Religion Changing Societies - Essay Example

Religion Pluralism Religion has existed since man was created on the earth surface. It s back from the time man came into existence on planet Earth. It has been seen as the tool for equipping mankind with moral authority, even in the face of societal changes that are eminent such as the world becoming a global village. One can learn a lot from a society through its religion. In other words, it determines the norms by which a society is founded. Religion has both united and divided individuals globally. Religious conflicts arouse all around the world. These can be credited to the religious pluralism with differing beliefs and doctrines. In due time, this has caused societal pluralism with religion being viewed as an objective to individuals within a society (Santa, 5). This paper covers the effect of religion in the society, how religion raises questions on identity and questions the concept of identity, and lastly how it creates a dilemma between faith and way of life. Religion Changing Societies Even though religion has sparked a lot of debate, it has influenced the society both positively and negatively. It has attracted massive changes within the societies. A better example of how religion has been linked with the modern societies is politics. Furthermore, the voting patterns are largely determined along religious lines. Religion plays a major role when it comes to governing a nation. Some religions worldwide are entrenched in archaic modes of thoughts and have failed to launch new life in the societies. Some are co-opted by patriotisms; thus, are used to further various furies. This has worked to divide people, based on an individual religious belief (Herz, and Peter, 25). In the current face of pluralism, Elshtain in “toleration, proselytizing, and the politics of recognition”, offers “toleration”, as a way of being liberal and democratic to religious pluralism without causing any prejudice on a given religion belief whatsoever. This involves freedom to share ones religious beliefs joyfully, manifesting views so that others may consider it, rather than imposing one's faith to others; thus, ensuring a happy coexistence (Elshtain, 89-93). This has led to more liberal and democratic societies. This has been echoed by Witte in The Rights and Limits of Proselytism in the New Religious World Order (Witte, 109) He emphasizes on the need for individuals to choose their own religious affiliation in a religious pluralism society, although this has not had a smooth sailing as other religions such as Muslim allow for easy conversion into their faith (Witte, 109) Religion, Identity and Citizenship With religion being a core aspect to be considered within any society, the idea of coming up with legislation governing such societies may sometimes be challenging without causing any religious prejudice, with the advent of religious pluralism. Particularly, France has held to her “lay state (laicite)”, implying a secular state of religious freedom without preference for any religious affiliation. These may not necessarily mean secularization, rather a way of bringing harmony within a religious pluralism society (Davie and Schafer, 5). Religious views, convictions and practices are seen as belonging to the private sphere of existence rather than in the public realm. It is true that religion is a crucial factor of social identity, being identified with a given religion means having a shared religious beliefs and practices and behavior that brings about the uniqueness within a large cosmopolitan society with religious pluralism in some cases (Appiah, 44-47). Despite an individual’s affiliation to a given religion, he/she has the right as a citizen to participate in decisions involving collective life together. These should be done without any religious prejudice, and thus, treated equally. This eliminates any hierarchy of faith (Mehta, 66). With Religious pluralism, the best way to tackle the issue of identity and citizenship in respect to one's religious affiliation or as Ducker puts it “vicarious memories/religion”, using its mutating nature, is to allow its element of continuity to take cause. This allows the vicarious memory to adapt to other emerging or existing religious views or memories by fusing with them, thus creating harmony within a society experiencing religious pluralism(IV ; 8). Faith and Way of Living Any Religion must define a way of lifestyle for all its adherents; for example, being clear on moral values and believes. However, Berger describes Davie in his article Believing without Belonging as having found out that there was a mismatch between religious values professed by individuals (believing), and the actual church practicing religious practices (belonging). One factor causing this pluralism rather than secularism, may be due to the emerging modernization as Berger in Further Thoughts on Religion and Modernity puts it as the default discourse, a change of mind on the part of Christians(315). In the modern world, this should not be viewed as being secular, but rather pluralization whereby individuals need to embrace both societal and religious dimensions being that it is very difficult in the current modern world to retain or restore a monopolistic view of things. Therefore, this should mean that religious ideologies are voluntary on individual (Berger, 316). Berger gives an exemplary example of The Peace of Westphalia in 1948 in which a compromise on religion was reached whereby the ruler decides on the religion of the state. For a time, this was able to end religion’s wars. Contemporary plurality has to play a major role within any society for harmony to prevail. These should be governed by norms and occurrences in that given society, rather than the individual religious beliefs. Conclusion A society with religious pluralism, must allow both the secular discourse and religious discourse to play. This aims to shape the society to be inhabited by all individuals with various religious views that are law abiding and morally upright (Fitzgerald, 35). Works Cited Ducker, Chris. Believing in Grace Davie: What does she bring to an understanding of mission in Europe? 2011. Web. April 16, 2013. Available at Berger, Peter, L. Further Thoughts on Religion and Modernity. Springer Science Business Media, LLC 2012. Web. April 16, 2013. Available at Elshtain, Jean Bethke. Toleration, Proselytizing, and the Politics of Recognition. Religions Today: Their Challenge to the Ecumenical Movement. Fitzgerald, Thomas E. The Ecumenical Movement: An Introductory History. Westport: Praeger, 2004. Print. Herz, Michael E, and Pe?ter Molna?r. The Content and Context of Hate Speech: Rethinking Regulation and Responses. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012. Print. Santa, Ana J. Religions Today: Their Challenge to the Ecumenical Movement. , 2005. Print. Witte, John. The Rights and Limits of Proselytism in the New Religious World Order. Religions Today: Their Challenge to the Ecumenical Movement. 2009. Web. April 16, 2013. Available at Read More