Jen Chapman
HUMA 2400
Synthesis Assignment
Revolution 2011
Before I was enrolled in this class I thought religion, whether apparent or hidden affects, every aspect of a human’s life. After taking this class I still have the same thoughts, but with a more refined view and support system. Religious beliefs are so pertinent to a society and culture. Varieties of religions are practiced throughout the world and within the United States itself. Disagreement with practices, beliefs, or deity is an overriding force experienced everywhere across America. When I think of Religion in the U.S., I think of a domino maze, each domino hitting another, occasionally branching off into an assortment of possibilities. Religion comes in contact with everyone in America, no matter what the faith or nonexistence of faith there is. It surrounds us. It influences decisions, opinions and relationships. Many people would support this idea but the ins and outs of religion in America goes much deeper than any of us think.
Many of my articles discussed disagreements regarding religion, each having at least one subject whom (consciously or not) felt a need to defend their beliefs. Regarding Mitt Romney as a part of the “Mormon cult,” the pastor felt like he needed to defend why he felt as if a Mormon couldn’t lead as well as a “Christian.” In the Christmas tree article, one side felt as if someone was taking the true meaning behind Christmas (being the birth of Jesus) while the other side felt as if the Christian named holiday was repressing their right to openly practice belief systems. And within the interracial marriage piece, the congregation voted to overthrow a law that was morally wrong, it was not the Christian thing to do.
The article that I felt really touched on all of the bases and really helped give insight to details about religious diversity that are not so recognizable to the naked eye was Hunter and Franz’ “Religious Pluralism and Civil Society.” (A Nation of Religions: The Politics of Pluralism in a Multi-Religious America., Ch. 12) It gives many good points on how America is constantly changing religiously so mores in American society are changing as well. As I wrote in my first media review:
““Change begins to challenge the steadiness of America’s values, rights and liberties. New belief systems begin to appear and establish themselves. Each belief system must go through acceptance phases, not only shaking the strength of it’s own stability but also rocking other groups of religious society.”
Views and opinions on subjects like gay marriage, the purpose of life, drugs, and other culturally sensitive subjects are blooming outside of the box and aren’t staying silent. I believe that society is beginning a new turn, a revolution of “moral rights,” slowly parting from ways of previous generations. Because of this tensions within American religious societies will only continue to increase.
This being said, the pendulum of religion will not slow down any time soon. People will come together for strength in beliefs. Passions will endure. People will continue to discover their beliefs and the big question of “why.” Because of this, belief systems and religious organizations are in no way close to extinction throughout the diverse plain of religious America.
HUMA 2400
Synthesis Assignment
Revolution 2011
Before I was enrolled in this class I thought religion, whether apparent or hidden affects, every aspect of a human’s life. After taking this class I still have the same thoughts, but with a more refined view and support system. Religious beliefs are so pertinent to a society and culture. Varieties of religions are practiced throughout the world and within the United States itself. Disagreement with practices, beliefs, or deity is an overriding force experienced everywhere across America. When I think of Religion in the U.S., I think of a domino maze, each domino hitting another, occasionally branching off into an assortment of possibilities. Religion comes in contact with everyone in America, no matter what the faith or nonexistence of faith there is. It surrounds us. It influences decisions, opinions and relationships. Many people would support this idea but the ins and outs of religion in America goes much deeper than any of us think.
Many of my articles discussed disagreements regarding religion, each having at least one subject whom (consciously or not) felt a need to defend their beliefs. Regarding Mitt Romney as a part of the “Mormon cult,” the pastor felt like he needed to defend why he felt as if a Mormon couldn’t lead as well as a “Christian.” In the Christmas tree article, one side felt as if someone was taking the true meaning behind Christmas (being the birth of Jesus) while the other side felt as if the Christian named holiday was repressing their right to openly practice belief systems. And within the interracial marriage piece, the congregation voted to overthrow a law that was morally wrong, it was not the Christian thing to do.
The article that I felt really touched on all of the bases and really helped give insight to details about religious diversity that are not so recognizable to the naked eye was Hunter and Franz’ “Religious Pluralism and Civil Society.” (A Nation of Religions: The Politics of Pluralism in a Multi-Religious America., Ch. 12) It gives many good points on how America is constantly changing religiously so mores in American society are changing as well. As I wrote in my first media review:
““Change begins to challenge the steadiness of America’s values, rights and liberties. New belief systems begin to appear and establish themselves. Each belief system must go through acceptance phases, not only shaking the strength of it’s own stability but also rocking other groups of religious society.”
Views and opinions on subjects like gay marriage, the purpose of life, drugs, and other culturally sensitive subjects are blooming outside of the box and aren’t staying silent. I believe that society is beginning a new turn, a revolution of “moral rights,” slowly parting from ways of previous generations. Because of this tensions within American religious societies will only continue to increase.
This being said, the pendulum of religion will not slow down any time soon. People will come together for strength in beliefs. Passions will endure. People will continue to discover their beliefs and the big question of “why.” Because of this, belief systems and religious organizations are in no way close to extinction throughout the diverse plain of religious America.