Similarities Between Utopia And Religion

1115 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: How does religion impact literature

This essay will attempt to analyze the connection between views of religion in the fictional island nation of Utopia and their views on religion. By the end of this paper, the reader should have an adequate understanding of the connections between Utopian religion and morality. For the purposes of this paper, the definition of religion shall use the erroneous assumption that religion only includes only the organized practice of believing in and appeasing a god[s]. This definition excludes the belief in an absence of a god, however this makes little difference for this paper, as most Utopians are monotheists and believe in an omnipotent god. With that clarification, the message of the paper may be communicated more clearly.
The author of Utopia, …show more content…

This presents a problem, however, because humans are inherently not rational creatures. They are prone to prejudices and interpreting evidence in a way that reaffirms their beliefs. Regardless of the obstacles that exist, the Utopians practice tolerance and respect toward all religions.
Most utopian religions incorporate a monotheistic religion that has one all-powerful god that is responsible for all the death, life, and change in the universe. Utopian beliefs are consistent on the nature of god; however, they are somewhat divided on several aspects of him. They are not unified about what they should worship to glorify their god or exactly what he is beyond the examples listed above.
An interesting note is how similar their concept of god is to the Christian God. This was likely done by More to establish support for some of the other ideas expressed in Utopia. This motive is reinforced even more because large numbers the utopians converted to Christianity when they learned of it. They were described as intensely interested in Christianity and its tenants. Their system of religion was also very like Christianity. Unfortunately, even Christians that did not follow the smaller traditions of other sects were looked down on in England. This description of their interest in Christianity reveals how much pressure More was in to portray Christianity in a

Show More
Related

  • Religion Gives Meaning To Life By Louis Pojman Analysis

    326 Words  | 1 Pages

    “Religion Gives Meaning to Life” outlines how life is given meaning through theistic religion in Louis Pojman’s opinion. In this short reading, autonomy is described as in the meaning of freedom or self-governing and argues how it is necessary for ideal existence. By being honest and faithful with ourselves shows how we can increase our autonomy. “I think most of us would be willing to give up a few autonotoms for an enormous increase in happiness” (553) shows our willingness to practice good purpose.

    Read More

  • Compare and Contrast: The Ones Who Walked Away from the Omelas and The Lottery

    794 Words  | 2 Pages

    What would happen if an utopia wasn’t all that perfect on the inside? Judging by just the appearance of something may lead to a situation of regret and confusion.” The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas” by Ursula K. Le Guin and “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson address the theme of religious and traditional symbolism.” The Lottery” demonstrates how something that seems so perfect on the outside isn’t all that great on the inside.

    Read More

  • Theme of Utopia in The Giver

    808 Words  | 2 Pages

    This serene society greatly contradicts the one we live in. Our society is furnished with hatred and warfare, yet in return, we are given freedom and the privilege of having distinctive characters. Given the nature of human beings, our society is more idealistic to live in. Utopia is an imaginary state, which consists of people who believe they are more capable of living in a group than alone. In such a community, the welfare of the group is the primary interest compared to the comfort of individuals.

    Read More

  • Distortion in Brave New World

    707 Words  | 2 Pages

    Huxley's brave new world loathes the pain and agony of religion, as well as the complications that it creates; but in reality the inhabitants have a rigorous...

    Read More

  • What Role Does Iron Play In A Utopian Society

    1142 Words  | 3 Pages

    Whether the Utopians are being examined for their value of precious metals, the treatment of women, or how they worship, it is evident that there are some major inequalities within their society. However, any reader of More’s Utopia must have the ability to look past the tensions that are present, and read the work as More intended it to be read—satirically.

    Read More

  • Improving Society In Zamyatin's The Lathe Of Heaven

    1631 Words  | 4 Pages

    ’s We is incapable of systematically functioning perfectly, because the premise of a utopia contradicts the irrational egoist nature of humans. In The Lathe of Heaven,

    Read More

  • Utopia, by Thomas More and Communist Manifesto, by Karl Marx

    1940 Words  | 4 Pages

    middle of paper ... ... Of course, as with a text like the Bible, not all things are meant to be taken literally. I do not concur with everything More wrote about in Utopia. However, I do believe that the overall “act with good intentions and good things will come to you” philosophy is a very important one for all humans to adhere to.

    Read More

  • Religion In Brave New World

    409 Words  | 1 Pages

    In the book Brave New World by Something Huxley, he tackles the issue of whether religion is needed in societies or not. The World State functions as an example of a society untouched by any of modern days formal religions, while Malapis still holds some traditional religious values. Huxley uses both perspectives in order to create an argument with himself about the place of religion in societies. The distinctions between religions is meaningless if the ultimate goal is to persuade people to conform the a specific set of standards.

    Read More

  • A Comparison Of Utopianisl Society In Thomas More's Utopia

    718 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Thomas More’s Utopia, an ideal society is presented, and several of this society’s different institutions are detailed. I will compare More’s version of an ideal society with Marx’s vision of what a conflict free communist society would be. I will examine the societal system as a whole focusing on the hierarchy of Utopia, the process of production, distribution of resources, and money.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Sir Thomas More's Utopia

    1767 Words  | 4 Pages

    If the commonwealth mindset could be achieved by everyone, then a place like Utopia seems pleasant in many instances. The ability for everyone to have the same equal respect for religious sects is appeasing. It’d be nice to have a society that is based on not having one religion being any more important than any other. The only problem that I have is the attitude of these religions and the disallowance of atheism. It’s troubling to think that the only reason to have respect for others religions and follow your own is to have this reward after death. It makes it appear like the people are fake and couldn’t have morals if they didn’t follow any God in particular. There is also a lack of individualism in this state. I’d prefer to decorate my house as I please and where the clothes I find best suit. These are minute problems based on the whole though. The lack of laws and lawyers is also another interesting fold in the Utopian society, one that I have found a liking to. The reason for this is because they simply don’t need them. To live in a society where laws unneeded since most people are good at heart sounds fantastic. Even if said laws are broken, the justice system seems fair and most just. People committing the most heinous crimes aren’t locked away to wither into dust. Rather, they are put to work as slaves so at least there is some productivity to these individuals. The last point I’d like to

    Read More

  • The Similarities And Differences Of Monotheistic Religions

    716 Words  | 2 Pages

    Monotheism is the belief in the existence of one God. There are three of the most influential monotheistic religions in world history today known as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. These three religions share both vast similarities and differences. One significant similarity they share is the belief in one deity. The belief of one God gave many people guidance and purpose in their lives. For this reason, these three religions gained many followers and believers who had faith in God. Through faithfulness in God, many were promised eternal paradise. In the following paragraphs, I will explain the similarities and differences between the rituals, holy scripts, and salvation that these religions shared.

    Read More

  • Utopia by Thomas More

    1080 Words  | 3 Pages

    Utopia as a text is a clear reflection and representation of More’s passion for ideas and art. Through the character of Raphael, More projects and presents his ideas, concepts and beliefs of politics and society. More’s Utopia aims to create a statement on the operations and effectiveness of the society of England. This text is a general reflection of More’s idea of a perfectly balanced and harmonious society. His ideas and concepts of society somewhat contrast to the rest of 16th century England and indicate a mind that was far ahead of its time. A number of issues and themes are raised throughout the text to which More provides varying views and opinions. These are transmitted and projected through the perspectives of the fictional Raphael, More and Giles.

    Read More

  • Architectural Utopia or Dystopia?

    2400 Words  | 5 Pages

    Frank E. Manuel and Manuel Frtizie, Utopian Thought in the Western World. London: Belknap Press 1982

    Read More

  • Similarities And Characteristics Of Utopian Society

    2156 Words  | 5 Pages

    The origins of utopian societies date back to ancient empires. For example, the Greek philosopher Plato theorized the ideal Greek state in his publication, the Republic. His explanation of ideal societies stood until Sir Thomas Moore fantasized an imaginary island in which no problems – disease, war, poverty – existed in his novel, Utopia, written in 1516 (“Utopias”). In addition, Moore is credited with coining the term ‘utopia’. Through his descriptions of the perfect state, the term has come to mean any place in which a system of political or social perfection exists (“utopia.”). The Protestant Reformation further transformed the implications of utopia breaking the common beliefs regarding labor. Martin Luther, for instance, stressed that no one job was of more spiritual importance than another. In addition, John Calvin, a supporter of predestination, stressed that working hard for the community was a sign that that individual was part of the Elect – a much sought after inclusion (“Utopias”)...

    Read More

  • Comparing Plato's Republic and Thomas More's Utopia

    2965 Words  | 6 Pages

    Manuel, Frank E. and Fritzie P. Manuel. Utopian Thought in the Western World. Cambridge, MA: Belknap-Harvard Press, 1979.

    Read More

More about Similarities Between Utopia And Religion

Open Document