Essay on Religions

Submitted By tash697
Words: 1059
Pages: 5
Open Document
ligion

Week 4 Assignment 1 Religion on Planet Earth
By Natasha Macoon
Professor Eric Speir
REL 212
July 29, 2012

In every situation in life, people need a source of hope. Many times, they turn to their religion. Religion is a collection of rituals, traditions, and beliefs that revolve around a single or group of supernatural beings or creators. These gods have the power to change or alter reality. Therefore, people use religion to hope that their gods will save them and help them whenever they need help. They then spend time trying to make the gods happy so that they favor their needs and agree to help when called. To be considered religious, a person has to believe in some higher-power and participate in traditions or customs, usually to keep away evil spirits or please the good gods. Religious individuals dedicate their lives to their gods and how much they truly believe that their creators reach out to help their disciples.
There are many religions, each with its own beliefs and traditions. However, while they are each very different, there are many similarities that tie them together and allow many to work together in harmony. Three examples of tradition that are found in practically every religion are prayer, fast, and alms-giving. All religions have some form of prayer, whether it is in a group or individually. Some religions have specific places of worship, such as a church, temple or synagogue. Many different religions choose to fast to show that they put their gods or a single god before their own physical needs. Some religions have a time for alms-giving, which is a way to show that they don’t put themselves higher than anyone else and to help those around them. These three are very important traditions; “Prayer carries us half-way to God, fasting brings us to the door of His palace, and alms-giving procures us admission” (Koran). Basically, these three traditions are ways to salvation.
Prayer is an imperative ritual for just about every religion. It is a spiritual unity between man and god; a spiritual doorway to connect the natural man to the supernatural beings. Many use prayer as a way of asking for help or guidance, of thanksgiving, of showing adoration, reverence and worship, and of confession or to ask for forgiveness. Praying is like speaking directly to a god and bringing your needs, problems, confessions, and words of worship to him. It is easy and simple enough to do often, which is why so many religions require the followers to do it often. Some religions require the disciples to dedicate a specific number of times a day, while other religions encourage followers to pray whenever they feel the need or desire to connect to the creator, as said in the book of Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing”. In all religions with prayer, prayer is an invitation to salvation, and, as said in the bible, Romans 10:13, “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” When a person dedicates a good amount of time just to pray, it shows that they really are religious and honestly believe that their god or gods are listening and waiting for the best time to answer their prayers.
In many different religions, many people use sacrifices to show that they put their god or gods above their physical needs. Many different religions encourage or even require the adults to fast during certain times of the year. Examples are in Christianity, where Christians fast in Lent, and Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan. Fasting is the act of giving up excessive foods, eating at specific times of the day, and not eating at all for an amount of time. Many people “fast” for other reasons. Many try to hold themselves from eating to lose weight or stop themselves from consuming too many calories. It may sound like a good idea, especially during a time when the person’s religion calls for it. However, if a person is dieting and considering it fasting, it is
Show More

Related Documents: Essay on Religions

Essay on Religion a Religion

What is Religion University of Phoenix Religion A religion is a composed gathering of convictions, social frameworks, and world perspectives that relate humankind to a request of presence Many religions have stories, images, and hallowed histories that intend to clarify the significance of life and/or to clarify the root of life or the Universe. From their convictions about the universe and individual temperament, individuals may determine profound quality, morals, religious laws or a favored…

Words 1049 - Pages 5

Artemis: Religion And Religion

Artemis: Religion Artemis was worshipped in many, many different places, especially by the Greeks. Although some scholars say that the goddess was originally pre-greek but (now) currently has a whole variety of people that pray to her. Most people who devote and honor her are doing it for luck, sending someone safely back, or for help. The Greeks were always very loyal to the gods and goddesses. The city state Thesis were great devotees of the goddess Artemis, although Artemis the greek goddess…

Words 363 - Pages 2

Religion In Viking Religion

It is also worth mentioning that in Viking religion their beliefs in the Norse gods and goddesses most had human traits, like that of the Greek gods. Unlike most gods in other cultures, the gods and goddesses possessed limited magic abilities. The gods and goddesses, each had power over their own domains. They often had to fight and were victims of violent crimes.…

Words 63 - Pages 1

Religion And Religion: Voltaire's Impact On Religion

In this section, Voltaire exposes and condemns the reprehensible actions of the church to eradicate any indication of infidelity that threatened their religious beliefs. I found Voltaire’s assertions interesting because it implied that the power of the church derived from their ability to instill fear into others, as well as their relentless attempts to seek those who opposed them. Voltaire explicated these deplorable actions and revealed that they contradicted the entire purpose of the Christian…

Words 321 - Pages 2

Essay on Religion: Religion and Religion Clifton Holland

Religion Clifton Holland Colorado Technical University What is religion? A very broad definition according to Understanding religion is: religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that relate humanity to spirituality and sometimes, to moral values. Some religions place emphasis on belief while others emphasize practice. However it is described, religion plays an important role in our society. Religion can be described as having three major functions in society.…

Words 823 - Pages 4

Latin Religion And The Meaning Of Religion

What is a religion to you, in Latin religion means to bind together, from the dictionary the meaning of religion is a set of beliefs. To me, religion is a belief in a God or Gods or nothing and following the guidelines set to live your life. Religion brings people together in a common belief, gives out a bond of togetherness. Religion gives people hope and purpose, also answers questions that no text or source can answer. Since the beginning of time religion has been used to justify and control people's…

Words 332 - Pages 2

Religion Vs Organized Religion

The topic I am using from the book is religion and I am going to compare spirituality to organized religion. One reason religion is important is because it is almost every where, there are so many to pick from, it is suppose to explain or origin and other things that are unknown to humans; as well as gives people things like guidance and hope. I personally do not like organized religion but think that spirituality is a better alternative. From my own personal experiences, people who practice spirituality…

Words 773 - Pages 4

The Polytheistic Religion Of The Aztec Religion

Like many other civilizations of the time, the Aztecs had a Polytheistic religion. The main concept of Aztec religion was based on the belief of a constant struggle between good and bad, and the ultimate demise of the world. In order to prolong the ending of the world, the Aztec would often offer human sacrifices to try and appease the gods. Of the many gods the Aztec worshiped the most important were Omelott, the god of the heavens, Huitzilopochtli, the god of fire and war and the main target of…

Words 269 - Pages 2

Indigenous Religion: A Fascination Religion

Indigenous religion is a very fascination religion. So many people feel that there is really nothing to it but in actuality there is many great things about it and it is complexed. Three of the features I feel to be important with Indigenous religion is that it is a spoken religion, everything is considered to be alive and a person and that they live as one with nature. The reason they say indigenous religion is spoken is that there are no books or written scripts to pass from generation to…

Words 244 - Pages 1

Comparative Religions: Wiccan Religion

Olivia Seeney PHL222 Comparative Religions Wicca Wicca is traditional pagan witchcraft that is practiced religiously. The origins of Wicca develop from pre-Christian religious traditions, folklore, folk witchcraft, and ritual magic of Northern and Western Europe (Wicca). Gerald Brosseau Gardner pulled the origins of modern Wicca from a variety of occult beliefs, magical practices, and western esoteric writings by Aleister Crowley (Melton). He popularized Wicca when he became initiated into a coven…

Words 700 - Pages 3