From this point-of-view, it can be said that religion can be viewed more as a general framework of principles and that there are regional individual representations which make it original according to the region. More precisely, the role of the saints in western iconography is more important and has a better detailed description than in the Eastern parts. This comes to point out that even though there are certain common elements in the religious practice, these are doubled by specific elements and characteristics.
A similar example is the issue of saint worshiping. There are different means through which saints are venerated or through which the popular belief had built an image culturally attached to the territory under discussion. In this sense, there are common stories about different saints such as Martin, a representative figure of Western Christianity. However, his actions and the facts surrounding his existence are strictly related to this space and have little connection to the general view of religion.
Finally, another aspect which must be taken into account when discussing the issue of popular religion is the extent in which it is important that beliefs and ideas be reduced to concepts which can be understood by most of the common people. From a general perspective, it is fair to say that religion usually unites a people because it offers them a common sense of identity. This is the case with the Chinese set of beliefs for instance that was used as a unifying element for the Chinese tribes. Similarly, different personalities and particular elements are used and developed throughout the literature in order to offer a certain people a general sense of belonging to a set of religious values and norms. In this sense, the books written on the lives of saints do have the potential of creating a framework for encouraging the belief.
However, it cannot be argued that the existence of figures such as traditional saints or the accounts of actions undergone by saints are part of a popular religion. They are in fact a representative element which allows people...
Religion and Society Religion is defined as an organized collection of belief systems, views about the universe, or cultural systems that humans use to relate spiritual and moral values to their lives. Many religions have symbols, traditions, and histories that explain the origin of life, the way the universe works, and the moral, ethical and legal ways to organize human life (De Vries, ed., 2008). While the exact origin of religion
' Religion is belief in the existence of a supreme being while science is a study to explain the how. The main conflict of these two disciplines begins with the concept of life. Religion explains that God is the creator and giver of life, whereas scientists argue that life evolved from a microorganism. The debate between religion and science is highly controversial but I choose to take the stand of the
This he accomplished in part by donating lands and money for the foundations of abbeys such as Echternach. In the following decade Charles led the Frankish army against the eastern duchies. He dealt with the ongoing conflict with the Frisians and Saxons to his northeast with some success, but full conquest of the Saxons and their incorporation into the Frankish empire would wait for his grandson Charlemagne. Most importantly, instead of concentrating
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Medieval Cultural Exchange Contrasting Medieval Religious Expression: An analysis across Christian and Islamic Civilization In Chapters 7, 8 and 9 of John McKay's A History of World Societies, the similarities and differences of medieval Christian and Islamic civilization across Europe, the Middle East and Africa are detailed as the rise and fall of political and religious actors are presented. One fascinating subject that stands out from such a tremendous amount of material and
In contrast, there are some symbols of Christmas that remain strongly religious in connotation. Nativity scenes, certain carols that mentioned figures that are specifically Christian, and also gift-giving that is described as being for Christmas itself rather than just "for the holidays." In general, these things are frowned upon except when they occur exclusively among members of the Christian Community. Many find public displays of these sorts to be particularly
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