PHILO-notes

Religion can be defined as a set of beliefs, practices, and values that are centered around the worship of a divine being or beings. It is a fundamental aspect of human culture that has played a significant role in shaping societies and individual lives throughout history. Despite the diverse nature of religions across the world, they all share common themes such as the quest for meaning and purpose, ethical and moral guidance, and a sense of community.

Religion is a complex and multifaceted concept that can be understood from different perspectives. From a sociological perspective, religion is viewed as a social institution that provides a framework for organizing social life and promoting social cohesion. It creates a sense of shared identity, values, and beliefs that unite people and create a sense of belonging. In this sense, religion serves as a source of social stability and order, as well as a means of social control.

From a psychological perspective, religion is viewed as a way of coping with the existential concerns of life such as death, suffering, and the meaning of existence. It provides a sense of comfort and consolation in times of distress and helps individuals to find purpose and direction in life. Religion also provides a sense of meaning and purpose, which is essential for human well-being.

From a philosophical perspective, religion is viewed as a way of exploring the ultimate nature of reality, the meaning of existence, and the relationship between human beings and the divine. It provides a framework for understanding the mysteries of the universe, the nature of consciousness, and the purpose of human existence. Religion offers a way of addressing fundamental questions about the nature of reality and the human condition that cannot be answered by science or reason alone.

Despite the diversity of religions across the world, there are some common themes that are shared by all religions. One of the most fundamental themes is the belief in a divine or supernatural being or beings that exist beyond the physical world. This belief in the divine is often accompanied by a set of beliefs about the nature of the universe, the purpose of human existence, and the relationship between human beings and the divine.

Religions also typically include a set of practices or rituals that are designed to facilitate communication with the divine, express devotion, and reinforce the beliefs and values of the religion. These practices can include prayer, meditation, worship, fasting, and other forms of spiritual discipline. In many religions, there are also specific rules or codes of conduct that govern behavior, such as the Ten Commandments in Judaism and Christianity or the Five Pillars of Islam.

Another important aspect of religion is the sense of community that it creates. Religions often provide a sense of belonging and social support that can be essential for human well-being. Religious communities offer opportunities for fellowship, socialization, and shared values and beliefs. They can also provide a sense of identity and purpose that is grounded in something larger than the individual.

Religion also plays an important role in shaping the moral and ethical values of societies. Many religions have a set of ethical principles that guide behavior, such as the Buddhist concept of the Eightfold Path or the Christian concept of the Golden Rule. These principles provide a framework for understanding right and wrong and can be a source of moral guidance and inspiration for individuals and communities.

Characteristics of Religion

It must be noted, however, that the above definition of religion may not necessarily apply to other religions and may be insufficient for some scholars. So, instead of “defining” religion, which means putting a limit to the term religion (in fact, “definition” comes from the Latin word de-finire, which means to set the limits of something), it is much safer to “describe” it in our attempt to make sense of what it really is. And the best way to describe religion is to articulate its key elements or characteristics.

Foremost of these key elements is “belief system”. When we say belief system, we are specifically referring to the “worldview” of a particular group of people. Hence, a belief system refers to a fairly complete and systematic interpretation of the world (or universe) and the human persons’ place and role in it. This explains why in any kind of religion, there is always the dynamic relationship between the world and humans. Think, for example, of how Taoism highly values “Nature”, or how the adherents of Zoroastrianism worship the Sun.

The second important element of religion is “community”. For sure, a religion always involves a group of people who showed the same belief system and practiced the ideals. Needless to say, a certain religion cannot be called “religion” in the strict sense of the word if it doesn’t have a community of believers. As a matter of fact, some religions, such as Islam and Protestantism, are too aggressive in expanding its membership.

The third is “ritual”. As we can see, religions always have enacted beliefs which are made real through ceremonies. For example, the Roman Catholics always start their prayer with a sign of the cross. The Muslims, on the other hand, kneel and place their forehead on the ground as a sign of their submission to God. For the Muslims, in prostration, that is, the act of kneeling and placing their forehead on the ground, they felt nearest to God.

Fourth is “ethics”. As we may already know, ethics is a major branch of philosophy which deals with the morality (that is, the rightness or wrongness) of a human act. Hence, ethics deals with the rules of human behavior. In religion, ethics has to be established. In other words, there should be rules of human behavior that governed the actions of the community of believers. For instance, for the adherents of the Christian denomination Jehovah’s Witnesses, blood transfusion is always wrong. Or, in Christianity in general, polygamy is absolutely wrong; but in Islam the practice of polygamy is generally viewed as morally right. This, indeed, explains why we have what we call “Buddhist Ethics”, “Christian Ethics,” or “Confucian Ethics”.

It is also important to note that for most religions, this particular “ethics” that governed the members’ actions are often viewed as having been revealed from a supernatural realm, although in some cases it can also be viewed as socially generated guidelines. Consider, for example, the Ten Commandments that God revealed to Moses at the Mt. Sinai.

The fifth element of religion is the centrality of myths. As we may notice, every religion has its own story, such as “the major events in the life of the Hindu god Krishna, the enlightenment story of the Buddha, the exodus of the Israelites from oppression in Egypt, the death and resurrection of Jesus, or Mohammad’s escape from Mecca to Medina” (Molloy, 2013). Please note, however, that the use of the term “myth” here is different from the common usage and understanding of the term. From the Greek word mythos, which means story or “I invent a story”, myth is therefore considered as a “narrative”. The invention of a story doesn’t have to be viewed merely as a product of one’s imagination. The invention of the story is intended to project a “reality”. Indeed, a myth is a narrative of the “coming to be” of that particular reality. For instance, the Genesis Story of Creation is a myth because it is a narrative or a story which tries to tell how God created humans and the world. So, in this way, the death and resurrection of Jesus, for example, can be considered as a myth, that is, it is an account that tries to tell the story of how Jesus died and how He overcomes death so humanity may be saved.

The sixth characteristic or element of religion is “emotional experience”. As is well known, religions are always characterized by emotional experiences, such as dread, guilt, awe, mystery, devotion, conversion, liberation, ecstasy, bliss, and inner peace. Think, for example, of the conversion of St. Paul, or of the emotional experience of a Buddhist monk who attains enlightenment. Viewed from the vantage point of religion, this emotional experience is always in connection with a soul joined to God.

Seventh is “material expression”. As we have observed, religions make use of an astonishing variety of physical elements, such as statues, paintings, musical composition, ritual objects, flowers, incense, clothing, architecture, and specifications. Consider, for example, how common hymns and songs are to all religions. Think as well of the role that incense plays in both the Buddhist and Taoist traditions, or how elaborate the clothing of some priests and bishops in the Roman Catholic church.

Eighth and last is “sacredness”. As is well known, all religions are concerned with the deepest level of reality. And for most religions, the core or origin of everything is always viewed as “sacred” or mysterious. Hence, religion is always characterized by the element of “sacredness” in contradistinction to the “ordinary”. This explains why religious ceremonies deliberately use unique language, clothing, and architecture.

Critique of Religion

Religion, like any other human institution, is subject to criticism and debate. While religion has played a significant role in shaping societies and individuals throughout history, it has also been the subject of criticism and scrutiny for various reasons. Here are some critiques of religion:

Religion can be used to justify violence and intolerance. Throughout history, religious beliefs have been used to justify wars, crusades, and acts of terrorism. For example, the Crusades were religious wars fought between Christians and Muslims in the Middle Ages. In recent times, acts of terrorism carried out by extremist groups such as ISIS are justified on religious grounds. This use of religion to justify violence and intolerance is a significant critique of religion.

Religion can be used to justify discrimination and oppression. Religious beliefs and practices have been used to justify discrimination and oppression against individuals and groups. For example, in some countries, women are not allowed to drive or vote, and members of certain religious groups are discriminated against. This use of religion to justify discrimination and oppression is another critique of religion.

Religion can be irrational or unscientific. Many religious beliefs are based on faith rather than evidence or scientific inquiry. This can lead to beliefs that are irrational or unscientific, such as the belief that the world was created in six days or that humans were created from dust. This lack of scientific basis for many religious beliefs is a critique of religion.

Religion can be exclusive or divisive. Many religions claim to be the only true path to salvation or enlightenment, which can lead to exclusion or division. This can create a sense of us versus them, leading to conflict between different religious groups. This exclusivity and divisiveness of religion is a critique of religion.

Religion can be used to control and manipulate people. Some religious leaders and institutions have been accused of using religion to control and manipulate people. For example, some religious leaders may use fear and guilt to keep their followers in line, while some religious institutions may use their power and influence to control political outcomes. This use of religion to control and manipulate people is a significant critique of religion.

In conclusion, while religion has played a significant role in shaping societies and individuals throughout history, it has also been the subject of criticism and scrutiny for various reasons. Some critiques of religion include the use of religion to justify violence and intolerance, discrimination and oppression, irrational or unscientific beliefs, exclusivity and divisiveness, and the use of religion to control and manipulate people.