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Misperceptions Regarding World Religions
Many people believe that religion belongs in the past and is on the wane, but religious beliefs are actually growing around the world. The most widespread are Christians, Muslims and Hindus; followed by those practising folk and traditional religions. Islam is the fastest growing religion – nearly twice as fast as the general population. And it is forecast that by 2060 Christianity will be the second largest religion.
1. Christianity is The Only True Religion
Christianity is the only true religion in the world because Jesus is the Truth. While it may sound arrogant and narrow-minded for Christians to say this, it is the truth. Jesus claimed to be God and the only way to the Father (John 14:6). The other religions in the world are based on falsehoods and philosophies that produce evil instead of good. Even the most “pious” of them, such as Buddhism and Hinduism, have no foundation in the truth of Scripture. In addition, Christianity is the only religion that teaches its followers to love one another. This love is not merely an external display BIOL 1001 Week 1 Discussion: The Scientific Approach of religiosity but penetrates the heart and produces true humility and service. It is this kind of love that identifies Christians and leads them to establish orphanages, hospitals, clinics, schools, homeless shelters and emergency relief agencies.
2. Religion is a Social Institution
The work of Emile Durkheim influenced many sociological perspectives about religion. For example, he emphasized that religion serves important societal functions such as social cohesion and social control. In addition, he pointed out that religion creates a division between the sacred and the profane. In other words, the world of the sacred is considered extraordinary or even dangerous while the profane is ordinary and mundane. Religion also strengthens social order by teaching moral behavior. For example, robbery and dacoity are considered moral crimes because they violate God’s commandments. Religion also encourages social interaction in places of worship and provides a sense of belonging to a larger community. Religious beliefs also provide hope in times of trouble and illness. However, a religion can also promote social conflict and war.
3. Religion is a Way of Life
Despite what some people think, religion is not only the cultic expression of faith in various world religions. Religion is a way of life that permeates the whole person and shapes their every act. It is a holistic process that can include daily prayer, ancestral or cultural traditions, writings, and mythology as well as group rituals. Religious commitment can be a huge personal sacrifice, but it can also bring many benefits. For example, joining a church or synagogue can boost your health, according to new research. Some people have a strong spirituality but don’t identify with a specific religion. Others are atheists, but this doesn’t mean that they believe no God exists. Instead, they may have a belief in a universe that is essentially indifferent to human beings.
4. Religion is a Source of Power
Religious beliefs can be powerful sources of social cohesion, but they can also be a source of division and conflict. Sociologists can use the tools of sociology to examine how religion influences society and how it affects people's lives. Many of the world's conflicts have a religious dimension. This is partly because religious beliefs can encourage PHIL 2001C Week 5 Title: Law Enforcement and Prostitution: An Ethical Dilemma a sense of moral superiority and justify oppression of those who don't share the same beliefs. In addition, religious beliefs can support exploitation of the poor and lead to hostility between different religions. Pioneer sociologist Emile Durkheim said that religion functions as a kind of social cement, providing differing degrees of "spiritual glue" for societies and cultures. His ideas continue to influence current thinking on the functions of religion.
5. Religion is a Way of Life
Despite claims that we live in an age of reason, religions continue to hold a central position in the lives of many people around the world. They are a source of spiritual guidance and moral compass, provide community, and offer rituals to help people live well. In addition, they leave an imprint on culture and society through art and music, dress codes, food, pilgrimage and celebrations like feasts and holy days. It might seem avant garde today to describe religion as a complex rather than a monothetic set of beliefs, but treating it in this way is nothing new. Christian theologians have long analysed it as a combination of three dimensions: creed, cult, and code. Yet religion is also a source of conflict. It has led individuals and whole communities to persecute, torture, and kill each other.