Read these two post and reply each of them by one paragraph . Each reply must be one substancial paragraph with citation
Post number one for respond number one
Religion is but is not limited to the lifestyle and belief of one or many gods. As per the Latin root word Religare which means “to tie or bind”, the textbook definition of religion is “the sense of being tied or bound by sacred obligations to powers believed to govern our destiny (Pg. 9).” Being religious, no matter the denomination provides answers to the wonders and forces of nature, and our inevitable death, and shows us certain behaviors that are acceptable throughout life. Religion is not only related to matters of the sacred and the spiritual but also rather serves as a technique for social control. The morals of what is right and wrong, that ultimately connect to a country’s political, and educational organizations. Religion, combined with globalization and our modern technology has made certain communities disperse, leaving one to live in an extremely diverse society. To fully comprehend our own beliefs we must be willing to have the knowledge of others. Religion is not merely one thing or the other, it is rather a blueprint of a person’s life, shaping them into what they believe is a correct manner of expressing themself to society and their God or Gods.
One can fall into numerous categories of religion, that being polytheistic, monotheistic, a fundamentalist, modernist, or postmodernist, and can further be categorized into a specific label for your beliefs. Some religions have scriptures whereas others as we see in today’s society, are based on one’s personal feelings or belief in energies and manifesting. If you are an atheist or practicing a religion, we all believe in something, whether that be you are merely flesh and bone, or you possess a nonmaterial soul. This corresponds to morality, whether it is objective or a matter of one’s personal opinions. Religion also correlates with culture, and what we view to be most sacred and/or valuable. Over generations of time, there have been methods of how to express one’s beliefs ranging from what you wear, what you eat, partaking in rituals or holidays, whether you pray in public or private, bowing your head or your knees, appropriate language, to moments of silence or singing and dancing. All of these ways integrate into our everyday lives and at length, our culture. Religion also has positive aspects concerning human health consisting of improving self-worth, self-control, learning, empathy, and economic well-being. Some people may find that religion is trying to shove them into a mold that their identity does not fit in, but another perspective is that the religion’s teachings can be molded into how you perceive yourself and what you then do with the message of that teacher. This comes into play when you think of a preacher’s sermon, a myth that teaches a life lesson, or even a tradition passed down in your family. An understanding of religion or the perks, if you will, is a certain balanced, and structured lifestyle, incorporating individual and group routines and consistent personal effort, most are combined with a group organization but it is not required to be a part of a physical, larger group. With the constant changing in our society, religion offers stability that the world will never be able to satisfy. Religion serves a purpose regarding answers to life’s speculations, social control, and personal value and/or quality of life. Therefore, making death more comprehensible and life more purposeful.
Post number 2 for respond number 2
What is religion? Over the years many have come up with definitions and ideas on what religion is. Anthropologist Clifford Geetz defines it in his work ‘Religion as a Cultural System’ as this – “(1) a system of symbols which acts to (2) establish powerful, pervasive, and long-lasting moods and motivations in men by (3) formulating conceptions of a general order of existence and (4) clothing these conceptions with such an aura of factuality that (5) the moods and motivations seem uniquely reality”. Religion primarily consists of a Divine, scriptures or texts, and a system of beliefs shared by a community. Thomas F. O’Dea in ‘The Sociology of Religion’ defines religion by saying “Religion, like culture, is a symbolic transformation of experience.” These communities are often tied by a shared spiritual experience that strengthens their beliefs. It is something that they feel cannot be explained by their preconceived ideas on how the world functions. In ‘The Elementary Forms of Religious Life’ French sociologist Emile Durkheim writes that religion is built off of human activity and not divine intervention. Whether it be divine intervention or not, it is all based on what someone perceives to be real.
Religion is integral to how a society functions. People are guided on morality and ethics by the texts and words of the leaders from their religion. To many it gives them a sense of purpose and understanding of the world. Reasoning, why things happen in life, whether it be good or bad. It can give them a community, somewhere they feel they belong. Again in ‘The Elementary Forms of Religious Life’ Durkheim says “ A day will come when our societies will know again those hours of creative effervescence, in the course of which new ideas arise and new formulæ are found which serve for a while as a guide to humanity;” He goes on to explore the concept that even if religion fails and ceases to exist man will continue to create new ideals to guide them in life. He believed that religions were innately flawed and that those who adhere to them would eventually see those flaws. But to many in these religions, when they see these flaws, they explain them by interpreting their sacred texts or items. They believe that everything has a divine explanation. It gives purpose and direction to those who either lack or desire it. But even with it giving them direction and guidance often these religions are monotheistic and it can cause tension within a community. A person’s identity is often attached to their religion or belief system. When another set of ideals that vary from their own come into that community, it can sometimes be seen as threatening. It can seem that they do coexist together but often their beliefs contradict that. There are many sides to religion and its purposes. It gives people a role to play in life, reasons for their exisitence. But it also shows that there is a sense of control and unity within their society.