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Opening of the Mind Through Appiah
Kwame Appiah’s essay titled “The Case for Contamination” in The New York Times magazine describes the role of religion through multiple extensive examples and analysis. It is obvious he believes that most of the cultures outside of the western society feel that western cultural influences are equivalent to some sort of toxin that is deadly to spiritual life. Appiah tries to reach out to those who are scared of change and allow them to see that globalization is not necessarily a bad thing (Appiah). I did not realize how close-minded I was until I have read the thoughts and ideas of Appiah multiple times. I am proud to say that there are multiple realizations I have received about religion and culture.
Appiah begins his essay describing
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a festival day in Kumasi, Ghana.
As I read his explanation of this festival I automatically thought of this event being taken place a long time ago. Never would I imagine such events taking place normally in other parts of the world. In today’s Americanized society, I believe I have become so close-minded and unfamiliar with such events taking place among people who still talk about contemporary issues, wear suits and use cell phones just like we do. This addresses the idea that people can take in certain things from one culture without changing their religion or values, in which I completely agree on (Appiah). This was a big realization that came to me after reading this essay.
One of the key ideas that I did not agree fully on is Appiah's outlook on cultural preservation. He is right when he states how everyone has their free will to choose the path they want to walk (Appiah). However, we should want
and encourage children to stay in their belief systems that are true in their culture and religion. In my opinion, young children are going to want to adapt to the culture that has the least amount of rules. People have their rights, but can you imagine a world where everyone had the freedom to adapt to a culture where killing people in the name of God is okay? Even though this example is extreme, we should all realize that a mother watching her child step away from their culture is like watching her child commit spiritual suicide in most cases. I am one who has switched from one belief to another. I do not believe that changing your ideas or beliefs is wrong, but promoting and encouraging children to explore other religions is something that should not be done. Children tend to want to be rebellious. They look at rules as tedious and burdensome. If we inform children of every religion, and that there is nothing wrong with all of them, they are all going to want to believe having sex with multiple people at young age is okay, having kids at a young age is okay, drinking, drugs, exposing one's body on a daily basis, etc. We cannot force children to stay in their belief system, but I do not think we should encourage children to change either. It is confusing when you set guidelines and rules for a child to follow, to then teach the child that those rules, values, and regulations might possibly be wrong or, in some cultures, a way to worship Satan. Even though I do think the preservation of religion is important, I do agree with Appiah in the sense that we do not need to be scared of change. The chances of a homogenous world are very close to none. Tradition is so important that I do not think we will ever lose it, but only see a changed or modified version of that tradition to fit the needs of life in the future (Appiah). Changes in technology are rapidly increasing. For example, there are plenty of religions that see the importance of plants and perform many rituals, practices, and teachings that involve nature. If we reach a point where we have machinery that produces oxygen and vitamins and minerals that our body needs, then would we really need plants? What if this planet turns into a plant-free environment? I don’t believe those religions will go extinct, but will simply alter overtime to the lifestyle of that lifetime which is not a bad thing at all. This is another realization that my mind was closed off from before reading Appiah’s thoughts. From what I understand through this essay, Appiah believes religion is something personal for each individual. If someone wants to turn to another religion, it is because their spiritual needs are not met in the current religion that they take hold of. This freedom should definitely not be taken away from any individual. This freedom is not only good for the individual but also good for the whole world. Learning other cultures and religions allows the entire world to not be at war and understand one another as well as be okay with everyone’s spiritual choice (Appiah). Even though I am a dedicated Christian, Appiah has allowed my mind to open up to the idea that there will never be a homogenous world and other religions are not necessarily wrong, but are just what meets the spiritual needs of those particular individuals.
To help many readers understand that other cultures do not celebrate or recognize the same religious traditions, the Polish, Italian, and Moroccan classmates are thrown into the classroom and add to the plot. Most readers and Sedaris audience may already have a thorough understanding of what Easter is from a religious perspective already and may be surprised that some people don’t know what Easter is. To many, Easter is one of the most important Christian religious celebrations, which is dedicated to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Knowing the important of easter, when the Moroccan student explains that she has never heard of Easter before, the other classmates try to express what it is by using and sharing their own cultural experiences. The Polish students tries to explain the events that took place and the reasoning for the holiday, while others try to express their ideas about who Jesus was. The Italian student then brought up what traditional foods are eaten on the holiday, sparking a debate between the narrator and the class about the Easter bunny and the flying Easter bell from Rome. The story gradually comes to a conclusion, with Sedaris realizing that Christianity itself has quite a few
Displaying a constructed view of predominately historical European culture, the Arizona Renaissance Festival loosely follows the format of nineteenth-century World’s fair’s midways. The festival is a fair that spreads over thirty acres with booths that sell goods, food and hold games of skill. The festival has eight stages which are the central focus for entertainment. The Arizona Renaissance Festival’s re-production of Europe’s culture and society of the past imparts nominal educational benefits. The festival’s central goal is entertainment and revenue. The participant is removed from the everyday and is placed in an alternate culture where knights, pirates, fairies and belly dancers exist together, generating a fantasy world. The Arizona Renaissance Festival does not have a specific area dedicated to Middle Eastern culture. The entire festival is a journe...
Religion is considered as a pervasive force in this world. It shapes people as to how they behave and interact with almost everything present in the society. Influencing behavior, character formations, ideals, policies, standards are just among the dimensions and societal perspectives affected and impacted by religion. Because of these applications and implications in human lives and existence, religion should be understood deeply, particularly, on how it affects the world. Looking at the American perspective of the term "religion," it could be simply
Enforcing universal truths has never worked in the past. The imposition of a new belief system is often met with much backlash. The Thirty Years War, French Wars of Religion, and the English Civil war are examples of much bloodshed due to religious conflict. It is with this knowledge that Appiah argues that we must let each other make personal decisions that directly correlate with how much one is affected by the impact of globalization. Thus the suggestion of ideas and the choice of whether or not to adopt them is much stronger and much more effective than forcing an idea upon
Tomoko Masuzawa’s literary work, The Invention of World Religions, provides a meticulous analysis of how the term “world religions” is categorized and used in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Masuzawa addresses how the categorization of world religions has changed throughout history and how different elements of each religion, such as texts, origin, and ability to expand have shaped the classification of that religion by scholars. By using the works of well-established scholars, she is able to provide an accurate account of how the perception and analysis of these religious occurred in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Institutions within the public domain, such as universities and hospitals, can then shape interaction with their specific audiences to abide by the practices of these world (universal) religions in order to interface with the public in a culturally competent manner.
Think of the term ‘globalization’. Your first thought may be of people from all corners of the Earth exchanging ideas, views, products, and so much more. Appiah introduces his article by describing a scene of a traditional Wednesday festival in the town of Kumasi. He allows the reader to visualize the traditions held by those in attendance, but begins his case by providing details of men on their cellphones and holding conversations on contemporary topics such as H.I.V/AIDS. When Appiah speaks of “contamination,” he highlights the way one culture is influenced by another accepting an exchange of ideas. In his article he asks, “why do people in these places sometimes feel that their identities are threatened?” (Appiah). This question raises a topic that is central to the unification of peoples’ ideals and cultures...
Molloy, Michael. Experiencing the World's Religions. 5th Edition. New York, NY: McGraw Hill, 2010. 320-322. Print.
In conclusion, this book gave me a whole new view on life and how we can interact better with different people. The book emphasized that culture is key to understanding people. Sometimes it is hard to connect with others because they are indicated as different but in due time we can adjust. Every culture has their own traditions when it comes to what they eat, what to wear, dating, various ceremonies, holidays and more. Reading this book helped me become more accepting of who I am and where I come from.
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.
―"Religion in “Brave New World“." Religion in Brave New World. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 May 2014.
Religion, “part of the human experience that has to do with a god or gods, a higher power, or the ultimate values of life” (Cason & Tillman 6-7), is one of the most controversial and interesting subjects for humanity. It has been around for as long as anyone can recall and they have difference and similarities in their founders, beliefs, and history. Religion has served to give some sort of a meaning to life and everything around it. In modern society, some religions have grown and expanded significantly. These larger religions have been classified as world religions. In addition, these world religions have been split into two categories known as Eastern and Western religion.
Christian Science is an idealistic and most radical form of transcendental religiosity. The study of Christian Science teaches a feeling of understanding of God's goodness and the differences between good and evil, life and death. The purpose of this paper is to address how the study of Christian Science helps us better understand the impact of globalization in America, as well as the impact of American on globalization. This paper is important because globalization features a dominant worldview. All throughout the world people believe, study and teach different types of religious movements that impact others. People need to better understand how certain religions modify, conflict with, and impact the world. First, it will discuss the life and work of the founder, Mary Baker Eddy. Secondly, it will examine the primary rituals and religious services of the Christian Science movement. Then, it will outline the precursors and history of the religion. In the conclusion, a response will be offered to the question of how Christian Science helps us better understand the impact of globalization on America and of America on globalization.
That day has thoroughly changed my opinion about culture and preserving it. My mother’s answer kept striking hard. I thought being born in a time when the youth would follow any culture, when the dumb was the one who followed his ancestor’s tradition, when “punk” was the next fashion hair cut just because a foreign soccer player had it, affected me. Though I thought mine was relevant. My curiosity did not stop by questioning injera. I carried on to other cultures like the ceremony for weddings, funerals and
Molloy, Michael. Experiencing the World's Religions: Tradition, Challenge, and Change. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. Print
What is the modern religious world? As we examine the religious elements of religions in the various areas, we must ask about their importance of religion today. Can religion exist as it had in the ancient world? How do religions such as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam survive in the modern world? And how does Eastern thought challenge and/or add to the future of religious thought?