The Fundamental Role of Religion - Essay Example

Religion

Religion is diverse and yet difficult subject to define as it crosses human experience and their existence. Religion plays a fundamental role in bestowing human dignity and the human psyche. It marks off what is true and exclusive as well as providing order and structure that set forth the goals for humanity. Religion marks individual/ personal encounter with gods or Gods. Faith, scriptures, ethics and rituals are the core principles of religion, and they are built around the meeting between humankind and divinity. Religion is an institution that brings communities together through various forms of beliefs and practice. It also contributes to the significance ideas of politics, economics, and culture (Dworkin, 2013).

In monotheism, God is believed to be a Supreme Being. He is the creator of the universe and the authority of nature. God is the determiner of the universe, and He makes the positive decision that affects humanity. There are other elements associated with God which include: having infinite knowledge, being present everywhere, having ultimate power and being perfectly good in what He does. The final reason for the existence of religion is to enable human being belief in the existence of God and allow them to have a personal encounter with Him. In most religion, God is believed to be an immaterial being (without human flesh and blood) yet His presence can be felt. Furthermore, some religions attribute God with masculine lexicons such as Father or Him to express the belief of being powerful but more superior that man. Since God is the provider of everything within the universe, many religions worship Him through different overlapping mental images. As such God is the principal object of faith and a loving character of His creation (Dworkin, 2013).

Even with abstract reasoning, the existence of the human brain, the universe, the human DNA, the number of individuals who attest to knowing God and the perfect positioning of the earth from the sun cannot be by coincidence. This means that someone (of infinite intelligence and very powerful) designed it and made it so orderly and reliable. Although scientist has tried to discover natural factors that might have led to the existence of the universe, their explanation is incomplete and cannot be proven otherwise. It is not by accident of nature to have the earth rotate and have an accurate measurement of time every single day. A more precise way of looking at God’s existence is by considering the first law of thermodynamics which asserts that energy and matter cannot be destroyed nor created. This means that no natural phenomenon can alter the existence of energy and matter. Therefore the scientist who claimed that universe existed from nothing violates the first law of thermodynamic. This means that the universe, all the energy, and matter within it must have had a divine origin. In simple language, there is a moment in time when someone who was all powerful authored the creation of everything we see, feel, and hear (Dworkin, 2013).

As much as many religions have faith in God’s existence, other individuals believe that God does not exist (atheist). From their perspective, God does not exist because they picture the world in a different way. This normally arises due to how certain people believe or the way they have been brought up and the culture they adopt during their life depending on the culture they are brought up from. For example, someone who has grown in China communist may believe in atheist because that their form of the education system and what they have found being done by others, so they inherit it in their system. Other people may believe in it due to the reasoning that it's the best religion for them and hence the right way to follow (Dworkin, 2013).

Mysticism refers to any mystical practices which are derived from one consciousness and belief but carries a spiritual meaning thus a virtue seems to exist within Christianity. It also gives a connection with the mystical theology which formed the early orthodox Christianity and the Roman Catholic. During the early Christianity, they referred it as ‘mystikos’ which carried three different meaning which is liturgical, biblical and-and finally contemplative or spiritual which were later intertwined together. Biblical carries the hidden meaning or the general interpretation of the scriptures. Liturgical arises from the belief of Eucharist which signifies the presence of Christ at the Eucharist. Contemplative or spiritual signifies the knowledge and interpretation of God (Russell, 2013).

Mysticism is involved with two main challenges which relate with objectivity and authenticity. According to Caroline, those challenges can be subdivided into three categories according to a description, subject and object related. Basing explanation on mystical anthropological experience occurred when there was the reformation of the Catholic church. There exist another challenge from psychological explanation where Freud argued that for a father figure all religious experiences require psychology to make a decision. This shows that what drives whatever is happening in the society is the desire for a father figure. Different views of different people lead into contradiction about the religious beliefs (Russell, 2013).

The virtue that mysticism’s union and belief can be taken into the deity of the utmost apprehension of religious insight. Although, not found within those who are not knowledgeable in the society can and should objectively verify to the people lacking mystical experience. Numerous kinds of miracles and new undergoing are experienced on a daily basis both to those having and those lacking mystical experience. Another factor that objectively verifies that lacking mystical experience regards the fact that the world encompasses many occult religions. These religions work towards earning more members. As a result, even those not having mystical experience still get to be enlightened about what mysticism is all about. Conclusively, mysticism is an aspect that can be located anywhere within the human circumference. Therefore, either with or without the mysticism experience, individuals still can be objectively verified (Russell, 2013).

The supernatural being termed as ‘God’ lacks a role in the world of free will. However, the world of the free will considers God as a reference point to act. This notion insinuates that the actions carried out by human beings are not determined by fate or rather described as conditions of an external nature. God does not have a role in the world of the free will because the people within the free will usually consider themselves as authors of their world. Therefore, they can choose, decide and act by themselves. However, there are those who believe that free will was given by God to man. Regarding this, free will should be at all times be an act of responsibility basing on the guidelines given by God to man (Albritton, 2013).

The notion that God does have a role in the world of determinism is true. The truth behind this is drawn from the facts religious books asserts that God is the creator and planner of everything that happens in the universe. Basing on the fact that he as the spiritual being is believed to be the creator of heavens and earth. Therefore all that happens is because of his fault. According to the world of determinism, events happen because of earlier states whether planned or not. Relating this notion to this particular concept, the events that happen in this world currently are as a result of God’s plans (Albritton, 2013).

Basing on various studies that have been carried around regarding the two concepts, soft determinism has lots of similarities with free will. Therefore, determinism is like free will since both of them base their arguments on external factors. Soft determinism argues that causal events entirely control the behavior of human beings and their deeds. On the other hand, free will is regarded as the capacity to do things as per the nature of an individual. Moreover, the nature of a person is based on external forces. Therefore, both soft determinism and free will are controlled by previous events in the lives of an individual (Albritton, 2013).

Jean-Paul Sartre explains that any determinism inclusive of soft determinism is a lie because human beings are guided by their morals which are drawn through choices and actions from people’s actions. Moreover, Holmstrom supports Sartre's notion that people have the ability to control their actions. Therefore, the concepts of soft determinism are somehow false. Lastly, Nishida also agrees that soft determinism can not guide human beings since people can have control over their lives (Albritton, 2013).

It is right to partially agree with the critiques of religion that are given by Pierce, Freud, and Marx and Eagle. Their notions can agree upon because it is true that religion and economy have a close affiliation with each other. This can be drawn from the fact that the ruling class unconsciously manipulate people through the use of religious doctrines. An example of a critique drawn by the above philosophers is that of the United States. Despite the fact that they are a highly economic country, they are also a highly spiritual country. On the other hand, religion cannot be related to the economy because the initial purpose of religion is to attain spiritual independence and not financial independence (Albritton, 2013).

Buddhists who want to find the mechanisms of applying the knowledge from meditation undergoing and the teachings of dharma. The knowledge and insights are to be applied to the states of social, environmental, economic suffering, injustice and political occurrences. These perspectives can be improved upon their movement’s role in the society by using it to educate none Buddhist’s to embrace the culture and religion of Buddhism. Moreover, it can be improved by advocating for the religion to be internationally accepted and be taught in learning institutions. This will enable meditation and the teachings of Dharma to be employed in solving critical situations on social, political and economic aspects (Turner & Salemink 2014).

The virtue that mysticism’s union and belief can be taken into the deity of the utmost apprehension of religious insight. Although, not found within those who are not knowledgeable in the society can and should objectively verify to the people lacking mystical experience. Numerous kinds of miracles and new undergoing are experienced on a daily basis both to those having and those lacking mystical experience. Another factor that objectively verifies that lacking mystical experience regards the fact that the world encompasses many occult religions. These religions work towards earning more members. As a result, even those not having mystical experience still get to be enlightened about what mysticism is all about. Conclusively, mysticism is an aspect that can be located anywhere within the human circumference. Therefore, either with or without the mysticism experience, individuals still can be objectively verified (Russell, 2013).

The supernatural being termed as ‘God’ lacks a role in the world of free will. However, the world of the free will considers God as a reference point to act. This notion insinuates that the actions carried out by human beings are not determined by fate or rather described as conditions of an external nature. God does not have a role in the world of the free will because the people within the free will usually consider themselves as authors of their world. Therefore, they can choose, decide and act by themselves. However, there are those who believe that free will was given by God to man. Regarding this, free will should be at all times be an act of responsibility basing on the guidelines given by God to man (Albritton, 2013).

The notion that God does have a role in the world of determinism is true. The truth behind this is drawn from the facts religious books asserts that God is the creator and planner of everything that happens in the universe. Basing on the fact that he as the spiritual being is believed to be the creator of heavens and earth. Therefore all that happens is because of his fault. According to the world of determinism, events happen because of earlier states whether planned or not. Relating this notion to this particular concept, the events that happen in this world currently are as a result of God’s plans (Albritton, 2013).

Basing on various studies that have been carried around regarding the two concepts, soft determinism has lots of similarities with free will. Therefore, determinism is like free will since both of them base their arguments on external factors. Soft determinism argues that causal events entirely control the behavior of human beings and their deeds. On the other hand, free will is regarded as the capacity to do things as per the nature of an individual. Moreover, the nature of a person is based on external forces. Therefore, both soft determinism and free will are controlled by previous events in the lives of an individual (Albritton, 2013).

Jean-Paul Sartre explains that any determinism inclusive of soft determinism is a lie because human beings are guided by their morals which are drawn through choices and actions from people’s actions. Moreover, Holmstrom supports Sartre's notion that people have the ability to control their actions. Therefore, the concepts of soft determinism are somehow false. Lastly, Nishida also agrees that soft determinism can not guide human beings since people can have control over their lives (Albritton, 2013).

It is right to partially agree with the critiques of religion that are given by Pierce, Freud, and Marx and Eagle. Their notions can agree upon because it is true that religion and economy have a close affiliation with each other. This can be drawn from the fact that the ruling class unconsciously manipulate people through the use of religious doctrines. An example of a critique drawn by the above philosophers is that of the United States. Read More