Religion in Society as Depicted in Literature

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Views on Religion
Criticism
Importance for Society
Conclusion
Works Cited

Introduction

Religion is an integral part of human life, and it has a long history dating back to the time of primitive people, explaining some phenomena by supernatural forces. It is a system of beliefs, faith in a higher power, rituals, and norm, which can differ depending on religion. Moreover, religions can additionally include traditions and activities bringing people together. Societies should maintain religious and cultural traditions, but they should be open to criticisms and different views.

Views on Religion

The readings provide insight into how religions can be both constructive and destructive, which is the religious framework must be open to different views on it. Researching these aspects of religions shows that they have created artificial boundaries for human development and self-expression and that there is no higher power (Rushdie). It is formulated by the fact that human beings are interested in questions about how they appeared and when they will disappear, however, religion gives vague answers. At the same time, alternative points of view include the idea that religion is not a prison for a person as it does not limit one from choice. An example of destructive side of religion mentioned in the work Imagine There Is No Heaven is actions of religious fanatics, namely suicide bombers. The criticism of this point of view lies in the fact that a murder committed under the influence of religion is an incorrect interpretation of its norms.

Criticism

It is evident that religious beliefs must be criticized to ensure that they only benefit society instead of being a cause of division and hate. Some critical views of religion emphasize the negative impact of tradition on society. For example, in the work Lottery, the author uses the symbol of the black box to show the destructive contribution of traditions to modern society (Jackson 7). Thus, such an important holiday as Christmas has become a reason for people to eat and drink a lot and look for gifts at a discount. The main idea is that despite the beauty and purity of the original traditions, over time, they began to be perceived incorrectly and lost their true form. In other words, the author warns the reader about the danger of blindly following traditions without considering their true nature.

Importance for Society

Societies should maintain religious traditions to survive because they still carry important values within them. First, it is worth noting that the example of suicide bombers is not accurate enough because, as already indicated, it formulates an incorrect interpretation of the norms (Zogry 45). In other words, every religion primarily calls for humanism, honesty, love, and well-being (Krausz 26). However, in some religions, there may be additional narratives stating that it is necessary to fight and defend the honor of the faith in a time of war (Smith 54). In both cases, religions provide a strong basis to call for positive action, which is why they need to be maintained in society. In addition, religion itself does not call for murder because all religions can be interpreted in different lights creating diverse views. Open criticism of various religious views is vital to keep the harmful aspects of religion in check while capitalizing on and benefiting from its positive elements.

Conclusion

Finally, religious traditions should be kept because they have a positive influence from an aesthetic point of view. It includes a rich history, the study of which contributes to some important discoveries and developments. In addition, icons, frescoes, and various musical and visual objects of religion are valuable art objects. Thus, following the basic rules of religion for the well-being of mankind and its study articulates a positive factor and should be maintained.

Works Cited

Jackson, Shirley. The Lottery. The Creative Company, 2008.

Krausz, Michael. Rightness and Reasons: Interpretation in Cultural Practices. Cornell University Press, 2019.

Rushdie, Salman. Imagine Theres No Heaven.

Smith, Christian. Religion: What It Is, How It Works, and Why It Matters. Princeton University Press, 2019.

Zogry, Michael. Native Foodways: Indigenous North American Religious Traditions and Foods. State University of New York Press, 2021.

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Religion in Society as Depicted in Literature

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