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Caleb Bucinski
Ms. Butler
English 10
11 Nov. 2013
Religious Influences
What does it mean to be religious? It means almost everything because religions deal
with the whole human life and death.(Bowker 1) Religion is a huge thing in the world today in
every corner of the globe. Culture today is hugely influenced by religion. People want to live to
have something to believe in. Whatever they believe in there is always a reason to believe in it.
Whether is because they need something to believe in for when they die, maybe its because its
what they were taught, it could be because they feel like if they believe they will receive more, or
maybe its because they enjoying living by their religion. Whatever the reason may be religion
has influenced so many things and has caused many good and bad consequences. The good
being, bringing people closer together, having something to explain the unknown with, and many
more. Some of the bad things that have come with religion are genocide, war, harmful religions,
and much more.
Religion has also had many influences in America. Going all the way back to when
pilgrims came to america to have a freedom of their own religion. Today America is probably
considered one of the top countries in the number of religions practiced. This could be in part
because of the constitution.The first amendment to the constitution prohibits making any law
respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the
freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering with the right to peaceably

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assemble or prohibiting the petitioning of the governmental redress of grievances. This
amendment was put in the Bill of Rights on December 15, 1791. This may be the reason for such
a diverse culture in america because so many people immigrate to America for this freedom.
Easily in America the religion most practiced is Christianity making up almost 80% of the
religious population.
Christians believe in one God that created all. They read the bible known as the word of
God written through his disciples. The book of Genesis states In the beginning God created the
heaven and earth.(King James 1) Genesis is the first reading in the christian bible and tells of
how God created all the heaven, earth, contents, and beings of earth in seven days. A very
prevalent thing in the bible is the number seven. Many times things in the bible have reference to
the number seven. And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about
the space of half an hour. Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he
that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden
candlesticks.(King James 598)
A very underlying influence of religion is the number seven. The number seven is
considered to be a lucky number in gambling, chance, and luck. Beyond the bible Greeks
considered 7 to be the perfect number, arabs built seven holy temples, the Japanese had seven
gods, and even Scottish Masons made sure to makes their aprons with seven tassels on them. In
America many people may not even have a clue to what the number seven has to do with
religion. If asked why 7 is lucky they would probably make some reference to gambling. The
gross income of gambling in America is $92.27 billion dollars a year and rising.
A major war the U.S. was involved in was WWII. Ultimately the was caused by religion.

The act of genocide is the mass murder of a certain people because of religion, ethnicity, or race.
In the case
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of WWII the jews were targeted because of their religion. Approximately 6 million jews were
murdered in WWII. Eventually America was got involved and the war ended shortly after.
In the U.S. many Americans blame terrorism solely on muslims. Therefor all Muslims are
targeted by these people because of their religion. This creates a religious tension in America.
Even though there is freedom of religion it doesnt mean you wont get judged for your religion.
One other aspect of religion is that of which it does not exist. The people who
completely dont believe in religion are considered atheist. Atheists believe solely in man of in
science. They believe that you can explain everything through science and they follow no certain
faith. On the other hand there are people considered agnostic. These people dont believe in
solely one thing or they believe in a mix of many things. These people believe in a religion and a
creator but chose not to believe in just one religion. Even though people may claim to be a
certain religion many of them are agnostic by definition. This is because there is always
something they may not agree with or choose not to believe in their religion.
So from the time pilgrims came to America all the way up to present day, religion has
influenced America in a multitude of ways. From immigration to America for our freedom of
religion to all the horrific wars we have been in. Religion is a part of us. Religion is a huge part
of peoples culture. Religion is and always will be a part in peoples lives because it gives them
something to believe in, hope for, and trust in. So I say to you, Ask and it will be given to you;
search,and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.(Jesus Christ)