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3Common Practices in Religion

Common Practices in ReligionREL 13311/04/14

Common Practices in ReligionOne thing humans around the world have in common is a belief in something. While they may not know exactly what that something is or if its existence will ever be proven they still believe. Religion has existed as long as man has existed, even though many had no idea what it meant. Throughout the years people have been asking questions like, what does religion mean, are there different types of religion in other places, and are there any issues that may arise if we study religion in our schools? There are thousands of other questions regarding religion, some with easy answers, and some that are very difficult to answer.What is religion?There are many different definitions of religion. Dictionary.com defines it as: A set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs, while Merriam-Webster.com defines it as: The belief in a god or in a group of gods, an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used to worship a god or a group of gods, an interest, a belief or activity that is very important to a person or a group of people. All of these definitions may apply to some religions but not others, meaning there is no one definition that would fit all religions, but there are eight elements that are found in what are accepted as religions. Belief system, Community, Central myths, Ritual beliefs, Ethics, Characteristic emotional experiences, Material expression, and Sacredness, are found in all religions but are also different in all religions. A common theme that is found in every religion is belief, or a desire to believe. As with anything in life, if members of a group, or team do not have the same beliefs and desires, conflicts can occur resulting in a fracture within the group. Common Practices and ExperiencesAs complex and diverse that religious practices can be, there are patterns of similarity that can be found among them. While the patterns may be similar, the way they are viewed and defined can be vastly different. The first pattern, Views of the World and Life includes, the human attitude towards nature. There are some forms of Christianity, Jainism, and Hinduism that believe in dualism, and see nature as gross and contaminating, existing in opposition the nonmaterial world of the spirit, while other religions believe the opposite to be true. Believers in Daoism and Shinto hold nature to be sacred and in need of no changes at all. The second pattern, Focus of Beliefs and Practices, concentrates on the Sacramental, Prophetic, and Mystical orientations of the religions. Rituals and Ceremonies are a part of most religions, Catholic, Orthodox Christianity, and Japanese Shingon Buddhism use ceremonies to help induce mystical experience, while indigenous religions of western Africa and the Native American religions utilize coming of age rituals which may include, instructions on adult responsibilities, tribal history, and sexual instructions. Young men and women of these religions must complete the appropriate rituals in order to advance into man or woman hood. The third and final pattern, Views of Male and Female, details the roles men and women have in their religions. A majority of the full time religious specialists in many of todays most influential religions are male and the sacred is considered male. The female also has many, roles as seen in Korea and Japan where the Shamans are usually females. Most religions are in a constant state of change, adapting to different cultures, shifting values, and governmental influence, and by studying the changes in religions, researchers gain valuable knowledge that can be used to help other religions and cultures navigate their way through any problems that may arise.Critical issues to the academic study of religionWhen researchers ask questions about the religious practices of a West African tribe, how are they to know if they are being told the truth? There are many indigenous religions that do not have written records and rely solely on spoken word, so there is no way the researcher can verify what they are being told. There can also be times when tribal representatives deliberately give false answers to questions they do not like. The question of the researchers morality can also be an issue, is the purpose of the research to gain information about the religion for academic purposes, or is it being used as a way to dominate the culture? By studying the vast and varying religions of the world, researchers can gain valuable insight into the wide range of peoples that populate the planet, as well as discover any parallels that may exist in religious practices. Researchers must use care, and ensure that the research and observation they are conducting does not contaminate the cultures they are trying to learn about.Conclusion The complex nature of religion makes it a challenge for those who choose to study what it is and how it works. The definition alone has plagued scholars for centuries, religion is not something that can be defined accurately, or comprehensively enough to explain its true nature. Characteristics that are shared by most religions can do a better job a describing religion then any definition. By researching and studying the different religions around the world, we can develop a tolerance and appreciation of the differences in people and cultures, but we must take care not to contaminate the cultures and religions we set out to study. No matter how difficult, time consuming, or complex the study of religion may be, the knowledge gained can be a life altering and wonderful journey.

ReferencesMolloy, M. (2013). The Worlds religions: Traditions, challenge, and change (6th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.