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Importance of studying religion
Role of religion in education development
Influence of education on religion
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When I first read Stephen Prothero’s comments, I was appalled. However, after rereading the line, I sort of agree with him. Most people actually don’t know very much about their religion. Most wouldn’t know how it started, the ideas/philosophies behind it, and what the goals of the religion are. I think that more people need to become “religious literate” and come to learn about their religion more. Although, I do feel like it isn’t fair to call out all Americans. Some actually do know lots about their religion and are informed about other ones.
I found the “Notable Definitions” of religion very interesting. From Thomas Edison’s “All bunk” to Ambrose Bierce’s “The daughter of Hope and Fear, explaining to Ignorance the nature of the unknowable”, each and every quote gave us a different perspective on religion. I think the quote that best explained religion was by Robert Bellah. He said that religion is, “A set of symbolic forms and acts which relate man to the ultimate conditions of his existence.” Some of these quotes were more serious and some (like Mark Twain’s) were more sarcastic. I found reading these was actually entertaining as I found how different people viewed religion. Some take it seriously and some
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I have never thought of religion as a pattern before. However, after reading this section, I think this definition is very well thought out. Religion is a pattern. Different religions answer questions (Like the ones at the top of page 7) differently based on what they practice. Whether they believe in multiple, one, or no God(s); a religion changes the way you practice that religion or the morals/beliefs you share. It also expresses what a community regards as sacred and/or ultimate about life. Christianity (The community) says that Sunday is a holy day. So, many churches hold services on Sunday, and some people that own shops/stores who are very religious even close down on Sunday, like
This essay explains how he feels about any religion, “To choose unbelief is to choose mind over dogma, to trust in our humanity instead of all these dangerous divinities…The ancient wisdoms are modern nonsenses. Live in your own time, use what we know, and as you grow up, perhaps the human race will finally grow up with you, and put aside childish
In Stephen Prothero’s, Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know and Doesn’t (New York: HarperCollins Publishers Inc., 2007), 297 we discover the average American’s lack of religious knowledge. Prothero discusses religious illiteracy in three ways. How it exists, came to be, and just how to possibly solve this problem. Today religious illiteracy is at least as pervasive as cultural illiteracy, and certainly more dangerous. Religious illiteracy is more dangerous because religion is the most volatile constituent of culture, because religion has been, in addition to one of the greatest forces for good in world history, one of the greatest forces for evil. Religion has always been a major factor in US politics and international affairs.
This has caused American society to have a rather unique view on religion. America is ...
on the radical views of the time. After all of his adventures, big and small,
...ery discussion upon established creeds, and upon first principles of religion, that until the system of government should be changed, those subjects could not be brought fairly and openly before the world; but that whenever this should be done, a revolution in the system of religion would follow.” This reason means that he went to all these churches, and they all preached different things about God. That what they preached they would follow it even if not true.
His perception of human nature is that: 1) we are all mortal, in other words, life is formulated with birth and death is eminent for every living being. 2) Humans are rational creatures and retain humanity and therefore should aim to be moral. 2) Reason is a special faculty, unique to only human beings that connects them to some truth about their own nature and essential concepts; these concepts are universal, timeless, and changeless. Also sensation, beauty, relationships, and possession all pass and die, they do not possess permanence. The only thing that remains with you is your reason. A grave philosophical error that is a source for supreme suffering for human beings is forgetting, ignoring, or acknowledging that things die and nothing lasts
Eck, Diana L. A New Religious America: How a "Christian Country" Has Now Become the World's Most Religiously Diverse Nation. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 2001. Print
Now we will look at the religious views of both Franklin and Edwards. Franklin thought spirituality was not a concern. He thought man was the center of life, not God. He thought man was basically good and prudence, hard work, and frugality was what made man good, not God’s gr...
Overall, when looking at the American Revolution and the actors who played a role in its creation, it is plain to see that religion had an impact and influential stance in the founding of the nation. The heart of dissent was entrenched in the colonies before there was a revolution and the practices of religious tolerance, freedom, democracy, and liberty were found in several organizations and churches. It would only be time until the members of the several churches and organizations would bleed over their spiritual justifications into the realm of politics and nation building. The United States owes a lot of praise to the pilgrims and religious founders of this nation, for without their ideals and changes, this country might not be in existence today.
“Religion is an institution established by man for various reasons. Exert control; instill morality, stroke egos, or whatever it does. Organized, structured religions all but remove god from the equation. You confess your sins to a clergy member, go to elaborate churches to worship, and told what to pray and when to pray it. All those factors remove you from god.”
The fact is that no matter where you turn, religion is a major part of culture and influences everyone on some level. While I don’t agree on any particular religion, it is important about learning what types there are in the world.
You can not put a value on a Christian education because it creates a setting of respect for God, His Word and His authority. It gives students a foundation of discipline, morality and a proper work ethic that can also be applied in other areas of life. Christians were actually the first to advocate universal education. The term university confirms this as it breaks down to “uni veritas” which literally means “one truth”. It was Christians in Europe who launched the first universities in France and the United Kingdom. It is ironic that so many scholars today are so hostile towards Christianity. Perhaps they do not know about the Christian roots of universal education for all classes and both genders or about the contribution of Christianity toward worldwide literacy, and higher education.
He talked about how to be a true scholar that has the right dutys that comes with being one. Which must also have great knowledge of nature. He says that books can be very helpful since they are keeping the age old ideas alive, which are the best for studying ideas and accomplishments of past people. I also find it interesting because he does not want scholars to follow the rules but go by their own and be a thinking man. Which is pretty different from what we are told today I think.
Religion can be defined as a system of beliefs and worships which includes a code of ethics and a philosophy of life. Well over 90% of the world 's population adheres to some form of religion. The problem is that there are so many different religions. What is the right religion? What is true religion? The two most common ingredients in religions are rules and rituals. Some religions are essentially nothing more than a list of rules, dos and don 'ts, which a person must observe in order to be considered a faithful adherent of that religion, and thereby, right with the God of that religion. Two examples of rules-based religions are Islam and Judaism. Islam has its five pillars that must be observed.
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.