Religious Essays

Myparentshavealwaysstronglybelievedinreligion,responsibility,andintegrity.Atayoungage, theyputthesevaluesintoaction.WealwaysattendchurchonSundaysandmakeGodournumber onepriorityMyparentsalwaysgivemeresponsibilities,evenassimpleasmakingmybed,doing thedishes,orcominghomeatcurfew.Theyhavealwaysexpectedthingstobedonethefirsttime theyask,andontime.Myfamilyhasalwaysbeenbigonlying.TheywouldmuchratherItellthem thetruth,nomatterhowbaditis,ratherthanlieaboutit.Religionhasalwaysplayedabigpartin mylife.Religionmeansasetofbeliefsconcerningthecause,nature,andpurposeoftheuniverse, especiallywhenconsideredasthecreationofasuperhumanshowmorecontent

AsIhavegottenolderthechurchhasbeguntoplayanevenbiggerroleinmylife.MyfamilyandI attendFellowshipchurcheverySunday.AwhileagoIwasafraidtogotothehighschoolgroupon Wednesdays,butmymominsistedIgoEversinceIwalkedthroughthatdoorGodhasblessedme moreandmore.Ihavemetsomeofmygreatestfriendsatmychurch.IfIameverhavingabadday mymomwillsendmeabibleverseandtellmetoprayaboutit.Ihavelearnedthatputtingitallin God'shandsisthebestwaytogo.Myparentsalwaystryandsetagoodexampleformebyputting Godfirst.Mymomrecentlybecamealeaderofawomen'sgroupatchurch.Shehelpswithabible studyatanursinghomeandservesinthepreschooleverySundayShesetsagoodexampleforme togetinvolvedwiththechurch.Notonlydomyparentssetgoodexamplesofvaluingreligion,my grandparentsdotoo.Mymom'sdadisaretiredpastor,thechurchhehadwasnotveryclosesowe werenotabletoattendmuch.Mygrandmaalwayssendmecardswithinspirationalbibleverses,or sendmebooks.SometimesheevensendsmeatextwithabibleverseifsheknowsIamstruggling orstressedout

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Introduction

Religionhasmanyclassifications,suchastribal,classical,transcendentalandcosmological,usually basedonone'sbeliefandunderstandings.Religionalsohasmanydefinitions,usuallybasedonone's experienceAparticulardefinitionthatIfoundwasReligionoriginatesinanattempttorepresent andorderbeliefs,feelings,imaginingsandactionsthatariseinresponsetodirectexperienceofthe sacredandthespiritual(Connelly,1986).Religionalsohasmanycharacteristicssuchasrituals, symbolsandmythswhichplayinanimportantpartinhowreligionisviewedWewilltakealook onhowthedefinition,classificationandcharacteristicsofreligionandhowittiesintoour understandingoftheuniverseandshowmorecontent

Whenfirewasintroduced,theyhadtohaveanexplanationforit.Thefirebecamesacred,a mysteriousmanifestationofpowerandpresencethatisexperiencedasbothprimordialand transformative,inspiringaweandraptattention(Connelly,1986)Howdidthisfirebecometobe? Howcantheycontrolit?Howcouldtheyaskforit?Theybecametobelievethatfirewasprovided byaGod,thelivinggivingsource,asawaytosurvive.Theystartedtoworshipfire,offering sacrificesforguidanceandprotection.ThefirethenbecameaGod,possiblytheindividualsortribes protector.Asmonotheismtookovertheworld,whatbecamesacredchanged.Nowtangiblethings likepeopleandrelicsunlikenaturebecamemoresacred,starsandplanetsweren'tGods,butpartof auniversecreatedbyOneGod.Thespiritualisaperceptionofthecommonalityofmindfulnessin theworldthatshiftstheboundariesbetweenselfandother,producingasenseoftheunionof purposesofselfandotherinconfrontingtheexistentialquestionsoflife(Connelly,1986)Withthe sacred(suchasfire),peoplestartedtobelieveinGods,creatorsoffire,lightning,andother unexplainableevents.Butwhatwasleft?Wheredidtheirpeoplegoafterdeath?Whoelseisthereto helpthemwhenGodisn'taround?Acatactsstrange,adogstartsbarkingatitsowner,andthenthey wonder.Whatif

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Canyoubereligiousintoday'ssocietywithoutbeingstereotyped?Canyoubringupyourbeliefsin aneverydayconversationwithoutbeingridiculed?Theanswertothatissimple,no.Intoday's society,peoplearestronglyopinionated.Certainindividualsbelievereligionisafilthyword.Should youavoidtalkingtothosetypesofpeopleaboutyourreligion?Shouldyouchangewhatyoubelieve toappeaseothers?ReligionhasavastdefinitionWhenIthinkofreligion,IthinkoffaithWhenI thinkoffaith,IthinkofourLordandSavior.Doesthatmeaneveryoneelseintheworldcomesto thesameconclusion?No,notatall,becauseweallhavedifferentbeliefs.Ihavebeengoingto churcheversinceIwasachildMybeliefshave ...Getmorecontent...

Whendiscussingreligion,manypeoplehavedifferentperspectivesaboutreligionbeliefsandhowto approachit.Religionisgroupedindifferentsectionssuchas,religionandspirituality,religionand philosophy,andreligionandpolitics.Religionhasmanydifferentviewsfromdifferentcultures becauseeveryoneapproachesitdifferentlywithdifferentbeliefsalso.Tomakesomethingreligion, istohavesometypeofbeliefinGod,buteveryone'sbeliefisdifferentdependingontheculture someoneislocatedin.Insocietybackthenandtoday,religionhasnosetessenceofadefinition becauseofthedifferentaspectspeoplegroupreligionin.Thispaperwillexplainthedifferent aspectsofwhatpeoplebelieveconstitutesdifferenttypesofreligionThedifferentapproachesin howmanypeopledefinereligiongivesdifferenteffectsonhowpeopleactuallygroupthewordin differentcategories.Accordingtothebook"introductiontothestudyofreligion"theauthorsgivesa briefstatementabouthowreligionisinterpreted.Theystatetwodefinitions"1.Religionis awarenessexpressedthroughsymbolsofrelationshipto,orparticipationin,thefundamentalpower oflifeAnd2Religionsaresymbolsystemsthatfacilitaterelationshipto,orparticipationin,what themembersunderstandtobethefundamentalpoweroflife."(Ring,Nash,MacDonald,and Glenmon,p79).Thisexplanationthebookgivesexplainswhyitissodifficulttodefinereligion. Thereare

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TheProsAndConsOfReligion

Religion"thebeliefinandworshipofasuperhumancontrollingpower,especiallyapersonalGodor gods."Neverusereligionasanexcuse,itwillmakeyouhatedanditwillcreatemanyconflicts. Christians,Jews,andMuslimsareallprovenguiltyofusingreligionforselfpurposes,anditistime forasolution.

Christianshavebeenusingreligionmanlyinthe16hundredswhentheywentsailingtoplaceslike India,America,etc.Theyalsouseditwhentheywerefightingagainsteachother'ssects.For examplewhentheProtestantswerefightingagainsttheRomanCatholictheywouldburnpeopleat thestock,putpeopleontorturechairs,etc,becausetheywantedpowerovereachother,buttheysaid thattheywerefightingbecauseofthedifferentsects.TheProtestantslostandsoinsteadofstaying andconforming,theydecidedtogotoanewplacetosettleandspreadtheirreligion,butactually theydidthistogotoanewplaceandruleotherpeople.In1620theMayflowersetsailtotheNew World,America,topractisetheirreligioninpeace.Afterafewyearswhentheyhadsettledin becauseofthehelpoftheNativeAmericans,theydecidedthatshowmorecontent

WhenChristianswenttoplaceslikeIndiatheytreatedthepeoplethatwerenotChristianworsethan themselves,andsosomeIndiansconvertedtoChristianitytogetonthegoodsideofChristians. Jewsarestillhavinganargumentwiththepeoplethatusedtolivethere,butthepeoplethatusedto livetherearenowcalledPalestinians.TheargumentiscalledtheIsraeli–Palestinianconflictandthe Jewsareintheleadrightnow,sotheyarecheckingeachMuslimthatentersIsrael,theJewsand Muslimsareteachingtheirkidsnottoco–existtogether,etc.Islamicterroristsarehavingthetimes oftheirlives.ThemainterroristgroupISISisviolenttowardpeoplewhodon'tsharetheir

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Religiousconversionistheuseofanidentificationwithaparticularreligiousdenomination,tothe exclusionofotherfaiths.Therefore,the"religiousconversion"todescribetheuseofareligioussect, andwithanotheraffiliateofabandonAlotofpeopleintoadifferentreligiousreasons,including:to convertthroughfreelychosenactivitiesduetochangesinbeliefs,secondaryconversiondeathbed conversion,theconversionforconvenienceandmarriageandforcedconversionsuchasconvert conversionthroughviolenceorcharityInordertofacilitatetheconversionorreaffiliationis insincerebehavior,sometimesrelativelytrivialreasons,suchasaparentconversion,sothatachild wasadmittedtoagoodschoolwithareligiousassociation,orapersontoadoptareligionofpure attractivenessandsocialclass,heorshedesires.Whenpeoplegetmarriedspousesmaybe convertedtootherreligionsforthelaterbytheirownactionstoidentifyavarietyofreasons undisclosedCastbydifferentreligionsunderduressConversionmaysecretlyretaintheprevious conviction,andcontinuewithhertruereligion,butsecretlyoutwardshowofthenewreligion associatedoperations.Inthegenerationsoffamilieswhowereforcedtoconverttoanewreligion willbegintoacceptwholeheartedlyreligionunaware

Proselytismistheactofattemptingtoconvertanindividualbypersuasionfromonereligious denominationtotheother.

Apostateisatermusedbymembers

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Religion:thebestthingtoeverhappentohumanityortheonethingthatisholdingusback?While therearemanyargumentsandtestimoniesthatsupporteitherside,thereisaclearanswer.Religion, specificallyjudeo–christianity,inthewesternworldhasanarrayofdisastrousissuesrangingfrom biasteachingstoabuseandhatecrimes.Therearecountlessexamplesofwaysinwhichreligionhas, andiscontinuingtoregresssociety'sviewsandmoralsIgnoranceanddisdainfromscientificfact, feartoactuponnaturalhumanimpulse,innumerablehumanrightsviolationsandofcoursewarson religion,aretopicsrarelydiscussedduetotheconcernofoffendingthosewhohavearelationship withthecreatorIwillnotbediscussingtheshowmorecontent StephenHawking,oneofthegreatestmindsofourtimesaid"Beforeweunderstoodscience,itwas naturaltobelievethatGodcreatedtheuniverse,butnowscienceoffersamoreconvincing explanation."Heisabsolutelycorrect.Itishumannaturetoseekexplanationsforlife'sbig questions.Therefore,backwhentherewasnounderstandingofmuchatall,theconceptofGod providedalltheanswersNow,however,withresearchandevidencetobackupdiscoveries,itis irresponsibletocompletelyrejectthem.Inhistory,anexampleofthisisGalileo'stheoryof Heliocentrism.Becausesocietywasruledbyatheocracyatthetime,itwassaidthattheearthwas thecenteroftheuniverseandthesunrevolvedaroundit.Galileo'stheorythattheearthrevolves aroundthesunandthesunwasthecenteroftheuniverse,althoughnotentirelycorrect,wasan importantbreakthroughforscienceGalileowasconvictedforhavingopinionsthatchallenge scriptureandwassentencedtohousearrestuntilhedied.Althoughnothingthisextremeoccursin thewesternworldtoday,notmuchhaschangedintermsofbelief.Today,mostchurcheshave realizedhowineffectualitistofightscience,andhaveclaimedthatthereareinfactno contradictionsbetweenscienceandreligion.Thisisacaseoftellingratherthanshowing.If churchesstillcontinuetobelieveineventssuchasGodcreatingtheuniverseinsix

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TheReligionsoftheWorldReligionisbigpartofhumanlife.Everyareaoftheworldhassome kindofreligionorbeliefsystem.Religionisdefinedas"apersonalsetorinstitutionalizedsystemof religiousattitudes,beliefs,andpractices"("Religion"Def.2).Withsuchalargeamountofreligions today,religioniswidelyvariegated,usuallywithdivisionsineachone.Despitethelargeamountof religions,Iwillonlybecoveringonlythreereligions:Christianity,Islam,andBuddhismChristians arethosewhobelieveinJesusChrist,theSonofGod,whocamedowntoearthfromHeavenin ordertosavehumanityfromits'sins.ThereasonforJesusdyingforthehumanraceistracedbackto thebeginningoftime,intheGardenofshowmorecontent

HisentirelifewasdevotedtodeliveringthemessagethatGodhadgivenHim,thethemeofwhich wasforgivenessandanewlife,inwhichwecouldhaveeternallifethroughthedeathofChrist(John 3:16).Hismeansofsharingthismessagewereofteninparables,"earthlystorieswithheavenly meanings,"butatothertimestheywerebluntandstraightforward(Bowker141).Therewasmuch divisionamongthepeoplebecauseofHim,andthereligiousleadersofthetimewantedtokillHim, mainlybecauseHeclaimedtobeSonofGod,whileHelookedlikeanyotherhumantothem(John 7:8–9,8:40–53).Theirangerroseand,eventually,theysetouttocaptureHimandcrucifyHim. Jesus'Deathwasatragiceventindeed.TherewassomuchdivisionaboutHimthatHisownpeople haddecidedtovoteinfavorofcrucifyingHim,andthatisexactlywhathappened(John19:6–7).

JesuswasleadtoGolgotha,whilecarryingHisowncross,tobecrucifiedAshorrificasthiswasfor many,itfulfilledallthescripturespointingtoJesus.BecauseHehadlivedasinlesslife,Hebecame theperfectandfinalsacrificeforhumanities'sin(1Peter2:22).Jesuswasraisedonthethirdday afterHisdeath,showingHissupremacyoverthepowerofDeathObviously,amainbeliefof ChristiansisthatofJesus'deathandresurrection.ChristiansalsobelieveintheteachingsJesus'gave themwhileHelivedHislifeontheearth,whicharerecordedinthefourgospelsintheNew Testament

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MyReligiousBeliefSystemMyreligiousbeliefsystemisembeddedinChristianity.Iwasborninto afamilywhoworshipedasMethodistandIamstillMethodist.Growingupmymothernotonlysent ustochurch,shewentwithusalongwithmygrandmother,aunts,unclesandcousins.Eventhough myfatherdidnotattendchurchoften,hebelievedinGodandsupportedmymother'sdesiretohave herchildreninchurchTheneighborhoodIgrewupinconsistedofagreatdealofmymother's familyandeveryoneservedatthesamechurch,rightthereinthecommunity.Myreligiousbeliefs, directedmylifeinthesenseofkeepingmyfamilyclose,takingmychildrentochurch,andteaching themtherightwayIrememberbeforemybaptism,mypastorshowmorecontent

FromwhatIreadandfromwhatIamconstantlylearningfromtheBible,Igraspwhatisrequiredof measanindividualandasaChristianinassociationwithmyconduct,meaningthewayIbehave towardothers,andsoforth.TheBibleisanexcellentguidelineofwhatGodexpectsustodo.By now,itseemsobviouswhatIbelieveanditappearstobeapparentthatmybeliefsystemis absolutelyareligiousbeliefsystemIprayconstantlywithoutceasingformychildren,myentire familyandeveryoneIconsidercrucialtome.Afteranalyzingmybeliefsystem,Igrewintodifferent facetsofmyreligiousbeliefsystemthroughphasesofmylife.Forexample,Iknewseveralprayers atayoungagebutIdidnotunderstandhowcrucialprayerwasconcerningmyreligiousbeliefs.I recallasayounggirlbeingonmykneesalongbesidemygrandmothersayingmyprayers.I rememberherteachingoneprayerfornightandoneforthemorningsEvenasateenager,Irealized someofthepropercharacteristicsofmybeliefsystembutbeingyounginmindIdidnotalways adheretothatbelief.IalwaysknewdeepinsidebecauseofwhatmybeliefisthatsomethingsIwill notdoIdonotconsidermyselfasaintandIhavemadesometerribledecisionsbutnottothepoint whereIignoredmyconsciouswhichconvictsus.NowthatIhavereachedadulthoodandIhave experiencedotherthingslikemarriage,havingchildren,andcopingwith

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DevryCollege|AtheismVS.Religion|English135AdvancedComposition||RichardLaugel|

AbstractAlookatreligion,itsbeliefsandfallaciesthatthroughouthistoryhavecontinuedtohave negativeeffectsoncontemporarysociety.Theusefulnessofreligionisinthepast,andits foundationalbooksarefablesItisaman–madeimpositionwhichhasbeenanenemyofscienceand inquiry.Religionhassubsistedlargelyonliesandfears,andbeentheaccompliceofignoranceand guiltaswellasofslavery,genocide,racism,andtyranny.

GeorgeCarlinoncesaid"Iworshipthesunforseveralreasons.Thefirstreasonisthatunlikegod, youcanactuallyseethesunwhichreallyhelpswithitscredibilityshowmorecontent Ifeelthatgrownadultshaveapredicationtoactlikesmallchildrenwhenitcomestoreligion,in thattheyoftenabandonallrationalthoughtsoflogic,andturntowhattheyhavebeentaughtintheir ownpersonalshelteredreligiousbeliefs.It'samazinghowdefensivepeoplebecomeifyouquestion theirgod,worshiporreligiouspractices,whileatthesametimemostaretaughttobelievethat everyoneelse'sopposingreligiousbeliefsareinaccurateandthatthosefollowingthemwill themselvesgotohell.

AhugeproblemIhavewithreligiousbeliefisthatmostpeoplethatcallthemselvesfaithful followersoftendonot"practicewhattheypreach"Inotherwordspeopleoftenattempttoforce religionanditsstrictpoliciesontootherswhiletheythemselvesarecommonlythebiggestviolators ofitsbasicrules.Anexamplewouldbethenumerousscandalsinvolvingpriestsmolestingyoung children,orevenregularChurchattendantsthatparticipateinadultery,drinking,gamblingand premaritalsex.Ifeelthatifyouaregoingtomakeityourpracticetofaithfullyobserveyour religion,thenyoushouldatleastbecapableofadheringtothestandardsandregulationsthatyour chosenfaithrequiresofyou.Don'tgetmewrong,therearepeoplethatfollowandadheretotheir religiousbeliefsverycloselyandrarelyswayfromits

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ReligiousFreedom

Americahasbeennamedthe"meltingpot"oftheworld.Ithousesmanydifferentcultures, nationalities,ideasandreligions.ThereareChristians,Jews,Catholics,Buddhists,Mormons, Hindus,Spiritualists,Jehovah'sWitnesses,Islamic,plusmanymoreAmericaisuniqueinthatall thesereligionsarerepresentedinanationthatisonly200yearsold.AndAmericahasupheld, throughouthistory,thatthefreedomandequalityofreligionisextremelyimportantinorderforthis nationtofunctionasafreenationThefoundationsofAmericaweresetasaresultofEngland's persecution;morespecifically,England'sreligiouspersecution.Thecolonistswantedtocreatea nationthatallowedpeopletobefree.Theyshowmorecontent

Certainly,allthefreedomsareequal.

Ontheotherhand,unliketheotherfreedomsmentioned,religiousfreedomaddressesadifferent typeofneedItaddressestheconceptofpersonalfulfillment,orperhaps,self–realizationReligion attemptstogiveanswerstobasicquestions:Fromwheredidtheworldcome?Whatisthemeaning ofhumanlife?Whydopeopledieandwhathappensafterward?Whyisthereevil?Howshould peoplebehave?Asawordreligionisdifficulttodefine,butasahumanexperienceitseemstobe universal.The20th–centuryGerman–bornAmericantheologian,PaulTillich,gaveasimpleand basicdefinitionoftheword:"Religionisultimateconcern"Thismeansthatreligionincludesthatto whichpeoplearemostdevotedorthatfromwhichtheyexpecttogetthemostsatisfactioninlife. Consequently,religionprovidesadequateanswerstothebasicaforementionedquestions. Religionis,unquestionably,averyimportantpartoflifeThesecondquestionregardingfreedomof religiondiscusseswhichaspectofreligionshouldbeconsideredequal:thestructureorsubstantive contentofreligion,ortheindividualconscienceofthatreligion.Becauseofthediversityandimpact thatreligionhasinthelivesofAmericans,theindividualconscienceshouldbetreatedasequal,not thestructureorsubstantivecontentofthevariousreligions.Notworeligionsarealike,justasno twopeople

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ReligiousExperience

Therearevariousinterpretationsofthedefinitemeaningofareligiousexperience,whereeachare uniqueanddifferent.

Therehavebeenmany,manystoresputforwardbycertainindividualswhohaveclaimedtohave suchanexperience.Variouspeoplehavestudiedthem,andhavecometotheconclusionthatinmost cases,verysimilarsubjectsarebroughtupinthem

SomesaythatareligiousexperienceinvolveshavingsomesortofcontactwithGod.Forexample,it hascometoourawarenessthatpeopleovertheyearshave'heardthevoiceofGod'.Itisusually describedasa'mentalevent'whichisundergonebysomeone,andtowhichtheyareconscience aboutitallshowmorecontent

Onecoulddreamaboutsomethinginafewminutes,whenrealisticallyitwouldtakehours,orthe otherwayround.However,unlikedreams,religiousexperiencesarerememberedbyindividualsfor therestoftheirlivesduetotheimpactandeffectsofthem.Thisprocessiscalledtransciency.

Avarietyoffamousscholarshavecometotheconclusionthatwhilstgoingthroughanexperienceof religionsimportance,thepersoninvolvedismostlikelytolosecompletecontroloverthemselves becauseofthebiggerforcearoundthen,calledGod.Theeffectscouldbeapersonalitydisorder, wherethecharacteristicsofanindividualarecompletelywipedoutandchangedduetothe astoundingeffectsofthereligiousexperiencethatthepersonwentthrough.

Asstatedpreviously,therearedifferentformsofreligiousexperiences.Firstly,mostexperiencesare saidtohavebeen'mystical'.BythisImeanthattheindividualfeelscloserandmoreunitedwiththe DivineasaresultTheDivinemeansaabsoluteperfectbeingthathasphenomenalpowerand cannotbecomparedtoanything–God.Mysticisminvolves'thespiritualrecognitionoftruths beyondnormalunderstanding',andisitisalsosaidthatitistheclosestahumancomeactuallycome tomeetingtheDivine

WilliamJames,afamousreligiouscommentator,suggestedthatthetermmysticalhadseveral contexts, ...Getmorecontent...

Religion:WhatIsIt?

Religion:Whatisit?Therearemanydifferentreligionsthatpeoplebelieveintoday.WhenIthink ofreligionIthinkofagroupofpeoplewhobelieveinagodorgodsthatcreatedtheworldand determineyourfaith.Therearedifferentformsoftheistreligions,someofthesereligionsbelievein manygodsandsomeonlybelieveinone.Thattomewasthemainpartaboutbeingreligious,isthat youhadtobelieveinagodIneverbelievedorknewthatreligionscouldbenon–theistic,soI alwayscountedatheismasanon–religion.ComingintocollegeandhavingtheknowledgethatI wouldhavetotaketworeligioncoursesIwasabitweary.IdidbelieveinaGodorthatanynon–theisticviewsarereligiousSoIhadsomebiasaboutwhatIwasgoingtolearnaboutsuchas:about thisallpowerfulbeingGod,thatallreligionshavethesamebasiccorejustdifferentpractices,that theevolutionarytheorywouldbethrownoutandthattherewouldbeanunderlyingtonethat everyoneshouldbereligious.ThinkingthatIwouldbeshunnedfornotbelievinginagodwasthe onethingthatscaredmethemost.

EventhoughIamanaturalist,Iwasbroughtuparoundreligionandforawhileevenlivedina religioushousehold.WhenIwasfouryearsoldandyoungerIwenttoaChristianchurchandwent toSundayschool.Unfortunately,Idon'trememberthethingsIlearnedwhenIwas4Ionly remembergoingeverySunday.EventuallymymomandImovedoutofmygrandmother'shouse

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Religionthroughartformprovidesuswithavisionintoarealmofheavenlybeauty.Religion providesuswithasenseofspiritfulfilment.Itisonlythroughworshipanddevotionthatwefeel connectedtoGod.Thepracticeofdevotionandworshiptakesplaceinchurchesandcathedrals.Itis theseplacesthathelpusgainknowledgeandadeepermorespiritualmeaningofGod.Thechurches andcathedralsaretheveryfoundationofreligiouspracticeanddevotiontoGodinmyopinion Theyareknownastemples,ceremonialplaces,andareplacesofworshiptoGod.Howeveritisthe claimthat'artmuseumsinthemodernperiodfulfilsomeofthesamefunctionsascathedralsand churcheshavedoneinthepast',whichchallengescontemporaryshowmorecontent Thenextthingyoumustknowisthefunctionsthatartmuseumshavedotakeontherolethatthe churchesandcathedralsoncehad.'Museumsenablepeopletoexplorecollectionsforinspiration, learningandenjoyment.Theyareinstitutionsthatcollect,safeguardandmakeaccessibleartifacts andspecimens,whichtheyholdintrustforsociety.'Artmuseums,inreferencetothisdefinitionof museums,specifically'makeaccessible'abodyofworktopeoplearoundtheworldItinessence offersa'new'stageinwhichartistscanbothappreciateandchallengereligion.

Artmuseumsofthemodernperiodhavethesameaestheticascathedralsorchurchesofthepast. 'Theveryarchitectureofmuseumssuggesttheircharacterassecularrituals.Itwasfittingthatthe templefaçadewasfortwohundredyearsthemostpopularsignifierforthepublicartmuseum.'Itis notjustthattheygiveontheimpressionoftemplesCarolDuncansuggests,butratherthatthey functionandworkliketemples,shrinesandcathedralsofthepast.Other

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Religionisatopicthatvariesfrompersontopersonandculturetoculture.Althoughreligionis broadlydefinedas"thebelieforworshipofaspiritorgod"(HopfeandWoodward),eachreligion oftheworldhastheirownbeliefsandworshipstrategiesthatdefinesthatparticularreligion.Across theworld,religionshavetheirownbeliefsandrituals;however,theyareallcommonlylinkedwith thetraditionofbeliefs,holyplacesofworship,andcelebrationsWhileeachcontrastingworld religionwillbediscussedinthispaper;theywillcollectivelybecenteredaroundthequestionof howeachreligionpracticestheirownbeliefs,placesofworship,andcelebrations.

ThefirstreligionthatIamgoingtodiscussisBuddhismshowmorecontent (White)SincethebeginningoftheBuddhistreligion,believersvisittemplesandshrinesinorderto paytheirrespectstoBuddhaandworshipwithotherBuddhists.BecauseBuddhabelievedthat Buddhismisawayoflife,Buddhistsoftenbelievethatattendingaplacetoworshipisnotcritical. SomeBuddhistsevenhavetheirownshrinessotheirworshipcanbedoneinamoreconvenientand timelymannerTheBuddhist'sshrineoriginatedasaplacebuilttoworshiptheashesofBuddha Moreshrineswerecontinuedtobebuiltinordertoholdadditionalsacreditems.Today,shrinesand templesarebuiltinvariouswayshowever;manyofthemconsistof5tiersrepresentingthefive elementsoftheuniverse–earth,wind,fire,water,andemptiness.Theywerealsobuilttallerinthe beliefthattheirplaceofworshipwasreaching"outofthephysicalworldandtowardswisdom" (White)DifferentculturescelebrateBuddhisminvariouswaysbut,allculturescelebratethe greatestmomentsofBuddha'slife.Forinstance,inJapan,Buddha'sbirthdayiscelebratedwiththe FlowerFestivalwhere,inIndia,Buddha'sfirstteachingiscelebratedwiththeFestivaloftheSacred ToothBuddhismisareligionthatisbasedonaperson'smentalenlightenmentandisoneofthe biggerreligionsoftheworld.Christianityisone

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Growingup,churchwasneverahugeaspectofmylife,butitwasalwaysaroundme.My grandmotherwasadeeplyreligiousCatholic,andmanyofthekidsonmystreetwenttothechurch aroundthecorner.Despitethis,mymotherneverforcedmysistersandItogo.Shewantedusto chooseourownbeliefs.TheproximitytoChristianityinfluencedwhatIbelieveintoday.Ibelieve inGodandthathecreatedeverythingintheobservableuniverseTherestoftheBible,well,is debatabletome.SomecallmeanagnosticChristian,butthelabeldoesn'tmatter.AslongasIcan findfaithandsolaceinsomethingwhenIneedit,I'mhappy.WhatIponderthemostisthefinal chapter:deathandtheafterlifeWhatIhopeisthateveryoneisdeliveredwhattheyshowmore content...

Toanother,theymightbelieveit'snothingatall.Evenfireandbrimstoneisinsomepeople'sfuture iftheythinktheydeserveit.Thereareaninfinitenumberofheavenstoeveryperson.Itisaself–determinedfate.However,ifIamtobequitehonesttomyself,myownbeliefwrittenhereisalways changingNothingisreallyeversetinstoneEvenmyownpersonalheavenisshiftingconstantly, basedonwhatIbelieveIdeserveatthatpointinmylife.Ifyouhadaskedmeasachildwhatmy heavenwas,itwouldbebeingabletowrestlewithmysisterwithoutgettinginjuredforhourson end.Ifyouaskedmeaftermygrandmotherdied,itwouldbeonherlapasIlistenedtochildhood stories.Aweeklater,IwouldhavesaidHellfornotlisteningtomoreofthem.Rightnow,my heavenisaroadtrip'ssummernightGreatmusicwithgreatpeopleonthehighwayisalovelyway tospendateenageeternity.Ofcourse,mybestfriendElyseLeskovicisthere(andofcoursesheis driving).Asongwithtoomuchbassisblasting.IcanfeelthebeatinmychestandI'msingingalong atthetopofmy

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WorldReligion

WhatisReligion?

AccordingtotheAmericanCollegeDictionary,religionisanoundefinedasthequestforthevalues oftheideallifeThisdefinitionisvastandgeneral,allowingforavarietyofinterpretationsby peoplefromallcultures.Thereisnosinglepathtofollowinordertoleadanideallife,onlypersonal beliefsandexperiences.Religionisnon–finitesothereisnowayofdeterminingaboundary(Smart, 5)InmyquestforatrueunderstandingofwhatreligionisIexploredmyowntraditionsand religiousbeliefsaswellaslifeexperiences.Slowly,withtheaddedinsightfromthetextandvideos, myowndefinitionofreligionhasbeguntotakeshape.showmorecontent

Everyreligionholdstruthtothebelievers,andgivesthemasenseofidentity.Thereisnorightor wronganswertothequestionofwhichreligiontofollow,onlyinterpretationsandbehaviors accordingtowhatmakessensetotheindividualPeoplewillbehaveastheybelieve(Beliefsand Believers,Class1).

AnotherequallyimportantremarkIcameacrossinmystudieswasonebytheMethodistpastorRev. CecilWilliams.Williams'maintopicofdiscussionwasthatoftoxicreligionandinspiringsocial action.Williamsbegintheinterviewbysaying,"Becarefulofreligionbecausereligionis toxic"(WilliamsInterview,Class2)Hemeansthatbelieversarenotfocusingontheactions, buttheoutcomesinstead.Youcannotgenuinelyidentifywithareligionorcallyourselfareligious personunlessyourelatetootherhumanbeingsorformrelationshipsthatworktoeasehuman suffering(SimmonsStudyGuide,15)Again,Iwasremindedofmyownbeliefsandthehistoryof myreligionwhenIexploredthemeaningofthisstatement.Contrarytopopularbelief,thisnation wasnotfoundedonthebasisofreligion.Americawasfoundedbymeninsearchofpowerand moneywhousedtheirreligiousbeliefs,predominantlyProtestantChristian,asanexcusefortheir brutality.Notallbelieversactontheirbeliefs,creatingafinelinebetweenwhicharefactiousand whicharenotThefirstattemptsat

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OrganizedReligion

Eversincemanhaschosentowritedownhishistory,organizedreligionhasbeenaprominenttopic andhasinfluencedandshapedallpeople'slives.Therehavealwaysbeenbelieversandnon–believersSincethebeginning,non–believershavebeenpersecutedbyinquisitions,prosecutedby witchtrials,andmurderedbystoningandcrucifyingforevenquestioningthe"truth"abouta supremebeingandsupposedcrimesagainstthatbeing.Religionhadapurposeinearliertimesto explainlife,buttodayscienceprovidesmoreconcreteanswersReligiousbeliefsareoldand outdatedandpeopleshouldtrustthescientificfactsthathavebeenproven,notwhathasbeen...show morecontent

Theytrusttheirfaithbecause"TheBibleTellsMeSo."Thebooksofeachreligionexplainwhy everythingisthewayitisandeachreligionteachesatveryyoungages,sohowcoulditbewrong? Ithas"alwaysbeen"soitmustbethetruthWhenIwasyoungerIwouldcomehomefromschool complainingtomymomaboutscienceclass."Whydon'ttheyleaveeverythingaloneandjustsayit isthatwaybecauseGodmadeitthatway?ThegrassisgreenbecauseGodwantedittobe. Recently,educationappearedasthetruth.PerhapspeopleinthesciencefieldandIwantedfacts, proofforthetruth.CharlesDarwinhadcomeupwiththeideaofnaturalselectionandthetheoryof evolutioninthe1800'sThequestionsandanswersofferedbysciencearemoreplausibleScientists strugglewiththesequestionseverymodernday.Open–mindedpeoplequestionandlookfor answers.Sciencesuggeststhatreligiousideasareincorrect.

Today'sreligionshaveaidedbothpersonalandinternationalpeaceIthasgivenhopetopeopleand hashelpedsomedealwithdifficultsituations.Religionsgivesomepeoplepurposetolife,andan explanationastowhythingsarethewaytheyare.Prayingcangivesomepeaceofmindtothose whoaredealingwithproblemsinlife.

Throughouthistorypeoplehavetakentheirreligiousbeliefstooserious.Religionsarehypocritical intheirvalues,

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ReligionandSpiritualitySincethedawnofhumanlife,peoplehaveeternallybeensearchingforthe purposeofexistence.Humansareinnatelycuriousbeings,andareblessedtohavethecapabilitiesof higherthoughtprocesses.Humansusethesethoughtprocessestoponderthequestionofexistence. Unfortunately,theevolutionofmanhasnotbroughtthehumanraceanyclosertoactualizingits purposeonearthInfact,thisissueissuchthatthemoreonefeelsheorsheunderstandsit,themore questionsconcerningitarise.Thisproblemperpetuatesitselfbytheconfusionofreligionand spirituality,andtherolestheyholdinsociety.Asthehumanraceevolves,itfeelstheneedto designatestructuretoitsworldAsshowmorecontent Thefactthatreligionisexploitedforpersonalandsocialgaincanbeseenthroughouthistory,and willbelaterdiscussed.

Inordertofullyunderstandhowreligionandspiritualityaredifferent,aswellashowreligionis exploited,onemustfirsthaveaneffectivedefinitionofthetwotermsReligionisacertainmodeof orientationtowardsreality(Howerth,1983).Thisdefinitionencompassesmanythings,andtherefore personalbeliefscannotmakeupthewholeofreligion.Oftentimes,religionisseenasamoral standardforhumanstoevaluatetheirlivesagainst.However,ifonelooksdeeperintothereasons behindmoralvalues,onefindsthatvaluesthatarevirtuousarethosethatcontributetothe developmentofsociety,andvaluesthataredishonorablearethosethatimpairthedevelopmentof society.Religionconsistsoforganizedbodiesthatcongregatewiththepurposeofcreatingsocial order(Bharati,1971).Whenonelooksatanyreligion,onecanseethis,butablatantexampleisthe religionofHinduismAnintegralpartofthisreligionisthecastesystemFromanoutside perspective,thecastesystemseemsverycoldanduninviting–theexactoppositeofwhatthe generalpublictakesreligiontobe.However,thecastesystemservedthepurposeoforganizinga societyformanyyears(Mathur,1974).Accordingtotheworkingdefinitionofreligion,thecaste systemofHinduismis

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Whatisreligion?Eachperson'sdefinitionofreligionisdifferent.Eachperson'sfaithisdifferent. Thisisaquestionthathasbeenaskedforcenturies,andregardlessoftheanswergiventhereisno rightorwronganswer.Religioncanbedefinedasagroupofpeoplewhohavesharedbeliefswho feeltheirlifehaspurposeormeaning.Thisfeelingorbeliefthattheirlifehasmeaningcancome fromoutsideofthemselves,aswellaswithinTakingthisonestepfurther,thesesharedbeliefsput intoactionintheformofworship,canbeeasilyidentifiedbecausetheyhappenregularly.Itcanbe saidthePrimalreligionswereinfactnotreligions.SomemayargueConfucianismisnotareligion.

OthersmaysayTaoismisnotashowmorecontent

Theyareteachingslearnedbypreviousgenerationsthenpasseddown,theyarenotalwaysactions. Thefifthfeatureofreligionisgrace.GraceisdefinedbySmithas"thebeliefandassurancethat realityisonoursideandcanbecountedon."Lastlythereismystery.Forthisthereisnoexact definition,butitisallofwhatareligioncannotexplain,itisallthatthehumanmindcannotgrasp,it isthecertain"higherpower"thatreligionoffersOfthesesixfeatures,therearethreethatare presentinmostallreligions,theyare:authority,tradition,andmystery.Authority,tradition,and mysteryfurtherexploreanddefinereligionwhenlookingspecificallyatPrimalReligions, Confucianism,andTaoism.PrimalReligionsareoftenmistakentobethereligionoftheprimitive man,oftenthoughttobeunintelligent.Thereisadefinitionof"primal"thatisbettersuitedthan unintelligentorprimitivePrimalintermsofreligion,referstothelackofexposuretotechnology,it isnot"knowing"thestateofconsciousnessgiventomanybythetechnologicalenvironment.Primal religionsprecededorganizedreligionasweknowittodaybythousandsofyears,insomecases millions,butarestillpresentintheworldtoday;wenowcallthemtribalreligionsWithinprimal religionstherearepeoplewhoareknowledgeableaboutlife,whoareknowledgeableabout DefiningReligion–4traditions,andwhoare

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