THE ROLE OF RELIGION IN WORLD POLITICS

The Role of Religion in World Politics

The Role of Religion in World Politics

The role of religion in world played an important factor in way people treated their fellowman and way society functioned as the whole. The manner in which the society operated reflected greatly upon beliefs and practices of its culture. In world, five diverse segments - Native Americans, Planters, Puritans, Afro-Americans, and Rationalists/Revolutionaries illustrated such behavior. (Bauman 2000)

This is shown by Lakota people who still take part in their annual Sun Dance. In pre-Columbian times, they arrived on foot. After coming of Spanish, they rode horses. Today, they arrive in automobiles. In Native American society, belief that everyone was derived from the common ancestor was prominent. Clans, which were often represented by the totem pole, were formed. Within clan, ancestry of mother bestowed rights and privileges upon its members. Maternal lineage determined where man could fish, live, and even whom he could marry. In pertinence to way Native Americans treated other cultures, they were tolerant and respectful. When arrival of Puritans came about, American Indians such as Squanto helped very contrasting Puritans by means of guiding them in how to plant their corn, where to take their fish, and how to acquire other goods. They even set guidelines of conduct which were to be observed in reassurance of peace between two factions. (Miroljub 2005)

The Puritans are one of more controversial cultures of world. The Puritans were very strict in their religious practices. They opposed pleasing things in life such as vanities and worldly entertainments. Puritans felt that things like theater, art, and music were immoral.

As Puritan society and religious practices developed over years, church sermons were filled with vivid images of death, fire, and damnation by pastors such as Jonathan Edwards. Pastors used ...