How Does Religion Shape My Identity

In most of the societies and religions we have talked about, we learn about the role women played in them. Some give more independence to women than others and others give them no role. I found it interesting in the Christian faith that during the Middle Ages, the Virgin Mary was the most popular saint but in most Christian sects women aren’t allowed to be priests, bishops, or deacons. In Islam, Arab women enjoyed rights not accorded to women in other lands, they could legally inherit property, divorce husbands, and engage in business ventures. They were portrayed as human beings equal to men in front of Allah. Also, an example was shown by Muhammad, who was kind to his wives. Although, the Quran mostly reinforced that males were more dominant.

While most studies and theories are concerned with the differences between religion and culture, Bellah (1967) spent a lot of time examining the similarities of religion specifically in America. While Rousseau is credited as the one who coined the term “civil religion”, Bellah provided an in-depth study (2007:167). Based in presidential inaugurations, he continuously recites that people in authority often cite a generalized god, one that does not belong to any set religion (Bellah 1967). He goes on to explain that in America, there are “certain common elements of religious orientation that the great majority of Americans share” (Bellah 1967:166). This is important to understand in the sociology of religion because it shows how cultures and ideas can combine to create something the majority of society agrees on, even if it’s something as strongly held as

The society I live in gives me the opportunity to participate in many cultures, including the Dominican culture, American culture and Nicaraguan culture. These are three cultures that have similarities, but also differences. Something that makes these cultures similar is the practice of religion within christianity. The practice of religion is something important in the existence of these three cultures. For example: Dominicans, Americans and Nicaraguans who are christians go to church on sundays to practice their beliefs. Although that makes us similar, some of our culture traditions make us different. For example: Dominicans celebrate christmas from October until January, because it is considered to be the most important holiday of the year.

Misinterpretation on feminism becomes an issue in America because the definition altered in various communities. In the essay, “Feminist Politics: Where We Stand”, the author Bell Hooks discusses the misconception of feminism in the United States. Bell Hooks states that the reason of the misconception of feminism occurs because of the patriarchy of America because mass media represents feminism as an anti-male group. However, feminism is the exact opposite of an anti male groups. Feminism defines itself for equality between men and women. Women created feminism because of the unfair treatment women face because of the male dominated patriarchy. Bell Hooks tries to convey her readers in “Feminist Politics: Where We Stand” by stating, “Feminist politics is losing momentum because feminist movement has lost clear

Early in my life, religion shaped some of my beliefs, limited my free will because of its principles, and shifted my perception of reality because it added a new perspective of the world to my life that I was forced to believe. I also know that I do not have to sit in the same seat in my classes everyday because everybody else and I do not want to cause a disruption by changing my seat. However, there are many things that in my life that I have yet to link to the larger world. I am still subjected to these social forces and my sociological imagination is still being

It is what has makes me who I am and what I am about. My family has always had religion. When I was young, one of the first lessons my father had taught us was that, “if someone has no faith or nothing to believe in then what is the point of continuing your journey.” I was born and raised in a Catholic household. As a child, attending a Catholic private school, St. Jeanne de Lestonnac School, was somewhat confusing. I did not understand at first what or whom we were praying for or to, but all I knew was that it made me feel good in the end. As time went on, I finally had found the purpose behind all of this. That faith is an aid to help shape and heal someone’s life. Through my time at St. Jeanne’s, my faith only grew stronger as I had learned more and more, but it had never closed my way of thinking. Instead, it had expanded my views of the world. Although I am a Catholic, I am very open to other beliefs and in a way, I have shaped it into my own beliefs. For instance, I believe that all religions are tied together in a way. I also believe that no matter who you are or where you come from, God has a plan for you and will try to guide you down the path of righteousness. However, some may ignore and fall away from the path. I think that without my faith and its teachings I would be lost and have failed to continue on with my journey. No matter what happens, I will always that God and try to do what’s best. It is through this that faith has given me

When reading over the different diverse groups, I noticed that my culture seems to have some differences and also some similarities as these other cultures. A similarity I noticed between the African American Culture and my culture is that they tend to refer to most of their food as “soul food” and as I was growing up, my aunts and uncles will always refer to home cooked meals as “soul food” as well. Another similarity is that people in the African American culture have strong religious affiliations, and they are usually Christians. The reason I see this as a similarity is because in my culture, mostly all of the people I grew up around are Christians and attend services. I have also found a similarity between European Americans culture and

“Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life” (Buddha). Throughout different time periods religion has impacted the society in which people live. Religion has and continues to dictate the rules citizens have to follow in all areas, especially social, educational, and political. Religion influences morals, values, and people’s identities. Many people turn to religion for not just spiritual answers, but for guidance and help in everyday life. Religion also affects the inner workings of a society. However, religion has evolved with time. In earlier societies, only one religion was usually allowed and accepted. In Salem Massachusetts during the Witch Trials, every citizen had to be seen as a good Christian. In this case, religion determined whether or not a person was good and trustworthy. Currently, all religions are accepted and many do not judge others based upon it. For

Gender role refers to those behaviors and attitudes that are considered to belong to one sex. Gender role is based on femininity and masculinity that differentiate women and men by giving men some roles and women which results to gender inequality. There some work in society that is regarded to belong to women such as cooking, taking care of children and other less important roles while men are given roles that makes them superior than women. Most of the gender roles associated with women makes them inferior and creates a room to be oppressed. Gender roles are constructed by society and attributed to women or men. In the book of vindication of the right of a woman, Wollstonecraft brings out clearly the roles of a woman in her society and how it has led to oppression of women (Wollstonecraft 22). Wollstonecraft believes that men and women are equal given the same environment and empowerment, women can do anything a man can do. In her society, education for women is only aimed at making her look pleasing to men. Women are treated as inferior being and used by men as sex objects. Wollstonecraft believed that the quality of mind of women is the same with that of men, and therefore women should not be denied a chance for formal education that will empower them to be equal with men.

Whether you agree with that point or not, it’s easy to see that we as Americans have a strong history of religion. Once upon a time in colonial Virginia, paying taxes meant funding parish churches and their ministers. However, this didn’t bother the Anglican people, when they walked outside every morning and saw that the sun was still shining and the birds were still chirping, they thanked the church and saw it as their tax dollars at work. Unfortunately, as religious as we were at this time we were not a religiously free community. Non-Anglicans were arrested for preaching without a license (God in America, 2010, pt. 2) and women like Anne Hutchinson were banished from their towns

As the United States continues to grow we become a more diverse society. One thing that makes the United States so diverse is the amount of religions that groups of people believe in. Growing up in central Pennsylvania, there is very little diversity in my town, however a lot of people believe in different religions. To learn a little more about a religion, that I was very unfamiliar with, I attended a Ohev Shalam Synagogue during Passover. The experience and knowledge I gained from this event is something that I remember forever.

The religion I choose to observe for my fieldwork project is Catholicism. In order to complete the fieldwork assignment required for this paper I attended St. Lawrence Church on 5225 N. Himes Avenue in Tampa, FL. One of the reasons I chose to observe Catholicism for my fieldwork project is because it is a prominent religion throughout the world. In addition to the US, Catholicism is widely supported within Europe and Latin American countries. Another reason I chose Catholicism is because I found it to be relatively different from my own religion, Hinduism. I favored St. Lawrence Church over some of the other catholic churches in the area due to the fact that a few of my friends were already part of the community. Also, St. Lawrence Church

Donald Trump: America 's favorite politician with no regard to political correctness. Once quoted to have said, “If Ivanka weren’t my daughter, perhaps I’d be dating her,” it is no wonder countless find him crazy (Latest News). Trump’s campaign claims to “Make America Great Again,” but what if America is already at the level it was before? America 's fear of immigration and scientific discovery is on par with the Puritans fear of Native Americans and medical advances. This fear caused one of the greatest small town tragedies in United States history: the Salem witch trials. While witchcraft is no longer a push button topic, modern society still holds numerous of the same flaws in judgment as those of the Puritans.

Ever since I was seven years old my best friend, Quinn Parker, and I wanted to play basketball for Downsby High School, the number one high school basketball team in America. We would train every day, no matter rain or shine, just so we could see the names Evan Johnson and Quinn Parker on the Downsby starting line-up. We played basketball together with the same team, and the same coach, at the same place. It’s basically my second home where I go to see my second family.

Reflecting on one’s religious experiences growing up can be a rigorous task but can also provide a self-reflection if the one reflecting looks at the events in a non-bias manner. I grew up in a non-structured home when it came to religion. My first experiences of religion came from my Dad’s stepdad. He owned a farm out in Bolton and when I was little I would go to the farm on the weekends and assist them on the farm and maybe see my cousins while I was there. At first, I didn’t go to church with my grandfather, but I would watch the religion channel since they only had one tv and it was on what he wanted if it was on at all. Memories are still engraved of watching sermons of John Hagee and others. He stuck out the most to me because he kind of reminded me of my grand