Common Practices in Religion

Common Practices in Religion

Common practices in religion exist because religion is said to be derived from myths that have been a part of human life dating back to ancient times that are “traditional stories of ostensibly historical events that serves to unfold part of the worldview of a people or explain a practice, belief, or natural phenomenon” ("Myth," 2012).  This paper will define religion and discuss some common practices and experiences across various world religions including indigenous religion as well as discuss some critical issues to the academic study of religion.

Defining Religion

For many years attempts to define religion have continuously been made; however as the world continues to change so does the meaning because it could very well be possible that “a definition may apply to religions of the past, but may not be suitable for a religion of the future” (Molloy, 2013 p.6). There are many different definitions for religion, however the most basic definition states that religion is “a system of thought, feeling, and action that is shared by a group and that gives the members and object of devotion; a code of behavior by which individuals may judge the personal and social consequences of their actions; and a frame of reference by which individuals may relate to their group and their universe” ("Religion," 2013).  Traditional dictionary definitions of religion reference “worships of a God or gods, prayer, ritual, and a moral code” (Molloy, 2013 p.6); however that definition does not cover all religions and that is why “a list of series of characteristics” is a more practical way to give meaning to religion. The characteristics that give meaning to religion are belief system, community, central myths, rituals, ethics, characteristics emotional expressions, material expression and sacredness.

 Common practices and experiences across various world religions

Religion seeks to search for a deeper meaning to life and provide guidance to individuals to  help them find their way and while doing so common practices and experiences across world religions are shared such as “reincarnation, Gods in human form, sacred texts, spirit world, body mutilation and the afterlife” (Religion Gateway, 2013).  Sacred text and/or scriptures are very significant to many religions because it is believed that “many of these writings are thought to have come directly from a God or goddess, usually as some kind of miraculous revelation” (Religion Gateway, 2013).  Sacred text can also prompt experience because it is believed that through those text and scriptures allow individuals to come into contact with deities while performing rituals and ceremonies. Religious rituals which are “symbolic reenactments of religion’s key stories” (Molloy, 2013 p.7) are also very common in all religions including Indigenous religion.

Indigenous represents anything considered native to a specific geographical location and “the category indigenous religion denotes religions practiced by peoples with ancestral or longstanding cultural ties to local places” (Bassett, 2011).   Indigenous religions share common practices and experiences similar to religions worldwide the only difference is that their practices and experiences “tend to be rooted in specific communities and their surrounding landscapes” (Bassett, 2011) because they were mostly established in seclusion from others “their focus tend to be more local and less universalizing” (Bassett, 2011) unlike world religions that continue to expand. 

Critical Issues to the Academic Study of Religion

The academic study of religion is an extension to many other subjects with the focus being on the study of specific traditions and the general nature of religion as a human trend; however there are several critical issues that relate to studying religion such as the beliefs of an individual and how bias can lead to not having a full understanding on the views and perceptions of other religions.  Motivation can also be a critical issue because religious studies enhances an individual’s knowledge of world history and literature as well as give a better understanding of a specific faith; however if one is not clear to exactly why they are studying religion that could create academic issues because of the interpretation of the information that is being presented. 

Conclusion

  The evolution of religion has made it difficult to define, however the one characteristic that is consistent is that “the religious consciousness generally recognizes a transcendent, sacred order and elaborates a technique to deal with the inexplicable or unpredictable elements of human experience in the world or beyond it” ("Religion," 2013).   That one characteristic is what links common practices and experiences across various world religions including Indigenous religions.  Critical issues to the academic study of religion can arise due to an individual’s personal religious beliefs, motivation and the interpretation of the information that is being presented that is why it is best that personal religious beliefs are set aside and objectives are clear to gain full understanding.

 References

Bassett, M. (2011). Indigenous religions, global. Encyclopedia of women in today’s world. doi:10.4135/9781412995962.n405

Molloy, M. (2013). Experiencing the world’s religions: Tradition, challenge, and change (6th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Myth. (2012). Britannica concise encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://search.credoreference.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/content/entry/ebconcise/myth/0

Religion Gateway. (2013). A guide to religion on the web. Retrieved from http://www.religion-gateway.net/themes.html

Religion. (2013). The Columbia Encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://search.credoreference.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/content/entry/columency/religion/0