Philosophy And Practices Of Religion - 866 Words

The idea, concept, and practices of religion have never really been something that is of importance to me during my life. For the longest time I did not identify as any certain or specific religion and when asked I would simply state how I was not a religious person. It was not until high school when I discovered the religion of Agnosticism. In our English class we had to research different religions and our group received Agnosticism. Before then I had never heard of that religion, but after learning about Agnosticism it pretty much summed up how I feel and what I believe about God and religion. Basically Agnosticism entails that the person believes that the existence of God is uncertain and claims neither a faith nor a disbelief in God. I feel like this religion perfectly sums up how I feel when it comes to my faith and ideas about God and just religion as a whole. Since I am not a religious type of person, the idea of me choosing another one that I would be a part of seems like a difficult task. When I do think about the various religions that I have studied, written, and read about during the course of this semester there is one that stands out to me. If I had to choose another religion to join instead of my own, I would join Buddhism because their fundamental principles and values are those that I can agree with and their ultimate purpose in life is something I can see myself believing in as well. To begin, in the Buddhist religion there are various principles andShow MoreRelatedBuddhism Is Considered A Religion Or A Philosophy961 Words   |  4 Pagesbuddhism is considered a religion or a philosophy but I believe that it is both. According to (https://www.google.com/#q=buddhismBuddhism) is a non-theistic religion or philosophy that encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs and spiritual practices largely based on teachings attributed to the Buddha. Buddhism inhabits several traits that consider it a religion and a philosophy. There is not a clear d istinction that defines buddhism as one or the other. Some practices of Buddhism display faithRead MoreSocial Philosophy Of Confucianism1398 Words   |  6 Pagesmodels of family and public interactions and setting educational standards (Biography.com Editors 2017). Confucius died in 479 B.C., but Confucianism became the official imperial philosophy of China and its influence was significant during the Han, Tang and Song Dynasties (Biography.com Editors 2017). Confucius’s philosophy and teachings started during the sixth century B.C. when the competing Chinese states destabilized the authority of the Zhou Empire, which was in rule for over 500 years (BiographyRead MoreHinduism Religion759 Words   |  4 Pageswhat makes up the Hindu religion is Sanarana Dharma, which is also known as Hinduism, an alternative label that is preferred today. Hinduism is the traditional religion of India. Sanatan Dharma is one of the oldest religions known to mankind and Hinduisms religion is still in practice today. The spiritual expressions of Sanatana Dharma range from extreme asceticism to the extreme sensuality, from the heights of personal devotion to a deity to the heights of abstract philosophy (Fisher, M.P., 2005)Read MoreWorld Religion s Project Of Buddhism1003 Words   |  5 PagesReligion’s Project Almost 6 percent of the world s population or 350 million people follow Buddhism. Although among them are varying controversies over whether or not Buddhism is a religion or a followed pathway. Buddhism, founded in the late 6th -century B.C.E , and practices the ideas of varying traditions, spiritual practices, and all beliefs focused on the ideas of Gautama or the Buddha. Gautama valued the beliefs and teachings of The Universal Truths and Four Noble Truths and successfully sharedRead MoreWhy Herd Culture Must Exist1066 Words   |  5 Pagesobjective philosophy (dogmatic philosophy) are in a way similar. Both objective philosophy and herd culture force people to think the world is set up a certain way and it will never change. Objective philosophy claims we have access to universal trusts that are ahistorical and undoubtedly true at all time. Similarly, herd culture enforces expectations and rules which, based on herd ideology, are both ahistorical and true at all times and l ocations. Nietzsche claims that objective philosophy is closelyRead MoreSimilarities Between Hinduism And Buddhism995 Words   |  4 PagesThere are more than seven billion people living across the world and about 19 major religions with about 270 subgroups. In many states and countries, there are two or more religions that are being practiced by its residents. Hinduism and Buddhism are two of the 19 major religions, that are widely practiced. Hinduism and Buddhism both have common origins, and share similar beliefs. Both Hinduism and Buddhism are religions that focus on the way to live and the different paths to gain enlightenment. ThereRead MoreThe Birth of Religions and Philosophies in the Ancient World1185 Words   |  5 PagesThe Birth of Religions and Philosophies in the Ancient World From the beginning of time, people all over the world have wondered where we come from, what our divine purpose in life is, and what we can expect after death. Questions about right and wrong, society and government, and nature and the cosmos, are some of the few wonders that ultimately created some of the earliest philosophies and religions, helping people find peace and explanation to the vast curiosity that still troubles us in modernRead MoreReligious Ideologies And Practices Behind Buddhism843 Words   |  4 Pagesinterested to learn about other cultures and ways of life. One particular religion that I did not consider myself well versed with was Buddhism. From my previous encounters with this religion, I had learned that its teachings embody the idea of karma and rebirth. As means to broaden my knowledge and learn more about the religious ideologies and practices behind Buddhism, I spoke with Professor Ann Burlein of the Religion and Philosophy Department. I had originally planned to attend Professor Burlein’sRead MorePhilosophy, Phenomenology And Comparative Approachs851 Words   |  4 Pagesthere are six different approaches to religion. One approach is the psychological or individual aspect. Then there is the sociological approach which looks at group behavior. Then there is also the anthropological approach which is looks at societies, cultures and things of that nature. Lastly there is the philosophy, phenomenology and comparative approachs. The psychological approach to religion allows us to examine the individual. The psychology of religion is to understand the personal religiousRead MoreCritique Of Hegel s Philosophy Of Right957 Words   |  4 Pagesis an active practice that involves gaining a knowledge and understanding of the past to improve its problems. A problem Marx sees in his time is the passive dogmatists that deal with abstractions such as idealism, or religion. He instead wants to offer a solution through the concrete: history and criticism, particularly that of religion, philosophy, and political economy. Beginning with Marx’s Contribution to the Critique of Hegel’s Philosophy of Right, is the critique of religion. He states that

Homosexuality vs Society Free Essays

Homosexuality in today’s society In today’s society, there exists a mixture of issues which tend to raise arguments with people all over. There are a handful of topics that always seem to escalate these differences between people to the point where one who participates in debate and argument can direct their anger towards their feelings on the person themselves. An issue that has in recent years, begun to increase arguments, is the acceptability of homosexuality in society. We will write a custom essay sample on Homosexuality vs Society or any similar topic only for you Order Now Until recently, homosexuality was considered strictly taboo. If an individual was homosexual, it was considered a secret to be kept from all family, friends, and society. However, it seem that society has begun to accept this lifestyle by allowing same sex couples. The idea of coming out of the ‘closet’ has moved to the head of homosexual individuals when it used to be the exception. Homosexuality is nothing to be ashamed of and we should all come to realize this. The United States is denying good people a better life based on sexual orientation. Acceptance of homosexual marriage is a major issue in today’s society. This is a civil. issue, and the United States needs to start realizing that they are denying marriage rights to homosexuals because of moral reasons. What ever happened to separation of church and state? Opponents of homosexual marriage feel that by allowing gay and lesbians the right to marriage undermines the traditional definition of marriage. However, as society changes and the demands of the American citizens change, there needs to be changes that comply with not only the traditional society but also with modern needs of the United States people. Not only are homosexual couples being denied marriage rights but also adoption rights in several states. There would be no harm to society by allowing homosexuals the right to marriage or to legally adopt; the positive impacts it would have on society are far greater then the negative effects. Homosexuals should get the same rights as any other United States citizen. For the United States to have a functional society, allowing all citizens, regardless of sexual preference, would be in everyone’s best interest to allow homosexuals the right to arry. Looking back at history, it was not that long ago that black and white marriages were not accepted in society. Accepting black and white marriages has made the United States a stronger society. Gay and lesbian marriages would not harm anyone; however, it would improve and enhance the lives of those couples involved. Allowing gay marriage would have positive effects on children to gay couples; in addition, allowing homosexuals to mar ry and adopt would help place some children, who may never be placed into a family, find families through adoption. Homosexuals can be found in every race, religion, age group, country, state, and social group. Discrimination toward homosexuals persecute their choice of lifestyle. The issues of military employment, legal rights for couples, and acceptance within society need to resolved. Some ways to help put an end to this discrimination is to put the military services on a legislative plan prohibiting discrimination against homosexuals, allow for couples to be legally married. People need to realize that homosexuals are just like them. Homosexuals are found everywhere and are good people and need to be recognized not for their sexuality, but for who they are. The problem lies with the heterosexuals, those who establish firm opinions against gays, based solely off of stereotypical thinking, or their own feelings, rather than rational or factual information. One of these stereotypes tends to be that lesbians want to act and look like men, and vice versa. Although this may be the case in some homosexuals, it is not true for every single individual, thus a biased stereotype is formed. A stereotype such as this may cause an extreme hostile attitude, as well as discrimination, against a homosexual individual. Also, homosexual jokes are constantly made every day. As funny as this may be to a heterosexual, imagine how this single joke could damage a gay man’s self-esteem or even his social acceptance. A straight male or female could easily laugh at this joke, as many have, while a gay man hears this joke and takes it to heart. He could easily feel inferior to a straight male, or just as easily be offended by the use of the word fag. Society doesn’t realize when certain words are used, they can offend a variety of people. Not to mention, the words gay, fag and queer have found their way into our everyday vocabulary, all of which can cause different emotions to different people. For instance, when someone says â€Å"That’s so gay† a heterosexual would view the word gay as meaning strange or different, which completely changes the meaning of the word and associates homosexuals with being weird. ?Many Heterosexuals believe we must not pass any laws regarding discrimination of homosexuals. If we didnt pass the law about discrimination, the homosexual man and his lover would have to continue searching because they were denied equal treatment as a straight man. This unequal treatment is the reason homosexuals are trying so hard to gain a law against discrimination. There is also no justification to deny a specific occupation to a homosexual, because of their sexual orientation, unless there is a threat to an individual. For instance a homosexual man wants to become an accountant. What is keeping him from accomplishing this goal? A major hindrance-a state licensing law. The same goes if another homosexual would like to become a hairdresser, or perhaps even a used-car dealer. This same Law prevents people with certain sexual orientations from achieving their goals in life. This is not the American dream so many have heard about. America is supposedly the land of the free, a land of equal opportunity. There isn’t any equality found between a straight man and a gay man. ? â€Å"Queerbashing† is one of the most extreme forms of discrimination to homosexuals, and seems to be taken very lightly in court. A district of Columbia judge had listened to the story of a young homosexual male who had been stalked, beaten, stripped at knifepoint, slashed, kicked and urinated on by a couple of young queerbashers. The judge believed these queerbashers were â€Å"good boys† at heart because they attended a religious prep school, and suspended their sentences. These young men were obviously guilty for beating up another person and various other reasons, but were set free with virtually no penalty because they went to a certain ‘good’ school. This is completely unjust in the fact these boys got off the hook without paying a penalty for the physical, emotional and mental abuse they put this homosexual boy through. â€Å"Police and juries often will simply discount testimony from gays; they frequently construe assaults on and murders of gays as â€Å"justified† self-defense. ?Discrimination against homosexuals has been in existence since before our time and can be found all over our planet, yet it has only just recently become an active fight, between heterosexuals and homosexuals, over the fact that it shouldn’t even exist in the first place. Alliances between gay and straight men and women have been formed over the years and continue to grow in population. These men and women, of any sexual-orientation, joined these groups for support and help to aid in the process of becoming equal united states citizens. Together they can recruit new members and maybe one day even get rid of discrimination completely. In order to achieve equality in our nation, we must keep our mind open to new ideas and events and give homosexuals a chance to become human beings. How to cite Homosexuality vs Society, Essay examples

A Letter from Birmingham Jail free essay sample

Martin Luther King Jr. ’s â€Å"Letter from Birmingham Jail† was written in April 1963, during the African Americans fight for equality. Martin Luther King Jr. ’s claim was not just to reply to the eight clergyman who had called his demonstrations â€Å"untimely and unwise†, but also aim his justifications at a bigger audience of religious and secular beliefs. An audience that is black and white; therefore King is able to justify his reasons and tactics of beginning immediate action using nonviolent protest to everyone. Throughout his letter Martin Luther King Jr.  demonstrates the use of ethos, pathos, and logos to help support his claim while also consistently referring to well-known philosophers and religious figures words to help support his reasoning. King was very precise with how he used his rhetorical strategies that is why he is so successful in arguing his claim. Dr. King was set on demonstrating in Birmingham because the amount of injustice that took place over the last few years there. We will write a custom essay sample on A Letter from Birmingham Jail or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Between 1957-1962 seventeen African American churches and homes were bombed in Birmingham a city whose population is 40 percent African American. King refers to these events in his letter â€Å"There have been more unsolved bombings of negro homes and churches in Birmingham than any other city in the nation. † King creates ethos throughout his letter to help strengthen his claim. â€Å"Just as the prophets of the eighth century b. c. left their villages and carried their â€Å"thus saith the Lord† far beyond the boundaries of their home towns, and just as the Apostle Paul left his village of Tarsus and carried the gospel of Jesus Christ to the far corners of the Greco-Roman world, so am I compelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond his home town.   King is explaining why he left his home town and came to Birmingham because there is injustice there and where ever there is injustice he should go there to help. King is using ethos when connecting himself to Apostle Paul. King gains credibility by referring to the bible a book admired by most and a book full of credible figures which he compares his actions too. This also helps King to justify his actions by showing his audience did very similar actions. Incorporating scenes from the bible, such as Paul leaving his village and carrying the gospel to the Greco-Roman empire Dr.  King is able to tie in important historical evidence. Along with using ethos, Martin Luther King Jr. uses logos to help support his argument that â€Å"they had no alternative except to prepare for direct action. † King supports his claim using several logical examples, but also proves his points using historical evidence throughout his letter. When responding to being called an extremist in paragraph 30, King makes a logical appeal while citing many historical figures. â€Å"Was not Jesus an extremist for love:† â€Å"Love your enemies bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. † Dr. King continues on naming historical figures such as Apostle Paul, Abraham Lincoln, John Bunyan, and Martin Luther who could be considered so called extremist. All of these men are considered honorable men in our history books, so by using such reason to appeal to his audience King is able to support his argument. Dr. King is brilliant in how he cites such honorable figures to show that if he is considered an extremist for campaigning equal rights then so should of they for all of their extreme ground breaking campaigns for things such as love, justice, and the Christian gospel. Martin Luther King Jr. does use some logical fallacies in his letter. King appeals to authority when he writes â€Å"Thomas Jefferson: â€Å"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal†¦Ã¢â‚¬  By citing words from one of our founding fathers King is appealing to authority because Thomas Jefferson was one of the most famous and respected Americans of all time. King establishes pathos throughout his letter to help strengthen his argument by appealing to the emotions of the reader. King mentions in paragraph seven how promises have been broken â€Å"we were victims of broken promises. † King is describing the black population of Birmingham as we in his quote and he aims at their emotions by using such passionate diction by calling them victims of broken promises. Martin Luther King Jr. continues with major uses of pathos throughout paragraph 13. Dr. King really grabs his reader’s emotions by using powerful diction such as vicious, lynch, and drown. â€Å"But when you have seen vicious mobs lynch your mothers and fathers at will and drown your brothers and sisters at whim;† He later uses pathos again in this paragraph and is able put a human face on the emotion by allowing the reader to imagine having a similar conversation explaining to their son or daughter how they can’t go have fun in an amusement park just because of the color of their skin. â€Å"When you suddenly find your tongue twisted and your speech stammering as you seek to explain to your six-year-old daughter why she can’t go to the amusement park that has just been advertised on television. In 1963 â€Å"Letter from Birmingham Jail† help give the African American race a better idea of the civil rights movement and gave them a voice to follow. Martin Luther King Jr. was a man with wonderful ideas of nonviolent campaign. Through his ideas and examples in his letter the African American race was able to learn his reasoning for nonviolent campaigning and actually how to demonstrate as a nonviolent campaigner. His audience can demonstrate the right way while knowing the purpose of their actions and justifying their cause by remembering many of King’s words and ideas