In Search of the Spiritual - Research Paper Example

Adler observes somewhat lack of cohesion among the religious leaders belonging to different faiths during second half of twentieth century, when the Buddhist monks could not share their religious practices with the Christian priests while getting involved into prayer, meditations and contemplation. However, people’s observing indifference to religion and lack of interest in attending church and temples had pushed the modern society far away from the belief system their elders and ancestors used to practice with great fervor and enthusiasm.

In addition, instead of taking religious commands and rituals into serious consideration, the people appear to be paying more heed to purported human rights and freedom of expression, where everything is fair provided being practiced with free consent of the individuals as well as not harming or hurting other members of society i.e. fellow humans in any way. The tremendous change in the social scenario is partly because of the establishment of multicultural societies, where people belonging to quite divergent cultural, social, racial, ethnic, regional and religious backgrounds co-exist and enter into social interaction for the successful execution of their financial ventures and professional obligations at large.

Consequently, the individuals, in public places and/or in social gatherings discuss politics, social aptitudes, personal interests, scientific discoveries, professional obligations and recreational activities etc, but never do they bother to talk about the controversial issues like religion and spiritual beliefs of others altogether. As a result, the modern multicultural societies of the USA and Europe witness imperative tolerance and open-mindedness towards the religions followed by the others.

Furthermore, religious tolerance is not only due to people’s lack of interest in religion, but also they look for exploring their own ways while embarking upon spirituality instead of blindly imitating the traditional and conventional ways of prayers and meditations attributed to their forerunners in past. Thus, the individuals, in the contemporary era appear to be making judgment of the human relation with God and the manners of developing association with Him out of their personal experiences rather than the experience of others.

It not only reflects upon the applying of intellect on the part of the individuals of modern age, but also witnesses their mental and intellectual growth, which forbids them from imposing their traditional religious thoughtfulness upon others for nothing. The entire state of affairs could be examined and analyzed within sociological perspective. Sociological theories elucidate the concepts including cultural relativism and mechanical social solidarity are not only essential in order keep a social establishment in cohesion, but also are essential for the very existence of society actually.

Lack of integrity and unity may create hatred and intolerance that could put its existence into grave jeopardy. Social integration requires tolerance and broadmindedness, while narrow-mindedness and abhorrence may pave the ways towards social conflict resulting into the division of society into rival groups, factions and communities subsequently. Cultural relativism emphasizes upon applying of mind in order to accept or reject one or more social phenomena