CULTURE AND RELIGION

Culture and Religion

Culture and Religion

Introduction

Religion affects many dynamics of the culture of a society. Although, at first glance most people do not realize the drastic effects religion has on a culture. It can have a major impact on the stability and growth of the economy, the people's family, and social lives. In the following essay, I will illustrate how Confucianism, Buddhism, Islamic, Judaism, and Christianity influenced different societies.

Discussion

Religion on Culture

Religion is a set of practices and beliefs that allow human beings to search for the meaning of life and the purpose of their existence. These common practices set the foundation for such beliefs to have validity. Every individual must wonder why he/she exists on earth.

The government promoted civilized and proper behavior. This environment created an ideal situation to invent things that would change the world. Wallpaper, compass, paper, printing press, and toilet paper all came from China. According to Buddhist, desire is bad and it has to be eliminated because it is the root of all evil. Following the eight steps of Buddhism will allow a person to be free of these desires and reach inner peace. The eight steps are:1) right views -all desires are bad2) right intention -think unselfishly 3) right speech -speak unselfishly do not talk about what you want 4) right action 5) right livelihood - job should reflect your lack of desires6) right effort - every minute of everyday make a physical and mental effort7) right concentration -be mindful at all times8) right ecstasy -meditate or concentration If each individual in the society is striving for this, the culture would be peaceful and it would have a low crime rate. There would not be any stealing because people would be happy with what they have already. Families would do their own thing. It is not like Confucianism because nothing was private for them.

Also, Buddhist took a job because they liked it and not because of the pay or higher social ranking. People were not striving to invent something to become famous or to get rich. The economy was stable but poor because they were not innovative. Yet, they were satisfied with what they had already. There was not an inner drive to be successful like the Easterners. This society was content. The Islamic religion follows the Koran. It was founded in Arabia and it spread throughout the Middle East.

The prophet Mohammed founded it. A Muslim has to pray five times a day, give to the poor, fast during the month of Ramadan, and go to Mecca at least once in a lifetime. This religion takes a lot of dedication. It is not like Christianity, where a person goes once a week to church and does not have to worry about it till next Sunday. Islam is the center of a Muslim's life. The family revolves around this religion. Women in this society are in a second class and have no ...