Verified Document

Religion Is A Multifaceted Social Thesis

Religion may have been part of my identity when I was younger, but has since played a more minor role in how I present myself to the world. On the other hand, religion plays a more salient role in my metaphysical and cosmological beliefs. I appreciate the role of religion in helping human beings ask probing questions about the nature of the universe, the soul, and human consciousness. While I do not feel that religion has all the answers to such serious questions, I do like how religion attempts to address them. Religious traditions occasionally become the symbolic vehicles with which to contemplate mystical issues. For example, the holiday of Easter asks all Christians to ponder the meaning of life and death and the possibility of resurrection. A person does not have to be a Christian to appreciate the underlying meaning of such a religious tradition. Traditions help sustain religions. Without traditions, religions would easily fall apart. Practioners keep their religion alive by passing on traditions throughout multiple generations. In some ways, traditions are the most concrete aspects of any religion. Traditions create opportunities for social gatherings such as religious holidays or Sabbath days. Traditions also create opportunities for personal rituals, prayer, and meditation. For example, some Catholic people keep rosary beads and others decorate their homes with religious relics. Most persons, even most believers, do not necessarily appreciate the more esoteric functions of a religion. The traditions are far more accessible ways to connect with the core values and beliefs of a religious tradition. People can usually relate more easily to a family feast than to a passage in the Bible. The feast reminds us of our cultural identity, without needing to analyze our beliefs in God.

Being knowledgeable about other people's beliefs and attitudes towards religion makes us skillfully open-minded. We can hold fast to our personal convictions and still be interested in and accepting of other people's...

Differences in belief prevent the world from becoming homogenous; we are permitted to exercise our minds and to entertain nuances of thought and feeling. Being knowledgeable about other people's beliefs and attitudes towards religions helps us understand why others communicate differently, have different worldviews, behave differently, or hold different political beliefs. Instead of judging we can learn from each other.
My religious belief system has been shaped by my past. However, my personal religious beliefs are likely to evolve as I change as a human being. Encounters with new friends from various cultures help me formulate a religious identity that is meaningful to me personally. At the same time, I am finding it increasingly helpful to honor the role of tradition in my life. Religious traditions tie me to my family and keep me connected with them emotionally. I would not let go of my religious traditions in fear of offending my family, and I feel like I will continually learn and grow by learning more about my Catholic heritage.

Religious beliefs are fundamentally personal, even as they are socially meaningful. Because religion is driven by emotion as well as a need to create social boundaries, I do not believe that religious beliefs should inform politics. Ethics and morals can exist well without being informed by a religious authority, especially in a society as diverse as America's. Religion is about more than God; religion is a powerful social, cultural, political, and psychological force.

References

Gottlieb, R. (1995). This Sacred Earth: Religion, Nature, and Environment. Routledge.

Robinson, B.A. (2005). Comparing U.S. religious beliefs with other "Christian" countries. Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance. Retrieved April 11, 2009 from http://www.religioustolerance.org/rel_comp.htm

Stone, D. (2009). One Nation Under God? Newsweek. Retrieved April 11, 2009 from http://www.newsweek.com/id/192915?from=rss

Sources used in this document:
References

Gottlieb, R. (1995). This Sacred Earth: Religion, Nature, and Environment. Routledge.

Robinson, B.A. (2005). Comparing U.S. religious beliefs with other "Christian" countries. Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance. Retrieved April 11, 2009 from http://www.religioustolerance.org/rel_comp.htm

Stone, D. (2009). One Nation Under God? Newsweek. Retrieved April 11, 2009 from http://www.newsweek.com/id/192915?from=rss
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Gender, Race, and Religion on
Words: 3335 Length: 10 Document Type: Research Paper

The referent methods of collecting data are summative to the two key positions of the same sex in the society. Some of the methods used included sampling, interviews, issuance of questionnaires and used of printed or secondary data. Sampling Samples were collected from different members of the society. The samples collected were directed reactions to the issue of the same sex in the society. Most approaches of collection that were used

Social Justice
Words: 2156 Length: 8 Document Type: Essay

Social justice is a multifaceted and complex concept that has evolved over time to embody ideals of fairness, equality, and human rights within societies. It encompasses a wide range of issues such as economic equality, access to education, health care, the rights of marginalized communities, and more (Rawls, 1971). The pursuit of social justice aims to ensure that individuals and groups have equitable opportunities and are not subjected to discrimination

Basis in Philosophical and Religion Worldviews
Words: 1638 Length: 5 Document Type: Research Paper

Religion and Leadership Core religious and philosophical worldviews have a strong bearing on leadership style and effectiveness. Religious and philosophical worldviews provide the ethical and moral foundations for decision-making, which is a critical component of leadership. Moreover, religious and philosophical worldviews impact the ways leaders guide, teach, and serve others. Worldview extends beyond religion. Defined loosely as "visions of life," worldviews encompass the "beliefs, values, and principles" that guide behavior and motivate

Asiatic Religions Discuss Changes in the Religious
Words: 1661 Length: 5 Document Type: Term Paper

Asiatic Religions Discuss changes in the religious culture between 1750 and present day in at least one country from each of the three regions of Asia we have studied (East Asia, South Asia, and South East Asia) Changes in modern Asian religions: Japan, India, and Thailand Buddhism is a religion which began on the Indian subcontinent but which has spread across East and Southwest Asia. Its portability as a religion may partially be

African Religion African Traditional Religions
Words: 1535 Length: 5 Document Type: Thesis

As with water methods of visually perceiving patterns, divination serves as a literal mirror for the cosmos. The visual cues of divination such as cowry shells or the patterns made by mice sometimes serves as a pictorial language spoken between nonhuman and human participants. That language is not one used in human communications, even though it may inform human social order and modes of cognition. The language of divination represents

Corporate Social Responsibility in Indian Pharmaceutical Industry
Words: 10268 Length: 32 Document Type: Dissertation

Corporate Social Responsibility in Indian Pharmaceutical Industry An Exploratory Study Outlook of CSR in India History of CSR in India Philanthropy in Indian Society Modern Form of CSR in Indian Society Profile of Indian Pharmaceutical Industry Rationale for Selection CSR Activities by Indian Pharmaceutical Companies Major Influences Over CSR Activities Scope of CSR Activities Comparison of Indian & Western Pharmaceutical Companies This research paper is concerned with the recent practices of Indian pharmaceutical companies in the field of corporate social responsibility. For

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now