When thinking about both religion and politics as concepts, they frame our society either by classifying people into different categories depending on their belief or even by making them obey to rules.
Religion from latin religare, means to gather, Religion gathers people around God. This social aspect is what brings it closer to Politics.
Prof. Vaught had many references of the Bible explaining religion as a political system, with a bunch of strict laws (last class with the discussion about Father founders of the law). Altars seem like sorts of courts, the covenants and commandments seem like promises between God and the people which makes us think about laws.
In our modern days, governments are turning into secular ones, and religion is practiced on an individual level rather than in a society in general. Although, we would imagine a world without religion as being a world without conflict, the question would be would it be realistic to imagine a world without religion? And my question to you would be, Is a man able to free himself from religious beliefs or feeling?
As someone who was raised in an entirely religious-free environment, I have (as most in our class will agree) a very cynical view towards organized religion. In my opinion, one can easily draw parallels between religion and politics, especially in this day an age, where the separation between church and state is a heavily debated topic. Both are used to dictate what is to be considered "right" and "wrong" and in doing so, both inherently strike up controversy and ultimately conflict.
ReplyDeleteAs you said, our modern governments, especially in the US, are becoming more secular. It is a reflection of society and its religiousness or lack there of. The public, a a whole, is shifting away from organized religion. Is it still separation of church and state if the public considered non-religiousness when voting? Is secularism a religion in its own way in that it unites people in their decision making and moral standards. This brings it back to your idea of religion and politics being similar and interwoven. To me, religion is an idea and common belief system that, for better or worse, unites people and guides them to live in a certain manner. Politics does this too. Both give people a sense of identity and a community in which their beliefs are defended by others with similar ones. Just as there is an obvious divide between religions, there is an unmistakable separation between political parties.
ReplyDeleteI don't think man could ever separate himself from a religion because there are so many different kinds of religion. Religion to me is a group of people that is bonded over a common belief. So to me, politics is very similar to religion. Even those who don't believe in a god can bond with others that feel the same way. People who say they have no opinions on politics can always find other people who have that same view. Man can never be separated from religion because there are so many different religions that aren't focused on believing in a deity.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who grew up in an entirely religion-free household, I never understood how someone could place so much trust and faith into something as intangible as religion. So, I think I could survive in a world without religion (as long as that world still had the moral beliefs that often come with religious beliefs). However, I think that many people are religious because it gives a sense of hopefulness that cannot be contrived from science or otherwise. As for mankind as a whole, I think that the possibility of living in world without religion is slim. The separation from religion would be difficult because of the early arrival of religion into society; it is so deeply rooted that it is nearly impossible to find something that isn't somehow connected to religion, either directly or indirectly.
ReplyDeleteFor example, there are allusions in modern text and mainstream fashion styles rooted in religion.
Amy Shih