Primal Religions vs. Religious Humanism
Although there are many differences between primal religions and modern day religious humanists, there are some similarities between the two. In light of their differences and similarities, both have goals that they are trying to achieve. For the religious humanists it is to establish and maintain " a free and universal society in which people voluntarily and intelligently co-operate for the common good." While on the other hand primal religions aim to carry on the traditions of their ancestors and to revive and maintain "a lost reverence and passion for the earth and its web of life" (Collier p.1, 7.)
Primal religions are religions that we associate with tribal communities that passed on religious information through oral traditions, rather than written religious doctrines. The people of primal religions often identified themselves as being a part of nature and with their ancestors. The people of primal religions believe in spirits and engage in mysticism. In revering nature, their ancestors, and through oral traditions and rituals they carry on the legacy of their co-creators in uniting themselves with the earth- who in return nurtures them.
Now, on the other end of the religious spectrum, lies the religious humanists; and though they do respect historical religions and mans humble beginnings, they are more concerned with present day man and that of the future. Religious humanists are concerned with maintaining social well- being and establishing social interactions and communication. Also, religious humanists believe in bettering ones life through achievements and reason rather than religious hopes and faith. They (religious humanists) associate personal happiness, and a better human condition with the self and those around us rather than a god.
Collectively, there are numerous differences between primal religions and religious humanists. One of the important differences are their goals and the way they go about achieving them. As mentioned in the previous paragraphs, people primal religions are concerned with carrying on the traditions of their ancestors and caring for nature- so that in return it takes care of them- while religious humanists aim for personal happiness and a better social condition of man. Another prominent difference between the two religious groups is the way in which they tackle problems that man encounters. For example, disease; while religious humanists believe in using technology and science to better a person's medical condition, peoples of a primal religion might look to a shaman, magical concoction or prayer to obtain the same result.
Symbolist mentality is a pattern which can be observed in every Indigenous Religions; it offers an animistic view of the world which helped the tribal cultures to survive and be in balance with nature. Molloy argues that "In a world that is animated by spirits, human beings must treat all things with care. If a spirit is injured or insulted, it can retaliate." (Molloy, Michael. Experiencing the World's Religions: Tradition, Challenge, and Change. Boston: McGraw Hill Higher Education, 2008. Print.)
Religion reinforces the beliefs of individuals within a society. Additionally, religion has played a vital role in society since it influenced the way they lived and the rituals they may or may not have practiced. Different regions of the world during ancient time held a distinct set of beliefs, each based on different or similar principals. Deriving from the polytheistic set of beliefs, monotheism came in place of many Gods, holding just one god accountable for the creation and the existence of mankind. Christianity and Buddhism share similarities and differences, but most importantly the impact that each had on the culture is what is mostly referred to.
Humanism is also found throughout the Reformation. Christian humanists were the people who pushed for change of the Catholic Church. They believed that in order to change society, you had to change the individual human beings who make it up. Erasmus is one of the best know humanists of the Reformation. He wanted to spread the philosophy of Christ, provide education in works of Christianity, and criticize the abuses in the church. Overall the main tie of the Reformation and Renaissance was humanism. Both groups of people during those times wanted change towards a more secular view of things.
Primal Religions, Confucianism, and Taoism share three features that are discussed by Smith and shared with many religions. Those features are authority, tradition, and mystery. Without these three features it would be hard to define any of the above as religions. As a whole religion is difficult to define, there is not any one correct definition. Enlightening one’s mind and opening one’s heart will allow one to define religion as well as feel it.
Humanists had been calling for reform in the Catholic Church long before Martin Luther penned his Ninety-Five Theses. Humanism was an intellectual and cultural movement of the Renaissance that emphasized the expansion of mans’ capacities. “[Humanism] was an attempt to discover humankind’s own earthly fulfillment. . . [it] developed an increasing distaste for dogma, and embraced a figurative interpretation of the scriptures and an attitude of tolerance toward all viewpoints” (Sporre 310). This perspective could not differ more from the Church’s strict reliance on tradition. People’s outlook on the world changed, but the Church continued on with what had previously worked. It soon became clear that reform in the Church was not in the foreseeable future, so people decided to take matters into their own hands. As humanism spread throughout Italy and northern Europe, more and more people agr...
Many works of literature have been known to have their words wrap around a certain subject such as gender, politics, and experiences. But some works go into a more personal level such as religion. In Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” and Salman Rushdie’s “Imagine There’s No Heaven”, they talk about the strength in the relationship between individuality and religion. These two authors have written their stories based on how an individual’s life, choices, and beliefs can or can be altered by the religion that surrounds them. As one reads these stories, they might be able to notice that they have a lot in common but there are many difference on what the stories are actually about. These two authors have expressed the relationship between individuals and religion through the similarities, differences, and resolutions.
...olarly endeavors, rather than strictly practical ones. Humanists also believed that the entirety of society should be well versed and able to speak articulately. The focus also changed during this time period to the “here and now” rather than the afterlife. The worth of individuals began to become more important, rather than just their worth in relation to society as a whole. Renaissance Humanism was the first time in history that people began to question authority and the teachings they had learned, it was the first time in history that individual expression was commonly accepted.
Religion is an ever-growing idea that has no set date of origin. Throughout history religion has served as an answer to the questions that man could not resolve. The word religion is derived from the Latin word “religio” meaning restraint in collaboration with the Greek word “relegere” which means to repeat or to read again. Religion is currently defined as an organized system of beliefs and practices revolving around, or leading to, a transcendent spiritual experience. Throughout time, there has yet to be a culture that lacks a religion of some form, whether it is a branch of paganism, a mythological based religion or mono/polytheistic religion. Many religions have been forgotten due to the fact that they were ethnic religions and globalizing religions were fighting to be recognized, annihilating these ancient and ethnic religions. Some of these faiths include: Finnish Paganism, Atenism, Minoan Religion, Mithraism, Manichaeism, Vedism, Zoroastrianism, Asatru, and the Olmec Religion. Religion is an imperative part of our contemporary world but mod...
America is a melting pot of culture and race. Thus, bringing many different types of religious faiths to today’s society. Whether the beliefs are ancient, new, reconstructed or if people have no faith at all, it is all in America. It is difficult to scrutinize one religion without it concerning another. All religions have diverse beliefs ranging from; the belief of...
I don’t think that humanism can be applied to religion because humanism itself is a philosophy. It taught people to be their own person and think independently, not supernatural forces controlling history. A belief that people should have the right to think and make decisions freely cannot be applied to
Overall, both secular thought and religion has made an impact in our societies to the point it has become more complex than it was before. There are many more religions and branches from the major religions in which it can be difficult to explain. There are still questions that are not yet answer by secular thought or religion. People will make their own choices on what they want to believe and stick to that. It can be difficult to figure out which is the right answer, but throughout these empires, people were able to make a living for what they had believed is true throughout their whole lives.
The other general meaning is the one that disturbs the fundamentalists who attack secular humanism: "a doctrine, attitude, or way of life centered on human interests or values; especially a philosophy that usually rejects supernaturalism and stresses an individual's dignity and worth and capacity for self-realization through reason."
A study of human history reveals the pivotal role religion has played in the lives of people on earth. Religion has existed and survived in almost every human society, from the most ancient to the most modern. The study of mankind cannot be concluded unless it includes the study of his religion, because it has been a very important factor in the lives of many. Today, in an age noticeable with indifferentism and hostility on one side, religious fundamentalism and extremism on the other, it is relevant to have good and healthy understanding of religion. But what is religion? What contribution can religion make to human welfare today? Is religion a means of escapism from the harsh realities of life? Is it really needed and what are the merits
In a functionalistic view religion provides focus and purpose to a society and assists its leadership in controlling the society. In other words it helps society stay on course with the path that its leadership has deems important or suitable. Practicing, praying or preaching a religious belief contributes to the norms of a society, possibly mostly a societies’ mores (Schaefer, 2009). Since religion in itself usually instructs its followers to practice the ideologies of peace and to be submissive to their god and leaders, this helps society be passive on a global level. Many religions that are practiced today are embedded with customs, traditions, an...
In conclusion, the eventual rise of Humanism would overcome the conflicts with the Roman Catholic Church. Humanism will continue to have its religious conflicts, but is still an important part of the World today. It is in on our televisions, internet, schools, and government. The views of the religious humanist believe, that the practicing religions of the world are wrong and are people are powerless to solve the problem of human living in this time. As a Christian, I believe in the power of God, but to this day to the humanist are still fighting for their beliefs. They are standing behind their view that ultimately humans are divine with full responsibility for their human goals and providing for their spiritual needs—not God.