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Christianity's influence on western civilization
Influence of religion on culture
Influence of religion on culture
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Religion has been the center of civilization and society’s. Religion is so vital to the growth of a society because it is a form a social construct. Some societies center their values, morals and beliefs based on religion. Once these qualities have been established in a community, people abided by the rules of the religion and develop practices that aligns with the religion. This has been true for many religions such as Buddhism, Islam and Christianity.
In the novel Things Fall Apart, their religion is Igbo which is essential to their entire existence. The Ibo people believed in Gods, spirits and deities. Throughout the entire novel, the villagers had practices and rituals dedicated to “The Gods”. In the Religion, the most respected God is
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The people of Unfumio were fixed on their views and committed to their beliefs until they arrived. They believed in their appointed Gods and spirits however, after the missionaries arrived, they brought change that would lead to the demise of the Ibo people. The most important change was Christianity which created a conflict between the villagers.
When the Missionaries first arrived, the villagers were confused because it was their first time seeing someone that did not look like them. The missionaries overlooked the richness of the Ibo culture because they felt superior. Their main objective discussed in the novel was to transform the Ibo people in to European beings. Their persistence in doing so led to the demise of the Ibo people and the tittle of the novel “Things fall Apart”.
When he missionaries arrived, they asked for a piece of land from the village elders. The village elders took their request lightly because they believed they would not accept the land especially being that the land was in the Evil Forest. Much to their surprise the missionaries received the land with open arms and rejoiced. The elders began to get worried but still had faith that the spirits of the Evil forest will drive them away. Conversely, nothing happened to the missionaries and the villagers were filled with
( ) we see a couple of things. We see that the missionaries are winning people over with this religion of acceptance. This is winning over regular Ibo people but especially the outcast, the men who live on the outskirts of town were told they could could be part of their church. They were even told “cut your hair” witch was a big No go for the Ibo people but with this new acceptance movement form Christianity they were eventually accepted. Nwoye will eventually stray from the path of the clan and go forth into the light of god and be accepted
There is no society without religion. James has also states that religion is “personal destiny”, which means that it existence is infinite in human life. Human lifestyle has been influence by the religion, so religion is a principal factor in universe. Religion is based on different believes and practices of humans which is totally understandable, despite of difference in religion people have same shared belief of putting their God above the others and shows the love and affection toward it. God has created this universe, the specious around us is the sign of his existence.
On arrival, the missionaries barely understand the tribe. They have very little knowledge of the cultural beliefs or rituals that the tribe revere. It seems inappropriate that they are willing to declare that the villagers' beliefs are false. "He told them that they worshipped false gods, gods of wood and stone." They don't even acknowledge that this too is a successful community, which works well under its method of religious law. They take it upon themselves to change the religion or `make it civilised', not respecting the fact that maybe the villagers were already content with what they had.
Many societies have beliefs rooted deep in ancient religion. Some beliefs include polygamy, polytheism, and patriarchy, or rule by men. One such culture is that of Achebe's Things Fall Apart. Polytheism and polygamy are custom in the clan, and the role of each family member is very defined. The men are overly domineering. The women and children are treated poorly and often beaten. Life in Achebe's Umuofia would seem very different to someone living in modern day America.
Religion comes from religare, which means have a reunion. Aneel Baquer says that humans have a need to connect with others, the ability of myths and thoughts of religion is a desire that humans need to bond. In most civilizations, religion is the reason why civilizations are successful. Religion give, people a motive to survive or do what they do. Sometimes the religions actually make their civilization expand and even more successful. not only does religion give us a motive to survive. Still today, religion is one of the biggest factors in modern civilizations. In several religion motives are used for example, christianity. In christianity to meet with god, you must do good. Religion can change a persons personality by aiding from stress, to giving hope. Religion can also reduce the fear of death. In ancient civilizations, egyptians did not fear death. In their religion they believed that living on earth was the beginning of life. Once dead it sends you to the beginning of happiness or horrible. Religion can also expand. If you have a strong connection to your religion, some people spread the word of their religion to other people. It also teaches manners and the difference between the good, and the evil. Vikings were such a significant civilization than any other because of their religion. Religion for the vikings have given them motivation to expand territories, learn between the good and the bad, and not to fear death but to welcome death; reasons why are from being taught was from viking mythology, heroic people and their warlike god.
...er way to survive and live indeed. It has to admit that there is strength in the Ibo culture since it is a respectfulness of their ancestors, but there are such a lot defects inside. For instances: the problem of family structure which is several wives share one husband, the traditional superstition of old customs. After the colonization of Europeans, since they bring schools, hospitals and government to the society; people are benefiting from what those missionaries have created. Although at first white people use a rude way to invade the society which leads to the downfall of Ibo culture. However, under the domination of Europeans, people start realizing that they are tired of and being imprisoned by the old rules. People are getting to long for the world outside but not only confine in a village, consequently, colonization accelerates the development of society.
Culture collisions are in our everyday lives here in America in our own little towns. We might not notice our culture changing because it is a part of our everyday lives. Culture collisions cause some people to triumph and some people to fail. In the novel, Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, the Ibo tribe did not see these culture clashes everyday until the “white men” showed up and influenced the Ibo to change their ways. Achebe shows how many of the characters react to this culture shock. Obierika is one of the main characters that shows his sense of identity through this culture collision.
Throughout the ancient world, religions and ideologies have developed into forms and practices that influence the very essence of civilizations. Religions could pose as a form of foundation for the beliefs, ideas, social organizations, and economic structures of a certain group of people. They provided a means of justification and form of unity between people and they helped establish and infuse new ideas into a culture. Religions were used as source to explain the misconcepted beliefs in nature and science as well as natural phenomina and it was also used to provide a source of motivation, control, and stability in a civilization.
Religious accusations, which serve as catalysts for conflict, help to develop an accurate portrayal of imperialism and Ibo culture. In Things Fall Apart, the missionaries assertively state “Your gods are not alive and cannot do you any harm” (Achebe 146). This quotation shows the imperialists accusing the gods the Ibo people believe in and worship of being false gods that are idols. These gods cannot harm them and do not pose any threat. Also, in Achebe’s interview, “An African Voice,” he says “You have leaders who see nothing wrong in inciting religious conflict.
When the six British missionaries arrive, they arrive very rude. They came to show the Umuofians that there is only one God, yet he tells the villagers that they are all brothers and sons of God. The white man accuses the Mbanta village of worshipping false Gods of wood and stone. He asks, “We have been sent by this great God to ask you to leave your wicked ways and false gods and turn on Him so that you may be saved when you die.” The British pushed their God onto the Mbanta, stayed in their town, and requested for a piece of land to build a church; and soon enough, the church is winning time and time again, getting more and more converts. “We do not ask for the wealth because he that has health and children will also have wealth. We do not pray to have money but to have more kinsmen. We are better than animals because we have kinsmen. ...
One of the flaws inside the Ibo culture that eventually leads to their downfall is the social system. The weaker people join the church as a way to gain acceptance. The osu, or outcasts who lived in the Ibo culture want to feel accepted and as a result, follow the Christians. “The two outcasts shaved off their hair, and soon they were the strongest adherents of the new faith” (157). These two outcasts never have the feeling of being a part of the clan. The church welcomes them. The osu cannot cut their hair, marry, or receive a title in the clan. They are “cast out like lepers” (157). The church welcomes the osu and treats them like human beings. This is where the Ibo social system is at fault. An ideal job is to be a farmer and since not everyone can afford seeds and a barn...
As the English began to colonize the Igbo society, there were few natives who opposed it, they others just felt that the English would come and go, but they were wrong. Soon, the English began to introduce "white man's religion." This new religion was completely the opposite from what the natives were accustomed to. Christianity was rather intriguing to many of the natives and many of them turned away from their families and everything they were to become a member of this new religion. Before this, they natives had been very superstious, but as they new religion flooded over the peoples, their superstiousocity began to lessen and their belief in the many gods they had previously believed in.
In the book Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe, we are able to read about the social changes the white missionaries had on an African tribe. Mr. Achebe describes the way of life before the missionaries arrived and then records some of the changes, which occurred due to the changed belief system introduced by these missionaries.
There are many themes evident throughout Things Fall Apart, but one of the most prominent is the struggle between change and tradition, in the sense that some people change, but others don’t. Nwoye’s callow mind was greatly puzzled” (Achebe 89). Nwoye finds the missionaries hymn soothing, but it leaves him more confused about what he believes. Nwoye finally finds the courage to convert after a violent encounter with Okonkwo, “He went back to the church and told Mr. Kiaga that he had decided to go to Umuofia where the white missionary had set up a school to teach young Christians to read and write” (Achebe 93).
Religion helps establish mankind’s place in the order of the universe. As civilization began to be established through the domestication of animals, the irrigation and cultivation of agricultural crops, and life became more complex (moving from mainly a hunter/gather existence to one that could settle down and have more time to consider advanced ideas) people began to consider questions such as, where life comes from, is there a creator or creators who helped make the world, and what happens after we die. Religion helped answer some of these questions. It gave people purpose, meaning, and perspective. Religion helped establish nations in the case of religious theocratic governments. In many of the ancient civilizations, such as the Egyptians, the Mayans, and even Mesopotamia, the priests and other religious leaders played prominent roles in help shaping the laws and government of these civilizations. As his...