Agnosticism refers to the system of belief whereby individuals are skeptic about the existence of certain truths. The system mainly focuses on the issue that nothing which is commonly believed is actually known. This religious belief is wholly against the beliefs of other religions. The existence of any form of deity in other religions is often the chief cause of the difference whereby agnosticism comes into play. The religious entity of this aspect is that the belief of existence of certain deity is not specifically known.
Animism refers to the idea or belief that some non-human entities or even animals are actually spiritual. The belief in this regard is that the non-human entities have some kind of life-principle in their spiritual making. This belief encompasses the beliefs that there is no given separation between the physical and spiritual worlds (Harvey, 2005, p. 23). Therefore, souls and spirits are also existent in non-living things such as rocks, plants, and animals. Further, other natural phenomena such as lightning, and other geographical entities such as lakes, also have a spiritual perspective.
Atheism is the belief that there is no God. In a broad sense, it is the belief that there is no deity or god in existence. The term was coined from a Greek terminology meaning non-belief in any form of god. Atheism is mainly based on the fact that the believers do not find any form of hard or believable evidence in any way (Martin, 1992, p. 15). The skeptics therefore tend to lay their belief on no existing god, and further refute the religious beliefs that there is no god. Atheist lay their beliefs arising from various rationales for instance, the rampant existence of evil in the world today.
Secular humanism is also known as Humanism. It is a human philosophy that encompasses or integrates human reasoning, justice, and ethics. Further, the common search for human fulfillment is espoused in the whole concept. This religious belief mainly rejects religious dogma, superstition or pseudoscience as the ground of decision making. The religious belief also focuses on the way human beings can happily lead functional and fulfilling lives in the long run.
A comprehensive worldview is the basic cognitive orientation of various individuals or society that encompasses natural philosophy, normative postulates, ethics and emotions (Naugle, 2002, p. 55). The concept is basic to German epistemology and philosophy. Ideally it is referral to a given wide world perception. Moreover, this belief refers to the collection of ideologies and beliefs through which certain individuals interpret the natural world and consequently interact and relate with it.
The rise of materialism or wealth is a factor that has to a large extent influenced the growth of new religious expressions and non-religious belief. Individuals have in the recent past developed a different perception and stand in relation to given materialism and wealth. Some individuals have linked the concept of wealth with evil. Wealth and what it comes with is one of the oldest relating avenues to the factor of religion. Some religions have their basic belief on the grounds that wealth is a form of evil (Boer, 2009, p. 87). With this in mind, some religions have developed wholly as a result of referencing from this aspect.
The growth of ecological awareness has in the recent past been an objective to many individuals. The increasingly ecological awareness in the past years has been influential in relation to religious belief and personal perceptions to religion. Individuals have increased their knowledge on basic elements of ecological aspects. Further some individuals have laid their beliefs in relation to various ecological features. The belief and respect accorded to some specific ecological elements can be directly linked with the recent growth in ecological awareness.
Euthanasia refers to the practice of ending one’s life in a manner which reducing pain or suffering. It is the deliberate ending of life in order to cut short the pain of individuals especially in a medical milieu. Some of the religious beliefs regard this social situation as a vice (Jackson, 2005, p. 13). Some religious beliefs have it that murder is not allowed in the laws and regulations as provided for by the supreme. However, some traditions have it in their beliefs that the process is legal. The aspect of secular humanism for instance would fully endorse the process concerned with releasing the unending pain of individuals. Euthanasia is therefore a practice that is supported by the believers of this school of thought. To a large extent, the application of euthanasia is therefore a welcomed move considering that the aim of this belief is based on the premise that ultimate fulfillment in the long run is achieved. On the other hand, common religions have it that murder is not acceptable. The process of euthanasia would therefore be linked to murder.
The aspect of religious and non-religious beliefs to a large extent can be analyzed and discussed. The interpretation of one individual in relation to the divisions and differences that accompany the aspect of religious belief or non-religious belief can be made out easily. Some religious beliefs such as the dressing code as depicted in the code of ethics of given religions presents a given stand. Dietary rules and proposed behavioral patterns are also common in relation to a given religion.
Theistic and secular humanism can be compared and contrasted if based on the Australian environment. Theistic religion is an actual basic religion. Basic religions have it that only one God is worshiped that is believed to be supreme in numerous aspects. The basic laws and regulations governing the principle life of individuals in regard to religious belief are the focus of the aspect of theistic belief. The supreme worship of God and follow up of His specified teachings in all ways is the basic condition for being part of the belief. There is also the belief that there is a heaven as a reward for individuals who get to follow the teachings as provided by the supreme creator. On the other hand, Secular beliefs are different. It can also be referred to as Humanism. The basic rules as provided by the religious environment in given situations are also vital in this aspect. Humanism mainly focuses on the ensuring that the end result that one attains perfect and satisfactory results in their respective undertakings is achieved. However, the activities in line with this belief are also governed by some rules and regulations that are applied in the aspect of basic religion. The commandments that are given and followed in the aspect of basic religion are also followed. Therefore playing within the rules and regulations of basic religion with the effect of trying to achieve the goals of Humanism is vital.
REFERENCES
Jackson, Linda. (2005). Euthanasia. London: Raintree.
Naugle, K. David. (2002). Worldview. The history of a concept. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B.
Eerdmans Publishing.
Martin, Michael. (1992). Atheism: A philosophical Justification. Philadelphia, PA: Temple
University Press.
Harvey, Graham. (2005). Animism: respecting the living world. Sydney: Wakefield Press.
Boer, R. (2009). Criticism of Religion. Boston: Brill
