What is Religion Essay - 1321 Words

World Religion What is Religion? nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;According to the American College Dictionary, religion is a noun defined as the quest for the values of the ideal life. This definition is vast and general, allowing for a variety of interpretations by people from all cultures. There is no single path to follow in order to lead an ideal life, only personal beliefs and experiences. Religion is non-finite so there is no way of determining a boundary (Smart, 5). In my quest for a true understanding of what religion is I explored my own traditions and religious beliefs as well as life experiences. Slowly, with the added insight from the text and videos, my own definition of religion has begun to take shape.†¦show more content†¦Every religion holds truth to the believers, and gives them a sense of identity. There is no right or wrong answer to the question of which religion to follow, only interpretations and behaviors according to what makes sense to the individual. People will behave as they believe (B eliefs and Believers, Class 1). nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Another equally important remark I came across in my studies was one by the Methodist pastor Rev. Cecil Williams. Williams main topic of discussion was that of toxic religion and inspiring social action. Williams begin the interview by saying, quot;Be careful of religion because religion is toxicquot; (Williams Interview, Class 2). He means that believers are not focusing on the actions, but the outcomes instead. You cannot genuinely identify with a religion or call yourself a religious person unless you relate to other human beings or form relationships that work to ease human suffering (Simmons Study Guide, 15). Again, I was reminded of my own beliefs and the history of my religion when I explored the meaning of this statement. Contrary to popular belief, this nation was not founded on the basis of religion. America was founded by men in search of power and money who used their religious beliefs, predominantly Protestant Christian, as an excuse for their br utality. Not all believers act on their beliefs, creating a fine line between which are factious and which are not. The first attempts atShow MoreRelatedReligion : What Is Religion?2567 Words   |  11 PagesWhat is religion? Remember to advance a claim, make an argument, and support that argument with evidence from our readings. A Way of progress/life goal Primal Religions= Confucianism= To become a Chun Tzu Taoism= To follow the Way and attain or maintain te. ‘‘two great sanctions: the moral requirements visible in nature and the inner conviction of what is right and wrong The eastern religions of Taoism and Confucianism, as well as, the primal religions discussed by Smith are far differentRead MoreReligion : What Is It?902 Words   |  4 PagesReligion: What is it? There are many different religions that people believe in today. When I think of religion I think of a group of people who believe in a god or gods that created the world and determine your faith. There are different forms of theist religions, some of these religions believe in many gods and some only believe in one. That to me was the main part about being religious, is that you had to believe in a god. I never believed or knew that religions could be non-theistic, so I alwaysRead MoreWhat is Religion?1045 Words   |  5 PagesWhat is Religion? Religion has many meanings; a way of life, belief, and practices. In America people have different views on religion; it was indicated in the constitution. What is the constitution? The constitution is set of laws approved by the state. Religion and constitution are separate. As stated in the constitution of the United State of America, the first amendment, â€Å"congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.† I n other words the constitution and religion are notRead MoreWhat Is A Religion?1317 Words   |  6 PagesWhat is a religion? A religion is a set of beliefs based on a common principle shared by a community. Some of the most famous religions are Christianity, Buddhism, and Judaism. The goal of Christianity is to be one with God. Key Christianity practices include Sunday service, reading bible, praying regularly, and pilgrimages to hold the community together and have a strong relationship with God. Christians also have a strong devotion to saints. In Buddhism, people practice detachment from everythingRead MoreWhat Is Religion1838 Words   |  8 PagesWhat is Religion? Is religion a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny or is it a system of symbols, myths, doctrines, ethics and rituals for the expression of ultimate relevance (Carmody, 2008). Religion is the human quest for experience of, and response to the holy or sacred and a combination of all individuals desire to attain the promise of a better life than that here on earth, human spirituality. Religion is the voluntary subjection of oneself to God (CatholicRead MoreWhat is Religion?2214 Words   |  9 PagesReligion comes from the Latin word religare which means to â€Å"to tie, to bind.† It is a belief in something sacred which binds a number of people together based on a common purpose. Religion is just not an organization but it is also a platform of seeing the world. It is like a prism which shows different light to different people. India is a country where people of different religion has come and has settled down. There are the fire worship ping Hindus, the Kitabia Muslims and Christians, the minorityRead MoreWhat Is a Religion?585 Words   |  2 Pages A religion is a system of beliefs, collective ideas, traditions, and rituals that serve the purpose of gathering, unifying, educating, and enlightening a group of people by influencing and guiding their insights, thoughts, and ways of life. Religion has been highly influential through the course of human history as a source of influence. A large proportion of people in the world today believe in a religion. Religion is most like a system, or collective structure designed to encourage beliefsRead MoreCulture And Religion : What Is Religion?1758 Words   |  8 PagesCulture and Religion What is Culture? What is Religion? Which predates the other? Are they different from another? Is one a byproduct of another? Or are they one in the same? These fundamental questions will dictate whether people and their beliefs make up the interpretation of their environment or have definitive proof beyond that of a theory, substantiating Religion not just as a social construct of culture, but an absolute for acknowledgement and submission of an individual and more importantlyRead MoreWhat Is Religion? Essay1614 Words   |  7 PagesWhat is religion? Each person’s definition of religion is different. Each person’s faith is different. This is a question that has been asked for centuries, and regardless of the answer given there is no right or wrong answer. Religion can be defined as a group of people who have shared beliefs who feel their life has purpose or meaning. This feeling or belief that their life has meaning can come from outside of themselves, as well as within. Taking this one step further, these shared beliefsRead MoreWhat Makes A Religion?946 Words   |  4 Pagesare the same. What makes us so similar? Is it that rhythm in our chest? Is it out compassion and love for one another? Is it the desire to create art and feel inspiration? I believe religion is the key to all of these. Even if one don’t follow a religion, they can still admit that there is something spiritual about the likeness of each living, individual soul. Like humans, religions are also vastly similar at their core. Yes, they have many many different qualities and beliefs, but what you look at

Power, Authority, And Authority - 1679 Words

Power and authority organize people in bureaucratic structures. The hierarchical structure of these organizations dictates the scope of authority that each individual has relative to their respective position. Standardized rules, methods, and procedures within the bureaucratic structure stimulate strict discipline as an essential element for success. The organizations are impersonal places to work and do not conform to the needs of the workers. Historically, power and authority in bureaucratic structures has limited individual personal decision-making, restricted individual opportunities for creativity, denied individual opportunity to develop a sense of self and restricted the potential for diversity in the workplace in public administration. Power and authority are different concepts; however, the terms function reciprocally in the bureaucratic structure of an organization. The organization’s power is centered at the top and the authority flows from the top down through ordered levels of management: from senior executives to regional managers to departmental managers and supervisors who work with the frontline employees. Authority and control from different levels of hierarchy within a bureaucratic structure are defining to the entire purpose of the organization. All departments have organizational charts, and everyone understands who is in charge and their responsibilities. Job descriptions are detailed and specialized and management monitors outcomes, which in turnShow MoreRelatedPower, Authority, And Authority3961 Words   |  16 PagesPower and authority have become central towards the decision-making process in the social environment. As a student, power and authority are fascinating factors based on the le adership position held by the institution. Developing an understanding of power and authority from a personal perspective is towards understanding how the two concepts differ, relate or overlap in the decision-making process. There are diverse reasons as to why power and authority are central in organising constructively withinRead MorePower, Authority, And Equality1629 Words   |  7 PagesPower, authority, and equality are all challenging and effortful goals that women continually fight for in many different societies. The progression of those goals are continuously improving, but there is still a separation between the power, authority, and equality granted to men and women. There are multiple different ways and methods used by feminist in their attempts to gain power, authority, and equality in all aspects of life. These aspects that feminist strive to improve are made possibleRead MoreThe Struggle for Power and Authority1184 Words   |  5 PagesThe development and use of pow er and authority are two of the basic concepts that indwell mankind. The two novels Animal Farm and Lord of the Flies both have main characters that uniquely manifest these attributes. Napoleon and Jack approach discipline in a dictorial manner by using intimidation, propaganda and fear while Snowball and Ralph apply a more democratic method when dealing with the animals. Napoleon and Snowball have different techniques and values on how leadership in life shouldRead MoreThe Punishment And The Power Of Authority1082 Words   |  5 Pagesand demonstrating the power of authority (Marquart and Sorensen 1997:28). Foucault credits Jeremy Bentham’s Panopticon, which is a building that has a tower located at its center. The tower makes it possible to view each individual cell. The individuals that are incarcerated can be seen from the tower but cannot see into the tower itself. Therefore, the prisoner is under the assumption that their every move is being seen by an authority figure. This demonstrates how power can be embedded in artchitectureRead MorePower And Authority : The Tempest Essay1597 Words   |  7 PagesPower and authority, whether it be legitimate or illegitimate, is one of the main themes Shakespeare grapples within The Tempest. Throughout the play characters like Antonio and Prospero usurp power from others and each other. Their actions and motivations set forth by Shakespeare showcase what many say are the playwright’s ideas on humanity and the way government should be run. Antonio is the brother of Prospero, and has since become the Duke of Milan after seizing control of the state fromRead MoreGovernment Power and Authorities1111 Words   |  5 PagesSeparation of Powers, Identify the Major Sources of State and Federal authorities explicit to the Constitution, and explain why the division of powers architecture was important to the Framers. Federalism is the division of Governmental powers and authorities between the State and Federal Governments. Separation of Powers is not actually labeled or defined within the constitution. However, the Framers of the constitution found â€Å"to avoid tyranny, a separation or division of authority must exist†Read MorePresidential Power Of Power And Authority2334 Words   |  10 Pagesquestioning, ultimately leading to the abuse of power and authority. While this may seem completely absurd, many believe that this is not very far away from actual truth. Due to the uneven use of checks and balances among the three branches of government, it has resulted in the executive branch of the American government gaining too much power, therefore leaving the original intent of the constitution to be changed and unenforced. Presidential power has increased immensely over recent years andRead MorePresidential Power And Presidential Authority1487 Words   |  6 Pagesgrants them with both authority and power. However the authority and power that come from this are two vastly different things. Presidential power is as Neustadt defines the power to persuade with the effect of creating legislation, where as presidential authority is the formal and figurative duties granted in the constitution. Presidential power is akin to what specific action is chosen, and presidential authority are the perceivable routes of action. Presidential authority acts as the base for presidentialRead MorePower, Authority and The State Essay1131 Words   |  5 Pagesa normal day. Authority is all around us, and it is a part of our daily lives. We listen to those we believe to be in charge of us and never give our obedience a second thought. What is authority? According to Max Weber, a German sociologist, authority is the legitimate power which one person or group holds over another and does not involve force or violence (10). Weber goes on to construct his â€Å"Tripartite Model of Authority† in which he narrows down the definition of authority into three sub-categories:Read MoreParliamentary Power And Sources Of Authority1219 Words   |  5 Pagescontrolled by some organisation or authority, with or without their consent. If we look at history it’s likely to see different kinds of legislative power and sources of authority. In the UK, the current system is liberal democracy, and comparison to other political systems, the UK political system seems to be the most successful and fair state system thus far. Though, of course like in every governm ent and in every state there are errors, disruptions, and misuse of power. In pluralist democracies such

Dehumanlization of African Americans free essay sample

Overview: enslaved Africans, not free to openly transport kinship, courts, religion, and material cultures, were forced to disguise or abandon them during the Middle Passage. Instead, they dematerialized their cultural artifacts during the Middle Passage to re materialized their African cultures on their arrival in the New World. We will write a custom essay sample on Dehumanlization of African Americans or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Africans arrived in the New World capable of using Old World knowledge to create New World realities. . Traditionally African food culture has been preserved today in many areas of American Cuisine. * A. ) Techniques of deep frying, southern stews (gumbo), and nut stews. Okra, black eyed peas, kidney and lima beans were brought to slave ships. * B. ) Fufu , a traditional African meal throughout the continent, was eaten from Senegambia to Angola and was assimilated into American Cultures as â€Å" turn meal and flour â€Å" in South Carolina. * C. ) Corn bread prepared by African slaves was similar to the African Millet bread. In some of the slave narrative reports, ‘’ cornbread ’’ was referred to as one of the foods that accompanied them in the New World. * III. * 1. Generations of hardship imposed on the African- American community created distinctive language patterns. * A. ) Several African languages are whistled or drummed to communicate over long distances. * B. ) Developing their own culture and preserving their languages or creating pidgins and creole languages to separate themselves from their situation. * C. The first Africans to arrive communicated with the European master through signs and gestures. * IV. * 1. Africans brought traditional music and dance forms in their work, their free-time – entertainment, and their burials and other ceremonies. * A. ) Many African Americans sing ‘’ Lift Every Voice and Sing’’ in addition to the American natural anthem. Many African American children are taught to song at school, church, or by their families. * B. )Radio and phonograph records, rag time, jazz, blues, and swing also became popular overseas, and the 1920s became as the Jazz Age. C. ) The first African – American dance to become popular with the white dancers was the cake walk in 1891. Later dances to follow in this tradition include the Charleston, the Lindy Hop, the Jitterbug and the swing. During the Harlem Renaissance, African-American Broadway shows such as the ‘’ Shuffle Along ‘’ helped established and legitimize African- American dancers. V. 1 . Since the beginning of African civilization, hairstyles have been used to convey messages to greater society. A. As early as the 15th century, different styles could ‘’indicate a person’s marital status, age, religion, ethnic identity, wealth, and rank in the community. B. ) Unkept hair in nearly every West African culture was considered unattractive to the opposite sex and a sign that one was dirty, had bad morals or was even insane. C. ) A women with thick hair demonstrated the life force, the multiplying power of profusion, prosperity†¦a green thumb for ra ising bountiful farms and many healthy children. VI 1. ) African Americans art has made a vital contribution to the art of the United States. A. ) After the civil war, museum galleries began more frequently to display the work of African- American artist. B. )In the century, the women of Gee’s Bend developed a distinctive, bold, and sophisticated quilting style based on traditional African –American quilts with a geometric simplicity that developed separately but was like that of Amish quilts and modern art. C. ) In the 17th century, and the early 19th century, art took the form of small drums, quilts, wrought-iron figurines, and ceramic vessels in the southern United States. Conclusion: From the earliest days of American Slavery in the 17th century, slave owners sought to exercise their slaves by attempting to strip them of their African culture. The physical isolation and societal marginalization of African slaves and, later, of, their free progeny, however, facilitated the retention of significant elements of traditional cultures among Africans in the New World. The imprint of Africa is evident in a myriad of ways: in music, hairstyles, dancing, music, cuisine, art, and world view.

The North American Frontier Contributed Greatly To Todays Essays

The North American frontier contributed greatly to today's American culture. For nearly 150 years before independence, the Appalachian mountain range had been the American frontier, separating civilization from wilderness. When North America gained independence and became the United States, however, people began to move more freely across the frontiers, into the unknown. The land belonged to them now, and they were free to explore it however deeply they chose claiming at will what land they saw. One can explain American development as the existence of a large area of free land constantly receding, and American settlement advancing westward. The difference in American institutions from those of any other nation is that American institutions have a way of adapting themselves to the growing, changing nation for which they were imposed. In addition, American development has shown itself to be not only an advance along a single frontier, but a cycle of returning to primitive conditions along a constantly moving frontier line, then settling and civilizing those areas. The American frontier is also unlike that of any other country in that most other countries have developed in a limited area of which they knew the boundaries, meeting and conquering other developing nations around them. But in the case of North America, the frontier was where savagery and civilization met, and nobody knew what lay beyond it. The settlers of North America had no idea that the continent they had begun settling was so enormously vast; they simply took nature as it came. The pioneers' necessity to cope with natural barriers and survive in near anarchy, in essence being self-sufficient, has greatly affected the American culture of today. One of the areas affected by the frontier experience was politics. People on the frontier had to deal with whatever life brought them and make the best of it. They learned how to be very individualized, pushing their way through whatever barriers nature presented. This individuality has led Americans to develop a government that facilitates individualism. We, the Americans, are usually suspicious, untrusting, and paranoid of the government because we like to be independent, individually solving whatever problems arise in our path to the goal. This mentality is shown in the nation's protests to the government's increasing tyranny and intervention in our personal lives; however, a changing, growing nation requires changes in government. We believe in individualism, and we apply this belief to all aspects of our lives. In the so-called "Wild West", government does not pay as close attention to people's actions, and this was where the vast majority of the nation's reforms we know today originated. For example, initiative, the right of the citizens to initiate a new law into the legislature; referendum, the citizens' right to directly vote a law into action instead of passing it through the legislature; recall, the citizens' to vote a corrupt legislator out of office by way of petition; and term limits were all reforms born in the West. The reason for the government's low involvement in Westerners' daily lives is that for centuries, even to this day, many parts of the West have still been developing their society, civilization, and state governments. In the East, where we have always been on the civilized side of the frontier, people tend more to accept the government's rules, mentally coming to the conclusion that there is nothing they can do about it. But in the West new ideas for reform are constantly being born. Of course, there must be a compromise between a totalitarian government and complete anarchy; too much government restricts freedom while too little government does not provide the convenient government services we may take for granted, and allows society to get far too out of hand. The United States of America is a diverse but tolerant social mixing pot. Unlike most other nations, America is a safe haven for many, many races and religions. People of a particular race or ethnic group usually live in clusters, minimally interfering with outsiders; taking this into mind, however, many immigrants are still amazed by the high level of tolerance America holds. Our tolerance comes from the fact that so many ethnic groups arrived here during the settlement, and that the black African slaves intermingled with the white community enough to earn that tolerance. Furthermore, in the West many different types of people can settle without upsetting one another because of the vast empty space out west to separate them. In addition to our toleration of race and religion, America gives more privileges to its women than most other countries. This anomaly results from the fact that during settlement the women were required to