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Madison Pitcher
Professor Parrish
English 1010
May 14, 2014
Our Religious Crisis
Imagine theres no countries/ It isnt hard to do/ Nothing to kill or die for/ And no
religion, too. These are the arousing words that came from the inspirational John Lennon, who
expresses his insights of how religion and possessions divide us from one another. He imagines a
world formed without the irreplaceable faiths throughout the domain of our lives. Certainly,
religion is culture and if we dont uphold that aspect of our lives then how can we live? However
it may be, John Lennon sees it as the world will be as one, which addresses the controversy
over religion.
Imagine life without religion. No right or wrong. No purpose. Less comfort. No structure
or outline on life. All of these imaginations simply cannot occur in this world because we need it
to live our lives. It prevents us from making terrible decisions but should society promote it
perhaps to sustain a better community? Imagine no crime, murder, or selfish actions; now that
would be a great place.
Throughout the beginning of the universe to now, religion is spreading more and more. It
essentially began to explain the world when nothing else could. Whether it be Judaism,
Christianity, Islam, or Buddhism; all have a purpose and some connection to a higher being. The
persistence of these faiths affects areas such as: marriage, family, choices, education, and morals.
Religion is an everyday life, a culture even. Pastor Rick Warren clarifies that Explanations
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dont comfort. What comforts is the presence of God, not the explanation of God. (Tapper).
Religion is a way in which comforts and supports when times get rough, ways in which science
cant. Its a set of beliefs concerning the cause of nature and the purpose of the universe. In the
world there are too many religions to count. Even atheism, which doesnt believe in a god, is still
considered a religion because it has a set of morals that atheist follow.
Our society has laws against robberies, drug dealings, murders, and sexual abuses; sadly
committed by its people. However, the topic of same sex marriage is a grey area. The Defense of
Marriage Act was established in 1996 to prohibit the recognition of same sex marriage.
Throughout the past years some states began negotiating the law and eventually came to the
realization that its unfair to the people. Some states have passed the law in which males and
females can get married to the same sex. On the other hand, some states will not change their
outlooks specifically because the act defines marriage as a legal union between one man and
one woman, (Reale). Although, it may seem that the state government is responsible for this
issue, religion should be held accountable. This is because religion defines our morals and that
decides right from wrong. If religion wasnt such a major portion of our lives and in society then
same sex marriage would be another concept that wouldnt be ostracized.
Religion relates to the choices or morals reflected by the decisions of the people. Sure
enough they have a freedom to choose how they want to live their lives whether it be with or
without religion. Certainly religion is promoted in every society because it gives purpose and a
higher meaning. It also guides and leads people out of certain practices that can damage the
community. However, there are different practices that conflict with the many diverse faiths.
Although religion provides a gateway to better decisions not everyone should have it based on
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their freedoms, therefore, society shouldnt promote it anymore so major problems wouldnt
prevail. For that reason I will give six explanations as to why religion shouldnt be promoted any
more than it is.
Primarily religion in the United States has a wide variety. Choices beyond choices are
made only for the people to decide. Considering this statement, the Bill of Rights bares witness
that everyone has a freedom to religion. To practice what they want, to choice, and most of all
not to have a religion in the first place. However, what if the society decided that religion should
be endorsed more because of all the good it will bring? To answer that question, it all resolves
back to the idea of the freedom of religion. If the people in any approach felt forced to have a
faith then it violates that first amendment in which the United States is known and perhaps loved
for.
Needless to say, there are countries in which they dont have that right and referring to
the Pew Study, 75% of the worlds people live in countries with governments that restrict such
rights (George 35). When the government restricts these rights more freedom of religion
violations are made. For example Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Sudan (the hosts to
Osama Bin Laden) are each an incubator of terrorism in the form of violent religious
extremism, (George 35). With this in mind, religion for them can be the same for the U.S. if it is
promoted.
Religion shouldnt be promoted because it doesnt serve the same purpose it did a long
time ago. Back then there was a deficiency of technology and science, therefore, the only way
that nature and the universe could be explained was through religion. Since science and
technology have been developed certain aspects can be explained and some people rather turn to
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that. The whole idea of globalization has raised questions on spirituality. One religion that ask
such questions is the Catholic faith. The Who Stands Where explains that the catholic faith is
debating whether and how church practices, teachings, and organizational infrastructure should
change in response to new social norms and needs, (Maccan 30). Several issues about certain
aspects are being raised as well as marriage but many catholic members are reported being
spiritual but not religious, (Maccan 30). Religion is not keeping up with world today and in
that case it is losing its purpose. In addition if religion is promoted, it wouldnt be followed in the
way it needs to be directed.
In addition, another issue is seen in many ways all over the world. Because, religion is
very different from one other its hard not be judgmental. Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox
Christians, and many others are victims of such persecution. This is because the religion that
communities have been practicing for centuries are interfered with members of different
backgrounds. With the many backgrounds and varieties of faiths people are increasingly treated
as outsiders (George 42). It isnt fair for such religions to be persecuted; however, its been
around for many years. In this way religion shouldnt be promoted anymore so that communities
wont be divided more than they already are. With division in mind and many religions lashing
out at each other there is possibility of war.
History is consumed with the many wars that shape this world to what it is today.
However, some of those wars are caused by religion, which refers to division. One example
shows two religions, the Muslims and the Europeans, fought each other for the Holy Land in the
Crusades. There are several other examples of religion causing war all around the world. Based
on the ideas and the spread of religion, war can begin. In Iraq, about a million Christians fled
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after Saddam fell in 2003, which started an uprising of brutal attacks against Christian churches.
Numerous encounters with other religions have raised conflicts such as the war that the United
State is in today with Afghanistan. Even though religion is not the cause of such wars it does
play a factor that shapes how we think and act. However, if the world was promoted with more
religion it could face many wars to come.
Whether it is non-religious or the religious, crimes still happen throughout the world. In
the community everyone wants peace and no harm which associates to religious involvement. It
seems ethical to have such advantage but everyone is human and therefore, mistakes are made.
Countless acts of religious members have committed crimes or sins. For example, the man who
was arrested for sexual abuse to young girls in the FLDS Mormon religion.
Other religions shielded from the global revolutions of the world exist and they do
commit non-religious acts. A major television show called the Amish Mafia was established to
control the wrongdoings of the Amish establishment. Other acts include the creation of cults
which are influenced by religion. One cult ritual that happened was when men, women, and
children led by Reverend Jim Jones were all killed in a mass suicide in Guyana, (MacHovec
1). Even though every religion has different beliefs and although it may influence actions it still
cant prevent other acts of crime. On the most part if we want to make a better impact on society,
religion is not going to make much of a difference because people have been shown to commit
crimes either with or without religion.
Overall, what will the world be like in the future if religion is promoted? Since religion is
spread throughout the world there are different cultures, practices, and worshippings. Every
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religion is different in its own way. Throughout the course of the world already religion has
raised a lot of conflict and it continues to increase. Today with the globalization, there are
aspects that conflicts with faith and practice. In the article Religion in the Future Global
Civilization it predicts the probable future of what impact religion will have in the community.
The article demonstrates the most preferred future for religion which is when diverse groups
will learn to live peacefully together, (McFaul 36). However, the probable future is
exclusivism will increase in the next two decades because inter-religious defensiveness appears
to be associated with the current state of globalization, (McFaul 36). Its a future where
diversity is divided and conflict with escalate. Its terrifying to see that our future will be filled
with such violence, but that all depends on how much religion is promoted.
Nevertheless, religion can be promoted because being organized has shown to lower
criminal rates. It teaches a sense of meaning to why crimes shouldnt be committed. Research
has shown that the treasures lies in the form of Catholic involvement in faith, (Wood, Fukon,
Doby 12). Faith has shown to help their church and their members make better decisions not
only for society but for themselves. Involvement in the church is what it takes for people to
become more honorable in society. The society is filled with criminal acts in which religion
disgraces so its important for followers to not commit such crimes so that they could receive a
higher social status. However, crimes will never stop; even though a religion teaches this,
someone is more likely to rebel. It is also shown that religious people make criminal decisions
because everyone is human. Also some faiths can be influential in a negative way, and one
example of that is the terrorist attack of 9/11. This attack, led by Muslims, killed many innocent
civilians in the U. S.
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In other words, religion is fading and people are turning away from the faith that can help
them so much in their lives. If religion is promoted then people will turn back to their religious
selves. In that case they will be saved from certain practices that affect their lives. In the Western
Civilization polls of representative samples show that there is a decline which is bad for priests,
pastors, and leaders, (Altemeye, 77). These job opportunities for these people are in danger
because no one wants to attend church meetings. The decline of religion is continuing to spread
all over the Western Civilization. The reeason the people gave in which they stopped being
involved is because of hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is the act of saying its not right to do such actions
when they do it themselves. This goes to show that religion is losing its purpose. Understanding
the members predicament of why they turned away is reasonable because hypocrisy also causes
judgment, which is a sin. In other words the people can still be spiritual rather than being
involved.
Religion also can be promoted because of the many religious acts that the faith
encourages. Many churches help with service projects which benefit the community in so many
ways. Their assistance aids the poverty, disability, and needed members. Environment is also a
part of their service and they continue to give to people who are struggling. Additionally,
Research suggests that volunteerism is associated with religious involvement, (Ozorark 285).
Although it may be true that volunteerism is related to religious participation some studies show
that it is possible for non-religious to be as altruistic as the religious, (Ozorak, 294). Non-
religious people have different motives, however, they are committed and driven to serve. Also
people can be spiritual but not religious, in which they dont have to be involved and active in
their faith to make the world a better place for everyone.
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One of the major reasons for religion is its purpose. It motivates and drives people to do
the right thing. When people have nothing to turn to for help religion or their faith is there to
guide and direct. It gives a sense of purpose that science cant provide for everyone. It tells right
from wrong and protects them from making mistakes. It teaches important values that can affect
major life choices. Religion should be promoted because it will help people make the right
decisions whether its criminal acts or educational status. Also in the world we live in today Life
requires of us a fine balancing act between trusting our current beliefs enough to be willing to act
on them, (Talmont-Kaminski, 68). This demonstrates that it takes practices and beliefs to
commit to decision.
Nevertheless, religion is losing its purpose and it doesnt take being involved to be
spiritual and to have the same beliefs. Like Atheists, organized religion doesnt have to be a part
of your life in order to have a purpose. The idea of Atheism does have a set of beliefs and they
do act on them; they just have to know what is right and wrong.
What if the community was in depression basically for the most terrifying feature in
being human beings? Death. It happens all the time because we cant stop age. However, it can
be dealt with a lot more with religion. Religion comes with the satisfaction of knowing what
goes on after death. The death of a loved one can be utterly hard to deal with. Religion can also
help with comfort of those around you in that practice, which gives the assurance that
everything, will be fine. Some faiths have hope that the death of a loved have gone to be with
god. This is very comforting because it gives faith that they will be with them one day. Religion
can be promoted to help people deal with depression so that they can move on. Considering this
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information, some questions have been asked about science that can prevent comfort. Many have
questions including the religious, and since religion is losing its value its hard to have such
comfort. In other words religion can be in our lives, however, it shouldnt be promoted because
the world is changing.
Lastly having a set faith can help people get through hard times. Even though it may be
simple or very tough, a higher being or say some spirit is there to comfort and give guidance in
some circumstances. Many standards are set to help benefit the people when making decisions.
Like a purpose, it gives a set of direction when the feeling of despair drags on. It is proven that
Organized religion have belief systems and foster face-to-face communities within their
congregations which help people cope with problems, (Fry 346). Through many dilemmas, that
bring the happiest of people down, they are comforted to know that faith is there to pick them up.
In society, religion can give people the happiness that they deserve in many ways. On the other,
hand religion is not the only thing to turn to when in a bad situation. Friends and the support of
your family have shown to be very important. With atheist in mind; they too can get through
hard times in ways that make them stronger.
Although religion provides a gateway to better decisions not everyone should have it
based on their freedoms, therefore, society shouldnt promote religion any more so major
problems wouldnt prevail.
Religion is a major part of our lives but it can raise many conflicts all over the world. The
freedom of religion is an important right given to the United States and if the society promotes
organized faith then people will feel pressured and possible outcomes of war, loss of purpose,
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and crimes can be an even bigger issue. There are many religions all over the world and already
communities are divided making persecution exist. More and more religion is losing its purpose
because of the technical advances, which is making it harder for people to commit to organized
religion.
In all, understand that religion is an essential aspect of our lives. It gives purpose,
meaning, and a sense of comfort. However, acknowledge that religion is a freedom, a right that
not everyone needs to have. Although, it creates many great aspects religion should not in any
way be pressured to the people.












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