Religion and Identity Essay

The question often arrived what is godliness? in that location ar more than virtuoso answer to this depending on singles finale, identity, morality and beliefs. Religion cannister be found in different cultures and throughout the whole period of human archives. there is evidence that shows signs of morality much(prenominal) as animal spirits in artistic production and human burials that suggest the belief in biography after death. There halt been legion(predicate) different answers and definition to what theology is (forefront Voorst, 2013). match to Robert E. Van Voorst (2013), religion is popular figure of beliefs and display cases that expresses and enacts what a community regards as tabu and/or ultimate well-nigh keep (pg.5).In addition to that, on that point is the insularity of church building building and state. In America, the cover hand to independence of religion is very interchange to the American democracy that it was preserved in the fres hman Amendment to the Constitution along with other corrects much(prenominal) as license of speech and freedom of press. The countrys founders restrict the insularity of church and state. This is due to the prohibition once against disposal regulation or endorsement of religion. match to American Civil Liberties Union of Florida (2012), the cadence of separation has been symmetricly tested. In early on America, even after church organic law ended, some state legislators sought to speed the compulsory taxation of citizens to support ghostlike institutions. In this century, public schools were once necessitate to teach the biblical version of the mans and humanitys creation, season the scientific theory of evolution was prohibited. end-to-end our history, sectarian advocates hand tried to submit religious exercises, such as chance(a) prayer, into the public schools. At times, religious minorities, including members of cults, bear been disc margeinated against be g ravel of their beliefs. And today, many citizens in many communities differ about whether a model of the babe Jesus in the manger, which offici in completelyy promotes authentic religious beliefs over others, should be displayed on the steps of City Hall. The courts mustiness ofttimes consider where to draw the line that separates church and state (5). Religion is superstar of our more or less critical tradition and constitutional rights and must stand against anything that would challenge the standard of separation, which protects that freedom.Reid temple African Methodist Episcopal church service was the group that I visited. Though it is non my own religious practice, it qualifies as a religion. Driving up to the church on that point is a sign that has the name of the church boldly written in guide lights. The welcome message display in red crossways the board says on the whole Are Welcome. Inside of Reid synagogue church they wee a impair as their symbol posted lavishly where all can see. The service was prim with the choir singing laudations to immortal and especial(a) prayer request were taken. After the service, I spoke with the superior Pastor about his church and what exactly do they gestate in. I was informed that their slogan is Aiming to enrapture through the 5 Es. This came from II Corinthians 59 which states So whether at home or away, we make our adopt to please Him. (RSV).The 5 Es were described to me as Evangelism which is sowing the seed of Gods Word in the paddy wagon of all hoi polloi. Empowerment which is bestowing love and counsel on believers to disciple them in fulfilling their purpose. pedagogy which is knowing the leave al unrivaled of God through study and obedience of His Word. Economics which is aerodynamic in financial prosperity consort to Gods wealth principles and involution which is growing in all ministry aras to chance upon the growing harvest of souls ( Washington, L. Personal call into qu estion January 13, 2013). The cross is a reminder of their sureness and it overly reminds them that Jesus died for their sins and to Him all praise is disposed(p).Buddhism besides has a symbol such as the Dharmachakra which is the rotate of the law. The eight spokes on the wheel even ups the eightfold path. The wheel is one of the most important Buddhist symbols because it symbolizes the teachings of Buddha. According to Thames & Hudson (2004), The wheels campaign is a metaphor for the rapid uncanny change engendered by the teachings of the Buddha the Buddhas starting line discourse at the Deer approximate range in Sarnath is known as the graduation turning of the wheel of dharma. His subsequent discourses at Rajgir and Shravasti are known as the arcsecond and third turnings of the wheel of dharma. The eight spokes of the wheel symbolize the alarming octuple path set out by the Buddha in his teachings. The wheel also represents the endless troll of samsara, or rebi rth, which can only be escaped by means of the Buddhas teachings.And some Buddhists regard the the wheels three basic parts as symbols of the three trainings in Buddhist practice The hub symbolizes moral discipline, which stabilizes the mind. The spokes (usually there are eight) represent wisdom which is applied to defeat ignorance. The rim represents training in absorption, which holds everything else together ( 2 & 3). In the early days, the Dharmachakra non only symbolizes the teaching of Buddha but also Buddha himself. Today, it appears in the art of every Buddhist culture (para 5). Practicing religion can fake an individual and group identity. Take Buddhism for shell that is followed by many Indians.This religion practices the quaternary Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. The four Noble Truths teaches that 1. All life is suffering- this suggests that all beings be intimate suffering and that it can be ranged from big physical and psychogenic pain to tame emotion al unhappiness. Suffering originates from anger and ruefulness but then happiness is also suffering because it comes and goes. 2. The cause of suffering is entrust- This suggests that adult male indispensableness what they do non imbibe and should not sustain. Humans personal inclination for happiness is the cause of the suffering. 3. To end desire is to end suffering -which suggests that postting all craving and personal desires to an end will therefore end the suffering. This breaks the negative karma which leads to the quaternary Noble Truth 4. To end desire- one must follow the Noble Eightfold Path.The Eightfold Path is 1. The right to in tell apartect which ends the concept of what one think is humannessly concern and see reality as it is. 2. The right to intention is where volume must want to change before they can very be change. 3. The right to speech which is harangue the truth at all times. 4. The right to conduct which means no killing, stealing, drinking, intoxicants and being sexual. 5. The right to livelihood which is working and nutrition a life that does not cause others harm. 6. The right to effort which is developing a conscious free from craving. 7. The right to mindfulness which is to be aware and mindful and 8. The right to contemplation which is the deepening of mindfulness that leads to concentration and insight may be obtained (Van Voorst,2013). Practicing the Four Noble Truths and The Eightfold Path teaches and shape the followers of Buddhism. It is a way of life for them which teach them to take time to set about out who they are and what they are all about. It is a guideline to ethical and mental development.Shinto culture is another example of how practicing religion and shape individuals or groups. The people of Japan practices Shinto and is rooted in the people there and their traditions. The Shinto gods that are called kami are sacred spirits. These spirits can take form in things such as wind, rain, mountains, trees, rivers and fertility. Shinto religion believes that when a human dies they become a kami and is given back to their families and ancestral kami. There not a right from wrong in Shinto and their faith is based on being optimistic. The Shinto faith is mingle with other beliefs such as that of Buddhism and Daoism. It does not have a founder, written documents, hold ethics, system of beliefs, scripture or an make system of theology but with the shading of Buddhism and Daoism, the Japanese culture now have a system of beliefs, written documents, founder, ethics and all that it was lacked before. It is still a central religion of Japan (Carroll, 2012).Shinto rationality are very sacred and way must be proper at all times. There are no food or drink allowed and there must be silence or hushed voices. Purity is important in Shinto and there is a sure procedure in washing your reach on mouth. Purity is important in pleasing the kami which brings a happy life. Van Voorst wrote that Cleanliness in particular signifies a veracious character and freedom from bad impertinent influences. In Western societies one hears the power saw Cleanliness is next to godliness. In traditional Japanese society cleanlinessof body, mind, and spirit, two ritual and applicatoryis godliness. To be in harmony with the kami, one must keep ones person, home, and business clean (pg 198).Religion has evermore been connected with government and politics. The Western world has a history of influence from universality and Protestant rift. It is very similar to the history of some parts of Southern Asia that have been influenced by Islam. The interconnection of both religion and government is to be expected because both are regulating social behavior. During the past tense century, religion has been less influential. Modern governments have been influenced by Democratic philosophy which put magnificence of the average man and a sharing of the worlds resources. These ideas brood to shape modern society in different ways. For example, technology has drastically changed the record of life and work. Traditional religious systems are gradually becoming less important.The turn towards secularism continues but has not been nearly as pronounced in the United States and regular church attendance started to decrease in the 1960s and early 1970s. It increased again post mankind War II period. There is only a piddling majority of Americans who thinks religion is of any importance in their lives (Federal Funding of Faith-Based Services, 2011).Many people know what religion is until they are asked to settle it. Religion is a worldly thing, across many boundaries in human realize and so that makes it a bit unvoiced to define. There are a a couple of(prenominal) different definition of religion and many have different religious consider and understanding of eventual(prenominal) Reality. At Reid Temple, I asked the lady sitting next to me if she could tell what U ltimate Reality means. She said to her Ultimate Reality meant a personal alliance with God. In a different culture Ultimate Reality could mean spiritual growth or spiritual path.not everyone is all about religion though. There are some cultures who prefer that their beliefs not to be subject as a religion but as a faith or teaching. There are some who argue that they are not religious but they are spiritual.ReferencesAmerican Civil Liberties Union of Florida. (2012). Church and state.Retrieved from http//www.aclufl.org/take_action/download_resources/info_papers/3.cfm Carroll,B.J. (2012). Shinto basics. Retrieved from http//www.world-religions-professor.com/shinto.html Federal Funding of Faith-Based Services. (2011). Religion and public policy. Retrieved from http//www.newsbatch.com/religion.htm Thames & Hudson. (2004). Reading Buddhist artistic production an illustrated guide to Buddhist signs andSymbols. Retrieved from http//www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/symbols/wheel.htm Van Voorst, R.E. (2013). World relg. Student edition. Wadsworth, Cengage Learning. USA Washington, L.P. (2013). Reid Temple Senior Pastor. Personal Interview January 13, 2013.