Europeans did not look at their religion this way. They focused on Christianity and the belief of their one and only God. They did not look upon the Indian spiritual religion as civilized and would convert the Indians to Christianity. The Europeans believed that if they followed Christianity they would go to heaven. The Indians did not have a belief in heaven or hell but the ones who followed Christianity worried whether their souls would only go to heaven where the Europeans were and not to their people.
Buddhism, another belief practiced by the great Asoka Maurya, did not support the caste system and was, just like the Chinese Daoism, a religion of pure salvation which practiced elimination of desire in order to achieve a higher spiritual status or nirvana. Spread by missionaries it was one of the most practiced religions of that time, both in India and China, but it had little political impact due to its nature. Like in China, Indian social and political structure depended on the belief system, but it was not influenced by the dynastic
Native Californians under Spanish Colonial and Mexican rule Native Californians represented the lowest possible class of people in Spanish feudal society. The Spanish attitude toward Native Californians was to see them as human beings living in a harmonious relationship with their environment, rather like animals. Father Luis Jayme thought the indigenous people also viewed themselves as animals. The Spanish viewed them as entirely uncivilized and saw themselves as bringing civilization to these people. They felt the Native Californians were pagans who were desperately in need of conversion to Christianity for the salvation of their souls.
The Amish are a society that is run by there religious convictions. Parts of their religious convictions are to detach themselves from the modern society of America. Since the Amish have limited themselves from the conveniences of the outside world, farming is primarily their number one source of income; hence they are an agriculturalist society. The belief that using technology such as electricity, home appliances, and certain farming equipment is considered “worldly” or superficial and goes against the Amish Christian religion. The Amish beliefs and values center on their religion.
By being a different race, worshipping another religion, or by looking a different way, people are raised to be culturally accepting of others. Being born into a place such as Waknuk, people are raised into believing there is only “one true image” of God. David Strorm lives his life in fear, too worried to tell his religious parents about his telepathic powers. “The ways of the world were very puzzling,” (Wyndham, 14). Many would argue that the people of Waknuk are very judgemental in the way they view others but who are we to criticize when we are no different.
In Christianity people worship God. In the Buddhist religion they do not really have a God that they worship. Some of the Buddhist members worship the Buddha even though that is not what the Buddha wanted them to do. He really wanted them to follow his teachings to reach a life of no suffering. This religion is also different from Christianity because in services there is a minister and deacons that lead the service.
Religious beliefs frequently have the performance of some sort of physical act such as; assembling for worship, consumption of bread and wine, abstaining from certain types foods or behaviors. Peyote is a sacrament in the Native American Church; so members must choose between carrying out the ritual of their religious beliefs and avoid the criminal prosecution. .. Eating peyote is "an act of worship and communion," a "means for communicating with the Great Spirit." But peyote is also a Schedule I drug, meaning Congress has found that it has a high potential for abuse, not currently accepted for medical use, and a lack of safety standards for using the drug under medical supervision.
Art and architecture commonly are used to express the religious beliefs of the culture that a religion is part of. In no two religions is this truer than the Hindu and Buddhist religions. Elements of these religions are seen in temples throughout Asia and each religion has its own unique style. Hinduism According to Mitchell, the Hindu Religion is organized around cults that are specific to the different Gods and Goddesses of the Hindu. Thus one critical aspect of the Hindu temple would be the central shine to the deity worshipped in a given location, or by a given sect of Hindu’.
Indians for example, had rituals they performed to placate the spirits of the animals they had killed. Because Indians did not have a sharp distinction between natural and supernatural, or secular and religious traditions, Europeans believed Indians actually lacked religion or worshipped the devil. For Europeans, religion dictated to them that uniformity was essential to public order. They found freedom through servitude and churches dictated what forms of religious worship and beliefs were acceptable. Europeans were ruled by a king who claimed authority over them via God.
Steinbeck is indirectly saying that structured religion is an important thing, because informalized religion can lead to Pagan beliefs, and many different opinions. When Joseph Wayne says that man's reasons are 'words to clothe a naked thing, and the thing is ridiculous in clothes.' most likely is interpreted as him believing that structured religion is not important. Also with him believing structured religion isn't important, he begins to have his own beliefs, such as how he believes the tree holds his father's spirit, and how he feels about the large rock in the forest. Wayne also puts his son in the crotch of the tree limbs, and he hangs dead animals in the branches, which represent offerings to the tree.