In the than Suriname. theoretical elaboration on the key questions we will explain more about this. Algoe uses a comparative case study design based on documentary research, interviews and The key questions are: participant observation. However, this research a. What were the vision and policy of colonial design has a few limitations. These concern and post-colonial governments on religiously primarily the number, the comparability and the diverse societies and the nation in Suriname definition of the social spheres, as well as the and Trinidad & Tobago? method of case selection. Because of the many b. What was the vision of Christian and Hindu spheres examined, it is difficult to focus in-depth on religious institutions on religiously diverse any of them. Not all spheres are easily comparable societies and the nation in Suriname and across countries, religious groups, and time. The Trinidad & Tobago?

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c. How did Christian and Hindu religious pluralism 1, defined as “the engagement that creates a institutions interact with and participate in common society from . . .diversity. . . ” (Eck, 1997 national decision making in Suriname and in Sacco, 2004). Trinidad & Tobago? Religious pluralism has four main principles The study would be a comparison between (Eck, 2006). The first principle is that religious Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago. A further pluralism is not just diversity, but the engagement breakdown can be made into time periods, separated with diversity. Diversity only implies the presence by milestone events. These events represent of various religions in one society with little important historical moments. Because most interaction. Religious diversity is considered a religious institutions were created in the first decade given, but pluralism an achievement. Eck (2006) of the twentieth century, the starting year for states that ‘mere diversity without real encounter analysis is set as 1900. Participation of Hindus in and relationship will yield increasing tensions in our parliament was limited until the mid-forties, societies’. The second principle is that religious especially in Trinidad (Algoe, 2011), so we propose pluralism is not just tolerance, but the active seeking to make a division in 1945. Another important of understanding across lines of difference. milestone was the independence of Suriname in Tolerance does not require religious groups to know 1975 and Trinidad in 1962. In Suriname, the anything about each other, and does nothing to independence was closely tied to relations between remove their ignorance of one another. The third ethnic political parties and between these parties and principle is that religious pluralism is not relativism, the colonial government. Religious institutions were but the encounter of commitments. In this paradigm, also involved in political debates. In summary, the groups are not required to leave their identities and three following main periods could be studied: from commitments behind. Religious differences are not 1900-1945, from 1945 to independence (1962 or held in isolation but in relationship to one another. 1975), and from 1975 to the present (2010). The fourth and final principle is that religious pluralism is based on dialogue and encounter. This Theoretical framework means both speaking and listening, in a process that reveals both common understandings and real As observed before, Algoe’s approach to differences. Dialogue does not mean everyone will development is based on the work of Sankatsing. Of agree with one another, but pluralism involves the the three dimensions of development in this commitment to dialogue. approach, we propose to focus on concerted diversity, as it deals the most with interaction and Concerted diversity and religious pluralism participation. These are key elements in the are thus ideas about the role of diversity in societies. alternative design. Various scientists have linked ideas on diversity to ideas on nations. This is a relevant link for Suriname Concerted diversity refers to the nature of and Trinidad. Both are relatively young societies relationships between and within social groups (not formed artificially through colonization and the just religious or ethnic groups). A key factor is ‘import’ of various cultural groups from different respect for social, cultural, religious and political parts of the world. Both societies now face the life of the other within the own context. Another challenge of shaping nations based on this diversity. important element of concerted diversity is Two approaches to this challenge can be harmonization of the interests of social forces (as distinguished, namely nation building and nation opposed to a forced consensus). Sankatsing creation. Both are often described in terms of ethnic describes this in the following quote: diversity, but can be applied to religious diversity as well. Negotiation and joint action, based on the harmonization of divergent, even contrary Nation building refers to a country’s interests among social forces, is the best conscious attempts by the state to organize a society available option to reach a viable project for from the top based on its own design of the the self-realization both of the social group Eurocentric ideal of a uniform culture (Menke, and of society as a whole (Sankatsing, 2004). 2008).

Concerted diversity is one approach to view Nation creation, which has more overlaps the role of diversity in societies, and this aspect with concerted diversity and religious pluralism, clearly holds an element of interaction. Another refers to the efforts of cultural groups in a society to approach with the same premise is that of religious create a nation based on solidarity, mutual respect

1 Religious pluralism is not to be confused with the much- criticized term ‘plural society’ as used by Van Lier and others (van Lier, 1949).

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and a harmonious interaction between the diverse formation: “a specific and coordinated system of groups and their cultures. This view considers beliefs, acts, and institutions that construct the harmonious (ethnic) diversity as an ideology, in necessary conditions for shared identities”. This contrast to the Eurocentric concept of nation concept considers “the social forces that give rise to building based on a monoculture (Menke, 2008). a particular social or religious movement and how The traditional Eurocentric definition of a nation (as new social organizations emerge, maintain a group of people who feel connected through themselves over time and place, deal when they are natural ties based on common religious, linguistic, contested or come to an end” (McCutcheon 1998, cultural and historical background, with a common cited in Algoe, 2011). national consciousness (Borja, 1997, cited in Menke, 2008) takes monoculture and the state (or This study approaches religious institutions nation-state) as point of departure. Nation building both as communities and as organizations. is most commonly associated with this vision of a Communities are defined as individuals that have a nation (Menke, 2008). Nation creation is not aimed common identity and share social relations. at the nation-state as unit of analysis, but can also be Organizations are “vehicles for social action”. They applied to regional and international entities. are carriers of the communities and need social Harmonious ethnic diversity is the point of acceptability and credibility of the state, the own departure for creation of this type of nation. members and other communities to survive (Scott 2001, cited in Algoe, 2011). The vision that the state and the religious institutions have on religiously diverse societies and The strength of these communities may also on the nation, influences the way they interact with influence the political participation of each religious one another and the type of society or nation they institute. This strength can be measured by create. Any research done on religious diversity will examining the number of people per religion, i.e. the have to take this into account. number of inhabitants of the two societies who identify themselves or are identified as adherents of Research Design the two religions under study (Christianity and Hinduism). This is relevant to examine if there is a Conceptual Framework relationship between critical demographic mass and The study could include a wide range of core political participation of religious groups. Another concepts, variables and indicators, but only some of way to measure the strength of a religious these will be briefly described here. The community is to look at the number of religious relationships between them are described in Figure1. organizations active within a given period.

Figure 1: Conceptual Framework for the In addition to the strength of these religious proposed design institutions, another important factor is the vision of the leaders and members of these institutions. This vision constitutes their ideals, views and opinions on the nation and on religious diversity. Indicators to measure this are the content of statements on cooperation between religious institutions and the government, of statements on unity between Country religious groups and of opinion statements on policy Milestone measures. Another indicator is the use of religious event symbols in political events and documents.

Furthermore, the strength and vision of religious institutions influence the extent and the manner of their participation and involvement in decision making processes. This can be described by As stated before, the design involves comparing two examining the number of political parties with different societies, Suriname and Trinidad. A further origins in religious institutions, the religion of breakdown will be made into periods separated by parliament members in successive parliaments, the milestone events, which are turning points in each number of religious leaders who were/ are active in society’s history, i.e. the first moment of politics, the number of Hindus and Christians in participation of religious groups in parliament and relation to the number of religious organizations, constitutional independence. and the issues raised by religious institutions in national decision-making platforms. In both societies, the religions Christianity Besides participation and involvement of religious and Hinduism will be studied. For the purpose of institutions in government, the study will pay this study, religion is described as a social specific attention to the interaction between

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government and religious institutions. This is characteristics of the society under study. As there is understood as the process leading to the adoption or such a strong relationship between religion and rejection of decisions on religious and national ethnicity, research has to take ethnic diversity into issues by the state (decision makers). account, however briefly.

The state’s decisions are also influenced by In our alternative proposal for diversity the vision of its representatives - that is their ideals, research, diversity is an asset and not an obstacle to views and opinions on the nation and on religious create a stable society and a stable nation. With this diversity. One indicator is government policy: the review, we hope to give an extra impulse to decisions and actions of government representatives academic discourse on diversity research. in relation to the population in general and to religious institutions in particular, for example the Acknowledgements recognition of religious holidays as public holidays. Other indicators are statements on cooperation Thanks to Ms. R.K. Algoe, M.Sc., for between religious institutions and the government, providing us with her thesis and background and statements on unity between religious groups. material, and for her elucidations on her research.

Strategy and methods References We propose a qualitative and quantitative research strategy, using a comparative research Algoe, R.K., 2011. Religious Diversity in Suriname and design and mixed methods. Trinidad: An Exploration of the Institutional Development of Christianity, Hinduism and Islam (M.Sc. thesis). Anton de Kom Universiteit van Literature study could be conducted of books Suriname, Institute for Graduate Studies and and articles on issues of religious diversity and the Research, Paramaribo nation, the history of the societies and the religious institutions involved. Secondary analysis of Eck, D.L., 2006. The Pluralism Project at Harvard University, accessed April 22, 2011 quantitative data could be conducted through analysis of previous studies, reports, statistical and Menke, J., 2008. Etniciteit tussen natievorming en demographic trends. Qualitative content analysis can natiecreatie in Suriname. In: Menke, J. (ed), be done on policy documents and media coverage. Natievorming en Natiecreatie in Suriname. Stichting Wetenschappelijke Informatie, Paramaribo, pp. 19-60 Furthermore, key persons would be interviewed using open, semi-structured topic lists organized Sankatsing, G., 2001. Social Science as a Victim of Its Own around core concepts. Individuals could be selected Disciplines: The English- and Dutch-Speaking based on a purposive first sample of key informants, Caribbean. In: Christine Barrow and Rhoda Reddock, Caribbean Sociology: Introductory Readings. Ian followed by a snowball sample of other key persons. Randle Publishers, Kingston (Jamaica). Chapter 3, p. The units of observation for qualitative analysis are 56-83 key persons from religious organizations, colonial and post-colonial governments, parliament and Sankatsing, G., 2004. People’s vote Compatible with People’s Fate – A democratic alternative to liberal political parties. Media messages (such as democracy. In: Menke, J. (Ed.), Political Democracy, newspaper clippings, television images, radio Social Democracy and the Market in the Caribbean. recordings) and written documents (such as internet Paramaribo, Democracy Unit, Faculty of Social articles reflecting government policy, and national Sciences, Anton de Kom University of Sacco, J.S., 2004. What is Religious Pluralism?. E Pluribus - policy documents) can also be units of observation. Newsletter of the Pluralism Project, Department of Religious organizations and individual members of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Youngstown State the two societies would be units of analysis for the University Youngstown University. Volume 1.1, 1 – 2 quantitative study. Van Lier, Rudolph, 1949. Frontier Society: A Social Analysis of the History of Suriname, The Hague, Closing Remarks Martinus Nijhoff, (1971). Translation of Ph.D. Thesis (1949): Samenleving in een Grensgebied – Een social-historische studie van Suriname, Deventer, van Suriname and Trinidad are relatively young Loghum Slaterus societies formed artificially through colonization and the ‘import’ of various cultural groups from different parts of the world. Interreligious relations and religious diversity influence the way that these societies and nations take further shape. It is therefore advisable for the state to make policy to deal with diversity. Research can make a significant contribution to the formulation of this policy. Any research done on religious diversity will have to take the vision of policy makers and religious organizations into account, as well as specific

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