The significance of the religious dimension in human history



The significance of the religious dimension in human history

Throughout human history religion has played an important role, both on a personal and a societal level. On a personal level, religion provides meaning and purpose for an individual person's life. On a larger scale, the religious dimension in human history has been twofold: on the one hand it has assisted to bind society together by affirming entrenched traditions. On the other hand religion has also provided counter-cultural criticism regarding the inequality created by the status quo. Thus, it can be said that the role of the religious dimension in human history, at least on a societal level, has been a paradoxical one.

Meaning and purpose for the individual

Key religious questions

Human experience is characterised by a search for understanding of the great questions. These great questions of meaning are also known as the key religious questions. The most significant of these fundamental religious questions are those concerned with the origin, purpose and destiny of humankind. These questions can be phrased as where do we come from or, what is the origin of creation? Why are we here or, what is the purpose of human existence? And what happens to us when we die or, what is the destiny of human beings? These are not the only such questions but they are the most significant. Religion attempts to set down guidelines, which answer these key religious questions and in doing so attempts to impose some form of coherence and order to life. However, religion often does not provide straightforward answers to these questions.

Religion provides certainty in an ever changing world

One important function of religion is to provide a sense of consistency and certainty to life in a world that appears to be ever changing. The belief in the existence of a higher being, of a being that controls and watches over humanity allows human beings to impose onto their lives, a framework of meaning, which gives human existence a sense of direction. The way in which religion provides meaning to life is particularly uplifting during times of crises, brought about by events such as the death of a close friend or family member, the breakdown of long term relationships, illness and unemployment where human knowledge can no longer provide satisfactory answers to life's big questions.

Religion offers a sense of belonging within a community for individuals

Another important function of religion is to provide individuals with a sense of belonging within a community. Human beings are, by nature, communal creatures who strive to find a sense of belonging within society. Consequently, the development of the ritualistic dimension of religion, such as the practice of prescribed rituals and the partaking of communal worship within religious traditions, helps to provide individuals with a sense of belonging to a community.

Role of ritual practice

Ritual practice not only strengthens the individual's relationship with a divine being or ultimate reality, but it also renews an individual's bonds with a community of believers. This sense of belonging is particularly important, when membership consists of small ethnic minorities or groups that are socially marginalised or alienated from mainstream society. Thus, religion also plays a significant role in reinforcing the cultural identity of a group.

Theory of religion as a projection of fundamental human needs

Given the role of religion in fulfilling fundamental human needs, it is not surprising to find theories which propose the idea that religion is a social construct, a myth fabricated by human beings to meet human needs. One such theory is given by Ludwig Feuerbach, a nineteenth century German philosopher who argued that religion originated not from an examination of evidence which pointed to the existence of a divine being but as a projection of the deepest desires and wishes of humankind.

Feuerbach's reasoning was that given the natural vulnerability of human kind, religion probably developed as a result of the human need to believe in the existence of a nurturing, higher being that will protect them.

Social cohesion

Religion reinforces traditional beliefs and practices

The idea that religion is a force social cohesion acknowledges the core role of religion in affirming and reinforcing traditional beliefs, practices and social customs. This function of religion in strengthening the traditional bonds of society can be regarded as being both a negative and a positive force.

Positive effects of religion as a force of social cohesion

On the positive side, religion can provide communities with a sense of continuity and certainty in an uncertain and confusing world. For example, immigrants can turn to their religion as a source of continuity from the world they have just left behind. Another positive role of religion, which is inherently conservative, is that it provides modern society with a sense of stability and clarity in a world that is becomingly increasingly complex and rapidly changing.

Negative effects of religion as a force of social cohesion

On the negative side, since religion is inherently conservative in many ways, it also serves to reinforce values and traditions which may be unjust. For example, throughout history religion has been used as a means of authorising the legitimacy of unjust institutions such as slavery and the oppression of women.

Social transformation

Paradoxical role of religion in history

The great paradox with religion is that whilst it can be used to uphold and preserve traditional institutions, values and practices, religion can also be used as a tool for social transformation which criticises the very structures, customs, and beliefs of its own societies.

Religion and social justice

Religious groups have a long tradition of campaigningfor social justice, equality, and advocating the rights of groups that have been marginalised by mainstream society. For example, religious groups are often at the forefront of campaigns which seek to address issues such as poverty, environmental degradation, global conflict, economic inequality, indigenous rights and unemployment. These values of equality, peace, justice and tolerance are derived from the sacred writings of the religious traditions and from the stories of founders and significant leaders of the traditions.

The importance of working towards a just and peaceful society is integral to the message of all major religious traditions and as such these groups are regularly seen working in areas leading towards social transformation.

Using examples, discuss how the religious dimension in human history has contributed to social transformation. (5 marks) - 150 words

History is evidence of the fact that religion can be used as a vehicle for social transformation. In the past, religious groups have been active on issues such as ecological sustainability, indigenous rights, gender equality and economic inequality. The religious dimension of human history has had a long history of counter-cultural criticism of the inequalities created by the status quo. For example, traditionally religious groups have advocated the reform of the economic structures of society, in order to decrease the rates of poverty in society. It should be remembered however, that whilst religion is a vehicle of social transformation, religion is also often used as to reaffirm and legitimize the very structures that it also criticises. Thus, the paradox is, that the transformative role of religion in society is to some extents, tempered by the fact that it also reinforces the traditional institutions of society such as slavery and racial inequality.

Summary

The significance of the religious dimension in human history

• Evaluate the place of the religious dimension in human history to provide:

- Meaning and purpose for the individual

- Social cohesion

- Social transformation

Meaning and purpose for the individual

• Human experience is characterised by a search for answers to the big questions of life, which are known as the key religious questions

• The most significant of these questions relate to the origin (where did we come from?), purpose (why are we here?) and destiny (what happens to us when we die?) of humankind

• The answers provided through religion understanding give meaning and coherence to life

• One significant role of religion is to provide life with meaning, and hence a sense of overall consistency and direction in a world that is constantly changing

• During times of crises for example , religion is particularly uplifting because it provides life with a sense of purpose , and a framework upon which to understand life

• The ritualistic dimension of religion provides individuals with one of the most basic needs of humankind, a sense of belonging within a community

• Religion can also serve to reinforce the cultural identity of a group, which is particularly important when the group consists of small ethnic minorities or people who have been socially marginalised by mainstream society

Social cohesion

• Religion has an important role in affirming traditional beliefs and practices

• Religion provides communities with a sense of continuity as it serves to link the rapidly changing, complex modern society with a more traditional and stable past

• The downside of religion as a force of social cohesion is that religion can also used to reinforce and legitimise values and institutions, which may be unjust eg. Slavery

Social transformation

• Paradoxically, whilst religion is a force of social cohesion it can also serve as a force of social transformation

• Religion can be used as a tool for criticising the structures, customs and beliefs of its own societies

• The importance of working towards a just and peaceful society is integral to the message of all major religious traditions

• Historically, religious groups have played a significant role in advocating and campaigning for social justice and equality

• Today religious groups can be seen at the forefront of campaigns, which seek to address issues such as poverty, environmental degradation, global conflict, economic inequality, indigenous rights and unemployment

Using examples, discuss how the religious dimension in human history has contributed to social transformation. (5 marks) - 150 words

History is evidence of the fact that religion can be used as a vehicle for social transformation. In the past, religious groups have been active on issues such as ecological sustainability, indigenous rights, gender equality and economic inequality. The religious dimension of human history has had a long history of counter-cultural criticism of the inequalities created by the status quo. For example, traditionally religious groups have advocated the reform of the economic structures of society, in order to decrease the rates of poverty in society. It should be remembered however, that whilst religion is a vehicle of social transformation, religion is also often used as to reaffirm and legitimize the very structures that it also criticises. Thus, the paradox is, that the transformative role of religion in society is to some extents, tempered by the fact that it also reinforces the traditional institutions of society such as slavery and racial inequality.

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download