The definition of religion is one that is very difficult to define. There has been much debate on what the correct meaning of religion is. Our group has come up with our own definition by reading different ideas. Religion is a set of beliefs relating to nature, the purpose of life, as well as the universe, the creation of all of this and the supernatural. The word religion can also be used in the context of faith, or belief. This allows individuals to come together as a community when they have a same belief system. There are many religions in the world and this is shown through the difference of their organization. They believe in different gods, rituals, prayers because of their different traditions and histories that explain the meaning of life. Religion has been broken down into three categories, which are World Religions, Indigenous Religions, and New Religious Movements. The most important aspect of religion is the meaning behind it. Religion has a huge role in the significance on what the human existence is.
The divergence of religion across continents is in a large part due to the travel and eventual settling of humans in different parts of the world. As the earliest humans carried their religious practices to new territory, their beliefs developed into the diverse religions that we know of today. Take Central and South America for example. Some 40,000 years ago, humans began migrating from Asia into North America, through Central America and eventually reaching South America. Along the way, religious practices, though maintaining much of the same basic beliefs, evolved along with the civilization. For instance, despite the belief of polytheism in both Mayan and Incan cultures, the Mayans saw the afterlife as a journey through the evil underworld for most, and only those who were sacrificed could go to heaven. On the other hand the Incas developed a belief in reincarnation, where after death a spirit was given a new form to inhabit. The Incas also came up with a philosophy of equality among men and women, due to their particular gods and goddesses. Farther north, the Mayan people saw blood as nourishment for their gods, which caused them to perform various acts of self-torture and sacrifice. Alternatively, these two civilizations practice religions that are entirely different from those of the Native Americans of North America. There are plenty of other differences between religions of these territories, but the point is that cultures that come from the same initial population can develop such diverse religious practices and rituals as they evolve and spread out across continents. The reasons for all of these differences could be attributed to geographic differences, survival methods (such as how they obtain food), or possibly just the evolution of values within a culture. Whatever the reason, it is clear that as human beings began to diversify and evolve into the different peoples and societies we know today, so too did their religious customs and beliefs.
The divergence of religion across continents is in a large part due to the travel and eventual settling of humans in different parts of the world. As the earliest humans carried their religious practices to new territory, their beliefs developed into the diverse religions that we know of today. Take Central and South America for example. Some 40,000 years ago, humans began migrating from Asia into North America, through Central America and eventually reaching South America. Along the way, religious practices, though maintaining much of the same basic beliefs, evolved along with the civilization. For instance, despite the belief of polytheism in both Mayan and Incan cultures, the Mayans saw the afterlife as a journey through the evil underworld for most, and only those who were sacrificed could go to heaven. On the other hand the Incas developed a belief in reincarnation, where after death a spirit was given a new form to inhabit. The Incas also came up with a philosophy of equality among men and women, due to their particular gods and goddesses. Farther north, the Mayan people saw blood as nourishment for their gods, which caused them to perform various acts of self-torture and sacrifice. Alternatively, these two civilizations practice religions that are entirely different from those of the Native Americans of North America. There are plenty of other differences between religions of these territories, but the point is that cultures that come from the same initial population can develop such diverse religious practices and rituals as they evolve and spread out across continents. The reasons for all of these differences could be attributed to geographic differences, survival methods (such as how they obtain food), or possibly just the evolution of values within a culture. Whatever the reason, it is clear that as human beings began to diversify and evolve into the different peoples and societies we know today, so too did their religious customs and beliefs.
One of the reasons religion has existed throughout history is because of the experiences people have encountered with it. Many people claim these testimonies and experiences as evidence of religion. For example, people attribute healings, good fortune, or anything good in their lives to rituals, prayers, or even sacrifices performed for a higher entity. People also use religion to explain incomprehensible events, such as death and natural disasters. By contributing causation to a higher entity people are also able to have closure and gain some sort of peace within about the situation. Although religion does not necessarily have scientific evidence many people still and will always believe in it. People will continue to share testimonies and traditions with others and religion will continue to spread and exist. Religion plays a huge role in our everyday societies here in the United States, and in other countries across the globe. People look to religions to seek the things they wish to achieve or attain in life.
This was an interesting article to read. It explained why religion is different from place to place. I wonder what its effects on human society and collective work is. For example, people are so stuck on their ideas of religion despite the fact that many things have been explained. These differences often lead to violence. Originally religion could have created a unity or sense of purpose in a group of people which helped them to survive. My question is does it still do this? Or perhaps as the world is getting connected through technology, does religion only serve to get in the way? Does religion create walls between peoples that make it harder to coexist and was it ever really a good thing for humanity?
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