Common Practices in Religion Essay - 919 Words

Common Practices in Religion REL 133 Calvin Habig Keinesha Predium April 20, 2015 What is Religion? The term religion comes from the Latin word ‘religare’ which means to bind. In the world today, there are different forms of religious groups and followings that have unique beliefs and practices depending on their history. It is estimated that there are thousands of religions in the world, including the mainstream religious groups and others that are not known. One of the common characteristics of religious groups is that they all believe in the existence of a supreme being. However, there are those who don’t believe in religion. For such people, religion only assumes the existence of a supreme being while there is no†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"Most of the common definition of religion excludes some fundamental facts about religion and offering an adequate explanation of what religion is† (Hood et al., 2009). From a general perspective, religion is commonly defined as the belief in God. This belief, however, is considered as vague as it excludes s ome of the ideas that characterize some religious followings such as atheism. If religion was to be solely defined as the belief in God, what would the other religious groups that either believe in a different supreme being and those of atheism be referred to as? This tendency of generalization is what often causes some misconception that is associated with how religion is defined. Then what is the worldview of religion and how is it defined in different places around the world? There are arguments that religion is not hard to define, but rather it is the people themselves who often create the confusion regarding its definition. According to Heelas (2005), one of the greatest challenges is how to define religion without excluding any religious beliefs or followings in the word today. However, there is a conventional way of defining religion which incorporates the primary fundamentals of religion. The following are the fundamentals of religion; The belief in a supernatural being. A clear distinction of what is regarded as the moral way of doing things in accordance with the different religious beliefs and practices. Various rituals thatShow MoreRelatedREL 113 Common Practices in Religion859 Words   |  4 Pagesï » ¿ Common Practices in Religion Calvin Young REL 133 March 31, 2015 Mr. William Sunday Common Practices in Religion Although religions today take on many shapes and forms, and may seem so dramatically different from each other, in order to study and understand these religions, their similarities must be identified. This paper will first present a definition of religion that will connect to all religions at the simplest base. Then this paper will examine the common practices and experiences thatRead MoreReligious Beliefs And Practices Common Among Indigenous Religions964 Words   |  4 Pagesbeliefs and practices common among indigenous religions relate to definitions of religion as being that which binds back or re-connects people to an underlying and greater sacred reality? Although western religions have some parallels, indigenous religions are much more interconnected with each other and their sacred reality. After reading this chapter, it is apparent that studies have found there is a greater connection between the people and the earth. While Westerners practice is more spiritualRead MoreREL 133 week 1 Common Practices in Religion Essay794 Words   |  4 Pagesï » ¿ Common Practices in Religion Carrie Shellie Cobbs University of Phoenix World Religious Traditions I REL 133 Robert Mossman June 29, 2014 Common Practices in Religion Religious belief and practices are deeply rooted in traditions and teachings from sacred scriptures and texts. Indigenous religions are specific to a tribe, region, and cultures that have had various influences in their core religion. Religion is a very personal issue for most people and therefore closely guarded. StudyingRead MoreUnderstanding Religion: Reflection Essay916 Words   |  4 PagesUnderstanding Religion: Reflection Essay People need something to believe in. Even if an individual says that they are an atheist and that there is no God or a controlling presence of any kind, they have a religion. Of course then the religion is not believing in anything, supposedly. The fact that religions are formed by societies, and individuals, using basically the same rules is a context that has persisted over the years, and bears some investigation. This paper examines two religions, ChristianityRead MoreThe Invention Of World Religions853 Words   |  4 PagesTomoko Masuzawa’s literary work, The Invention of World Religions, provides a meticulous analysis of how the term â€Å"world religions† is categorized and used in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Masuzawa addresses how the categorization of world religions has changed throughout history and how different elements of each religion, such as texts, origin, and ability to expand have shaped the classification of that religion by scholars. By using the works of well-established scholars, she is ableRead MoreIslam s Views On Islam Essay1144 Words   |  5 Pages Islam is one of the largest religions in the world, with over 1 billion followers. It is a faith based on revelations received by the Prophet Muhammad in Saudi-Arabia 17th century. The Arabic word Islam which means â€Å"submission,† reflecting the faith s central tenet of submitting to the will of God (Islam). Muslims are the followers of Islam. Christianity’s is one of the most influential religions in history. It’s based on the teachings of Jesus Christ 2,000 years ago. Based on the life andRead MoreReligions of the World Essay1063 Words   |  5 PagesReligions of the World Religions of the world must be studied subjectively, or with the attitude of pluralism, the view that they are all equal. A number of methods are used to study religions. The most common is the historical comparative method in which a certain faiths history and traditions are deliberated. This method focuses on orthodoxy, meaning correct thought. Another method is the phenomenological method. This method, unlike the historical comparative method, is centered onRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book Wicc A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner By Scott Cunningham899 Words   |  4 PagesI decided on this book because I felt I knew the least about pagan religions. Wicca in particular, seemed as though it would be an interesting choice to study. The book covers nearly every aspect of the Wiccan religion. I learned a bit of their history, and a great deal of their common beliefs and practices. Pagan religions by design are often centered around nature, and Wicca is no exception. However, un like many other religions it neglects to seek out new members and is at risk of becoming nothingRead MoreThe Origins Of Christianity And Hinduism1737 Words   |  7 PagesFor the majority of the time that the largest religions in the world have existed, it has been in the pre modern era. As people developed and new ways of thought emerged, the scientific revolution sparked the modern era. 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