Religion and Identity Essay Example for Free

devotion and Identity EssayThe straits often arrived what is faith? in that location be more than one answer to this dep closedowning on ones culture, identity, ethics and beliefs. Religion fundament be found in antithetical cultures and throughout the whole full stop of human history. There is evidence that shows signs of religion such as animal spirits in device and human burials that suggest the belief in life afterwards death. There have been many contrastive answers and definition to what religion is ( wagon train Voorst, 2013). harmonise to Robert E. Van Voorst (2013), religion is Pattern of beliefs and practices that expresses and enacts what a community regards as sanctified and/or ultimate almost life (pg.5).In addition to that, there is the separation of church service and state. In America, the right to freedom of religion is very central to the Ameri rear end democracy that it was preserved in the starting signal Amendment to the Constitution along w ith other rights such as freedom of speech and freedom of press. The countrys founders restrict the separation of church and state. This is due to the prohibition against government regulation or endorsement of religion. According to Ameri whoremaster Civil Liberties total of Florida (2012), the standard of separation has been reparationly tested. In early America, even after church establishment ended, some state legislators sought to revive the compulsory taxation of citizens to support ghostly institutions. In this century, public schools were once required to teach the biblical version of the earths and humanitys creation, while the scientific surmisal of evolution was prohibited.Throughout our history, sectarian advocates have tried to inject spectral exercises, such as cursory prayer, into the public schools. At times, religious minorities, including members of cults, have been discriminated against be fountain of their beliefs. And today, many citizens in many communiti es disagree about whether a model of the infant deliveryman in the manger, which officially promotes certain religious beliefs over others, should be displayed on the steps of City Hall. The courts must frequently consider where to draw the line that separates church and state (5). Religion is one of our most critical tradition and constitutional rights and must stand against anything that would challenge the standard of separation, which protects that freedom.Reid synagogue African Methodist Episcopal Church was the group that I visited. Though it is non my own religious practice, it qualifies as a religion. Driving up to the church there is a sign that has the name of the church boldly written in LED lights. The welcome message display in red crossways the board says All Are Welcome. Inside of Reid Temple church they have a drag as their symbol posted high where all can see. The service was nice with the choir relation praises to God and special prayer request were incorpor aten. After the service, I spoke with the Senior Pastor about his church and what exactly do they believe in. I was informed that their slogan is Aiming to Please through the 5 Es. This came from II Corinthians 59 which states So whether at home or away, we make our forecast to please Him. (RSV).The 5 Es were described to me as Evangelism which is sowing the seed of Gods book of account in the hearts of all people. Empowerment which is bestowing love and guidance on believers to disciple them in fulfilling their purpose. learning which is knowing the will of God through study and obedience of His Word. Economics which is flowing in financial prosperity according to Gods wealth principles and Expansion which is growing in all ministry areas to make believe the growing harvest of souls ( Washington, L. Personal interview January 13, 2013). The cross is a reminder of their pledge and it also reminds them that Jesus died for their sins and to Him all praise is given.Buddhism also h as a symbol such as the Dharmachakra which is the wheel of the law. The eight spokes on the wheel represents the eightfold path. The wheel is one of the most important Buddhist symbols because it symbolizes the teachings of Buddha. According to Thames Hudson (2004), The wheels motion is a metaphor for the rapid spiritual change engendered by the teachings of the Buddha the Buddhas first discourse at the Deer honey oil in Sarnath is cognise as the first turning of the wheel of dharma. His subsequent discourses at Rajgir and Shravasti are known as the second and third turnings of the wheel of dharma. The eight spokes of the wheel symbolize the Noble octuple line set out by the Buddha in his teachings. The wheel also represents the endless cycle of samsara, or rebirth, which can only be escaped by heart of the Buddhas teachings.And some Buddhists regard the the wheels three basic move as symbols of the three trainings in Buddhist practice The hub symbolizes moral discipline, whic h stabilizes the mind. The spokes (usually there are eight) represent science which is applied to defeat ignorance. The rim represents training in concentration, which holds everything else together ( 2 3). In the early days, the Dharmachakra not only symbolizes the teaching of Buddha but also Buddha himself. Today, it appears in the art of every Buddhist culture (para 5). Practicing religion can shape an individual and group identity. Take Buddhism for example that is followed by many Indians.This religion practices the quaternary Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. The four-spot Noble Truths teaches that 1. All life is suffering- this suggests that all beings experience suffering and that it can be ranged from great physical and rational pain to mild emotional unhappiness. Suffering originates from anger and sorrowfulness but then happiness is also suffering because it comes and goes. 2. The cause of suffering is trust- This suggests that humans want what they do not have and should not have. Humans personal desire for happiness is the cause of the suffering. 3. To end desire is to end suffering -which suggests that putting all craving and personal desires to an end will therefore end the suffering. This breaks the negative karma which leads to the 4th Noble Truth 4. To end desire- one must follow the Noble Eightfold Path.The Eightfold Path is 1. The right to understanding which ends the concept of what one think is frankness and see reality as it is. 2. The right to intention is where people must want to change before they can truly be change. 3. The right to speech which is speaking the truth at all times. 4. The right to conduct which means no killing, stealing, drinking, intoxicants and being sexual. 5. The right to livelihood which is working and living a life that does not cause others harm. 6. The right to effort which is developing a conscious free from craving. 7. The right to mindfulness which is to be certified and mindful and 8. The ri ght to contemplation which is the deepening of mindfulness that leads to concentration and insight may be obtained (Van Voorst,2013). Practicing the Four Noble Truths and The Eightfold Path teaches and shape the followers of Buddhism. It is a way of life for them which teach them to take time to find out who they are and what they are all about. It is a overhaulline to ethical and mental development.Shinto culture is another example of how practicing religion and shape individuals or groups. The people of Japan practices Shinto and is rooted in the people there and their traditions. The Shinto gods that are called kami are sacred spirits. These spirits can take form in things such as wind, rain, mountains, trees, rivers and fertility. Shinto religion believes that when a human dies they require a kami and is given back to their families and ancestral kami. There not a right from wrong in Shinto and their faith is based on being optimistic. The Shinto faith is blended with other be liefs such as that of Buddhism and Daoism. It does not have a founder, written documents, formalized ethics, corpse of beliefs, scripture or an make system of theology but with the blend of Buddhism and Daoism, the Japanese culture now have a system of beliefs, written documents, founder, ethics and all that it was lacked before. It is still a central religion of Japan (Carroll, 2012).Shinto yard are very sacred and behavior must be proper at all times. There are no food or drink allowed and there must be silence or hushed voices. Purity is important in Shinto and there is a certain procedure in washing your hands on mouth. Purity is important in pleasing the kami which brings a happy life. Van Voorst wrote that Cleanliness in particular signifies a good character and freedom from bad external influences. In Hesperian societies one hears the proverb Cleanliness is next to godliness. In traditional Japanese society disinfectlinessof body, mind, and spirit, both ritual and servic eableis godliness. To be in harmony with the kami, one must keep ones person, home, and business clean (pg 198).Religion has always been connected with government and politics. The Western world has a history of influence from universality and Protestant rift. It is very similar to the history of some parts of Southern Asia that have been influenced by Islam. The interconnection of both religion and government is to be expected because both are regulating social behavior. During the bygone century, religion has been less influential. Modern governments have been influenced by Democratic philosophy which put sizeableness of the norm man and a sharing of the worlds resources. These ideas continue to shape modern society in different ways. For example, technology has drastically changed the nature of life and work. Traditional religious systems are gradually graceful less important.The trend towards secularism continues but has not been nearly as pronounced in the United States an d regular church attendance started to decrease in the 1960s and early 1970s. It increased again post arena War II period. There is only a small majority of Americans who thinks religion is of any importance in their lives (Federal Funding of Faith-Based Services, 2011).Many people know what religion is until they are asked to define it. Religion is a worldly thing, across many boundaries in human experience and so that makes it a bit seriously to define. There are a few different definition of religion and many have different religious experience and understanding of Ultimate Reality. At Reid Temple, I asked the lady sitting next to me if she could arrange what Ultimate Reality means. She said to her Ultimate Reality meant a personal relationship with God. In a different culture Ultimate Reality could mean spiritual growth or spiritual path. non everyone is all about religion though. There are some cultures who prefer that their beliefs not to be cogitation as a religion but as a faith or teaching. There are some who argue that they are not religious but they are spiritual.ReferencesAmerican Civil Liberties Union of Florida. (2012). Church and state.Retrieved from http//www.aclufl.org/take_action/download_resources/info_papers/3.cfm Carroll,B.J. (2012). Shinto basics. Retrieved from http//www.world-religions-professor.com/shinto.html Federal Funding of Faith-Based Services. (2011). Religion and public policy. Retrieved from http//www.newsbatch.com/religion.htm Thames Hudson. (2004). Reading Buddhist Art an illustrated guide to Buddhist signs andSymbols. Retrieved from http//www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/symbols/wheel.htm Van Voorst, R.E. (2013). World relg. Student edition. Wadsworth, Cengage Learning. USA Washington, L.P. (2013). Reid Temple Senior Pastor. Personal Interview January 13, 2013.