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The Three Major Religions Essay
The Major Religions Judaism, Christianity and Islamic
Humanities 101 August 28, 2010 Strayer University
The major religions in the world are Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam are monotheistic religions, namely they believe that there is only one
God. All three religions believe that this God is the origin and source of all that exists. God cares about the entire creation and desires the well–being
of all. God is just and has provided basic rules for our guidance so that we may be good and righteous, according to God's intention.
All the major religions of the world have cities that hold special significance to their religion. It may be the home of a religious leader, the...show more
content...
Mecca is a city in Saudi Arabia that is of major religious importance to Muslims. Mecca is the birthplace of the Prophet Mohammed who converted
Arabia to Islam. All practicing Muslims accept belief in the 'Six Articles of Faith' and are obliged to follow the 'Five Pillars.' They are 1) Muslim
profession of faith or shahada, 2) Ritual
Prayer or salah, 3) Ritual Prayer or salah, 4) Fasting or sawm, 5) Pilgrimage or hajj. The division between Shia (followers of Ali) and Sunni
(followers of the custom of the caliphate) persists to this day. Although both share most of the customs of the religion, Shiites place more emphasis
on the guiding role of the imam. About 90% of the world's Muslims are Sunni and about 10% Shia. Muslims prayer five a day. The most important
day for them to worship Allah is Friday in the mosque. "Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar, is considered as one of the holiest months
of the year. It was in 610 A.D. when the prophet Mohammad was said to have received revelations from God that later became Islam's holy book, the
Quran"
(Ramadan – The Holy Month ,2010).
Christians believe Jesus was crucified in Jerusalem. Bethlehem is a very important city to Christians because it is the place where Jesus was born.
"The Christian life involves a number of different aspects. Among the key ones are fellowship with God Our relationships with others, and Obedience
to God's
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Though each religion is unique, some religions have several traits in common. For example, many religions are polytheistic, meaning that there are
many gods. But, some religions only believe in one god, meaning that the religion is monotheistic. The religions also have many things that differ with
each other, like the sacred text, symbol, and traditions. These qualities are what make each religion different and special.
Each religion has its own set of 'rules' or teachings that the followers practice. In Christianity, there are the Ten Commandments. The Buddhist religion
has the Eightfold Path and the Four Noble Truths. Muslims of the Islamic religion follow the Five Pillars of Islam. These religions have religious
teachings, but there...show more content...
Despite that, Confucianism continues to have many followers. Two religions that are more related than any other religions are Christianity and
Judaism. Both religions have similar beliefs. They also both believe in God and Jesus. This is where there is a difference: Christians believe that
Jesus is the Messiah and died to save its followers from sin. Jews believe that Jesus is only a prophet, and the Messiah has not yet arrived. Another
similarity is the sacred site. Jerusalem is a sacred city for three religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In addition to Jerusalem, Islamic people
travel to Mecca and the city of Medina to pray as well. Another important site for Christians is Bethlehem–the birthplace of Jesus.
Karma is a belief that Buddhists, Hindus, and Christians believe in. Karma is simply "what goes around, comes around". However, Buddhists and
Hindus believe that karma occurs after reincarnation in the next life. Christians believe that karma can take place in the current life as well. Buddhism
and Hinduism also believe in dharma, which are the ethics and duties.
Though some of these religions are related in one way or another, they each have their own sacred text that store their teachings and beliefs. The Jews
follow the teachings of the Torah, which is the first five books of the Old Testament and is the cornerstone of Judaism. The Hindu text is
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Philosophy and Religion Essay
The many religions of the world exhibit a large amount of different beliefs and philosophies. Some believe in many gods, some believe in just one
god and yet there are those that believe in no god. One of the things that I agree with is that you can not love anything else unless you first learn to
love and respect yourself. I also think that after one?s physical body is deceased, you become reincarnated. And lastly, I don?t recognize one god or
overall being, but rather follow the example made by others. These are some religious elements I follow.
First of all, you can not love anything unless you love yourself. If you go around with self hate and little confidence, it gives you no room for any other
...show more content...
When a person dies, their physical body and life comes to an end. I think that their soul or karma continues to strive and find a new inhabitant. I
always believed that if you can have a body without a soul, you can have a soul without a body. This is stressed in Hinduism and Buddhism They
call reincarnation ?samsara?. I also agree with the fact that if you lead a good life, you will come back as something great in your next life. For
instance, if you start an orphanage and spend your whole life devoted to saving children, you will come back as something like a queen or king. On
the other hand, if you are a criminal, you will come back as a bug or worm. Hindus also believe in that rule. One thing I disagree with is the fact that
anyone can exit this cycle of reincarnation. In Hinduism, they think that at some point you will be released and cease to exist. Sort of like a final
death. I think that you will continue this cycle of life and death indefinitely. Those are my points of view on reincarnation.
Last, I do not believe in gods or overall power. In many religions, (Christianity, Judaism and Islam) they are monotheistic and worship one god. There
are also religions that worship many gods such as Hinduism and Native American Religions. I do not believe in any god. I think that our life should be
based upon the mistakes and accomplishments of past human beings. Even though people do not realize
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organized religion Essay
Organized Religion
Ever since man has chosen to write down his history, organized religion has been a prominent topic and has influenced and shaped all people's lives.
There have always been believers and non–believers. Since the beginning, non–believers have been persecuted by inquisitions, prosecuted by witch
trials, and murdered by stoning and crucifying for even questioning the "truth" about a supreme being and supposed crimes against that being. Religion
had a purpose in earlier times to explain life, but today science provides more concrete answers. Religious beliefs are old and outdated and people should
trust the scientific facts that have been proven, not what has been...show more content...
They trust their faith because "The Bible Tells Me So." The books of each religion explain why everything is the way it is and each religion
teaches at very young ages, so how could it be wrong? It has "always been" so it must be the truth. When I was younger I would come home from
school complaining to my mom about science class. "Why don't they leave everything alone and just say it is that way because God made it that way?
The grass is green because God wanted it to be.
Recently, education appeared as the truth. Perhaps people in the science field and I wanted facts, proof for the truth. Charles Darwin had come up with
the idea of natural selection and the theory of evolution in the 1800's. The questions and answers offered by science are more plausible. Scientists
struggle with these questions every modern day. Open–minded people question and look for answers. Science suggests that religious ideas are incorrect.
Today's religions have aided both personal and international peace. It has given hope to people and has helped some deal with difficult situations.
Religions give some people purpose to life, and an explanation as to why things are the way they are. Praying can give some peace of mind to those
who are dealing with problems in life.
Throughout history people have taken their religious beliefs too serious. Religions are hypocritical in their values,
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Essay on Religions of the World
The Religions of the World Religion is big part of human life. Every area of the world has some kind of religion or belief system. Religion is
defined as "a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices" ("Religion" Def.2). With such a large amount of
religions today, religion is widely variegated, usually with divisions in each one. Despite the large amount of religions, I will only be covering only
three religions: Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism. Christians are those who believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who came down to earth from
Heaven in order to save humanity from its' sins. The reason for Jesus dying for the human race is traced back to the beginning of time, in the Garden of
...show more content...
His entire life was devoted to delivering the message that God had given Him, the theme of which was forgiveness and a new life, in which we
could have eternal life through the death of Christ (John 3:16). His means of sharing this message were often in parables, "earthly stories with
heavenly meanings," but at other times they were blunt and straightforward (Bowker 141). There was much division among the people because of
Him, and the religious leaders of the time wanted to kill Him, mainly because He claimed to be Son of God, while He looked like any other human to
them (John 7:8–9, 8:40–53). Their anger rose and, eventually, they set out to capture Him and crucify Him. Jesus' Death was a tragic event indeed.
There was so much division about Him that His own people had decided to vote in favor of crucifying Him, and that is exactly what happened (John
19:6–7). Jesus was lead to Golgotha, while carrying His own cross, to be crucified. As horrific as this was for many, it fulfilled all the scriptures
pointing to Jesus. Because He had lived a sinless life, He became the perfect and final sacrifice for humanities' sin (1 Peter 2:22). Jesus was raised
on the third day after His death, showing His supremacy over the power of Death. Obviously, a main belief of Christians is that of Jesus' death and
resurrection. Christians also believe in the teachings Jesus' gave them while He lived His life on the earth, which are recorded in the four gospels in
the New Testament
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Religion Five Major World Religions Essay
Religion 101
Brian R. Newsom
REL 101
David Paul
December 11, 2016
Religion 101
During these past weeks, I have made an effort to fathom religion as a whole. From end to end reading, study, independent research, viewing related
video clips, and discussions with my co–workers, I now have a healthier understanding of the five major world religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam,
Hinduism, and Buddhism) and how each came into existence. I am thrilled to share with you some of the brief understandings, and new found opinions
that I have obtained during my study and research.
Religion is a broad term which can be used in many contexts. Generally speaking, it is common to hear someone say, "I do that religiously". This is
a different use of the word than most people would actually relate to our discussion but it is not entirely irrelevant. This idiom has a lot of underlying
meaning which is relevant. The term religiously means to do thoroughly, conscientiously, with an attention to detail, and to do regularly, as if
habitually. In this case we are looking at the secular use of the word but as you can already see there is a relation between the secular and non–secular
use of the term.
Religions have commonalities. Religion was born in order to answer the questions who are we, where did we come from, and why do unexplainable
things happen around me. Therefore, not surprisingly, religions have a background story of creation. The ancient Egyptians told
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Religion, Religion And Religion
When discussing religion, many people have different perspectives about religion beliefs and how to approach it. Religion is grouped in different
sections such as, religion and spirituality, religion and philosophy, and religion and politics. Religion has many different views from different cultures
because everyone approaches it differently with different beliefs also. To make somethingreligion, is to have some type of belief in God, but
everyone's belief is different depending on the culture someone is located in. In society back then and today, religion has no set essence of a
definition because of the different aspects people group religion in. This paper will explain the different aspects of what people believe constitutes
different types of religion. The different approaches in how many people define religion gives different effects on how people actually group the word
in different categories. According to the book "introduction to the study of religion" the authors gives a brief statement about how religion is
interpreted. They state two definitions "1. Religion is awareness expressed through symbols of relationship to, or participation in, the fundamental
power of life. And 2. Religions are symbol systems that facilitate relationship to, or participation in, what the members understand to be the
fundamental power of life." (Ring, Nash, MacDonald, and Glenmon, p 79). This explanation the book gives explains why it is so difficult to define
religion. There are
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What Does Religion Mean To Me Essay
Growing up, church was never a huge aspect of my life, but it was always around me. My grandmother was a deeply religious Catholic, and many of
the kids on my street went to the church around the corner. Despite this, my mother never forced my sisters and I to go. She wanted us to choose our
own beliefs. The proximity to Christianity influenced what I believe in today. I believe in God and that he created everything in the observable
universe. The rest of the Bible, well, is debatable to me. Some call me an agnostic Christian, but the label doesn't matter. As long as I can find faith
and solace in something when I need it, I'm happy. What I ponder the most is the final chapter: death and the afterlife. What I hope is that everyone is
delivered what they...show more content...
To another, they might believe it's nothing at all. Even fire and brimstone is in some people's future if they think they deserve it. There are an infinite
number of heavens to every person. It is a self–determined fate. However, if I am to be quite honest to myself, my own belief written here is always
changing. Nothing is really ever set in stone. Even my own personal heaven is shifting constantly, based on what I believe I deserve at that point
in my life. If you had asked me as a child what my heaven was, it would be being able to wrestle with my sister without getting injured for hours on
end. If you asked me after my grandmother died, it would be on her lap as I listened to childhood stories. A week later, I would have said Hell for
not listening to more of them. Right now, my heaven is a road trip's summer night. Great music with great people on the highway is a lovely way to
spend a teenage eternity. Of course, my best friend Elyse Leskovic is there (and of course she is driving). A song with too much bass is blasting. I
can feel the beat in my chest and I'm singing along at the top of my
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Religion And Religion : Religion
One of the most difficult topics to discuss in society today is religion. Religion is a very complex notion to describe. There is in fact, no sound
definition because it is so subjective. Religion is what the individual makes of it. It is a belief system that integrates culture, teachings, practices,
personal experience, and artistic expressions which relate people to what they perceive to be transcendent (Brodd et. al. 9). Religion has shaped
humanity into what it really is today as much of human history was made in the name of God. Understanding religion is paramount in understanding
the various cultures of the world, their values and their meaning. Even understanding the many religious traditions is central to the keeping of
collective lifestyles based on ethics and other moral foundations and provision of the tools for cooperation and conflict. It remains an unanswered
question whether or not there is a means for "sustaining a diversity of religious traditions and a wide range of ethical values while living together as
one" (Kurtz 3). The central thesis of this essay will focus on four major world religions; Buddhism, Confucianism, Islam and Christianity. Focusing on
the aforementioned religions' key similarities and differences, this essay will attempt to understand the broader cultures that developed out of those
religions.
The founder of the Buddhist religion, Gautama Siddhartha, was given the name "Buddha," which translates into "the Awakened One." Since everyone in
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Religion, Religion And Religion
With the over one hundred different religions in the world, all proclaiming different things, it can getting a little frustrating to decide on one to call
home. However, every Religion claims to be the one true religion. Is it the fact that one has a large following, or even a large building erected in the
manifestation of the words they proclaim? Or is it a minute group of disciples focused on solving the ever frightening problems that the world faces
every day? Mirriam Webster Dictionary defines a Religion as "the belief in a god or in a group of gods."1 and this is simply incorrect. A religion is a
community of people who believe in on set of beliefs, have established rituals, have faith in some sort of set principle/higher power, and have symbols
and signs that they hold to be of a higher nature than other objects. A very important aspect to many religions is community, this is especially true in
Christianity. In Christianity many of the rituals that take place, happen in a community environment. This is true for other religions as well, in
Judaism, a large celebration of all members of the community is held when someone becomes a full member of the faith. This event is called a Bar
/Bot Mitzvah, during this ceremony the boy or girl gets up in front of the congregation and recites from the Torah. Afterwards there is a reception in the
new members honor. This idea of the need of community can also be seen in Christianity, when Christians get married they have to have
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What Is Religion? Essay
What is religion? Each person's definition of religion is different. Each person's faith is different. This is a question that has been asked for
centuries, and regardless of the answer given there is no right or wrong answer. Religion can be defined as a group of people who have shared
beliefs who feel their life has purpose or meaning. This feeling or belief that their life has meaning can come from outside of themselves, as well as
within. Taking this one step further, these shared beliefs put into action in the form of worship, can be easily identified because they happen regularly.
It can be said the Primal religions were in fact not religions. Some may argue Confucianism is not a religion. Others may say Taoism is not a...show
more content...
They are teachings learned by previous generations then passed down, they are not always actions. The fifth feature of religion is grace. Grace is
defined by Smith as "the belief and assurance that reality is on our side and can be counted on." Lastly there is mystery. For this there is no exact
definition, but it is all of what a religion cannot explain, it is all that the human mind cannot grasp, it is the certain "higher power" that religion offers.
Of these six features, there are three that are present in most all religions, they are: authority, tradition, and mystery. Authority, tradition, and mystery
further explore and define religion when looking specifically at Primal Religions, Confucianism, and Taoism. Primal Religions are often mistaken to
be the religion of the primitive man, often thought to be unintelligent. There is a definition of "primal" that is better suited than unintelligent or
primitive. Primal in terms of religion, refers to the lack of exposure to technology, it is not "knowing" the state of consciousness given to many by
the technological environment. Primal religions preceded organized religion as we know it today by thousands of years, in some cases millions, but
are still present in the world today; we now call them tribal religions. Within primal religions there are people who are knowledgeable about life, who
are knowledgeable about
Defining Religion–4 traditions, and who are
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Essay on Why Is Religion Important?
In this essay we will discuss the importance of religion in society. We will attempt to explain why societies have religions and what functions their
belief system has for them. We will also ask if these functions are now out–dated and if religions have any meaningful function in today's world or are
they just stained glass windows into a bygone era? 'Religion' can be defined by two main groupings. 'The inclusive definition' covers all topics and
subjects of a persons life including, not only, their belief in a deity but also their belief and belongingness to music, sport and any other interests the
person may hold. 'The exclusive definition' refers to just their belief system regarding a 'supra–human' (Browne 2005, p. 311). It is mainly...show more
content...
The church was able to explain why such devastation had happened and gave the social masses an explanation to something they could not
fathom. The church used this opportunity to gain the respect and belief of the Irish public (Larkin 1984). Religious identity can come in two
forms, one from a nation of people all believing in the same values and another from the personal view of each individual or family within that
nation. In a family or local community sense, it ties the smaller community together against its neighbouring ethnicities. It provides a feeling of
togetherness and strength for the society. It is the basis for 'ethnic honour: the excellence of one's own customs and the inferiority of alien ones'
(Weber, cited in Bruce 1996, p. 96). Religious identity brings great pride and hope to the citizens of any particular society and lends itself towards
social cohesion (Browne 2005). In a national sense, religious belief and identity can separate whole nations from one another, like in the case of
Ireland and England, one of the defining differences is our belief in a different branch of Christianity. This can have disastrous effects on the world
as a whole. Religion can be held accountable for the majority of warfare and bloodshed in the world today as nations attack each over their differing
beliefs and ideals. Many nations will use religion and beliefs to try to justify the awful atrocities they commit on one another. In this sense, religion
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What Is Religion Essay
Religion is a hard concept to comprehend. It is showing us a different side to look at our life. Instead of having hard facts that can be physically
proven, religion shows us to take a leap of faith and believe the impossible. In The Nature of Existence Charles Messer says: "Religion is simply a
system of actions meant to give you access to God and Heaven. (eternal Life)". In my faith I am taught that we are created by a higher being; God.
That He is omnipotent and he loves all human beings, even if we do not believe in him and follow him. That he sent his only son, to die on the cross
for all of us. Other religions may say the opposite: that there is more than one god and that Jesus was not the messiah. Edward and people with...show
more content...
People who have a strong faith in what they believe in, and will say that their religion is the true religion. I am one who believes that my religion is the
correct. But like Nancy says; I have created my own religion. I discovered my own belief system, by challenging other religions and figuring out
what others have to say about their own beliefs. Brother Jed Smock is one who challenges our faith, by going to college campuses and spreading
his beliefs onto others. What he talks about at the colleges, causes the students to question and challenge Brother Jed's beliefs. While asking these
questions, the students have to also look at their own beliefs and may question them as well. To truly grasp our religion we need to ask questions and
find answers. One of the best ways to do this is to challenge others and to break down the answer they have provided. It strengthens us and takes our
beliefs to a whole new level.
Believing in something is a way of life. Everyone has some kind of belief system. We can believe that there is a God or believe that there is no
God. This is the same as an opinion: we all have opinions on everything no matter what. If no one had an opinion then there would not be
discussions or arguments.(Without this progress could not be made) Whether or not we belive in a religion or science or even both, there is a reason
why we do. It is a way to explain things we cannot explain (it is a way to ease our
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What Does Religion Mean To Me Essay
My parents have always strongly believed in religion, responsibility, and integrity. At a young age, they put these values into action. We always attend
church on Sundays and make God our number one priority. My parents always give me responsibilities, even as simple as making my bed, doing the
dishes, or coming home at curfew. They have always expected things to be done the first time they ask, and on time. My family has always been big on
lying. They would much rather I tell them the truth, no matter how bad it is, rather than lie about it. Religion has always played a big part in my life.
Religion means a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman
...show more content...
As I have gotten older the church has begun to play an even bigger role in my life. My family and I attend Fellowship church every Sunday. Awhile
ago I was afraid to go to the high school group on Wednesdays, but my mom insisted I go. Ever since I walked through that door God has blessed me
more and more. I have met some of my greatest friends at my church. If I am ever having a bad day my mom will send me a bible verse and tell me to
pray about it. I have learned that putting it all in God's hands is the best way to go. My parents always try and set a good example for me by
putting God first. My mom recently became a leader of a women's group at church. She helps with a bible study at a nursing home and serves in
the preschool every Sunday. She sets a good example for me to get involved with the church. Not only do my parents set good examples of valuing
religion, my grandparents do too. My mom's dad is a retired pastor, the church he had was not very close so we were not able to attend much. My
grandma always send me cards with inspirational bible verses, or send me books. Sometime she even sends me a text with a bible verse if she knows
I am struggling or stressed out
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What is Religion Essay
World Religion
What is Religion?
According to the American College Dictionary, religion is a noun defined as the quest for the values of the ideal life. This definition is vast and
general, allowing for a variety of interpretations by people from all cultures. There is no single path to follow in order to lead an ideal life, only
personal beliefs and experiences. Religion is non–finite so there is no way of determining a boundary (Smart, 5). In my quest for a true understanding
of what religion is I explored my own traditions and religious beliefs as well as life experiences. Slowly, with the added insight from the text and
videos, my own definition of religion has begun to take shape....show more content...
Every religion holds truth to the believers, and gives them a sense of identity. There is no right or wrong answer to the question of which religion to
follow, only interpretations and behaviors according to what makes sense to the individual. People will behave as they believe (Beliefs and Believers,
Class 1).
Another equally important remark I came across in my studies was one by the Methodist pastor Rev. Cecil Williams. Williams' main topic of
discussion was that of toxic religion and inspiring social action. Williams begin the interview by saying, "Be careful of religion because
religion is toxic" (Williams Interview, Class 2). He means that believers are not focusing on the actions, but the outcomes instead. You cannot
genuinely identify with a religion or call yourself a religious person unless you relate to other human beings or form relationships that work to ease
human suffering (Simmons Study Guide, 15). Again, I was reminded of my own beliefs and the history of my religion when I explored the meaning
of this statement. Contrary to popular belief, this nation was not founded on the basis of religion. America was founded by men in search of power
and money who used their religious beliefs, predominantly Protestant Christian, as an excuse for their brutality. Not all believers act on their beliefs,
creating a fine line between which are factious and which are not. The first attempts at
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Reflection Paper On Religion And Religion
During the course of this class, I have learned a lot about different religions. I still have an unprejudiced view of religion. However, I did not suspend
my belief to have an understanding of religion. I have been able to learn of other religious beliefs without feeling threatened of my own. I found there
are many different practices in other religions, some I agree with and some I do not agree with. I have come to except others, ways of worship without
getting upset. I have become humble in my conclusion now that I have a better understanding of others beliefs. The world seems to jump to
conclusions and be judgmental about other religions. Postponing ones judgement on a religion is a difficult thing to do. Being raised and taught a
certain religion and set of beliefs is distilled in to one's mind. I, on the other hand, reserved my personal judgement until I have learned more about
it. I have come to know of religions other than my own, and each has different ways of worship. By taking the time to learn the different religions of
the world has helped me with understanding what others believe. In learning of others beliefs will help me in recognizing the way they dress, act and
respond. Religion runs deep in different cultures all over the world, and with many it is sacred, symbolic, and law. Religion brings people together in
time of need such as deaths, destruction or pain, also in celebration of birth and marriage.
Cooley 2 What I found most surprising
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Religion Is A Social Institution Essay
Religion is a social institution dedicated to establishing a shared sense of identity, encouraging social integration, and offering believers a sense of
meaning and purpose. Even though the participation of religious practices varies from place to place, it still continues to be a major force in the world
and in individual lives. Each religion has unique content to it. Usually that includes a supernatural realm, such as heaven, but that does not
necessarily mean it is outside our world. There are two ways to describe religion. First, sacred encompasses elements beyond everyday life that
inspire respect, awe, and even fear. People interact with the sacred realm through practices such as praying or sacrifice. These practices help people
accept what they cannot understand. The sacred realm exists in contrast to the profane, which includes the ordinary and commonplace. Different
religions define their understanding of sacred and profane in different ways. A functionalist perspective focuses less on what religion is and more on
what religion does, with a particular importance and how it contributes to social order. Religion does not need to have gods or goddess, or an
afterlife, because almost any social practice that strongly unites people and has a strong following, such as being a sports fan can have the same
function as a religion. Emile Durkheim defined this functionalist approach with three focuses. First, it is important to have a unified system of beliefs.
Each
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Religion : What Is It?
Religion: What is it? There are many different religions that people believe in today. When I think of religion I think of a group of people who
believe in a god or gods that created the world and determine your faith. There are different forms of theist religions, some of these religions believe
in many gods and some only believe in one. That to me was the main part about being religious, is that you had to believe in a god. I never believed or
knew that religions could be non–theistic, so I always counted atheism as a non–religion. Coming in to college and having the knowledge that I would
have to take two religion courses I was a bit weary. I did believe in a God or that any non–theistic views are religious. So I had some bias about what I
was going to learn about such as: about this all powerful being God, that all religions have the same basic core just different practices, that the
evolutionary theory would be thrown out and that there would be an underlying tone that everyone should be religious. Thinking that I would be
shunned for not believing in a god was the one thing that scared me the most.
Even though I am a naturalist, I was brought up around religion and for a while even lived in a religious house hold. When I was four years old and
younger I went to a Christian church and went to Sunday school. Unfortunately, I don't remember the things I learned when I was 4 I only remember
going every Sunday. Eventually my mom and I moved out of my grandmother's house
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Different Kinds of Religions Essay
Religion is a topic that varies from person to person and culture to culture. Although religion is broadly defined as "the belief or worship of a spirit
or god" (Hopfe and Woodward ), each religion of the world has their own beliefs and worship strategies that defines that particular religion. Across the
world, religions have their own beliefs and rituals; however, they are all commonly linked with the tradition of beliefs, holy places of worship, and
celebrations. While each contrasting world religion will be discussed in this paper; they will collectively be centered around the question of how each
religion practices their own beliefs, places of worship, and celebrations.
The first religion that I am going to discuss is Buddhism....show more content...
(White) Since the beginning of the Buddhist religion, believers visit temples and shrines in order to pay their respects to Buddha and worship with
other Buddhists. Because Buddha believed that Buddhism is a way of life, Buddhists often believe that attending a place to worship is not critical.
Some Buddhists even have their own shrines so their worship can be done in a more convenient and timely manner. The Buddhist's shrine originated
as a place built to worship the ashes of Buddha. More shrines were continued to be built in order to hold additional sacred items. Today, shrines and
temples are built in various ways however; many of them consist of 5 tiers representing the five elements of the universe – earth, wind, fire, water, and
emptiness. They were also built taller in the belief that their place of worship was reaching "out of the physical world and towards wisdom" (White).
Different cultures celebrate Buddhism in various ways but, all cultures celebrate the greatest moments of Buddha's life. For instance, in Japan,
Buddha's birthday is celebrated with the Flower Festival where, in India, Buddha's first teaching is celebrated with the Festival of the Sacred Tooth.
Buddhism is a religion that is based on a person's mental enlightenment and is one of the bigger religions of the world. Christianity is one
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The Three Major Religions Essay

  • 1. The Three Major Religions Essay The Major Religions Judaism, Christianity and Islamic Humanities 101 August 28, 2010 Strayer University The major religions in the world are Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are monotheistic religions, namely they believe that there is only one God. All three religions believe that this God is the origin and source of all that exists. God cares about the entire creation and desires the well–being of all. God is just and has provided basic rules for our guidance so that we may be good and righteous, according to God's intention. All the major religions of the world have cities that hold special significance to their religion. It may be the home of a religious leader, the...show more content... Mecca is a city in Saudi Arabia that is of major religious importance to Muslims. Mecca is the birthplace of the Prophet Mohammed who converted Arabia to Islam. All practicing Muslims accept belief in the 'Six Articles of Faith' and are obliged to follow the 'Five Pillars.' They are 1) Muslim profession of faith or shahada, 2) Ritual Prayer or salah, 3) Ritual Prayer or salah, 4) Fasting or sawm, 5) Pilgrimage or hajj. The division between Shia (followers of Ali) and Sunni (followers of the custom of the caliphate) persists to this day. Although both share most of the customs of the religion, Shiites place more emphasis on the guiding role of the imam. About 90% of the world's Muslims are Sunni and about 10% Shia. Muslims prayer five a day. The most important day for them to worship Allah is Friday in the mosque. "Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar, is considered as one of the holiest months of the year. It was in 610 A.D. when the prophet Mohammad was said to have received revelations from God that later became Islam's holy book, the Quran" (Ramadan – The Holy Month ,2010). Christians believe Jesus was crucified in Jerusalem. Bethlehem is a very important city to Christians because it is the place where Jesus was born. "The Christian life involves a number of different aspects. Among the key ones are fellowship with God Our relationships with others, and Obedience to God's Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 2. Though each religion is unique, some religions have several traits in common. For example, many religions are polytheistic, meaning that there are many gods. But, some religions only believe in one god, meaning that the religion is monotheistic. The religions also have many things that differ with each other, like the sacred text, symbol, and traditions. These qualities are what make each religion different and special. Each religion has its own set of 'rules' or teachings that the followers practice. In Christianity, there are the Ten Commandments. The Buddhist religion has the Eightfold Path and the Four Noble Truths. Muslims of the Islamic religion follow the Five Pillars of Islam. These religions have religious teachings, but there...show more content... Despite that, Confucianism continues to have many followers. Two religions that are more related than any other religions are Christianity and Judaism. Both religions have similar beliefs. They also both believe in God and Jesus. This is where there is a difference: Christians believe that Jesus is the Messiah and died to save its followers from sin. Jews believe that Jesus is only a prophet, and the Messiah has not yet arrived. Another similarity is the sacred site. Jerusalem is a sacred city for three religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In addition to Jerusalem, Islamic people travel to Mecca and the city of Medina to pray as well. Another important site for Christians is Bethlehem–the birthplace of Jesus. Karma is a belief that Buddhists, Hindus, and Christians believe in. Karma is simply "what goes around, comes around". However, Buddhists and Hindus believe that karma occurs after reincarnation in the next life. Christians believe that karma can take place in the current life as well. Buddhism and Hinduism also believe in dharma, which are the ethics and duties. Though some of these religions are related in one way or another, they each have their own sacred text that store their teachings and beliefs. The Jews follow the teachings of the Torah, which is the first five books of the Old Testament and is the cornerstone of Judaism. The Hindu text is Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 3. Philosophy and Religion Essay The many religions of the world exhibit a large amount of different beliefs and philosophies. Some believe in many gods, some believe in just one god and yet there are those that believe in no god. One of the things that I agree with is that you can not love anything else unless you first learn to love and respect yourself. I also think that after one?s physical body is deceased, you become reincarnated. And lastly, I don?t recognize one god or overall being, but rather follow the example made by others. These are some religious elements I follow. First of all, you can not love anything unless you love yourself. If you go around with self hate and little confidence, it gives you no room for any other ...show more content... When a person dies, their physical body and life comes to an end. I think that their soul or karma continues to strive and find a new inhabitant. I always believed that if you can have a body without a soul, you can have a soul without a body. This is stressed in Hinduism and Buddhism They call reincarnation ?samsara?. I also agree with the fact that if you lead a good life, you will come back as something great in your next life. For instance, if you start an orphanage and spend your whole life devoted to saving children, you will come back as something like a queen or king. On the other hand, if you are a criminal, you will come back as a bug or worm. Hindus also believe in that rule. One thing I disagree with is the fact that anyone can exit this cycle of reincarnation. In Hinduism, they think that at some point you will be released and cease to exist. Sort of like a final death. I think that you will continue this cycle of life and death indefinitely. Those are my points of view on reincarnation. Last, I do not believe in gods or overall power. In many religions, (Christianity, Judaism and Islam) they are monotheistic and worship one god. There are also religions that worship many gods such as Hinduism and Native American Religions. I do not believe in any god. I think that our life should be based upon the mistakes and accomplishments of past human beings. Even though people do not realize Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 4. organized religion Essay Organized Religion Ever since man has chosen to write down his history, organized religion has been a prominent topic and has influenced and shaped all people's lives. There have always been believers and non–believers. Since the beginning, non–believers have been persecuted by inquisitions, prosecuted by witch trials, and murdered by stoning and crucifying for even questioning the "truth" about a supreme being and supposed crimes against that being. Religion had a purpose in earlier times to explain life, but today science provides more concrete answers. Religious beliefs are old and outdated and people should trust the scientific facts that have been proven, not what has been...show more content... They trust their faith because "The Bible Tells Me So." The books of each religion explain why everything is the way it is and each religion teaches at very young ages, so how could it be wrong? It has "always been" so it must be the truth. When I was younger I would come home from school complaining to my mom about science class. "Why don't they leave everything alone and just say it is that way because God made it that way? The grass is green because God wanted it to be. Recently, education appeared as the truth. Perhaps people in the science field and I wanted facts, proof for the truth. Charles Darwin had come up with the idea of natural selection and the theory of evolution in the 1800's. The questions and answers offered by science are more plausible. Scientists struggle with these questions every modern day. Open–minded people question and look for answers. Science suggests that religious ideas are incorrect. Today's religions have aided both personal and international peace. It has given hope to people and has helped some deal with difficult situations. Religions give some people purpose to life, and an explanation as to why things are the way they are. Praying can give some peace of mind to those who are dealing with problems in life. Throughout history people have taken their religious beliefs too serious. Religions are hypocritical in their values, Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 5. Essay on Religions of the World The Religions of the World Religion is big part of human life. Every area of the world has some kind of religion or belief system. Religion is defined as "a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices" ("Religion" Def.2). With such a large amount of religions today, religion is widely variegated, usually with divisions in each one. Despite the large amount of religions, I will only be covering only three religions: Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism. Christians are those who believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who came down to earth from Heaven in order to save humanity from its' sins. The reason for Jesus dying for the human race is traced back to the beginning of time, in the Garden of ...show more content... His entire life was devoted to delivering the message that God had given Him, the theme of which was forgiveness and a new life, in which we could have eternal life through the death of Christ (John 3:16). His means of sharing this message were often in parables, "earthly stories with heavenly meanings," but at other times they were blunt and straightforward (Bowker 141). There was much division among the people because of Him, and the religious leaders of the time wanted to kill Him, mainly because He claimed to be Son of God, while He looked like any other human to them (John 7:8–9, 8:40–53). Their anger rose and, eventually, they set out to capture Him and crucify Him. Jesus' Death was a tragic event indeed. There was so much division about Him that His own people had decided to vote in favor of crucifying Him, and that is exactly what happened (John 19:6–7). Jesus was lead to Golgotha, while carrying His own cross, to be crucified. As horrific as this was for many, it fulfilled all the scriptures pointing to Jesus. Because He had lived a sinless life, He became the perfect and final sacrifice for humanities' sin (1 Peter 2:22). Jesus was raised on the third day after His death, showing His supremacy over the power of Death. Obviously, a main belief of Christians is that of Jesus' death and resurrection. Christians also believe in the teachings Jesus' gave them while He lived His life on the earth, which are recorded in the four gospels in the New Testament Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 6. Religion Five Major World Religions Essay Religion 101 Brian R. Newsom REL 101 David Paul December 11, 2016 Religion 101 During these past weeks, I have made an effort to fathom religion as a whole. From end to end reading, study, independent research, viewing related video clips, and discussions with my co–workers, I now have a healthier understanding of the five major world religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism) and how each came into existence. I am thrilled to share with you some of the brief understandings, and new found opinions that I have obtained during my study and research. Religion is a broad term which can be used in many contexts. Generally speaking, it is common to hear someone say, "I do that religiously". This is a different use of the word than most people would actually relate to our discussion but it is not entirely irrelevant. This idiom has a lot of underlying meaning which is relevant. The term religiously means to do thoroughly, conscientiously, with an attention to detail, and to do regularly, as if habitually. In this case we are looking at the secular use of the word but as you can already see there is a relation between the secular and non–secular use of the term. Religions have commonalities. Religion was born in order to answer the questions who are we, where did we come from, and why do unexplainable things happen around me. Therefore, not surprisingly, religions have a background story of creation. The ancient Egyptians told Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 7. Religion, Religion And Religion When discussing religion, many people have different perspectives about religion beliefs and how to approach it. Religion is grouped in different sections such as, religion and spirituality, religion and philosophy, and religion and politics. Religion has many different views from different cultures because everyone approaches it differently with different beliefs also. To make somethingreligion, is to have some type of belief in God, but everyone's belief is different depending on the culture someone is located in. In society back then and today, religion has no set essence of a definition because of the different aspects people group religion in. This paper will explain the different aspects of what people believe constitutes different types of religion. The different approaches in how many people define religion gives different effects on how people actually group the word in different categories. According to the book "introduction to the study of religion" the authors gives a brief statement about how religion is interpreted. They state two definitions "1. Religion is awareness expressed through symbols of relationship to, or participation in, the fundamental power of life. And 2. Religions are symbol systems that facilitate relationship to, or participation in, what the members understand to be the fundamental power of life." (Ring, Nash, MacDonald, and Glenmon, p 79). This explanation the book gives explains why it is so difficult to define religion. There are Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 8. What Does Religion Mean To Me Essay Growing up, church was never a huge aspect of my life, but it was always around me. My grandmother was a deeply religious Catholic, and many of the kids on my street went to the church around the corner. Despite this, my mother never forced my sisters and I to go. She wanted us to choose our own beliefs. The proximity to Christianity influenced what I believe in today. I believe in God and that he created everything in the observable universe. The rest of the Bible, well, is debatable to me. Some call me an agnostic Christian, but the label doesn't matter. As long as I can find faith and solace in something when I need it, I'm happy. What I ponder the most is the final chapter: death and the afterlife. What I hope is that everyone is delivered what they...show more content... To another, they might believe it's nothing at all. Even fire and brimstone is in some people's future if they think they deserve it. There are an infinite number of heavens to every person. It is a self–determined fate. However, if I am to be quite honest to myself, my own belief written here is always changing. Nothing is really ever set in stone. Even my own personal heaven is shifting constantly, based on what I believe I deserve at that point in my life. If you had asked me as a child what my heaven was, it would be being able to wrestle with my sister without getting injured for hours on end. If you asked me after my grandmother died, it would be on her lap as I listened to childhood stories. A week later, I would have said Hell for not listening to more of them. Right now, my heaven is a road trip's summer night. Great music with great people on the highway is a lovely way to spend a teenage eternity. Of course, my best friend Elyse Leskovic is there (and of course she is driving). A song with too much bass is blasting. I can feel the beat in my chest and I'm singing along at the top of my Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 9. Religion And Religion : Religion One of the most difficult topics to discuss in society today is religion. Religion is a very complex notion to describe. There is in fact, no sound definition because it is so subjective. Religion is what the individual makes of it. It is a belief system that integrates culture, teachings, practices, personal experience, and artistic expressions which relate people to what they perceive to be transcendent (Brodd et. al. 9). Religion has shaped humanity into what it really is today as much of human history was made in the name of God. Understanding religion is paramount in understanding the various cultures of the world, their values and their meaning. Even understanding the many religious traditions is central to the keeping of collective lifestyles based on ethics and other moral foundations and provision of the tools for cooperation and conflict. It remains an unanswered question whether or not there is a means for "sustaining a diversity of religious traditions and a wide range of ethical values while living together as one" (Kurtz 3). The central thesis of this essay will focus on four major world religions; Buddhism, Confucianism, Islam and Christianity. Focusing on the aforementioned religions' key similarities and differences, this essay will attempt to understand the broader cultures that developed out of those religions. The founder of the Buddhist religion, Gautama Siddhartha, was given the name "Buddha," which translates into "the Awakened One." Since everyone in Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 10. Religion, Religion And Religion With the over one hundred different religions in the world, all proclaiming different things, it can getting a little frustrating to decide on one to call home. However, every Religion claims to be the one true religion. Is it the fact that one has a large following, or even a large building erected in the manifestation of the words they proclaim? Or is it a minute group of disciples focused on solving the ever frightening problems that the world faces every day? Mirriam Webster Dictionary defines a Religion as "the belief in a god or in a group of gods."1 and this is simply incorrect. A religion is a community of people who believe in on set of beliefs, have established rituals, have faith in some sort of set principle/higher power, and have symbols and signs that they hold to be of a higher nature than other objects. A very important aspect to many religions is community, this is especially true in Christianity. In Christianity many of the rituals that take place, happen in a community environment. This is true for other religions as well, in Judaism, a large celebration of all members of the community is held when someone becomes a full member of the faith. This event is called a Bar /Bot Mitzvah, during this ceremony the boy or girl gets up in front of the congregation and recites from the Torah. Afterwards there is a reception in the new members honor. This idea of the need of community can also be seen in Christianity, when Christians get married they have to have Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 11. What Is Religion? Essay What is religion? Each person's definition of religion is different. Each person's faith is different. This is a question that has been asked for centuries, and regardless of the answer given there is no right or wrong answer. Religion can be defined as a group of people who have shared beliefs who feel their life has purpose or meaning. This feeling or belief that their life has meaning can come from outside of themselves, as well as within. Taking this one step further, these shared beliefs put into action in the form of worship, can be easily identified because they happen regularly. It can be said the Primal religions were in fact not religions. Some may argue Confucianism is not a religion. Others may say Taoism is not a...show more content... They are teachings learned by previous generations then passed down, they are not always actions. The fifth feature of religion is grace. Grace is defined by Smith as "the belief and assurance that reality is on our side and can be counted on." Lastly there is mystery. For this there is no exact definition, but it is all of what a religion cannot explain, it is all that the human mind cannot grasp, it is the certain "higher power" that religion offers. Of these six features, there are three that are present in most all religions, they are: authority, tradition, and mystery. Authority, tradition, and mystery further explore and define religion when looking specifically at Primal Religions, Confucianism, and Taoism. Primal Religions are often mistaken to be the religion of the primitive man, often thought to be unintelligent. There is a definition of "primal" that is better suited than unintelligent or primitive. Primal in terms of religion, refers to the lack of exposure to technology, it is not "knowing" the state of consciousness given to many by the technological environment. Primal religions preceded organized religion as we know it today by thousands of years, in some cases millions, but are still present in the world today; we now call them tribal religions. Within primal religions there are people who are knowledgeable about life, who are knowledgeable about Defining Religion–4 traditions, and who are Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 12. Essay on Why Is Religion Important? In this essay we will discuss the importance of religion in society. We will attempt to explain why societies have religions and what functions their belief system has for them. We will also ask if these functions are now out–dated and if religions have any meaningful function in today's world or are they just stained glass windows into a bygone era? 'Religion' can be defined by two main groupings. 'The inclusive definition' covers all topics and subjects of a persons life including, not only, their belief in a deity but also their belief and belongingness to music, sport and any other interests the person may hold. 'The exclusive definition' refers to just their belief system regarding a 'supra–human' (Browne 2005, p. 311). It is mainly...show more content... The church was able to explain why such devastation had happened and gave the social masses an explanation to something they could not fathom. The church used this opportunity to gain the respect and belief of the Irish public (Larkin 1984). Religious identity can come in two forms, one from a nation of people all believing in the same values and another from the personal view of each individual or family within that nation. In a family or local community sense, it ties the smaller community together against its neighbouring ethnicities. It provides a feeling of togetherness and strength for the society. It is the basis for 'ethnic honour: the excellence of one's own customs and the inferiority of alien ones' (Weber, cited in Bruce 1996, p. 96). Religious identity brings great pride and hope to the citizens of any particular society and lends itself towards social cohesion (Browne 2005). In a national sense, religious belief and identity can separate whole nations from one another, like in the case of Ireland and England, one of the defining differences is our belief in a different branch of Christianity. This can have disastrous effects on the world as a whole. Religion can be held accountable for the majority of warfare and bloodshed in the world today as nations attack each over their differing beliefs and ideals. Many nations will use religion and beliefs to try to justify the awful atrocities they commit on one another. In this sense, religion Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 13. What Is Religion Essay Religion is a hard concept to comprehend. It is showing us a different side to look at our life. Instead of having hard facts that can be physically proven, religion shows us to take a leap of faith and believe the impossible. In The Nature of Existence Charles Messer says: "Religion is simply a system of actions meant to give you access to God and Heaven. (eternal Life)". In my faith I am taught that we are created by a higher being; God. That He is omnipotent and he loves all human beings, even if we do not believe in him and follow him. That he sent his only son, to die on the cross for all of us. Other religions may say the opposite: that there is more than one god and that Jesus was not the messiah. Edward and people with...show more content... People who have a strong faith in what they believe in, and will say that their religion is the true religion. I am one who believes that my religion is the correct. But like Nancy says; I have created my own religion. I discovered my own belief system, by challenging other religions and figuring out what others have to say about their own beliefs. Brother Jed Smock is one who challenges our faith, by going to college campuses and spreading his beliefs onto others. What he talks about at the colleges, causes the students to question and challenge Brother Jed's beliefs. While asking these questions, the students have to also look at their own beliefs and may question them as well. To truly grasp our religion we need to ask questions and find answers. One of the best ways to do this is to challenge others and to break down the answer they have provided. It strengthens us and takes our beliefs to a whole new level. Believing in something is a way of life. Everyone has some kind of belief system. We can believe that there is a God or believe that there is no God. This is the same as an opinion: we all have opinions on everything no matter what. If no one had an opinion then there would not be discussions or arguments.(Without this progress could not be made) Whether or not we belive in a religion or science or even both, there is a reason why we do. It is a way to explain things we cannot explain (it is a way to ease our Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 14. What Does Religion Mean To Me Essay My parents have always strongly believed in religion, responsibility, and integrity. At a young age, they put these values into action. We always attend church on Sundays and make God our number one priority. My parents always give me responsibilities, even as simple as making my bed, doing the dishes, or coming home at curfew. They have always expected things to be done the first time they ask, and on time. My family has always been big on lying. They would much rather I tell them the truth, no matter how bad it is, rather than lie about it. Religion has always played a big part in my life. Religion means a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman ...show more content... As I have gotten older the church has begun to play an even bigger role in my life. My family and I attend Fellowship church every Sunday. Awhile ago I was afraid to go to the high school group on Wednesdays, but my mom insisted I go. Ever since I walked through that door God has blessed me more and more. I have met some of my greatest friends at my church. If I am ever having a bad day my mom will send me a bible verse and tell me to pray about it. I have learned that putting it all in God's hands is the best way to go. My parents always try and set a good example for me by putting God first. My mom recently became a leader of a women's group at church. She helps with a bible study at a nursing home and serves in the preschool every Sunday. She sets a good example for me to get involved with the church. Not only do my parents set good examples of valuing religion, my grandparents do too. My mom's dad is a retired pastor, the church he had was not very close so we were not able to attend much. My grandma always send me cards with inspirational bible verses, or send me books. Sometime she even sends me a text with a bible verse if she knows I am struggling or stressed out Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 15. What is Religion Essay World Religion What is Religion? According to the American College Dictionary, religion is a noun defined as the quest for the values of the ideal life. This definition is vast and general, allowing for a variety of interpretations by people from all cultures. There is no single path to follow in order to lead an ideal life, only personal beliefs and experiences. Religion is non–finite so there is no way of determining a boundary (Smart, 5). In my quest for a true understanding of what religion is I explored my own traditions and religious beliefs as well as life experiences. Slowly, with the added insight from the text and videos, my own definition of religion has begun to take shape....show more content... Every religion holds truth to the believers, and gives them a sense of identity. There is no right or wrong answer to the question of which religion to follow, only interpretations and behaviors according to what makes sense to the individual. People will behave as they believe (Beliefs and Believers, Class 1). Another equally important remark I came across in my studies was one by the Methodist pastor Rev. Cecil Williams. Williams' main topic of discussion was that of toxic religion and inspiring social action. Williams begin the interview by saying, "Be careful of religion because religion is toxic" (Williams Interview, Class 2). He means that believers are not focusing on the actions, but the outcomes instead. You cannot genuinely identify with a religion or call yourself a religious person unless you relate to other human beings or form relationships that work to ease human suffering (Simmons Study Guide, 15). Again, I was reminded of my own beliefs and the history of my religion when I explored the meaning of this statement. Contrary to popular belief, this nation was not founded on the basis of religion. America was founded by men in search of power and money who used their religious beliefs, predominantly Protestant Christian, as an excuse for their brutality. Not all believers act on their beliefs, creating a fine line between which are factious and which are not. The first attempts at Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 16. Reflection Paper On Religion And Religion During the course of this class, I have learned a lot about different religions. I still have an unprejudiced view of religion. However, I did not suspend my belief to have an understanding of religion. I have been able to learn of other religious beliefs without feeling threatened of my own. I found there are many different practices in other religions, some I agree with and some I do not agree with. I have come to except others, ways of worship without getting upset. I have become humble in my conclusion now that I have a better understanding of others beliefs. The world seems to jump to conclusions and be judgmental about other religions. Postponing ones judgement on a religion is a difficult thing to do. Being raised and taught a certain religion and set of beliefs is distilled in to one's mind. I, on the other hand, reserved my personal judgement until I have learned more about it. I have come to know of religions other than my own, and each has different ways of worship. By taking the time to learn the different religions of the world has helped me with understanding what others believe. In learning of others beliefs will help me in recognizing the way they dress, act and respond. Religion runs deep in different cultures all over the world, and with many it is sacred, symbolic, and law. Religion brings people together in time of need such as deaths, destruction or pain, also in celebration of birth and marriage. Cooley 2 What I found most surprising Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 17. Religion Is A Social Institution Essay Religion is a social institution dedicated to establishing a shared sense of identity, encouraging social integration, and offering believers a sense of meaning and purpose. Even though the participation of religious practices varies from place to place, it still continues to be a major force in the world and in individual lives. Each religion has unique content to it. Usually that includes a supernatural realm, such as heaven, but that does not necessarily mean it is outside our world. There are two ways to describe religion. First, sacred encompasses elements beyond everyday life that inspire respect, awe, and even fear. People interact with the sacred realm through practices such as praying or sacrifice. These practices help people accept what they cannot understand. The sacred realm exists in contrast to the profane, which includes the ordinary and commonplace. Different religions define their understanding of sacred and profane in different ways. A functionalist perspective focuses less on what religion is and more on what religion does, with a particular importance and how it contributes to social order. Religion does not need to have gods or goddess, or an afterlife, because almost any social practice that strongly unites people and has a strong following, such as being a sports fan can have the same function as a religion. Emile Durkheim defined this functionalist approach with three focuses. First, it is important to have a unified system of beliefs. Each Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 18. Religion : What Is It? Religion: What is it? There are many different religions that people believe in today. When I think of religion I think of a group of people who believe in a god or gods that created the world and determine your faith. There are different forms of theist religions, some of these religions believe in many gods and some only believe in one. That to me was the main part about being religious, is that you had to believe in a god. I never believed or knew that religions could be non–theistic, so I always counted atheism as a non–religion. Coming in to college and having the knowledge that I would have to take two religion courses I was a bit weary. I did believe in a God or that any non–theistic views are religious. So I had some bias about what I was going to learn about such as: about this all powerful being God, that all religions have the same basic core just different practices, that the evolutionary theory would be thrown out and that there would be an underlying tone that everyone should be religious. Thinking that I would be shunned for not believing in a god was the one thing that scared me the most. Even though I am a naturalist, I was brought up around religion and for a while even lived in a religious house hold. When I was four years old and younger I went to a Christian church and went to Sunday school. Unfortunately, I don't remember the things I learned when I was 4 I only remember going every Sunday. Eventually my mom and I moved out of my grandmother's house Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 19. Different Kinds of Religions Essay Religion is a topic that varies from person to person and culture to culture. Although religion is broadly defined as "the belief or worship of a spirit or god" (Hopfe and Woodward ), each religion of the world has their own beliefs and worship strategies that defines that particular religion. Across the world, religions have their own beliefs and rituals; however, they are all commonly linked with the tradition of beliefs, holy places of worship, and celebrations. While each contrasting world religion will be discussed in this paper; they will collectively be centered around the question of how each religion practices their own beliefs, places of worship, and celebrations. The first religion that I am going to discuss is Buddhism....show more content... (White) Since the beginning of the Buddhist religion, believers visit temples and shrines in order to pay their respects to Buddha and worship with other Buddhists. Because Buddha believed that Buddhism is a way of life, Buddhists often believe that attending a place to worship is not critical. Some Buddhists even have their own shrines so their worship can be done in a more convenient and timely manner. The Buddhist's shrine originated as a place built to worship the ashes of Buddha. More shrines were continued to be built in order to hold additional sacred items. Today, shrines and temples are built in various ways however; many of them consist of 5 tiers representing the five elements of the universe – earth, wind, fire, water, and emptiness. They were also built taller in the belief that their place of worship was reaching "out of the physical world and towards wisdom" (White). Different cultures celebrate Buddhism in various ways but, all cultures celebrate the greatest moments of Buddha's life. For instance, in Japan, Buddha's birthday is celebrated with the Flower Festival where, in India, Buddha's first teaching is celebrated with the Festival of the Sacred Tooth. Buddhism is a religion that is based on a person's mental enlightenment and is one of the bigger religions of the world. Christianity is one Get more content on HelpWriting.net