The question is asked by people all over the country; how did the cultures America in the north and south become so different? To find out, the early history of the country must be considered. The early factors from when America was still under British control played a part in creating the difference that exists today. Although there were many factors, religion was the key factor in why the New England and Chesapeake colonies were so different from each other. Puritanism in New England and Anglicanism in Chesapeake effected the development of the government, the social structure, and the economic opportunities.
However, evidence shows that Sumer, Egypt, and China believed in gods closely related to nature. They looked to them for protection and help. In each religion they had priests that communicated with the gods. Each culture established diverse systems of writing and noticeable architecture. They also made different inventions that are important to the world.
Both empires remained for long periods of time. The use of an organized bureaucracy contributed to this. With this organized system, there was control and order which allowed the civilizations to survive. As in most civilizations, Han China and Imperial Rome had belief systems. Han China used a philosophy known as Confucianism and Imperial Rome had religious tolerance meaning people could follow any religion they would like.
Our diversity of religion results in people of different faiths or no faith living in one country peacefully. This is somewhat unsusual in the world and makes us a stronger country. The rest of the world looks to us with amazement that such diverse faiths can practice their religion in harmony. With this freedom we can have the luxury of great religious leaders inspiring their people and helping our country be stronger. During the American Revolution, our founding fathers were of different religions like Quakers, Methodists, Baptists and other religions.
Religion has always been a major factor in everything involving the world since the beginning of time. Though the similarities are present, no two religions are exactly alike so there are also various differences within the beliefs of the varying religious centers. Religion affects the society, the population, and the civilization of a country in countless ways. Religion is one of the most important factors of any empire, country, or civilization. Religion also provided a strong role in the governments of different societies around the world.
When Islam was introduced, many people converted and it quickly gained many followers. Hinduism is a polytheistic religion in which believers live their life doing good deeds and worshipping many different gods, whereas Islam is monotheistic religion based on salvation, praise, and belief that there is one God. The change of religion brought on a whole new system of values and beliefs in the South Asian culture. By 1750, Hinduism and Islam were blended together to form a mixed culture. This was important because it created religious intolerance that caused conflict between the two.
Functionalism: Two functionalist called Talcott Parsons and George Murdock argued that every single society will have a religion due to religious institutions have certain functions which have a say to the survival of the system as whole just as the organs of the body have functions which are essential for the body’s survival. People are born into civilization and automatically become the product of all the social influences around them as they are socialised by a variety of institutions such as the family, education system, media and religion. Functionalism normally sees civilization as a system; for example a set of interconnected
Karl Marx and Emile Durkheim on Religion Religion plays a very interesting role in the world of Sociology because it is such a deep seeded and integral thread that holds many different parts of society together. 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. However, although virtually no sociologist will deny the importance of religion in different societies, they differ greatly on their views on how it can fit into social and/or economic theory. Emile Durkheim and Karl Marx are two very well known sociologists whose opinions on religion differ a great deal.
Colonists, with strong roots in the past, developed their way of life in North America. There are many factors that helped do this, and they are the key to the development of their way of life. These factors consist of Religion, Interactions with Native Americans, Self-Government, and Slavery. Religion helped develop a way of life for colonists. Religion helped set laws, and basically rules that everyone should follow.
Cultures in Motion Discussion Paper Peter N. Stearns discusses in his book Cultures in Motion about how different cultures and religions have traveled and have created a great impact in all parts of the world. It is very interesting to learn how different cultures have traveled around the world and what are the caused of some of those cultures to decline. The interaction between cultures has caused many different results throughout history. Some cultures have adapted certain components from other cultures but often the interacting cultures have gone to war against each other. I found interesting how he says that Egypt and the Middle East contributed to Greece.