what is usually called “pluralism.” In contrast to traditional societies, modern Western society leaves its members free, within very wide limits, to adopt and hold their own views about what is good and desirable, about what kind of life is to be admired, about what code of ethics should govern one’s private life. As a natural extension of this, with the growing presence of large numbers of Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus, and Buddhists in areas formerly designated as Christendom, it is assumed by a large