Throughout the history of the world, there have been three underlying motives: Politics, economics, and religion. These factors continue to play an important role in the modern world, religion in particular. Religion often unites individuals of every race, nationality, and ethnicity in a way politics nor economics can imitate. The contemporary importance of religion lies in its strong development of community. Community takes place in Islam in the form of the ummah. The ummah is “a worldwide Muslim community” that is “united by a religious bond that transcends tribal, ethnic, and national identities” (Esposito 16). Part of this bond is protecting their fellow Muslims, regardless of gender, nationality, or race. As dictated in the Quran, “the believers, men and women, are protectors of one another”, and this is especially apparent during times of distress. For instance, after floods or earthquakes in majority Muslim countries, the Muslim community bands together to send monetary aid to the victims. In addition to protection, the ummah offers a sense of belonging. That feeling is evident in Kristin Hahn’s In the Search of Grace. Although she was raised secularly, Hahn’s curiosity about faith in America causes her to embrace a Muslim lifestyle during the month of Ramadan. After wearing a head covering, or hijab, she is “amazed by how easily [her] sense of individual identity had been usurped by a few strategically placed pieces of cloth” and how she “instantly became part of a
As time has progressed, religious scrutiny has expanded. Systems of faith are often written off as fruitless, but religion holds strong purposes. Cultures have religion to explain surroundings, unite individuals, and provide hope.
In the second part of the book titled The Shifting Balance of Civilizations, the author expands upon the idea that due to modernization cultures become increasing similar. The author begins with an explanation on the decline of Western power and influence in the world. He also explains that religion has an increased role in politics throughout the world. According to the author, major religions around the world "experienced new surges in commitment, relevance and practice by erstwhile casual believers." The author stated, People "need new sources of identity, new forms of stable community, and new sets of moral precepts to provide them with a sense of meaning and purpose." This ideas reinforced the authors beliefs and views that religion can and will meet the needs of people, and religion was the byproduct of increased communications among different societies and cultures. One of the most interesting chapters of this part is chapter five where the author discusses how
From the start of civilization, religion has played a crucial role in the development of most societies. The proof of its influence is evident in the way daily life was carried out. Religion had the power to affect everything from social status to common law, thus dominating a large portion of the culture. In ancient Egyptian, Islamic, and Indian society, religion had the capacity to establish how the average person would conduct their daily life.
Religion is universal. Although people may have different ideologies and practices, everyone believes in something, whether they deem it their religion or not. In this way, religion is a powerful connection between all of humanity; thus, it is important to understand the people behind religion and how their unique characteristics correlates with and influences religion—whether that be their social class, ethnicity, gender, or politics. However, ethnicity and gender, along with the closely linked topics of sexuality and politics, are the most significant concepts to understand religion in our modern world.
Religion has been a major factor for the growth and development of societies since the establishment of even the very first ancient civilizations. Though each of the ancient societies—the Chinese, the Egyptians, the Indians, and the Mesopotamians—had different spiritual beliefs, they each shared the common belief that the presence of religion within a civilization would have positive results upon the entire civilization.
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 has influenced an entire range of changes in the elongated history of the world. The alterations that have taken place in the past are clear and concise evidence that the underlying and ultimate influence is religion. Religion has been apart of a plethora number of events in the past because, religion gives humans a clear source of origin of the universe, and carries an everlasting assurance that provides protection and happiness among the permutations in life. Religion also served its purpose in all aspects of life, especially during the events between the 1600’s and 1800’s.
Historically, religion and politics have always played a very significant part in our everyday lives, dating back to the ancient pharaohs of Africa to our modern day society, the relationship between religion and politics can be traced through centuries of human history in various civilizations. Both religion and politics prescribe, legislate, and enforce codes of behavior, promote collective action, and create group identification. There are numerous examples of how religion continues to contribute to the formation and evolution of political ideas and institutions. For a good example of how religion affects politics in our modern world we need not look very far but in our own backyard. The influence of Catholicism on Latin American politics, and the role religion plays on Middle Eastern politics have had a profound affect in those related societies. The Catholic charismatic movement has also become more and more politically active”.
Religion is something most people around the world have in common. Whether one holds religious beliefs or not, he can relate to others with similar beliefs. A belief in a higher power has a big impact on society today just as it has in the past, as illustrated in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Religion impacts all members of society, whether they believe in one or not.
Religion unites American citizens in our beliefs and values. This plays a major role in our social development as a country. These values from religion become a foundation for our lives. It is because values make up our moral character. An example
In this essay we will discuss the importance of religion in society. We will attempt to explain why societies have religions and what functions their belief system has for them. We will also ask if these functions are now out-dated and if religions have any meaningful function in today's world or are they just stained glass windows into a bygone era? 'Religion' can be defined by two main groupings. 'The inclusive definition' covers all topics and subjects of a persons life including, not only, their belief in a deity but also their belief and belongingness to music, sport and any other interests the person may hold. 'The exclusive definition' refers to just their belief system regarding a 'supra-human' (Browne 2005, p. 311). It is mainly
Religion and spirituality reach into the depths of the human psyche and strongly influence a nation’s way of life.
Throughout history, religion has worked as a great unifier of diverse people. Its overarching messages have worked to bring together people of different backgrounds be it racial, political, or economic, giving masses a common goal. Much of the world’s charity work is on behalf of religions which instill values that provoke these selfless actions.
Money and Religion. The two of the largest goals that have driven humans to do truly despicable things. Wars have been fought over differences of faith; Wars have been fought for financial gain. Two very powerful catalysts that span throughout time and geographical locales. People are motivated, the topics often spark powerful emotions even in day to day conversations. Often these two are what direct peoples' actions as well as opinions. When religion is incorporated into money, it becomes an even more powerful tool, for unification or division, especially for the sovereigns who create the money.
Although religions originated for a common goal, each civilization has developed its’ own unique interpretation of religion, which impacts how each civilization fosters hospitality or hostility. Religions establish morals, such as collectivism, that is used to unite and maintain civilization. Civilizations develop unique interpretations of religion to organize unification based on a shared purpose, having concern for community. This diversity allows people to distinguish the relationship between religion and civilization of unification and structure based on beliefs. The relationship not only within, but also between civilizations are visible through religions influence on hospitality and hostility. Throughout history, religions have played a significant role in both the formation and cooperation of civilizations in various ways including, civilizations forming based on common principles, the unique perception of religion in various civilizations, and the fostering of hospitality and hostility through religion in civilizations.