StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Comparing and Contrasting Definitions of Religion - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
Twentieth century German theologian Rudolph Otto defines religion as the outcome of one’s personal experiences of interaction with the holy phenomenon…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER92.3% of users find it useful
Comparing and Contrasting Definitions of Religion
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Comparing and Contrasting Definitions of Religion"

Comparing and Contrasting Definitions of Religion Twentieth century German theologian Rudolph Otto defines religion as the outcome of one’s personal experiences of interaction with the holy phenomenon. In other words, every human is blessed with the presence of the sacred powers in the form of conscience, which urges him perform virtuous deeds and abstain from the profane and desecrated ones. It is the same call that forces human to seek the help of someone Supreme Being at the hour of distress and need.

Since the Supreme Being protects humans from disasters, problems and agony, such spiritual experiences increase the level of faith and endorse the trust of humans in the Holy Being. Similarly, illustrious thinker, philosopher and father of Socialism Karl Marx interprets religion as the call of the suppressed stratum of society against the cruelties, injustices and malpractices being inflicted upon them by the ruthless oppressors. Thus, the poor, helpless and downtrodden individuals have belief in some Powerful Being, Which can hear their call and save them from the utter distress they have been undergoing.

Since Marxist perspective vehemently condemns exploitation of the haves-not at the hands of the haves, it inter-links every religious, political, social, cultural and economic activity as the by-product of conflict between the social classes at large. It is therefore Marx takes religion as the humble call to High Heavens from the mouth of the oppressed against the oppressor. On the other hand, renowned Austrian psychologist Sigmund Freud declares religion mere an emotional disturbance that can be compared to the fears and anxiety man experiences in his childhood.

Being an atheist, Freud seldom believes in spiritualism and religious faith; on the contrary, he measures each and everything in the scale of logic. He associates every human dream with the sex instinct, where dreams are actually the expression of sexual feelings man contains in his conscious and subconscious. On the basis of his philosophy, he views seeking help from the supernatural and metaphysical powers mere the outcome of inner fears that grow with man since his childhood. Religion is, according to famous theologian Paul Tillich (1957), the name of surrendering every activity to a single command, which enjoys most imperative position in human life, and every human activity is directly dependent of it.

In simple words, religious faith is most important object of human life, which gives meaning to life and gratifies all intellectual pursuits in a powerful manner. Two Reasons in Support of Marxist Perspective: By critically examining all the above-described definitions of religion, Marx’s interpretation appears in proximity to reality. Looking into the history of all religious faiths, it becomes evident that the advent of the religion was actually the reaction of malpractices and inequalities being committed by the powerful stratum against the weak.

It is particularly the case with the Abrahamic religions, as founders of Judaism, Christianity and Islam represented the poor and downtrodden people, which had been leading a miserable life in society. Secondly, it is the essential part of human nature that when man is under the state of subjugation and exploitation, and loses every hope of getting relieved from that state of affairs, he quite instinctively seeks the support from Heavens, as he consciously and unconsciously have faith that his Lord would certainly remove all his worries and problems within a jiffy.

Two Reasons against Freud’s interpretation of Religion: Freud wrongly states religion as equivalent to the childhood neurosis due to the very reality that it is not the fears that force humans worship the Lord; nor does man obeys the Lord because of the fear of punishment in this life and in the life Hereinafter. On the contrary, it is actually sheer feelings of gratitude towards the Lord for His countless bounties that urge the humans to have belief in religion and seek His support at any perturbed situation.

Secondly, though childhood fears remain with man in grown years, yet they do not regulate his activities in mature years. It is therefore the humans having belief in religion also commit crimes and get indulged into sinful activities. Personal Definition of Religion: The above-described definitions provide a crystal clear image of religion, which appears to be supportive in interpreting religion in one’s own words. Thus, religion is actually the blessings of the Lord which He showers on human mind and heart in the form of various spiritual experiences as well as hard times that realize man the power, might and benevolence of the Lord.

It also insists the humans on dedicating his life to the commandments issued by the Lord, where fear of punishment and hope of reward in eternal life also play their role in strengthening man’s belief on religion. Hence, based on personal spiritual experiences, limitations of human powers, fear of failure and castigation and intention to submit to the commands of the Lord pave the way towards following one religious belief or the other. Works Cited “Various Definitions of Religion.” Retrieved from http://web.pdx.edu/~tothm/religion/Definitions.htm

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Comparing and Contrasting Definitions of Religion Essay”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/other/1426920-comparing-and-contrasting-definitions-of-religion
(Comparing and Contrasting Definitions of Religion Essay)
https://studentshare.org/other/1426920-comparing-and-contrasting-definitions-of-religion.
“Comparing and Contrasting Definitions of Religion Essay”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/other/1426920-comparing-and-contrasting-definitions-of-religion.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Comparing and Contrasting Definitions of Religion

Friendship: Opposing Viewpoints on a Trite or Storied Understanding of the Term within our Modern Time

By comparing and contrasting these two wildly different interpretations of friendship, the author is able to point out the pure triviality of our modern definition.... Although many definitions of friendship and socialization exist within our world, there seems to be a fundamental belief among many authors and scholars that our society has so exponentially expanded the definition of the term so as it has little if any sense left within it… Although many definitions of friendship and socialization exist within our current world, there seems to be a fundamental belief among many authors and scholars that our current society has so exponentially expanded the definition of the term so as it has little if any sense left within it....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

Social Care Policies in Global Society

This study “Social Care Policies in Global Society” helps to understand that the care services are as essential welfare state provisions as benefit transfers.... The ageing of the population poses a remarkable challenge to all European welfare states.... hellip; The author states that also the many changes taking place in family structures e....
14 Pages (3500 words) Essay

The New Public Management: Improving Research and Policy Dialogue

However, there is a variety of definitions concerning public management.... In the paper “The New Public Management: Improving Research and Policy Dialogue” the author discusses political institutions, which are distinctive units in public management that are both significant in every politician's regime, where the government can achieve its collective purposes....
9 Pages (2250 words) Assignment

Comparing and Contrasting Christianity and Catholicism

s a starting point, and without digging deeply into theological tenants, it might help for comparison and contrasting purposes to get a simple definition of Christian.... The title of this paper makes it clear its author does not consider Catholicism as being a Christian religion, which is not true according to the majority of information found on the internet....
3 Pages (750 words) Research Paper

Gift Exchange as Important Topic for Anthropology

As a function of this particular limited definition, the reader can recognize the fact that anthropology is uniquely concerned with social norms, customs, and… Specifically, as there is such a great level of diversity in ethnicity, race, linguistic patterns, traditions, cultures, religion, and norms of behavior, the science of anthropology is oftentimes confounded with Nevertheless, one of the means by which anthropology can draw meaningful inference based upon the similarities that exist between otherwise different and diverse groups....
8 Pages (2000 words) Essay

CHALLENGES FACING INCLUSION OF SUSTAINABILITY IN SCHOOLS PPP PROJECTS

For example, in their definitions of sustainability, Barton (2000) and Du Plessis (2000), particularly focuses on the interaction of the economic, environmental and social aspects to achieve sustainable systems or projects.... A review of the definition of PPP in recent academic literature has revealed loose and diverse definitions with no real consensus, most of the authors concur that public-private partnerships are largely concerned with the contractual arrangements between the government and the… According to the definition adopted by the European Commission (EC, 2004) PPP is the forms of cooperation between the businesses and the public authorities....
32 Pages (8000 words) Coursework

Comparing and Contrasting Two Specific Characteristics in Two Modern Religious Faiths

This report "comparing and contrasting Two Specific Characteristics in Two Modern Religious Faiths" presents a basic belief of the existence of deity in different religions with a comparison between the themes and practices followed in these religions.... A variety of dimensions can be noticed in every religion all with different beliefs.... Believing in a deity or in a power beyond the individual is one of the chief characteristics of any religion....
10 Pages (2500 words) Report

Comparing and Contrasting Court Cases

This report "comparing and contrasting Court Cases" focuses on the case of Sony CorpAmerica versus Universal City Studio, the case of America Broadcasting Companies versus Aereo, the case of Regina versus Hicklin and the case of Skyywalker Records versus Navarro.... hellip; There are two major conflicting philosophies that have since dominated the very development of obscenity law, namely the 'conservative' and 'liberal' philosophy....
8 Pages (2000 words) Report
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us