Relationship Between Power And Religion

Section 1: B. What is the relationship between religion and power? Describe five distinct ways that religions exercise power in culture. We live in what has been described as a ‘secular age’. What are at least three of the changes that this ‘secular age’ has made on how religions express power and/or expect to express power? Describe three distinct criteria by which we can evaluate a contemporary religion’s exercises or expressions of power. Power and religion takes many forms of interpretation and understanding, a consistent meaning is needed to understand the discussion between the relationship of religion and power under a conventional scrutiny. In this essay, power is “the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others

Everyone has his or her own worldview, a different ideas on how one lives and interprets the world, influenced by a set of beliefs that makes sense to oneself. Worldviews are affected by many factors such as; values, religion, science, culture, life experiences, social status, characteristics, acquired knowledge etc. According to Clifford Geertz, “worldview is a historically transmitted pattern of meanings embodied in symbolic forms by means of which men [sic] communicate, perpetuate, and develop their knowledge about and attitudes towards life.” (Emmanuel, slide 7) It is also a cluster of beliefs, which one holds most significant in life, whether about God, humanity, the cosmos, or

These are the concepts where individuals or groups of people make up their worldview. Understanding of worldview can analyze the differences between people. Through symbols, rituals and myths shared by individual or group of people, we can learn and understand their beliefs. Symbols are popular in religion and how they emphasize doctrine. For example, Christianity uses a cross to symbolize their belief in Jesus Christ as their God. Symbols can also represent a nation, structure, tribe, and culture; it conveys a particular meaning that impacts how the world is interpreted. Different ‘totems’, an animal symbol are used to represent a culture. Also, specific religions and cultures have distinct rituals that express their belief. It is a cherished ceremony, repeated in the same way, it can be habitual, and everyone with the shared belief does it, and implies a particular teaching or behavior. An example of a ritual would be a baptism associated with Catholics and Christianity, and Ramadan—a fasting for a period of time associated with Islam teachings. Symbols and rituals are influential because of its association with a specific belief, religion or culture. For this reason, symbols and rituals are successful in conveying a notion particularly about