That's all very well as far as it goes, but keep in mind that learning about other cultures is not the same as tolerating or approving of unspeakable human rights violations, no matter what their cultural or religious foundations.
I enjoyed reading Prescott's Conquest of Mexico and I now have a much greater understanding of the "diversity" of pre-Columbian religious practices. However, these practices included throwing virgins into sinkholes and tearing the hearts out of living human sacrifices on the altars of the great Aztec pyramids.
Does "diversity" require that we tolerate or approve of these practices? Hardly. I am glad that this religion was stamped out and that its priests and most devoted followers all were killed. Let us pray that something similar happens to the Wahhabi sect of Islam.
Learning about other cultures and traveling to other countries is to be applauded. Teaching tolerance of other races and religions is, in general, worthwhile. But mindless cultural relativism in the name of diversity is not.
We must not be ashamed to say that Western Civilization in general and the United States in particular represent the best society that mankind has yet built. Other cultures, though they may be interesting and even noble in some respects, are inferior. We lead the world because we deserve to lead it. Call it imperialism or the White Man's burden if you like, but it is the truth.
-ccm
Way big dittos, bud. You are correct.