Religious Systems Of Their Culture: A Summary

It is known to all that organized religion has noticeably shaped every aspect of human identity for numerous years. In fact in today’s society, freedom of religion is declared as a fundamental right which allows individuals to practice without interference. However, despite its growing popularity, many scholars believe that the line between healthy and unhealthy religion has increasingly blurred. For instance, James W. Jones in his text, Terror and Transformation: The Ambiguity of Religion in Psychoanalytic Perspective” describes healthy religion as one that allows the individual to grow and mature (Jones 2002). On the other hand, Jones explains unhealthy religion as one that allows the devotee to be in a state of submission. This debate is especially relevant for the film “Jesus Camp”, where unhealthy religion can be easily observed. With that in mind, this paper aims examine the film Jesus Camp using Jones’s ideas on religious idealization. First, following an overview of Jones’s ideas from his text, the film Jesus Camp will be used as an illustration of an unhealthy religion. Ultimately after analyzing the film, it will be argued that the religious idealization depicted in this movie as unhealthy rather than mature.

Searching back to its beginnings, religion has a profound impact on cultural identity through the presence of deep and ancient roots that connect a people to their glorious, memorable and often idealized histories. By equating a given religion with the success of a society often times national pride and religious pride become intertwined. Though this manifests itself differently in each country, throughout all four surveyed this attribute seemed to be present.

In the study of religion, one can quickly discern that there are two major differentiations between the anthropological definition of religion, and that of religion in the context of belief systems. Religion, in the context of anthropology, can often be related to social institutions. On the other hand, religion in the context of belief systems indicate faith in something or someone...such as oneself, a god, or object. As identified by scholar Clifford Geertz, the anthropological definition of religion is “a system of symbols which acts to (1) establish powerful, pervasive, and long-lasting moods and motivations in men by (2) formulating conceptions of a general order of existence and (3) clothing these conceptions with such an aura of factuality

The eastern religions that we have discussed in class are Hinduism, Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. The western religions that we have discussed in class are Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. The Eastern Religions have originated in countries such as China, India, and Japan. The western religions originated in Europe and the Americas. There are few similarities between eastern religions and western religions, but many differences. The biggest difference between the two religions is that eastern religions believe in more than one god, whereas western religions believe in one God.

From the ancient Mesopotamian civilizations to the Muslim world, antiquity has always been filled with religions of all sorts. These religions helped guide how ancient peoples lived life and came about doing even the most common tasks that people like us do today. Religion impacted the civilizations of the ancient world by greatly influencing how peoples of ancient civilizations acted, how they thought about the world around them, how civilizations were organized and maintained, and how they interacted with civilizations of another religion.

The meaning of religion is something that scholars, along with society at large, have attempted to define for centuries. Although the term cannot truly have one solid meaning, it is clear that religion is much more than a set of beliefs and practices. In Religion: The Basics, author Mallory Nye discusses his approach to studying religion. In arguing that culture and religion strongly influence each other, he explains that those studying religion must make people and culture their focus, as variations even within the same religions exist and must be considered. Moreover, Nye explains how religion is, essentially, a universal concept, as it takes form in an array of shapes across the globe. With Nye’s argument, I have developed new insights

“Religion is a ritualized system of beliefs and practices related to things defined as sacred by an organized community of believers.” (Basirico et.al. 379). Religion is an important element in the society because it influences the way individuals act and think. It has shaped the relationship and bonding among families as well as influenced the decision made in economics and politics. Religion in general has contributed to shape a society and a government structure which will influence the way the individuals under certain governmental structure behave. Sociologists are interested in religion mainly because religious belief is heavily rooted in individuals’ lives and it helps sociologists to interpret human’s actions, expression, and

Religion is a fundamental element of human society. It is what binds a country, society or group of individuals together. However, in some instances it destroys unity amoungst these. Religion is a belief in a superhuman entity(s) which control(s) the universe. Every religion has its differences but most strive for a just life and the right morals. The three major groups are the primal regions which consist of African, Aboriginal and Native American religions, Asian which consist of South Eastern Asian religions and Abrahamic religions which consist of Middle Eastern religions. The foci of this essay are the differences between the Abrahamic religion, Christianity, and the Asian region Buddhism as well as making reference to the Islamic

Smart proposes that religion should be looked at as a worldview because of how the practices and beliefs of any group create the notion of “our” and “we” (52, 2). It creates a collective view that is embedded in everyday practices that are expressed in action, laws, symbols, and organizations (52, 3). Smart’s overarching claim is that when studying religion, it should be looked at on a cross-cultural basis that allows people to experience empathy for one another so that as human race we are able to understand other’s cultural attitudes. Smart has identified

Explain how religious traditions describe and encourage the following relationships: o Relationship with the divine

The following study contributes to the educational area within the field of psychology of religion.

The statement purposely outline different perspective, to provide meanings and guidance in the lives of religious believers. The characteristics of religion is able to help the society understand the message that is appoint. The understanding based on humanity and goodwill with a disguised message, is comprehensible to adherents. Although they understand the message, they do not realise that it is also a guidance in the way of living. These guidance is presented through the religious beliefs of Christianity and Buddhism.

Throughout eastern civilization, there exist four central religious traditions that dominate. These persist to be the teachings of Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. All four of these religions have merits that indemnify each of them as their own respected religion, on the other hand, they all how the ability to commingle. This is one of the conditions that I find fascinating about the eastern culture, one can devote themselves to multiple religious practices without conflict, this is something that absolutely would not occur in western culture. That is the beauty of Eastern culture that there is no one right way to live. It is for this reason that i believe Asia is one of the eminently widely diverse cultures in terms of ethnicity,

An individual’s culture and religion often influences the way he or she thinks, feels, and behaves. A number

Religion, whenever looked upon as a treatise within the periphery of being the society-approved construction of the mankind, compels the process of acquisition of cognizance about the popular religio-rituals of which the signifier is the religio-cultural ceremonies that can be construed as the mean of giving birth to the idea of the temporal prosperity of the state and that too definitely at the cost of obedience to the universal divine law. Creating illusory fantasies, religion is revered for presenting the opportunity to one to be facilitated with the ability to avail solace and is a priori & posteriori at the same time where the priori is the notion of inherited nature of the mankind to submit to the unseen almighty and the posteriori is exhibition of syreligio-rituals like namaskar, domestic worship et. Al. The symbolic cultural system of religion with the prime focus on the culturally postulated superhuman agents and agencies tends to be offered in packages meaning that the first step of mode of address is executed in a bid to reinstate the transaction of sacred things i.e. emotionally driven beliefs and practices which are simply collective ideals that tend to weaken in strength unless reinforced for the sake of the socio-structural unity. In this process of reinforcement, the religious practice of religion acts as a source of identification for the individuals as well as organic solidarity to certain extent. Besides catering to the need of social control and cohesion,