Reflective Essay On Religion

Throughout my life growing up, all of my decisions in regards to faith were not necessarily of my own. My religious practices were done not because I wanted to, but because I had to. Having to attend classes on Saturdays and being placed in a private school, I was taught multiple prayers and traditions that I had to follow. I felt as though I were forced to practice these prayers and traditions due to the fact that I was being graded to practice them; I wanted to do them simply to get a good grade. I was also encouraged to become an altar server during my school’s daily mass and in return I would gain extra credit, so I did so. When following traditions that my family practiced, I only committed to them because I would be disciplined

Growing up I was always told religion was false and that I was above my friends who were Christians because I believed in science. My mom was raised by Catholics, but when she graduated High School, she vowed to never be religious again. My father enjoyed feeling more elite over the “religious plebeians” that worked for him. I remember having an argument with Victoria Henderson in 3rd grade because I believed in The Big Bang and she was a creationist. Everyone took Victoria’s side, and I learned it was better to just not talk about religion. In high school, I began reaching out of my comfort zone, and also questioning what my parents had ingrained on me as a person. My first religious experience was dating a boy named Luis who was Catholic, as my mother was raised. He was only allowed to date Catholic girls, so I

Throughout History, many religeons have shown similarities and differences in the way they worship, act and think of their god or gods. From various forms of worship multiple times a day, to a simple prayer of thanks each night, religeons express their worship in various ways. Many religeons throw festivals or parties to thank their gods, while other religeons worship in silence, as their ancestors have. Although religeons show many differences, they have also shown many similarites aswell. Two religeons with very similar moral codes and ways of worship are Christianity and Islam. Christianity, Judaism and Islam are very similar becuase of the 10 commandments and the 5 pillars of Islam.

The Truth About Religion So what do you think religion is? Well to some of you it's getting dragged out of bed early on Sunday morning, and being forced by your parents to go to church. just to listen to sermons about Jesus and god!!

When I was 14 years old, I started attending a Seventh Day Adventist church. Although I was not Seventh Day Adventist, some of my aunts were and my mother thought it was a great

In a world where information can be found at our finger tips, there is still a large deficit in understanding when it comes to literacy. Although possessing the ability to read and write is valuable, it is simply not enough. The truth of the matter is that having the ability to read and write is worth nothing if one does not understand what he or she is reading and writing. As a result of my childhood experiences, religious literacy is possessing a basic understanding of one’s individual religion, and having the capacity to internalize what certain teachings and beliefs means to them. In a narrative of my literary experiences, these moments regarding religion shaped my capacity to read, write, and comprehend. I simply want to share my Catholic faith. Not to convince you or to convert you, but simply to share what the Catholic traditions and beliefs mean to me.

When it comes to religion I have always felt like an outsider looking in. I grew up as a ‘relaxed Catholic’, going to religion classes, getting my Reconciliation, my Communion, and my Confirmation, but all the while I had my doubts about the things being told to me. People would tell me that I have to believe that in order to save yourself, I must believe explicitly that God existed and that he rewards the good and punishes the wicked. The idea that the whole world was created and that I must believe in this perplex idea of a poor man who walked on water, cured blindness, rose from the dead, and was for some reason white even though he was born in Bethlehem (which is in modern day Palestine) was something that caused me to push away from religion totally.

Every religion holds truth to the believers, and gives them a sense of identity. There is no right or wrong answer to the question of which religion to follow, only interpretations and behaviors according to what makes sense to the individual. People will behave as they believe (Beliefs and Believers, Class 1).

When asked the question on my definition of religion, I decided to look at it in a way that goes beyond just my religion. Religion goes much deeper than being something that we just believe in, it is a relationship or a part of a person’s culture. My purpose of religion is something for me to try and understand what my goal in life is, as well as building a relationship with a higher being. Religion gives people that higher being that they can look to for guidance and comfort. I feel that you can also express your culture through religion as well as explain some of the reasons for some of the things that you have done in your life.

Christianity is the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Most followers of Christianity, called Christians, are members of one of three major groups--Roman Catholic, Protestant, or Eastern Orthodox. These groups have different beliefs about Jesus and His teachings. But all consider Jesus central to their religion. Most Christians believe God sent Jesus into the world as the Savior. Christianity teaches that humanity can achieve salvation through Jesus.

Imagine a world in which you are prohibited from traveling to another country, even though you are guaranteed the basic right to practice your religion. Remember how over fifteen years ago, people that shared nothing but your religion committed acts of terrorism, and people still hold you responsible. Picture an era where you and your people were persecuted, but now reciprocators of the oppressors are marching freely without a second thought. You can stop imagining now. Because this is the world we live in. A society of religious intolerance. It is defined as, “not respecting the fundamental human right of other people to hold religious beliefs that are different from your own” (“Religious Intolerance Introduction”). Around the world in six predominantly Muslim countries, citizens are forbidden from coming to America because of an executive order issued by the US. Likewise, on September 11th, 2001, a group of Muslim terrorists hijacked a plane, killing thousands. In present day, people only connected to them by their religion are still being judged for actions they didn’t perform. Another situation in which bigotry occurred was in World War II. The Nazi Party attempted to gain control of many European and Asian countries, all the while trying to rid the world of races and religions they saw as inferior. Now the Neo-Nazis have the right to march freely and spread their hateful messages. Religious intolerance is a pressing issue, causing harrassment, inequality, violence, and

Religion was discovered back in 2000 BC and is considered to be a trait common to cultures worldwide to this day. Some use religion as a way to cope, to connect, but few could use religion as a weapon against others. Since religion began, over 195,035,000 lives have been lost in tragedies brought on in the name of faith. Regardless of the brutality religion has created, it has also caused others to come together in order to speak out. As a result of religions regression in society, humans are able to progress for the sake of defending human rights.

Ever since I was a little girl my parents’ made it clear that I needed to do this or that because it reflects what type of family I was raised into. My family is very well known in a small little town in Northern Michigan. Anything that I did that was against my parents expectations was corrected in private, and then expected next time we went out. My family was persistent on being represented well. They valued things like respect. My mom grew up in a family where they all went to a catholic church every Sunday so it is viewed as a ritual that my she always took part in. Therefore, if she was to go to church, then I was too. From the time that I was a baby until I was 16 I never had the choice to choose what I wanted or what I believed. So how was I supposed to understand other religious views that people held if I wasn’t able to learn about them? The day I questioned my own religion was the day that I became myself. I started reading. I started learning. I started meditating. I explored the unknown natural surrounding that had never been exposed to me.

During the course of this class, I have learned a lot about different religions. I still have an unprejudiced view of religion. However, I did not suspend my belief to have an understanding of religion. I have been able to learn of other religious beliefs without feeling threatened of my own. I found there are many different practices in other religions, some I agree with and some I do not agree with. I have come to except others, ways of worship without getting upset. I have become humble in my conclusion now that I have a better understanding of others beliefs. The world seems to jump to conclusions and be judgmental about other religions. Postponing ones judgement on a religion is a difficult thing to do. Being raised and taught a certain religion and set of beliefs is distilled in to one’s mind. I, on the other hand, reserved my personal judgement until I have learned more about it.

What religion am I? In my life, I have been told many things about my religion. My mother is a Roman Catholic, while my father is Jewish. I have learned about both religions, and I have tried to practice both as best I could, but I am now faced with the decision; which one am I?