What I think religion is and why I think so
Religion to me is respect, which does not occur in seclusion, but calls for a high level of integrity and morality amongst everyone in society. While much has been assumed concerning respect, it is important to note that this idea means actions that represent an individual’s positive feelings towards another individual. In addition, respect is a representation of an individual’s high regards towards certain societal entities such as religion or nation. On another note, respect shows an individual’s honour and the value they have towards specific factors in any given society. I believe that religion is a societal aspect that encourages an individual to have a shared respect for certain values, and beliefs. For this reason, religion prevents someone from neglecting certain societal concerns that they should respect. From this analysis, to me religion is a respect that someone has for oneself, and the values they believe in. It is important to note that there are various ways that one showcase respect.
More importantly, people can show respect depending on the language they use to communicate with others. With this regard, religion means respect based on the fact that the language used to communicate religious beliefs is not streamlined to hurt others. In fact, the language used to communicate certain religious views does not speak ill of other religions. This is perhaps the main reason why we have people of similar backgrounds worshiping different religions. My view on religion as a sign of respect also relates with the fact that it is through various religious activities that people gain respect. As an example, different religions advise on the need to assist the needy in the society. This shows that religion shows respect for everyone in the society; including the needy. Conclusively, religion is a representation of respect because it considers everyone worthy of being respected.
Based on the fact that I believe that religion means respect, I have a high respect to everyone who has an immense believe on certain religion. In fact, I respect other religions, the same way I respect my religion. To be precise, I rarely judge people associated with different religions from mine. Overall, I respect people of who have similar religious beliefs as mine, as well as those of differing religions associations. However, my respect for people of similar religions as mine and those of differing religions does not limit my capability to correct others whenever I see them doing things that are contrary to what the society considers being moral. There are cases where I have corrected people affiliated to my religion as well as those who are not. This in itself shows respect because an individual who respects another tells them when their ideas or actions are contrary to societal principles.
Evidently, religion is all about respect and someone cannot earn or show respect if they do not abstain from committing unpleasant things. Respect shows that someone wants the best for the other. Therefore, someone who wants the best for another person corrects such persons when their actions deviate from the right. This is all what religion advocates for. Religion always advocates for the best interest of every person regardless of religious affiliations, socio-economic status, and position in the society. In a nutshell, respect is all about caring for one another, and all religious affiliations emphasize on the need to care for one another. From this analysis, religion means respect in that different religions dwell on the need to have ideas, beliefs, and views that serve for the best interest of the society.
My religion
I have always had a high respect for Islam and the comprehensive role it has played in cultivating me to the individual that I am right now. As such, I am a devoted Muslim believer, and I have no regrets at all regarding my religious domination. My family is perhaps the single most influential aspect of my life that influenced my faith in Islam. My family has influenced me directly and indirectly through the decisions that they made since my childhood years up to now when I can make decisions on my own. Precisely, my parents have instilled deep religious values and liberal views towards the world. It is through my parent’s efforts that I was enrolled for madrasa classes at a tender age.
It is the madrasa classes that instilled ethical thinking in me. Worth noting is the fact that ethics cannot occur in contexts where there is no respect. Ethics commonly refer to the need to show respect for other people’s concerns. Precisely, it refers to being generous rather than selfish. This depicts the manner in which my Muslim ethical teachings have led me to develop the notion that religion is all about respect. It is imperative to note that Muslim is built on the premise that the most significant relationship in life is the relationship between man and Allah. Such a relationship calls for respect for Allah, which can exist when someone’s shows respect for Allah’s creations. For this reason, someone can show respect for Allah by respecting human beings, who are the Allah’s creations. This analysis justifies my thinking that indeed religion is all about respect. My belief in Islam is also rooted on the fact I was brought is a cultural context where Muslim is the primary religion.
Why I am interested in taking this class
There are various reasons why I am interested in taking this class. Above all, I am taking this class with the primary intent of attaining an in-depth understanding of other religions. In fact, I would like to know more on certain religions such as Buddhism, which has evolved into a religion of concern across various contexts in the world. It is through this class that I would have a comprehensive platform where I can learn more on Buddhist beliefs such as meditations that have been hypothesized to be of immense significance in transforming an individual’s life in all sense of the word. While I am interested in knowing more on Buddhism, I am equally interested in learning more on other religions inclusive but not limited to Christianity, and atheism. In addition, I would like to have adequate knowledge on what religion entails. In fact, I would like to know if religion is believing in the existence or non-existence of a supreme being.
I am also enrolling for this class so that I can unravel the scope of various myths that people harbour regarding Islam religion. In fact, I am hoping to let my course mates learn more on Islam religion. Worth noting is the fact that there exists persistent misconceptions that Islam is not a religion of peace. This can be accredited to the lethal terror attacks that have been closely linked with Islam. These notions are misplaced because Islam is founded on Islamic laws, which calls on the need to submit to the will of Allah. Notably, Allah is a holy being who does not support inhuman acts such as terrorism. In conclusion, Islam is a peaceful religion that has often been purported to be violent. As such, I will seek to elucidate the persistent negative perceptions that people harbour regarding Islam. Overall, I am interested in this class because it will play a critical role in nurturing my thoughts and perceptions regarding religion.
What would I like to know about religion that I've never been able to ask?
Is religion only about faith? Some people believe that god does not exist leading to the question whether it should be considered as religion like the case with their counterpart who believe in the existence of God. On a similar note, does the belief that God does not exist imply that individual do not have religion even though they believe in the existence of some other supreme thing or being. Lastly, is religion only about believing in God?
