What is Religion Essay - 1321 Words

World Religion What is Religion? nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;According to the American College Dictionary, religion is a noun defined as the quest for the values of the ideal life. This definition is vast and general, allowing for a variety of interpretations by people from all cultures. There is no single path to follow in order to lead an ideal life, only personal beliefs and experiences. Religion is non-finite so there is no way of determining a boundary (Smart, 5). In my quest for a true understanding of what religion is I explored my own traditions and religious beliefs as well as life experiences. Slowly, with the added insight from the text and videos, my own definition of religion has begun to take shape.†¦show more content†¦Every religion holds truth to the believers, and gives them a sense of identity. There is no right or wrong answer to the question of which religion to follow, only interpretations and behaviors according to what makes sense to the individual. People will behave as they believe (B eliefs and Believers, Class 1). nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Another equally important remark I came across in my studies was one by the Methodist pastor Rev. Cecil Williams. Williams main topic of discussion was that of toxic religion and inspiring social action. Williams begin the interview by saying, quot;Be careful of religion because religion is toxicquot; (Williams Interview, Class 2). He means that believers are not focusing on the actions, but the outcomes instead. You cannot genuinely identify with a religion or call yourself a religious person unless you relate to other human beings or form relationships that work to ease human suffering (Simmons Study Guide, 15). Again, I was reminded of my own beliefs and the history of my religion when I explored the meaning of this statement. Contrary to popular belief, this nation was not founded on the basis of religion. America was founded by men in search of power and money who used their religious beliefs, predominantly Protestant Christian, as an excuse for their br utality. Not all believers act on their beliefs, creating a fine line between which are factious and which are not. The first attempts atShow MoreRelatedReligion : What Is Religion?2567 Words   |  11 PagesWhat is religion? Remember to advance a claim, make an argument, and support that argument with evidence from our readings. A Way of progress/life goal Primal Religions= Confucianism= To become a Chun Tzu Taoism= To follow the Way and attain or maintain te. ‘‘two great sanctions: the moral requirements visible in nature and the inner conviction of what is right and wrong The eastern religions of Taoism and Confucianism, as well as, the primal religions discussed by Smith are far differentRead MoreReligion : What Is It?902 Words   |  4 PagesReligion: What is it? There are many different religions that people believe in today. When I think of religion I think of a group of people who believe in a god or gods that created the world and determine your faith. There are different forms of theist religions, some of these religions believe in many gods and some only believe in one. That to me was the main part about being religious, is that you had to believe in a god. I never believed or knew that religions could be non-theistic, so I alwaysRead MoreWhat is Religion?1045 Words   |  5 PagesWhat is Religion? Religion has many meanings; a way of life, belief, and practices. In America people have different views on religion; it was indicated in the constitution. What is the constitution? The constitution is set of laws approved by the state. Religion and constitution are separate. 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There are the fire worship ping Hindus, the Kitabia Muslims and Christians, the minorityRead MoreWhat Is a Religion?585 Words   |  2 Pages A religion is a system of beliefs, collective ideas, traditions, and rituals that serve the purpose of gathering, unifying, educating, and enlightening a group of people by influencing and guiding their insights, thoughts, and ways of life. Religion has been highly influential through the course of human history as a source of influence. A large proportion of people in the world today believe in a religion. Religion is most like a system, or collective structure designed to encourage beliefsRead MoreCulture And Religion : What Is Religion?1758 Words   |  8 PagesCulture and Religion What is Culture? What is Religion? Which predates the other? Are they different from another? Is one a byproduct of another? Or are they one in the same? These fundamental questions will dictate whether people and their beliefs make up the interpretation of their environment or have definitive proof beyond that of a theory, substantiating Religion not just as a social construct of culture, but an absolute for acknowledgement and submission of an individual and more importantlyRead MoreWhat Is Religion? Essay1614 Words   |  7 PagesWhat is religion? Each person’s definition of religion is different. Each person’s faith is different. This is a question that has been asked for centuries, and regardless of the answer given there is no right or wrong answer. Religion can be defined as a group of people who have shared beliefs who feel their life has purpose or meaning. This feeling or belief that their life has meaning can come from outside of themselves, as well as within. Taking this one step further, these shared beliefsRead MoreWhat Makes A Religion?946 Words   |  4 Pagesare the same. What makes us so similar? Is it that rhythm in our chest? Is it out compassion and love for one another? Is it the desire to create art and feel inspiration? I believe religion is the key to all of these. Even if one don’t follow a religion, they can still admit that there is something spiritual about the likeness of each living, individual soul. Like humans, religions are also vastly similar at their core. Yes, they have many many different qualities and beliefs, but what you look at