A Summary Of Traditional Religion In Society

Huston Smith in the final chapter of his book, The World’s Religions – A Final Examination challenges his readers to look back and see how this book has related religions to each other or how they been proven to be different. Smith introduces three main topics to show the relation between the religions that were discussed in the previous chapters. Even though he points out certain aspects of these religions his readers can sense that he leans toward one relation more than the other. There are many things that I was raised to do but I was never raised by having to believe in a certain religion. This book allowed myself to learn about new religions and explore my options about what religion I want to practice. Smith

Religion and ‘The Study of Religions’ has many approaches which try to investigate the core of what religion is and what it means to the people who practice it. Sociology is one such approach that this essay will be looking at through its founding fathers Emile Durkheim, Max Weber and Karl Marx. Sociology in general looks at people’s dynamics and explains a group’s influence. It demonstrates how religious belief and practices have become so important over time and emphasises their role and significance throughout. Each of these three sociologists has a link to these ideas which will be the main thesis in this essay.

Altemeyer, Bob. "The Decline of Organized Religion in Western Civilization." International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, vol. 14, no. 2, Apr. 2004, pp. 77-89. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com

The changenig patterns of religious adherence have been changing since the 1947 Australian census. The biggest change has been the consistent drop in the number of people identifying themselves as belonging to the Anglican church since the 1947 census up to the 2011 census, from 39 percent to 17.1 percent of the population as shown in figure 1.3, which shows the comparison between the 2006 and 2011 census data. Overall, the number of respondents being categorised as belonging to any Christian denomation has decreased since 1947. However, the number of respondants identifying themselves as Catholic has increased, from 20.9 in 1947, to 25.3 in 2011. Overall, Christianty is still the most popular religion in Australia as shown in the 2011 census data in figure 1.5. Within the different branches of Christianty there has been some trends recorded in the 2006 and 2011 census. The traditional churches, for example, such as the Uniting Church has experienced a decline. On the other hand, the newer Pentecostal movement gained increase. The Baptism, Catholic and Orthodox churches also experienced an increase. The respondants to be “other Christian” also experienced an increase in size. In 1947 census, the percentage of respondants claiming to belong to other religions other than Christianty were about 0.5 percent of the population. However, between 2001 and 2011,

Religious traditions share a set of characteristics that enable them to be dynamic, living religious systems. Each of the characteristics (beliefs, sacred texts, ethics, rituals and ceremonies) interact and provide adherents with a multifaceted way of engaging and relating to the tradition.

There are a number of religious practices have been around for thousands of years, that are now facing criticism for some out dated or dangerous practices. These groups feel it is important to keep traditions alive, which is justifiable. The government has no right to tell anyone how he or she is allowed to practice the religion that an individual chooses to be a part of. The first amendment even guarantees that the government will never restrict a person’s religious freedoms. If a man or woman feels closer to God by holding a rattle snake, why stop him? This is the land of the free, and any citizen should be allowed to practice their preferred religion, in the fashion is has always been done in. However, when someone religious believes starts hurting that person or other, then the government should take action to put an end to these traditions

Religion can be explained as a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs (n.d.). Christianity is most popular religion in America and in the world with over 2.1 billion adheres. It is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ who lives in the Holy Land 2,000 years ago. Hinduism is the religion of the majority of people in India and Nepal. It also exists among significant populations outside of the sub continent and has over 900 million adherents worldwide.

Religion is a social institution composed of a unified system of beliefs, symbols, and rituals that guides human life, including behaviors and values. I agree with the claim that the sociological study of religion makes one’s religious faith stronger in societies and communities because the more knowledgeable you are of your religion, the more you follow and practice its beliefs. Reading the books of the religion of your choice allows you to choose the lifestyle you live and control your beliefs. Sociologically studying one’s religion cannot damage religious faith unless you are sociologically studying a religion other than yours. Your devotion to your religion has been given to you at birth, and normally children follow their parents before anyone else.

A new religion movement or a cult is explained by Myers and Twenge (2013) as a group, that is typically recognized by its rituals and beliefs related to religion or a particular person (leader). Cults are also explained by their typical isolation from others and by the intensity of their charismatic leader (Woody, 2009; Myers & Twenge, 2013). According to Woody (2009), many cults or new religious movements are identified by the power of their leaders and the influence the leaders have on their following. Members of cults tend to join cults because of the social influence the group has in relation to their search for meaning, fulfillment, social change, happiness, and sense of belonging (Salande & Perkins, 2011). Cult like organizations and

When people think of diversity they think of culture but diversity is just not that. It is someones culture, religion, ethnicity, sex, economics, age, language, sexual orientation, and geographical area. When thinking about how all this topics fall under diversity how much do people take this into consideration. In the medical filed this is very importing to take a into consideration when caring for your patient. By paying action and asking them can make a huge different on how your patient will respond to their treatment and to you as a nurse while you are education them.

Despite being a secular country founded upon separation of church and state, there is no denying that religion has played an important role in both the history and government of America. In America’s early years, the Christian sense of religious unity gave Americans a feeling of brotherhood and clarity. However, as the nation developed, issues began to divide the American consciousness, and as America became divided on political issues, they also became divided on their interpretation of the Bible and how it should relate to the fate of the country. Because of the importance of religion in the American conscience, in issues of race and slavery, both groups that favored racial equality and groups that favored racial inequality utilized religious arguments in debating the issue.

In Islam it is important to realize that the religion and the cultural traditions are two extremely different aspects of Islamic life (Jaafar-Mohammad). For marriage to be considered an act of worship to Allah, or God, it must be combination of mutual love and respect (Jaafar-Mohammad). Another form of worship is the emotional and sexual expressions shared between husband and wife (Jaafar-Mohammad). “The Islamic term for marriage [is] nikah”, which literally means sexual intercourse (Husain). The Quran also has openly recommended sex, “…when they [the wives] have cleansed themselves [after menstruation], you go into them as Allah [God] has commanded…” (Surah al-Baqarch, 2:222) (Husain). It is said celibacy is forbidden because it is a way for the man and women to connect, strength, and relief stress between themselves (Jaafar-Mohammad). The best explanation the zawj, pair, in marriage is stated in the Quran, “ they are your garments and you are their garments”. This shows the closeness, protection, and support the zawj should have for one another.

Religion is a universal part of many cultures and affects societies through its functions and dysfunctions. Firstly, religion offers a reason for life on earth, by explaining life after death, and giving its followers missions and motives for daily life. It also provides emotional and mental comfort for individuals going through a stressful time; as it gives suffering, stress, and death a purpose. Furthermore, religion sets guidelines for everyday life and is a form of social control. For example, the ten commandments for Christians, karma for Hindus, and the Shariah Laws for Muslims, are social regulations that set a pathway for specific behaviors and attitudes. Contrastingly, religion also negatively impacts society, as it opens doors for conflicts among different belief systems. Historically, crusades and torture were common forms used by religious groups to gain and maintain control. Currently, torture still occurs in some countries as religious groups are fighting for power and believe that anyone who doesn’t believe in their gods or follow their ways deserves to die. Religion may also create anxiety among individuals as they are consumed with following the “rules”, and feel distressed when they violate them. Some followers are not able to meet the set guidelines, such as, not having enough money to tithe, or not having a way to attend church. Meanwhile others have the means to follow the principles but for their own personal

Religion changes throughout time as people change their minds about what they read on scripts. It was once defined by anthropologist E.B. Taylor in 1871 as the “belief in spiritual beings.” But, essentially over the years many religions have came into this world and left just as fast as they were created. Therefore, I believe that religion is more of a behavior that is acted upon by certain groups and communities. It is more of a ritual that people take part of, rather than a belief in a spiritual being. In other words, religion was created by man to fulfill a purpose, not only to unify people through a symbol or a holist being but also to install fear in the hearts of those who blindly believe and follow.

I was raised in a Christian household and, as such, grew up with a set of Christian morals and values bestowed unto me by the social institution of religion. The function of religion in society is to satisfy our human need for the knowledge, meaning, and purpose of our existence. Religion also provides members with a sense of community and belonging; Christianity is no different. Weekly church service, Sunday school, church choir, and various other activities make members feel interconnected, as though they belong to an exclusive club. Nevertheless, it is an institution with an extensive set of rules. These rules are broad, ranging from the more obvious ten commandments and seven deadly sins, to the subtler expected Sunday offerings and dress-code. Males filling the position of pastor was uncontested in my childhood church, and I have personally witnessed a blind-eye turned to a victim of abuse in the church because her husband was a prominent member; members who did not hold a prominent position and bent the rules were often ostracized. Although they were not officially banished from the church, they were socially excommunicated and, therefore, lost the sense of belonging that the church once provided for them. These rules in the bible and church serve to govern peoples thoughts and actions, influencing them to behave in a way in which society perceives as acceptable.