Religion is a form of practicing spirituality, it is a way to connect or communicate with their supreme being. It also influences individuals to perceive life, nature, ethics, or themselves in a different form, that way is my perspective of what religion is. Throughout this semester, we have learned about the major religions and other religions that are not so common. I have also gained more knowledge about not just the religion that I practice, Catholicism, but about other religions, beside own. By learning more about other religions and understanding the way they perceive society, nature, and how they function, it has changed the way I perceive religion. Christianity is one of the major religions practiced in the world, it is a monotheistic religion. Christians believe in God, they believe that Jesus is the son of God, and are inspired by his teachings. Although I knew …show more content…
Buddhism is one of them, just like many other religions, they also believe in the importance of life, joy, and peace, and contribute to society. The only difference is that instead of seeing founder Buddha Shakyamuni as a god, they see him as a teacher. They don’t believe in the relationship of a follower and a god, but more of a relationship of a student and a teacher. This is particularly interesting and astonishing, since texts define religion as a form of worshipping a god/gods, and Buddhist beliefs are different from what religion is mainly depicted as. Learning more about Buddhism, expanded my knowledge of this particular religion, but it also changed the way of what is considered a religion. It made me further recognize that there does not have to be a god or supreme being in order be considered a religion, and that any type of faith, spiritual belief or system could be described as a
...ood or bad. In addition, it is important not to place all religions under one category. To avoid something that is too narrow, the definition needs aspects of religion other than intentions. To counter being too broad, perhaps, like the second definition, it needs to include a “holy” or “sacred” aspect. It needs to include various aspects of the practices to be substantive. The definition needs to be functional and so needs to include something the practitioner can take away from the religion. The comprehensive component is by default addressed through considering the previous points. The following is the revised definition of religion. Through sacred inspiration, beliefs, and practices, religion is a systematic manner of interacting with the world that can have either positive or negative consequences, depending on a given interpretation of the sacred inspiration.
I will begin with Christianity from the in class lecture portion. Christianity has four prophets that were born in Israel between 740-536 BC. Their names were Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel. Christianity believes in one God; the “supreme being.” They believe that God is eternal and the creator of the world. Being the “creator of the world” Christians consider God to be the almighty father. Christianity is a theistic religion; this means a “Belief in the existence of a divine reality; usually referring to monotheism (one God).” "Theism." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 03 May 2014.” Christians believe in sin and that confession is the only way to redemption. They believe that those who sin and do not confess will be sent to hell. Each christian goes through a spiritual rebirth called Baptism. Lastly, christians believe that salvation only comes through God. When one believes in Jesus and does good work they will be rewarded with the afterlife and acceptance into heaven.
Religion is a set of faiths or beliefs that is based around one or more central powers. Religion can take what is good and turn it to evil, especially in the case of the Taliban and crusades. Religion can be used for good as well, in the case of several modern day religions.
Christianity is the most widespread religion in the world with two billion followers. Many aspects of Christianity are based on Judaism (Tiemann 526). Christianity is based on the life, teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christ’s message to everyone is personal salvation and also promises faith and love triumphs over sin and death. The origins of Christianity are based on the book that Christians read, the Holy Bible. Christians believe the Bible is God’s word. In the Bible, God talks about The Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments are agreements between God and his chosen people. Christianity is an example of monotheism. What makes up the God that Christians believe is God the Father, God the son and God the Holy Spirit. The three of these makes up the Trinity of Christianity (Brown 76). Some of the Christian practices are gathering at churches for worship, fellowship and engage in the world through evangelism. One of the beliefs that Christians have is Jesus will come back to earth and take those who believe in Him back to Heaven.
According to the American College Dictionary, religion is a noun defined as the quest for the values of the ideal life. This definition is vast and general, allowing for a variety of interpretations by people from all cultures. There is no single path to follow in order to lead an ideal life, only personal beliefs and experiences. Religion is non-finite so there is no way of determining a boundary (Smart, 5). In my quest for a true understanding of what religion is I explored my own traditions and religious beliefs as well as life experiences. Slowly, with the added insight from the text and videos, my own definition of religion has begun to take shape.
The origin of Christianity was from Jesus Christ, they believe that he was the Son of God and he rose from the dead. His disciples spread Christianity through out the entire Roman Empire in 30 CE. The Roman Emperor Constantinople issued the famous Edict of Milan, and he declared Christianity to be a legal religion. Christianity was not yet the official religion until 380 under Emperor Theodosius. Christianity is a religion built on the life and words of Jesus of Nazareth also known as Jesus Christ. Christianity emerged from Judaism. It is founded on teachings, life, and death of Jesus Christ, and those who follow Jesus Christ are called "Christians. Christians believe that there is only one God, who they call father. Christians recognize Jesus as the Son of God who was sent to save mankind from being sinful. Christians believe in justification by faith, that through believing in Jesus, and in his death and resurrection, Christians can h...
Christianity later developed its own religion according to the life and teachings of Jesus Nazareth (Pollock 2008 ). Many religions have developed due to the many misunderstandings of the teachings of scripture, but for the most part Christians believe in the story of Jesus
Christianity is now in our modern world one of the five major religions. The other major religions include Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Judaism from which Christianity descended. Christianity was practiced before Christ, During his life, and after his life. After Christ¹s life Christianity spread to become a main world religion.
Christianity is a monotheistic religion, which means people of that faith believe in one God. Christianity is based on the life and teachings of Jesus. Most Christians believe that Jesus is the son of God, and the savior of humanity. Christians refer to Jesus as Christ, which means Messiah. Christianity is the world’s largest religion consisting of approximately 2.2 billion Christians. There are branches of Christianity, the three primary divisions are Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy and Protestantism.
Christianity teaches that there is merely one God in all existence and that God created the universe. It also teaches that Jesus is the only way to be set free from the coming judgment of God and that Jesus desires his values and his standards to abound. Moreover, Christianity is the only religion that
Religion is the one element of life that has connected the races and societies of the world for hundreds of years. It has given meaning to lives that may seem otherwise hopeless. Religion has provided for a universal language and culture among those who believe in a higher power. The spirit or being receiving the worship and praise may not be the same, but the practices are usually similar and serve the same purpose--to give direction, insight, courage, and a divine connection.
My definition of religion has mostly stayed the same, but my perception of it has changed. At the beginning of the class, I assumed religion was something you believed based on your moral principles. I now believe that those moral principles are based on the religion that you believe in. Your religion changes your perception of the world and how to go about in it. Your religion tells you what is right and wrong in the world and answers all of the big questions one asks. Religion according to our book is, “A pattern of beliefs and practices that expresses and enacts what a community regards as sacred and/or ultimate about life” (Van Voorst 6). That definition was one thing that really got me thinking about my own personal idea of what religion
Religion is commonly defined as a group of beliefs concerning the supernatural, sacred, or divine, and the moral codes, practices, values, institutions and rituals associated with such beliefs (Wikipedia, 2006). Most of the major religions have evolved over the centuries into what they are today. In many cultures and times, religion has been the basic foundation of life, permeating all aspects of human existence (Fisher, 2002). Religion is passed on from generation to generation. My religious beliefs were passed on from my relatives on my mother's side. My family has believed in the Catholic faith for many generations. Since I grew up in the Catholic faith I went to Catholic schools my entire childhood. My personal experiences and the Catholic faith made me into the person I am today. Without a religious upbringing I feel that there would have been something missing in my life.
Some would describe religion as actions and beliefs that are aimed at connecting people with what could be identified as most true, real, sacred, or divine (pg3). Depending on what religion one follows the beliefs and behaviors connect them with what is
It has been an outstanding five weeks. This was the course that I've been waiting to take since I started Capella back in April of 2004. Finally after weeks of reading World Religions by Huston Smith, I have developed an understanding of some of the world's religions. I can never be an expert in this field, and I don't want to, but at least I have an idea where these religions originated and have a general concept of the beliefs behind each religion. Each of the religions we covered have one thing in common that stick out, and that is promoting peace and harmony.