Discuss how the Characteristics of Religion Interact to Create a Living, Dynamic Religion. The characteristics of religion interact with each other creating a living, dynamic religion. A living, dynamic religion is the ability to change, adapt and modernize a religion whilst keeping the central and core beliefs the same. The characteristics we focus on are the beliefs and believers, the rituals and ceremonies, the sacred texts and writings and the ethics. The belief and believers are what make up any religion.l They are what keep the structure of religion in order to continue its existence.
A religion can be seen as a unified system of beliefs and practices which are relative to sacred things and beliefs (Giddens 1972, p.224). It can shape ones thoughts and feelings and gives people a sense of hope and something to believe in. Sociologist writers such as Karl Marx and Emile Durkheim offer different perspectives on religion and how important it is to society. Some of the theorists chose to have a positive view whilst others argue the unimportance of religion. Emile Durkheim and Karl Marx offer a wide array of thoughts and ideas regarding to religion.
Polygamy within the Christian, Islamic and Mormon beliefs The issue of polygamy has caused great controversy in North American since reports of abuse surfaced from a Fundamentalist Mormon Sect in British Columbia, Canada. Even though the Fundamentalist Mormons have stressed that their practice of Polygamy is strictly religious devotion and their interpretation of God’s words for men to “go forth and multiply”; their practice of polygamy contradicts the established societal laws of North America and as a result, generated much conflict. In fact, the practice of polygamy has caused great disagreement among other religions as well, mainly Christian and Islam faith. Since the issue of polygamy within the three religions seems to be related the groups’ religious beliefs, it is critical to examine the correlation between their beliefs and ways of life. Christianity, Mormonism and Islamic faith all convey different perspectives toward polygamy in terms of their beliefs.
Evidence that criticises the marxist perspective states that there are many instances where religious leaders or movements have challenged the established order and help promote change. The general marxist approach is similar to the functionalist. They both tend to believe that religions have the same interests and ideologies. By being opposites on the political spectrum Marxists and Functionalists both agree that the purpose of religion is to benefit the ruling class. Marx and Durkheim share the assumption that religion was a product of society and that it is a conservative force.
The beliefs of Christianity offer guidance to its adherents on many different ethical issues. An ethical issue is ‘A problem or situation that requires a person or organization to choose between alternatives that must be evaluated as right (ethical) or wrong (unethical).’[1] Abortion is a major ethical issue which Catholicism and The Church of England have both similar and different teachings on. Catholicism also supplies direction to its followers regarding the ethical issue of Homosexuality, along with the Baptist church. Through teachings of the three Christian denominations stated, each Church offers guidance to its adherents. Regarding the issue of abortion, The Roman Catholic Church opposes all forms of abortion procedures whose direct purpose is to destroy a foetus, since it holds that “Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception.
Thus separation of church and state came into play, with hopes of keeping public morality and avoiding corrupting embrace from the government. Throughout the new nation people had started disestablishing their churches that had deprived peoples from public funding and special legal privileges. The revolution enhanced the different types of American Christianity and widely expanded the idea of religious liberty. This gave people of different beliefs a safe and nonjudgmental environment to express their religion but also threatened the rights of those who undermined church
McMinn (2011) suggests that Christian counselors should challenge the majority worldview and reinforce the Christian doctrine. However, the Christian counselor should not be quick to dismiss the secular worldview that stands on the basis of scientific evidence, but find a way to successfully integrate the two. McMinn (2011) indicates that there are also new challenges in defining Christian counseling. Many clients are confused as what Christian counseling really entails (McMinn, 2011). This confusion only further magnified because a majority of religious interventions are not widely accepted by the American Psychological Association due to their lack of scientific foundation (McMinn, 2011).
And solidarity is maintained by the regular ceremonies and rituals provided through religious services, allowing the norms and values to be reaffirmed recurrently which is important when assuring these beliefs aren’t lost or weakened but rather reinforced by through social cohesion provided by religion. However Durkheim also believed religion had the function of providing social control to ensure that the norms and values based around religion were inherited to maintain control within society allowing conformity to exist. Religion would allow for a system which would teach its members how to act in society and live a righteous life, this is done by passing on beliefs and values through teachings of religious text and sharing these beliefs during rituals and communal gatherings. By having all its members believe they should all share the same norms and values it ensures that the views of religion are inherited providing social stability by controlling the views of its members. If society didn’t have a collective consciousness the system would collapse due to anomie which would eventually result in chaos and social breakdown, religion is
Through discussion of similarities and differences between these concepts we will conclude whether secularism and religion are able to coexist, or whether an inability to do so is a result of their opposing assets or rather their similar qualities. We will finish with a focus on the central role of identity in the on-going struggle between sides. Introducing Secularism, Nationalism and Fundamentalism In recent decades, there has been what Juergensmeyer (2008) describes as an upsurge of religious “Global Rebellion”, universally evident from the rise in extremist groups, rebel overthrows and increased religion based violence and conflict. In comparing various religions and demographics one can attain a more profound understanding of why such social upheavals are rising. As an instigating factor behind many violent conflicts, both nationally and transnationally, religion must be considered in order to comprehend more fully the
The first of these dangers is susceptibility of Americans to extreme individualism, and isolation from the community. Secondly Tocqueville fears that American’s would develop an excessive desire for material things. Moreover, he believes democracy would cause American’s to lose the ability to think for themselves and, instead conform to society. Tocqueville’s final concern of Democracy was that an intense aspiration for total equality would in turn create a society who sacrifices many rights. Tocqueville argues that the only thing which will keep Americans away from these dangers, which would undoubtedly lead to despotism is religion as source of moral education.