Religion, Religion And The Foundation Of Religion

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Beforehand, it is important to explore what religion is and the foundation of religion. There are many different religions around the world, each having their own unique traditions, but if looked at closely you will see similarities across traditions and between religions. There are also elementary forms of religious life that all religions share: beliefs, values, and practices. While they all have their differences, Smith describes religion as “…[confronting] the individual with the most momentous option life can present. It calls the soul to the highest adventure it can undertake…” and how “…authentic religion is the clearest opening through which the inexhaustible energies of the cosmos pour into human life” (Smith, 1991). Durkheim saw …show more content…

A caste can be defined as class of society made up of families and groups that bear a common name who share have been dividing by wealth, rank, occupation and prestige (Webster). To identify which caste a person may belong to, can be observed through their material goods, social influences, and social skills. The first of the four castes is the Brahmins, which consists of priests and scholars. The Brahmins caste is the most respected case and the penalties for their transgressions are much more severe than for any of the other three castes because they are held to a higher standard and are expected to be held accountable for more. The next caste is the Kshatryia or warrior caste, which includes political rules and soldiers. The people in this caste are responsible for protecting others and fighting in wars and are characterized by their physical strength and combat ability. Famous members of this caste include Gandhi as well as Arjuna, who is the main character in the Bhagavad Gita. The Kshatriya are in charge of protecting the Brahmins ability to rule over the Vaishyas, which is the third caste. The Vaishyas are the farmers, artisans, and businessmen. Surprisingly, this caste is the one who makes the most money out of the four. Since they are lower in the caste system not as much is expected from them compared to the priests and warriors. Finally, there are the labor and low-skilled workers, called Shudras. This is the lowest caste in the caste system and not much, if anything is expected from them. Out of the four castes the lowest one is the only one where the people who make it up are not considered “twice-born” or old souls, they also receive the least severe punishment for their

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