Impact of religion on American life was discussed when a prominent Hindu leader Rajan Zed met with Director of Center for the Study of Religion and Conflict of Arizona State University, Linell E. Cady, at Tempe in Arizona on Monday.

Other topics discussed were inter-religious relationships; linkage between popular culture, politics, morality, and culture with religion; God; influence of religion on society; religious movements; impact of immigration upon religion; religion and conflict; the future of religion; etc.

Zed stressed that religion is a complex component of our lives and we must take religion seriously as it is a very powerful force. A more deeper and inclusive understanding of religion is needed, he added.

The Center for the Study of Religion and Conflict promotes interdisciplinary research and education on the dynamics of religion and conflict. Its director Cady has written extensively on religion and American public life, secularism, feminist theologies, religion and conflict, etc.

Rajan Zed is a prominent Hindu and Indo-American leader who read the first Hindu prayer in United States Senate and various other state legislatures during the last few months.