Reflection About Religion

Religion is one of the most significant aspects in history and during our modern times, giving hope and forgiveness to citizens as they begin their spiritual journey but women’s voices are silenced and kept concealed. In this segment I will research and bring to light the women’s perspective through the hardships and experiences which they’ve encountered and focus on their lifestyle and personal values so we can understand better the role of women and faiths. .

Their beliefs and understandings of faith are being challenged and questioned in order to strengthen their understanding. Rather than having the adults in their life tell them what to believe, they are now responsible for forming opinions about everything in their lives. For this reason, it is vital that students stay connected to God during their college years. If they are not firmly grounded in truth, the controversial ideology that college courses may bring will easily sway them. If a spiritual foundation is not there, a student will face a “spiritual struggle: an experience with which many students are familiar, particularly those who concern themselves with deep reflection on faith, purpose, and life

When asked the question on my definition of religion, I decided to look at it in a way that goes beyond just my religion. Religion goes much deeper than being something that we just believe in, it is a relationship or a part of a person’s culture. My purpose of religion is something for me to try and understand what my goal in life is, as well as building a relationship with a higher being. Religion gives people that higher being that they can look to for guidance and comfort. I feel that you can also express your culture through religion as well as explain some of the reasons for some of the things that you have done in your life.

Considering the notion that my religion plays a significant role in my culture and identity, I felt it was appropriate to focus my plunges on religion. Interestingly, Judaism is considered to be a culture just as much as a religious doctrine, thus for those who identify as nonreligious, may still celebrate the spiritual holidays for cultural reasons alone (Sue & Sue, 2016). Judaism is a monotheistic faith in which there is only one God. In the Jewish faith, Jesus Christ is not referred to as the Messiah; followers believe that God has still yet to arrive (Differences Between, n.d.). Judaism puts little emphasis on the afterlife because what is most important is what individuals do while still alive (Monaghan & Viereck, 2011). The Jewish lifestyle includes following the commandments that are in the Torah, attending a synagogue for Shabbat, and for some divisions follow the Jewish law, known as halacha (Monaghan & Viereck, 2011). Judaism emphasizes the value of atonement and asking for forgiveness for one’s sins, especially on the Jewish celebration, Yom Kippur (Sue & Sue, 2016). Other traditions include the coming of age ritual referred to as bat-mitzvah or bar mitzvah (Religious Facts, 2006).

All of our reasons for our faith are all different. Some people think it is a feeling, others believe it is for their protection only. Me, I view it as a passion and love for the one who has created me. My faith is more than just a feeling I have. It is what supports me and what I know is right. Lots of the time when people look at religion the look at it as a crutch for people who cannot accept reality. Not only as a Christian, but as a simple human being I know that this is wrong. In these paragraphs I will explain my reasons for my faith and the reality and truth behind it.

Growing up in a mainly agnostic household, I always knew about the existence of a god, but was never taught to worship nor believe any type of religious sect. As I grew up, I learned more about religion in school and never really felt any emotional attachment to any of the religions that I came in contact with. At home, I found out that two of my brothers actually decided to choose a religious path, my eldest brother wanted to become a Roman Catholic Bishop and my third eldest brother a Santeria Babalawo, they tried to get my parents and me to become religious, but we maintained the same beliefs we already had. Stepping out of the comfort zone that I resided in, I decided to visit a Catholic Apostolic church in the heart of Hialeah called Rincón de San Lazaro for my religious site visit.

In modern day, religion is shown as a choice, and in some places in the world it is. Religion is something that you choose to follow. In comparison to the past, in which most times religion was a must, depending on where you lived you could be punished for not following the religion of the land you lived in. Because religion is seen as a choice today, some people are confused as to why people would confine themselves to an additional set of rules that would dictate the way they would live. In exploring this, science fiction books are made. Several books in the science fiction category that include religion often use their own, made up religion, to represent a religion that is practiced. By doing this they can either bring out the good side or the bad side of the religion, often it is the latter. In result of this, certain religions can be seen in a bad light once these books and ideas become mainstream.

Religion has never truly appeared in my life as something of higher importance. Ever since I was little, my family dragged me to church in hopes I would potentially get something out of it. It is prevalent that I never really retained anything from the sermons and the talks about God. Although I was still open to attending the service, I was always full of questions that no one could fully answer. I decided to sit in on an Apostolic Pentecostal church service that my best friend had been attending. While there, I began to understand why religion is important for various people, how religion can be perceived in different ways, and how sometimes it is okay to not truly believe in one religion or another.

God is always with us, and Jesus’s Love is Beautiful & Graceful: Holy Spirit is Transforming Continually.

Who is God? Is a question I can easily imagine a kid asking an adult and the latter replying with God is our creator, or God is an old bearded guy up in the sky watching over us, or even God is a supreme immortal creator deity that certain people believe in. All those responses are different because those replies are based upon that person’s beliefs and values. There is no single correct answer to who or what is God . An answer to the question “Who or what is God?” can reveal how a person views God and religion. This past semester my answer to “who or what is God?” and “how can I relate to God?” has grown in depth of understanding and how I relate to God.

For a good part of my life I have seen religion as a duty which must be accomplished with dedication if not enjoyment. Since all people are sinners and sinners must seek salvation it did not occur to me that some people might not see the point in all this religion business. “Oh, I’m not religious,” some friends would say to me, as if it were genetically transmitted or perhaps an acquired taste. They would blithely go about their lives, unencumbered by guilt, enjoying their sins, and occasionally pausing to shake their heads at my dutifulness. “Why do you bother?” they would ask curiously.

This composition will give you information on why I chose the topic Christianity. What is compelling about this issue and why is it important in the study of religion? This assignment and the content within it will explain the significance of Christianity across all religions studied. The information in this composition will show in what ways Christianity is significant for religious beliefs. I will give you, the reader an example of how this religion, have a profound effect on my life, and the area I reside. What impact does Christianity have on the everyday lives of people who practice Christianity in my area?

Before my birth, it was already decided that I would be dedicated to the Christian God. True to my parents' word, about two months after I was born on April 15th, 2001, I was officially dedicated to God. From that moment on until sometime in middle school, I was a devout Christian until something happened to make me question my beliefs. After several years of questioning just what it was I truly believed in, I've finally come to peace with the conclusion that I am agnostic. Despite the struggles that came with trying to discover what my true beliefs were, finding out that I'm an agnostic has brought me a sense of inner peace and relief I've never previously experienced.

The last day of my intro to religion class has come to an end. I have gained so much knowledge from the class, it has improved my critical thinking while strengthen my relationship with other despite their beliefs while also providing me with a great sense of enlightenment about my own religion that will benefit me now and forever. I have studied and understand the differences and similarities of the world’s major religions. Many of the religions discussed in class have some of the same origins and have many similarities, for example one teaching that could be called a universal rule or law that is expressed & taught by most common religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam is to treat other in the same manner that you would treat yourself or want to be treated which is a very powerful proverb that has shaped my life. I now have a vast knowledge about the establishment of different religions and the form, functionality and substances of them am also familiar with all the historical teachings and important dates of the world’s major religions.

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.