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Religion and beliefs and their effects
The influence of religion and beliefs on individuals and society
The influence of religion and beliefs on individuals and society
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Religion has greatly influenced western civilization. Religion is a way to express ourselves in our own way. To be able to choose who or what we believe in freely. This gives us a sense of individualism and helps our civilization to grow and develop each religion. Just about every ancient culture practiced religion in some way. They were either monotheist, polytheist, atheist, or believed in “magic”. Western civilization was impacted by religion in more ways than one. Every religion contributed in their own way. Some religions even worked together to help create a stronger, more structured civilization. One of the more popular religions that shared a role in influencing western civilization would be Christianity. Christianity is a monotheist religion that developed in a time period where polytheism was highly preferred. Although it had only a few followers in the beginning, it has made a lasting impression on civilization. One of its biggest roles was helping to end human sacrifice and slavery. Christians strongly disagreed in the degrading of human life. It was very common in the 1600’s for traditional punishments to be executed if someone had gone against you. Christianity shined a new light on the matter and gave an …show more content…
They each contributed certain traits to help build a stronger, more structured civilization. Although each religion shares many similarities, they are all unique. Christianity helped to end human sacrifice and slavery making human life more valuable. Judaism focused especially on laws and values. Judaism specialized in giving the western civilization a sense of structure in such a traditional time. Finally, Islam help to build a manner of respect. Not just to the wealthy or well-known, they made it a necessity to be polite and kind to all social statuses equally. All of these contributions added together fabricated a more sensible and well-structured
Religion commanded a central and varied role in European politics, society, culture, and thought, from the late 16th century to the Enlightenment.
Religion has throughout history has always been an important part of countries across the world. The world’s first religions were founded hundreds of years ago, yet they still hold an important role in today’s society. It is important to look at how religions were like in the past, especially in the Middle Ages several centuries after the major religions first formed in order to find out why religions are still relevant in the present. Without finding out the history behind religion in the past, we would never know how and why the practice of religion is still going on. Both the Byzantine Empire and the Islamic Caliphates were two of the most powerful states at the time before the 1450’s. In the Byzantium Empire most people followed a form of Christianity similar to today’s Eastern Orthodox while in the Islamic Caliphates the dominant religion was Islam.
Religion has many effects in any society. It can either destroy it by proving customs wrong or it can guide it like it guides converts to believe in the religion. Religion creates two different societies and while it guides one to become stronger it will destroy another at the same time. Religion guides societies and destroys them.
Since the day Christopher Columbus landed in the Caribbean, religion and commerce has played a major role in shaping the New World. Religion defines cultures, changes history, and molds civilizations. During the seventeenth century in the New England and Southern colonies religion influenced colonists lives. Although the majority of settlers bound for the colonies started in Europe, religion and commerce would lead them in different directions. The New England colonies became defined by their religion, while the Southern colonies were defined by their production of tobacco.
the judeo-Christian tradition had many aspects to the way it had a contribution to european civilization. The Ten Commandments is one of them. The Ten Commandments influenced the European civilization because
Religion comes from religare, which means have a reunion. Aneel Baquer says that humans have a need to connect with others, the ability of myths and thoughts of religion is a desire that humans need to bond. In most civilizations, religion is the reason why civilizations are successful. Religion give, people a motive to survive or do what they do. Sometimes the religions actually make their civilization expand and even more successful. not only does religion give us a motive to survive. Still today, religion is one of the biggest factors in modern civilizations. In several religion motives are used for example, christianity. In christianity to meet with god, you must do good. Religion can change a persons personality by aiding from stress, to giving hope. Religion can also reduce the fear of death. In ancient civilizations, egyptians did not fear death. In their religion they believed that living on earth was the beginning of life. Once dead it sends you to the beginning of happiness or horrible. Religion can also expand. If you have a strong connection to your religion, some people spread the word of their religion to other people. It also teaches manners and the difference between the good, and the evil. Vikings were such a significant civilization than any other because of their religion. Religion for the vikings have given them motivation to expand territories, learn between the good and the bad, and not to fear death but to welcome death; reasons why are from being taught was from viking mythology, heroic people and their warlike god.
The major similarities that all three religions share are that they are all monotheistic. This all means that they believe in one god and that he is the supreme ruler of all things. They also believe that all things are created equal under one god. They all have books of what they believe to be God's word. The Jews have their book known as the Torah. The Christian's have their book known as the Bible. Lastly the Islamic people have their book known as the Qu'ran. All three of these books have scriptures.
The world religions of Islam and Christianity may have their differences to the naked eye, but when you take a closer look into their histories similarities arise. They both went through transformations that had drastic impacts on the way they were controlled and the way that the religion was taught to the followers. Christianity and Islam have both experienced splits between their members due to the fact that followers thought that their beliefs were the correct way to practice the religion. While these transformations are long in the past, the splits that have occurred within each religion continue to have lasting effects on Islam and Christianity to this day.
Jews have been horribly persecuted throughout history, such as being thought to have killed Jesus Christ and started the black death, however the Jewish Religion gives more than religion to the advanced Western Society, more than most people realize. Judaism was started by Abraham when he was commanded by God to leave Ur and go to the promised land. There, he was to start his own religion with his God as their deity. Abraham’s people then moved to Egypt and back to Canaan (the promised land) and then to Egypt again. Finally after being enslaved in Egypt the second time, Moses was commanded by God to lead his fellow Israelites out of Egypt to go back to Canaan for good. In the more present day, Jews have been forced out of their “promised” land many times and consequently have spread their religion all over the world. The values that Hebrews believed in, practiced and followed are reflected in Western Civilization following the spread of Judaism, such as individual worth, rule of law, fair trial, charity, healing the world and day of rest/weekend. Rule of law was first practiced by the ancient Hebrews, influencing Western Civilization and and it the most important ancient
One similarity that has high significance in the world of all three religions is the importance of Abraham. Abraham is referred to in the Old Testament that is used in both the Jewish faith and Christianity. Also Islam’s refer to Abraham as well as the man that had to make the sacrifice of giving up his son. His obedience was highly regarded and recognized throughout these religions. Through the many passages throughout each sacred book God refers to Abraham as a friend. Knowing this relationship these religions have held Abraham in their religions as obedience to God through the many acts he carried out.
There are numerous topics that can be compared and contrasted between the two faiths, however, a few topics can demonstrate the major similarities and differences. Islam and Christianity believe in one high power which is superior to everything in life. Pertaining to Christianity, Walsh and Middleton state, “All creation (which includes us as human creatures) is covenantally bound to God and is constituted essentially as a response to his laws” (1984, p. 51). Christians rely on God and make Him a priority.
The biggest difference in my opinion might be how each of one view Jesus Christ. In Christianity Jesus Christ is the son of God and he is one with him and the Holy Spirit in what Christians call Trinity “and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased" (Matthew 3:17). On the other hand, Judaism and Islam don’t believe in Trinity or that Jesus is the son of God. Islam acknowledge Jesus as a true prophet from God, and that he was born from Virgin Mary “O Maryam! From where have you got this? ' She
What is its role in civilization and the development of civilization? Religion helps establish mankind’s place in the order of the universe. As civilization began to be established through the domestication of animals, the irrigation and cultivation of agricultural crops, and life became more complex (moving from mainly a hunter/gather existence to one that could settle down and have more time to consider advanced ideas) people began to consider questions such as, where life comes from, is there a creator or creators who helped make the world, and what happens after we die. Religion helps answer some of these questions. It gives people purpose, meaning, and perspective.
Religion influences culture in many ways. People of different cultures have a set of beliefs that influence their daily lives and how they act. Religion is like a way of life. Many people take their religion very seriously, so their lives and cultures are majorly affected by their religion then and now. Religion has always had a major impact on human life and culture. It has the ability to not only unify people but also having the ability to cause war, and devastation.
Religion is a major influence in our lives. Although religion covers every aspect of our lives, I am going to discuss the influence of religion in two areas. Religion among young adults and Religion and sexual issues. These topics are large, so I will only scratch the surface by discussing only a few issues within these two main topic areas. Religion is gaining popularity among young adults and college students, increasingly more students are attending a church and many different colleges are becoming involved in religious activities. Students at Wake Forest University are looking into dorms that will diversify the student body to educate students about other religions (4). Other schools have programs where people with similar interests can live in the same dorm. Some examples are the University of California, Berkeley and Davis Campuses, University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, University of Missouri at Columbia, and Columbia University in New York (2). These colleges allow students with similar religious views to live together. And it’s not just a few students, there are enough students to fill at least a wing of a dorm, if not a whole dorm (2). On Monday February 22nd, students and faculty members at Clemson University in South Carolina gathered to hear what Dr. Eugene C. Scott, from the National Center for Science Education, had to say about "Adam and Eve, and creationism versus evolution and a quivering mass of protoplasm." (1). She stated that "Evolution in its simplest form refers to a change over time, or decent with modification. Evolution is a scientific explanation based on observable facts." And that "Creationism simply put, means that God created." (1). Dr. Scott was trying to relay the message that religion and science don’t have to be opposites. Like the idea that God created evolution (1). The Students at Clemson received the message well. Despite the fact that Clemson sits in the middle of a geographic area nicknamed "The Bible Belt" known for its strong religious beliefs. In the Pop music industry, which is popular with young adults, religious groups are beginning to gain popularity. Greg Graffin, the co-founder of one of punk-rock’s most venerable bands, believes " when you’re 18, some kids want more then just bland pop culture , they want something with a little more substance." (3) And that substance can be pop music with religion tied into it. Violence among young adults is also becoming a greater problem.