Essay Sample: What Is a Religion?

Religion is a set of beliefs, practices, feeling and dogmas that are overly agreed upon by a particular group of individuals which define their relationship with divinity. It is mainly concerned with nature, cause as well as the purpose of the universe. It involves devotional as well as ritual observances. Additionally, the set of belief also contains moral codes that govern the conduct of human behaviors. Since the beginning of the world, man has tended to incline towards faith as well as worshiping anything he believed to be superior or difficult to comprehend. Within the religion, man has tried to appease God that so that he can get favors from him (Benham, 2013). Therefore, this has resulted in the performance of rituals as well as keeping tradition and law so that they can earn goodness and everlasting life.

Christianity has continuously emphasized on having a close and personal relationship with God since they believed that it is the touchstone of religion. When Adam and Eve were created, God walks with them in the entire Garden of Eden when the day was chilly, and He liked the way they fellowship. Religions used to be and are still the way to stay close and have a satisfying relationship with God the creator. Some people have their entire life devoted to having a good relationship with God the creator who loves the fellowship of a man. In 2nd Chronicles, Abraham was referred to as "friend of God." In the new testament of the Bible, Christianity is seen as more than the religion. Christians believed that it's the relationship with Jesus. According to John 15:9, Jesus said: "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you." In Mathew 22:37-40, Jesus summarized the real meaning of religion. He said "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with your entire mind. Love your neighbor as yourself."

How do religions get started? Why do humans create religion?

The origin of the religion can be traced back to the olden Near East (Argyle, 2014). Polytheistic, monotheistic and pantheistic are the three fundamental categories that origin of the religion can be categorized. Polytheism is an act of believing in many gods, and it originated from Hinduism in 2500bc.The records of Hindu belief by Bhagavad Gita reveals that there was subjection of several gods to the supreme Brahman god. A much ancient culture such as Egypt, Assyria Greece, and Babylonian believed in Polytheism religion. They believed that God is the controller of natural happenings such as harvest, fertility, and rainfall. Pantheism which is the belief of all is God was practiced by many ancient cultures. Majority of the old tradition had a feeling that universe was divine and was typified in the African animism belief as well as American Indian culture. Pantheism is the principle belief in an ancient tradition that everything is god and god is everything. Therefore, there must be harmonious living with nature since it is part of God. So man must nature it to be natured by it. Finally, monotheism which is the belief in one God marks the foundation of Christian-Judeo-Muslim line of religion. It began with a man named who was named Abraham in 2000 BC. After this, God started revealing himself to the Universe through the country of Israel. In 1500 ago, God revealed the Bible which is known as the Old Testament. The long-awaited Messiah was born in Bethlehem during Roman Empire era. New Testament grew after Jesus ascends to heaven due to a desire by Christian to grow His name. After 600 years, Muhammad who believed that he was the prophet of God started preaching in Mecca. The teaching resulted to precept of Islam going by the Records in Quran.

Why do humans create religions?

Human beings created religion so that they can come together. When people go to worship God, they often gather in one place that is considered holy so that they can thank the being they believe to be sacred. Religion enables people to live together in harmony and love so that people may not kill one another. Secondly, people created religion so that they can have a life after death. Human being believes that when one of them who firmly believed in God dies, there is a new life that he is going to start. Therefore, religion helps with ease anger and grieving among people. Finally, as a result of the need for purpose, people decided to create a religion. Human believed that there is often purpose to live or die.

What does religion attempt to offer or do for those who follow their specific religion?

Religion offers happiness to people who follow it to the latter. Such people are more committed to their communities, are likely to volunteer in different activities and enjoy everything that is going in their daily lives. Individuals who are highly religious describe has people who pray every day as well as attending religious services weekly. Secondly, people who are highly religious can pray for themselves, pray for other people as well as be prayed for by others. Going by the religious beliefs, prayers can cure the sick people and serve as a direct link to God. Moreover, religion enables people to have their sin forgiven to them. It the best benefit that Christian gets from religion. Finally, religion helps people to have a personal relationship with God. People who believe in various religions feel the wonderful love due to having a personal relationship with God.

References

Argyle, M., & Beit-Hallahmi, B. (2014). The psychology of religious behavior, belief, and experience. Routledge.

Benham Rennick, J. (2013). Is religion a force for good? Reformulating the discourse on religion and international development. Canadian Journal of Development Studies/Revue Canadienne d'etudes du development, 34(2), 175-188.