Religion in Society

Religion in Society University Of Phoenix Nichole Com 220 Religion in Society 2 In its simplest form any religion may be seen as a belief system. This system may affect values, laws, customs, rites and general behavior patterns. Religion may affect the individual, group, community or nation. It may play an unimportant or a vital role within society. Its arrangement may be as complex as any large organizational bureaucracy or as simple as a twoway relationship between a person and object/subject of worship (1999 Study Day Lecture). If religion has receded in some western nations, what is the impact of this unprecedented transformation upon their populations? Theists often assert that popular belief in a creator is instrumental towards providing the moral, ethical and other foundations necessary for a healthy, cohesive society. Why is the government trying to take all forms of religion out of our schools? We are in America, the land of the free. Yet we are not free to bring our beliefs to school, but we can be name a figure of trust on the money every single person in the United States comes in contact with. To trust anyone we must believe in them. What kind of message are they sending to society? Again the government has proven they will control every little detail of any American life. The most important reason people do not take religion seriously now at days is due to the government who uses it in a court room to swear on a bible to God, but has kept it out of schools. As there are countless numbers of religions, there are countless numbers of people practicing them. One of the many facts of what we consider religion is it is structured from small and large groups as well as originations. Religion has affected various rolls in society while it endorses values to deem a person respectable (God and Caesar 2008). Given that not all Religion in Society 3 religions are the same, different field’s equals different approaches to concept. Religion is multidisciplinary as it also provides cultural identity. Seeing the different faiths and theory’s, people should know what is sacred to some is not sacred to all. That is indeed a lot of people’s way of thinking. What about the people who do not see things this way? Everyone has a theory and a way of life regardless of who they are and how they were raised. Though it is necessary to teach children about society and rules of, it may not be necessary to teach them about what cannot be proven till death comes. Can religion be kept secret and show to be taboo inside any government facility? As it is our right to practice any religion it is also our right to keep it from our children and out of official business. American’s have many rights, and sometimes we do not exercise them. As our right to freedom of religion, there are stipulations on it. The invisible print says that is our right as long as we do not practice it where others who may be offended can see. We should not impose our faiths on others, but we should share our rights together. As in the map shown below we are a world of many beliefs. All over the globe people practice in all different religions. Religion in Society 4 Anyone can see people are not ashamed of what faith they have, or who they have faith in. Some countries even require children to practice their beliefs in school, but not ours. It seems we have something to hide in America, we are to suppress or God says our government. From Buddhism to Judaism and even Sikhism are all known moreover world wide or just in a local village. The pie graph below represents the types of religion that are practiced the most in the world. Religion in Society 5 Christianity is the most practiced religion on this graph. Then comes Moslem and in Third is Non religious practices. Hindu is the fifth most practiced in the world. Even though there are many Jewish people through out the world, out of these religions it is the least practiced. As you can see not every one has a religion or even a faith. Considering all the religions shown we must take into consideration the fact government officials cannot accommodate every person’s religion at the same time. It does offend people of different backgrounds, cultures, and religions to walk into a place that they originally think will not be bias and once they look around they may see cross’s, paintings of another persons faith, or documents that portray a certain image of thought. Why should people feel uneasy or out of place when they are simply trying to take care of business or just sight see? Religion in Society 6 Religion is a serious matter to most. In other countries it is used more in politics then in America. For instance Nigeria is using religious marketing strategies to campaign in politics. Christianity and Islam are competing for believers by promising Nigerians prosperity in this world as well as salvation in the next. This is a powerful stance and point to make to a world of people who do not know if they do or do not have real faith. America seems to hide from the truth, especially politicians who just say what people want to hear regardless if it is right or not. When the first Americans arrived they left Europe because they were being told what to do and when to do it. Since the settlers came over and started what is now known as America “the land of the free” it seems with each election and vote that passes we loose more and more of our rights to the government. We as Americans take our rights for granted, as out right to religion. Americans should stand firm in what they believe in, we will go to war for money, but not our faith as do other countries. Missionaries travel all around trying to introduce people to the word of God. They even help them by showing them how to pray and read the bible. These missionaries risk their life by visiting place to teach other religion and a different faith then what is ordered by that government. Right no missionaries in Jordan and being chased by Moroccan authorities. The missionaries subject themselves to sedition, crises even massacres. If the authorities take religion this far, then why can’t we accept it in our schools? Though we need not kill each other for our different cultures, and faiths we should not neglect the fact people need to be educated on the facts like they need to be taught math. Families should decide how they want their children raised, not politicians of who cannot even come up Religion in Society 7 with a state budget. Change will only come through people who stick together and do not let things stop them. The director of the Chinese state Bureau of Religious Affairs says freedom of religion in China will be provided with better protection. He also said the Chinese government is sincere and consistent in respecting freedom of religious belief. The director came to America to observe religion and politics. The Chinese want to develop a more peaceful government by way of freedom of religion as a first step. Some may think that coming to America to observe religion is a waste of time, since we can only praise out Lord in the privacy of our own homes and designated places. Though visits from other countries put emphasis on how serious religion is to the world. We have learn of this on our own since we can be taught everything else in schools, but how the world focuses on religions and the stern rolls it has in peoples lives. There are people young children share classes with that do not join in the festive holiday parties because they are of different religions. Then some kids may sit next to a person who cannot eat that day’s lunch because it is pork. All these reason and more may confuse the small impressionable children. As a teacher their job should be to explain everything, not just what they want. They should describe different religions and let the children feel how they will about them. Parents should not prevent children learning what Religions are out there and what they are about. The parents though should have the right to control what religion they practice till the child is old enough to decide for themselves. If ever the government put restrictions on teachings having the knowledge of religion should never be one of them. Religion in Society 8 If we read any book that has claimed to be facts why wouldn’t we believe the oldest book in the world? When we die and our souls leave our bodies many people wonder where they go. The Bible says saved souls will go to Heaven, and the condemned to Hell. When God comes back on Judgment Day he will take the souls that we offered him before his return. This may not be religion but it is what some religious people feel is true since they have studied the ancient book of testaments and directions. Including world leaders and people we may look up to know what religion is and how it should be received. What will if anything ever be done of this controversial issue? Will anyone take a stand and demand religion to be available to schools that are public? What kind of plan can be worked upon to meet everyone’s needs and beliefs without making the next person mad or left out? The state and national officials work together to come up with ways to keep religions quiet. From my experience keeping information quiet is more difficult then telling everyone. Though religion is not a secret it seems to be kept that way by authorities. As we are to stand united, we think divided as one nation under God. While we are looking out for ourselves we need to take time and thank God that we are able to do so. After that we should turn to our neighbor and thank God we can look out for them. Adults do not have the innocents as children do; consequently the government is trying to take hope away from those who have yet to lose it. If we only have one thing left it should be to build our own opinion, but how can children start to be on familiar terms with God if they cannot give him credit in school. Judge Alfred Goodwin writes “Given the age and impressionability of schoolchildren, particularly within the confined environment of the classroom, the policy is highly likely to convey an impermissible message of endorsement to some and disapproval to Religion in Society 9 others of their beliefs regarding the existence of a monotheistic God.” Sometimes school is the only place we can learn about God, especially if circumstances prevent us from attending any church. Annotated Bibliography Distribution of world religions. (2008) Encyloppedia Britannica. Retrieved January 27, 2008, from Encyloppedia Britannica online: www.search.eb.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com The researched site is well known all over the world and has been around for years. This site provides a detailed map of the worlds religion and where it is practiced. God and Caesar: Selected Essays on Religion, Politics, & Society. (2008). Pittman-Hassett, Shedrick. Retrieved January 1, 2008, from Library Journal: http://web.ebscohost.com This site demonstrates examples of religion and politics. The obtained information is fact based. Religion in Society 10 Pledge of Allegiance. Retrieved January 28, 2008 from Issues & Controversies: www.2facts.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com I found from this site how religion is controversial in our schools, and how they deal with the issues with in the school system. Religion. (2008) International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences. Ed. William A. Darity, Jr.. Vol. 7. 2nd ed. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2008. 159-162. Gale Virtual Reference Library. From the International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences: http://go.galegroup.com I used the site to show how people use religion. This is a trusted encyclopedia site, and is used in online reference libraries. Religion. (2008). In Britannica Book of the Year, 1994. Retrieved January 28, 2008, from Encyclopedia Britannica Online: http://www.search.eb.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/eb/article-9114976 The information from this site shows what religion has to do with violence in the world. This information comes from the trusted book of Britannica.