Explain Why My Religion Does Not Control Me

Religion no matter where we stand on the spectrum, affects us all. Most of us are born in to one, having the label of a Christian child, a Muslim child, a Jewish child, the list goes on, however no matter which of these labels we acquired, we all have the privilege of being born into the ‘correct’ religion, and so we believe for the longest time, if not the entirety of our lives. We defend our beliefs because we either feel safe, afraid, loved or a compilation of the three, and that blinds us from doubt and ultimately sews a permanent vail over us for as long as we have complete faith.

(p.78) This quote from the narrator helps us try to understand where he is coming from. Society is based on evolution, not miracles, as many religions suggest. Faith can only go so far; and after that, one can only depend on himself, not the religious leader he looks to. This novel also hints at how unprepared the government is in regards to national emergencies, from natural disasters to alien encounters. And although the chances of humans interacting with extra-terrestrial creatures are slim, it would take an awfully closed-minded person to assume that Earth is the only planet with semi-intelligent organisms. There is a lot of dependence upon the state for guidance, as well as religion. And while the state may not be perfect to the average citizen, in times of need or trouble, they are the religious back-up. H.G. Wells is practically screaming for society to gain a sense of self rather than a sense of spiritual acknowledgement.

Religion by itself has its own effect on the community, influencing a person's way of thinking. Personal identity is likely to be effected by the religious ideals one may associate with. Countries based around religious ideals, for example Karachi, Pakistan heavily influence one's personal identity, as someone from a strict religious background is likely to have different morals and beliefs compared to someone from a less religious background. This also applies to whether an individual is raised in the Middle East, or a Westernised country. The difference in upbringing moulds the way in which and individual behaves and thinks and thus influences their personal growth and Identity.

Quran is believed to have been given to Prophet Mohammed and nobody dares think the implications of the verses there in, but rather applies them at a literal meaning. Some of the aspects that bring a clash include obsession with the dress code and use of community language even on international platforms. Though not directly evident, it is felt that this kind of conservatism is an implication that irrespective of the country where Muslim find themselves, their loyalty is subscribed to ummah as demanded by the Quran. This is even why a staunch Muslim prays wherever he is facing Mecca. This is interpreted as total allegiance to ummah. Since time immemorial, incompatible values and interests between America and Islam make the two parties to continue pursuing struggle for power and world control. The introduction of the new world order was a big defeat for Islam and this is the main reason why America and the entire west is an enemy to the Islam faith. Islam condones democracy and rather advocate for application of Sharia Law in governance of the subjects found within the jurisdiction where this is found. There are no checks and balances to such a system.

In the preface and introduction of “Islam and America Building a Future without Prejudice”, author Anouar Majid discusses the history of conflicts and prejudices between America and Islam. In the preface, he says that he concludes his book by “calling for a critical reexamination of religion to open new paths for dialogue and rapprochement” (Majid, x). He goes on to argue that, “Only by demystifying our strongly held beliefs and prejudices can we see more clearly our common humanity and de-escalate the tensions that have torn us apart for so long” (Majid, x). He says that one would assume that this would be common sense to Westerners, but most tend to only pay attention to the extremists who commit awful crimes in the name of Islam, and Westerners

In King James Version of the bible, it says and again I say unto you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. I ask myself several times in the past on how to attain perfection in my Christian and spiritual life .Perfection is far fetching in these modern days, freedom and liberty to do things now that was frown upon in the past. I will be reflecting on how comfort, modern society and politics have affected my spirituality in the last decade.

The Bible, more specifically Genesis, has supported the idea of male superiority over many years. We can take the instance in the first creation story, where God created man and woman at the same time symbolizing that men and women are equal. Unfortunately, many do not use this creation story; many tend to focus more on the second creation story, where Eve comes after Adam. Stanton points out this difference in her article "The Solitude of self" and looks deeper into the reason as why society tends to focus more on our male contour parts. Stanton points out the flaws in our society although not stating a real way to fix these flawed traditions she does draw attention to them. Men dominate today 's society and one of the main factors in this domination is the tradition that was put into place by Biblical stories.

He argues that religion makes us “narrow minded and keeps us from making our own choices. He says organized religions are dogmatic.“To choose unbelief is to choose mind over dogma, to trust in our humanity instead of all these dangerous divinities.” (Rushdie 522) He believes that religion is oppressing us because it keeps us from reaching our own potential. Religion focuses on the higher powers’ wants and needs instead of human wants and

One of the traditional principles of the US is that it supports religious liberty and the separation of the Church and the state. In fact, the Founding Fathers regarded this as such high importance that it was incorporated into the Bill of Rights as the first Amendment of the US Constitution. However, at this time the overwhelming majority of Americans were Christians, and the Founding Fathers could not have predicted how religiously diverse the US would become. The 1965 Immigration and Naturalization act allowed people from all over the world to become American citizens (Guelzo, 1995, p. 27). Over the last thirty years migrants and refugees have reshaped the demography of the US. Previously, people from other faiths tentatively practiced their

And even though these nations may be presented to positive characteristics of American society, such as individual liberty, rule of law, and economic prosperity, it also, unfortunately, this ideology also exposes nations to the worst traits of American society and culture, including materialism, militarism, and racism. This American culture, based in capitalism, develops more aspirations and social pressures; establishes an importance on individual choice that cripples traditional male authority; and liberal sexual attitudes. This subjection, resistance to American individualism, and the history of the Western methods to the Middle East, has generated an opening for militant groups to garner support and public credibility to challenge American aided regimes. From the time of the Crusades through the European colonial era to the ongoing bombing and sanctions against the Middle Eastern nations, Western Christians have killed far more Muslims than the reverse. Given the history of the relationship between the United Sates and certain Middle Eastern nations, the American government, and policy of military threat and force, inflated sanctions and retraction from the United Nations, and its support of oppositional governments result in the reaction that has been characterized of religious extremism. Additionally, the reform proposed by American forces it equates reform with pro-Americanism, and therefore it inhibits those who engage Muslim societies critically to submit their critique freely without the fear of having their views misappropriated. And similarly, this criticism is

Religion is as old as human civilization itself. It has survived millennia in various forms shaping the way that we live, impacting our decisions and making us who we are. Religion permeates and influences virtually every aspect of our lives and governs both our individual and collective life (Hajizadeh, 2013). Religion plays an integral role in every country whether it is a third-world country, such as some African or Middle Eastern countries, or industrialized capitalist countries like the United States and the European Union. Over the past few decades many global events have brought religion’s growing influence over society, especially its role in affecting politics (Hajizadeh, 2013). The biggest religious event/influence in recent years would be the various events that resulted from the Islamic conflicts both internal and external such as the Iranian Revolution and the infamous September 11th attack on the World Trade Center that occurred in 2001 (Hajizadeh, 2013). The September 11th attacks in particular paved the way for many new policies and laws including the USA PATRIOT (Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism) Act. The USA PATRIOT Act has been one of the most powerful laws that has been passed because it gave the government of the United States almost unfettered access to the personal information of citizens all in the name of national security and the war on Al-Qaeda and Islamic Terrorism.

Being 15 years of age, I am in a stage of my life where I started to develop myself and future. I often find myself making decisions that shape myself, such as what people to associate with and whether to spend my free time out with friends or staying home. I personally try my hardest to make decisions that are going to reflect positively on my future, myself, and the people around me. When it comes to the views I share with elders, they are somewhat very similar. My beliefs in life have been created by my family, friends, and the media, and I think that this has had a large impact on my views of certain beliefs.

“Diversity of thought and culture and religion and ideas has been the strength of America.” (Gary Locke). Religion plays an important aspect in most individual’s daily lives. For some people, it defines who they are. In the United States of America all religions are practiced without any issues, well that is as long as it’s not in public schools or government offices, but those facilities also have their own expectations.

Growing up in the South-East, religion substantially impacted my life. I learned everyone was equal and should be treated so. In contrast, I was taught only heterosexual relationships were accepted into the Kingdom of God. As I advanced through my adolescent years, I discovered I was unique from everyone else; I was not attracted to girls like my male peers were. Post few years of unsettled feelings on the playground and in middle school gym class, at age fourteen, I concluded I was bisexual. In the King James version, the Holy Bible inscripted, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind” (Corinthians

Throughout history, religion has proved to be the main source of social stability in different communities and cultural groups. Everything that is part of a societal system, including law, is influenced by religious beliefs and practices of that society. This being said, most religions are based on the theory that there is a single more powerful entity, that has control over aspects of which humans do not. For the longest time in history, sociologists have argued that peer group, political movements, schools and most importantly, the family to be agents of socialization. Because of this reason, they have ignored the role played by religion in the perpetuation of cultural as well as social