Religions. Dubious? Very much so. What precisely is religion? Is it a safe haven for the mind- a safety net, one must lean on when needed? Is it an explanation for the unexplainable? Is there a correct answer? There happens to be various religions such as Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all worship one god. Is it possible that they could all be following the same god? The followers of the separate religions state that they believe in a “different” god. Hinduism has many gods to which the followers may elect. What connects all these religions? The string that ties these religions together is power. Religious believers will argue that their god or gods are more powerful- not one religion can ever set aside its pride. Is it possible religious beliefs are igniting a fire that is dividing all people? Amongst all the bickering, one does not seem to question that no matter how strong one believes; is it possible that the god or gods do not believe in the followers? Have they abandoned the human race?
The Old Testament (Christian) and the Torah (Jewish) both share a verse that speaks about their god’s power. “Who among the gods is like you, Lord? Who is like you- majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?” (“Exodus 15: 11”). This quote speaks highly of their god; the god cannot be compared to any other. One can see why the god must be beloved for He is holy and creates many miracles- so one may theorize. However, one must
Religion creates division between humans because of the historical values and stories that are pasted down throughout the centuries yet many of the stories have very similar backgrounds. This division begins with the teachings of the religion to its followers and the degree to which they implement the teachings into their own lives. Humans have a distinct internal drive to be on top and in the best groups.
This paper has presented a definition of religion, as well as an examination of its parts to determine if the definition is adequate to apply appropriately. Secondly, this paper has examined several practices and experiences common to both major religions of the worlds, as well as indigenous religions. Lastly, the key critical issues of the study of religions and reasons for their consideration have been identified and discussed.
Religions differing has caused many conflicts throughout history. “The feeling of attachment to tribalism and fake patriotism under the umbrella of religion is stronger and more apparent than respect for human rights and pluralism” (Mhamed 2). When people are tied so greatly to their religion, they will be willing to throw away their morals and do whatever they deem is right for their beliefs, leading to constant wars. “different tribal and so-called patriotic groups resort to religion to gain legacy and popularity” (Mhamad 2). Religion is even just a way to unite people to war such as saying they are doing something in the name of their deity
Religion is one of the greatest creations of mankind. Human beings are different from any other animals because of their ability to think and to create. When man evolved to form societies or countries, when they need to understand better the world around them, religions were created naturally.
According to the book, World Religions Today, by John L. Esposito, Darrell J. Fasching, and Todd Lewis, under the section entitled The Sacred, it states that religion “expresses our sense of being “tied and bound” by relations of obligation to whatever powers we believe govern our destiny-whether these powers be natural or supernatural, personal or impersonal, one or many” (9). Furthermore, the book World Religions Today, by John L. Esposito, Darrell J. Fasching, and Todd Lewis, states that the religions of various people over the years or centuries have proven to be essentially as diverse as the types or forms of power that people essentially believe govern human destiny. In which these types or forms of power “ have ranged from gods as
Almost all religions around the world are based on a belief. Almost every religion have certain rules and principles that order together within a society: Many people misunderstand and misinterpret the holy texts the Bible, Quran, Torah, and others fabricate. Religion is defined as faith to a higher being who one believes has created us. It has also been used as laws through history to stop the committing of crimes. In many religions, the consequences of breaking rules and regulations of the religion are burning in the pit of hell. Religion is man-made and was created for many reasons but mainly to keep peace and justice in the world. But the words can be manipulated and used as an excuse to start wars on this planet. This caused many to believe that the world would be a better place without religion.
Religion can be a delicate topic to deal with and can be dangerous when you have two large populations beleiving in religions with opposing beleifs. Religion has caused wars, divided countries in half, and divided populations into two. Although it has the capability to divide groups of people apart, religion also unites people. Religion gives
Religion is a cancer that has done so very much damage all across history to mankind and has done more to separate us than any other force.
The religions of division; some see those who belong to a specific religion as having somewhat of an us versus them mentality thus creating an insiders and outsiders situation as the byproduct of such an atmosphere; this is often the result of any community of people who chose to categorize the population into those who belong to the group from those who don’t. In every religion, that has a law attached to it, there are certain rules and regulations you are expected to follow if you are to fit in. Most religions are more strict then others, the word religion comes from the Latin word, “religare”, which means ‘to bind tightly’, so religion could most definitely defined as something that either can bind tightly around
God is the most powerful force ever, considering everything He has created and done. One of the hardest things God has to do is to show people that He exists through nature and actions of other people. Many people try to describe God’s presence day in and day, but unfortunately they struggle get the point across. Plato, Moses and Matthew are three people in history who did a great job describing God in nature and reality. Plato summarized it very well in the Allegory of the Cave, he says that we have to look at things deeper to realize how beautiful they are.
Religion can invade, conquer, and rule masses of people far more effectively and efficiently than any empire or conqueror. This is not to spark a heated discussion about religions. Its purpose is, to say that, even though it is highly debatable whether religions are false or true, most of them serve a very basic purpose of establishing morals and values. Early religions were used as a source of power and economic growth. Even if one doesn’t believe in or agree with the teachings of any religion, history shows proof that it creates a sense of order. There are many religions in the past that have brought order and civilized conduct to large numbers of people, not through military conquest, but through the promise of reward or the fear of punishment. Religion is the glue that binds local communities into nationhood and creates common understandings and shared values that are essential to the growth of a civilization. No religion is fully formed at its start, so why did some religion play such a big role in growth of the Ancient Civilizations.
Continuously Religion has partaken and will constantly stay essential in our lives, whether we whole heartily have great faith in it or we do not. Yet, what exactly is Religion? Religion is having the certainly in a God or in a group of Gods. As well as, a structured system that takes into account strict beliefs, rituals, and guidelines that must be followed. In addition, carried out to worship a God or a group of Gods who are idolized. Today across the world there is nearly 4,200 Religions which are present. They include Christianity, Catholicism, Hinduism, and many more. Religions followers who remain dedicated to the Christian and Catholic faith are identified for following one God. In an Article called Incommensurability, Incomparability,
Religion has been a powerful force in human history. Mankind has longed and searched for the answers to its purpose, the reason for being and the possibility of life after physical death. They reasoned that an afterlife would be a place of accounting and reckoning for the life they lived on earth. Religious belief systems seemed to give the answers as to how to prepare for the afterlife. Religion became the means of giving answers to those basic yet deep-seated questions of both life and death. Religion provided a format of rules and laws for conduct and treatment toward others based on the desires and wishes of a god or gods that people envisioned, imagined or invented. Religious belief systems have been a powerful force for good and bad...good in the sense that it provided a measure of individual behavior and order in society for the wellbeing of the whole, but bad in the sense that men of ambition who craved power and control over others would often use religion as a tool of manipulation and fear. A casual glance of history tells us that complete civilizations have been built, grown and maintained around elaborate religious systems, ancient Egypt being a prime example.
Some people believe that evidence and faith are incompatible, that the very idea of faith is that faith is a belief that cannot be proven, so that it does not require evidence. However, evidence and proof are two very different concepts. Scientifically, one can only ever disprove a hypothesis. In other words, while it might be possible to disprove the existence of a god or gods, it would be impossible to eliminate all other variables that might provide support for the existence of god. When one fails to eliminate a hypothesis, one gathers support for a theory, or, evidence. It is this evidence that is frequently the foundation for faith. The philosophical ideal that "faith is trusting in an object or person or belief or concept that you first of all have determined exists or is true via some type of convincing evidence" certainly applies in the religious scenario. After all, people are drawn to various religions because of their own life experiences, and those life experiences provide the evidence that forms the backdrop for their faith.
The first source to which Christian theology looks for it's teaching is the New Testament. It is the New Testament, which unfolds the divine plan introduced in the Old, and it is by the New Testament revelation that the Old Testament revelation is interpreted. For this reason all Christians theologians have made the New Testament their primary source for data in constructing views of God and His relation to the world. We must place all theology in context. As the Old Testament affirms, God is incomparable. Isaiah writes that we dare not make our God out of gold, or carry the divine around in a neat package to sit here or stand there. God reminds Israel, and all peoples, that "I am God and there is no other, I am God and there is none like me."