Seeking the Holy: Ancient Traditions, Modern Practices - Essay Example

These respective spiritual practices and cosmologies are so important to the way the universe unfolds—as told from the perspective of peoples who have made such incredible contributions to society, even as modernity encroaches upon their ways of living. However, the issues of imperialism and colonization, capitalism and property rights, and a host of ideologies (including materialism, pragmatism, anthropocentrism, and logocentrism) only reinforce the idea that with these rituals and beliefs are actually being found and practiced instead of being lost and neglected forever.

According to Esposito, Fasching, & Lewis (2001), “Indeed, the end of the twentieth century seems to have brought with it a period of religious resurgence, a development that defies countless theorists who predicted that the irresistible secularization of civilization by the forces of modern science would lead to the disappearance of religion” (pp. 1). II. Imperialism and Colonization (200 words) Imperialism and colonization have signified total domination and victory for the oppressors, who were mainly Europeans wanting to impose their own rituals and beliefs upon the native peoples of North, South, and Central America. . [N]ative women's fight for social justice [equals] a ‘de-colonial’ effort [where] indigenous women…recaptur[e] ancestral spiritualities[, discarding] the mantle of colonial religion, gender oppression, and elitism” (pp. 25). It was not too long ago that criollos used to be in charge of haciendas where the indigenous women would be subservient.

With the advent of political and social advancements, these indigenous women have been able to keep their own traditional beliefs and rituals—oftentimes either masking them with Catholic symbols and imagery in order to resolve the difference between their own native, innate religious beliefs and practices versus the religion which was imposed upon them by the oppressors who invaded Mexico. III. Capitalism and Property Rights (100 words) Speaking of that political power which, for so long eluded the indigenous peoples of the Americas—they are only just now starting to be able to gain their rights.

Usually this happens through peaceful, nonviolent protests and coordination with local leaders and religious lobbyists. According to Micon (2008), “[W]ell-paid lobbyists who develop good working relationships with legislators and mobilize their constituents are the key to religious political action organization’s impact on state government. [R]eligious political action organization[s may attempt to get more] visibility, but it jeopardizes [their plight]. [This helps them]…achiev[e] their goals and objectives of social change” (pp. 409-410). IV.

Materialism, Pragmatism, Anthropocentrism, and Logocentrism (200 words) Materialism has often been the center of so many attitudes that comprise the