Religion is a medium. Religion says a lot about a person, and it can be interpreted by others in many different ways. Even the absence of religion relays a strong message. I have always found the different responses to religion to be interesting. The views on this seem to be greatly different between age groups, cultures, countries, environments etc. For example, as a kid religion was never really considered. I had friends who had to go to CCD every week and I had other friends who had to go to Hebrew school. The actual beliefs behind the religion were never the focus, and it was seen as an activity that our parents made us do, but at least we had friends with us. In high school, it was pretty much ignored. In college, it is judged, especially at a business school. While everyone is excepting of different religions here, many times the concept of being religious is rejected. It is assumed to conflict with both the common college practices of socializing as well as the capitalistic business mentality.
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On the contrary, within a religious environment, one is judged by how devout he or she is. In addition, in many other countries, a religious outlook on life is not encouraged but expected. However, those who are not religious strike me as the most interesting. Religion, regardless of what it is provides an individual with a meaning for life and a set of rules or guidelines that promise peace of mind. I have yet to figure out how one can go through life that has no overarching meaning. An individual who does this only has dreams and goals that end before death, after which they vanish. This is the message that I cannot read.
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ReplyDeleteVery engaging post. I like how you described religion as a medium. I understand that religion gives a certain set of values and beliefs, however these these might not be very important for everyone. Many who are not religious get their set of beliefs from others, family and friends.
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