Running head: COMMON PRACTICES IN RELIGION 1 Common Practices in Religion Lisa Kualii 12/5/15 HUM/130 Novella Sconyers
COMMON PRACTICES IN RELIGION 2 Common Practices in Religion Religion is a way of life for many, and considered a basic human need. Religion is a fundamental way for humans to cope with mortality and death of a loved one but also offers companionship and comfort (Molloy, M. 2013). Varying beliefs offer soulful connections with the divine and have beliefs specific to afterlife or rebirth. A sense of belonging and socialization is an instinctive need. Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory present levels of life experiences for individuals to achieve self-actualization. In Maslow s theory, the need for belonging and socialization is highlighted throughout the earlier stages of this process; religion lays a foundation for the sense of always belonging. The function of religion serves as belief, and binds an individual to the divine. A religion s belief system is the response to natural wonders, enlightening ritual experiences, and sometimes the power of healing. Religion is responsible for explaining the unexplainable. Beliefs provide answers and comfort to those practicing. Religions have varying beliefs on how the soul, afterlife, or rebirth all connect with the divine. Most religions maintain a belief system, rituals, ethics, characteristic emotional experiences, material expression and sacredness (Molloy, M. 2013). Many larger religions have smaller groups and may differ significantly in beliefs. For example, Theravada Buddhism only recognizes the historical Gautama (Sakyamuni) Buddha; while Mahayana Buddhism recognizes other modern Buddha in addition to Gautama (Sakyamuni) Buddha. (Eng, 1996-2015). Some religions believe in the idea of an eternal life in heaven, others believe souls are reincarnating into other living things. The Christian religion is focused on living this life devoted to the afterlife; while the Buddhist religion is focused on the present life, believes in reincarnation, and karma plays a significant role throughout life.
COMMON PRACTICES IN RELIGION 3 Religions may also differ in how they view males and females. Experiencing the world's Religions states many influential religions today, male imagery and control seem to dominate; the sacred is considered male, and the full-time religious specialists are frequently male. But this may not always have been the case. (Molloy, M. 2013). Many religions hold females in a divine light, based on the ability to reproduce. Corbett (1988) in Introduction to Voodoo in Haiti suggests that both males and females could lead the communities; The priesthood of Voodoo contains both men (houngan) and women (mambo). However, in the Apostolic Letter, Ordinatio Sacerdotalis of John Paul II to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on Reserving Priestly Ordination to Men Alone states "She [Catholic Church] holds that it is not admissible to ordain women to the priesthood, for very fundamental reasons. These reasons include: the example recorded in the Sacred Scriptures of Christ choosing his Apostles only from among men; the constant practice of the Church, which has imitated Christ in choosing only men; and her living teaching authority which has consistently held that the exclusion of women from the priesthood is in accordance with God's plan for his Church." Unlike the Voodoo religion, women may not hold the same positions as men within the Catholic Church. Indigenous religion refers to religions considered born to that land. Indigenous Indians in America practice rituals and connect to the divine through dance vastly similar to Voodoo. The indigenous Voodoo religion sparsely spread over the Pacific Ocean is still practiced in parts of West Africa, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Cuba, Dominican Republic, and America ("Religionfacts", 2004-2015). Many Europeans called Voodoo black magic, and accused those who practiced Voodoo of witchcraft, dismissing the practice as a religion. In The End of a World: Albert Kahn's Archive of the Planet: Indigenous Dahomey Religion:Voodoo, a vodoun
COMMON PRACTICES IN RELIGION 4 priest Hounnohgan Agbebe Guendegou states, "Voodoo is indispensable. Voodoo doesn't kill. Voodoo is not witchcraft. Voodoo is a force for a good. Voodoo has healing powers. Religion in many cultures offer structured services to caring for the needy in the communities. Religion also stimulates communities through arts such as dance, artists and provides a source of inspiration. Steven Ramey (2012) suggests, Critical theory in religious studies encourages a focus on the political nature of any attempt to determine what the real boundaries of religion or a specific religion are. Using critical theory to focus our attention on the strategic use of religion to promote a position or diminish the assertions of others makes religious studies increasingly relevant for contemporary society. The study of religion is important to communicate and educate individuals to practice tolerance as well as recognize powers that abuse or take advantage of religious beliefs. As a whole, all religions should reflect more tolerance for others differing beliefs, as so many are founded on. References
COMMON PRACTICES IN RELIGION 5 Molloy, M. (2013). Experiencing the world's Religions: Tradition, Challenge, and change (6th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Eng, T. S. (1996-2015). BDEA/BuddhaNet.. Retrieved from http://www.buddhanet.net/elearning/snapshot02.htm Corbett, B. (1988). World History Archives. Retrieved from http://www.hartfordhwp.com/archives/43a/010.html Libreria Editrice Vaticana Apostolic Letter, Ordinatio Sacerdotalis of John Paul II to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on Reserving Priestly Ordination to Men Alone Retrieved from https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact =8&ved=0ahUKEwjouePuhcbJAhUGHx4KHZP8D8sQFggjMAE&url=http%3A%2F%2 Fsalinadiocese.org%2Fvocations-archives%2Fdocuments%2F185-ordinatio-sacerdotalis- 1&usg=AFQjCNGIkwg_zQiFy_LcOivqKw7wvW189Q&sig2=g8PLcBi_fkmetPgef6DK mq&bvm=bv.108538919,d.dmo ReligionFacts. (2004-2015). Retrieved from http://www.religionfacts.com/voodoo Films Media Group (2008). Indigenous Dahomey Religion: Voodoo (02:37) From Title: The End of a World: Albert Kahn's Archive of the Planet. Ramey, S. (2012). Bulletin for the Study of Religion. Retrieved from http://bulletin.equinoxpub.com/2012/12/critical-theory-and-the-importance-of-religiousstudies/