Role of Religion in Public Life, Essay Example

Humans, supposedly being the most intelligent form of life on planet Earth, are complex organisms when it comes down to living together in social and community settings. During the evolutionary process they have built a world for themselves which has established its identity in terms of nationalities, demographic peculiarities specific to geographical locations, cultural and religious choices. A normal human being today recognizes himself or herself according to nationality, ethnic background, religious affiliation and the cultural values inherited from their unique and peculiar circumstances. Lower forms of life like plants and animals, on the other hand, have continued to live according to the diktats of nature shaped by evolutionary trends. Every living being has a specified time on the planet during which numerous events and circumstances shape the course of their lives. Man has been able to systemize this time and live according to specific rules and regulations which have now come to be universally recognized as normal patterns of life. The generally accepted concept worldwide for a person to live a fulfilling and satisfied life is to get educated during childhood and early adolescence and then grow up to be professionals satisfying specific duties assigned to them which further the cause of human civilization, progress and development.

However, the outlook to life and the horizon one envisions on a personal basis is strongly influenced by one’s cultural affiliation and religious beliefs, with the latter influencing the pattern of life as well as behavior in society. This serves to divide the society into sects and religious groups who believe that God only exists according to what has been indoctrinated into their psyche, or according to the written records which have existed since the inception of their respective religions. This gives rise to differences of opinion and ideological variations which when magnified at a mass level lead to the development of animosity and hatred for others. The world history is respite with incidents and events which has shaped its future on the basis of these very variations. This is the reason that when one faces a new challenge in life one looks for succor and support from within his own psyche and from the religious beliefs which shape the response to that challenge. This is illustrated in the different responses elicited in students with different political, religious and personal beliefs in interpreting President Bush’s visit at the Calvin Community College (). Although everybody is identical in terms of physical endowments and capabilities, their political and religious beliefs shape the thought processes within their minds which express in terms of vocal outbursts or responses during conversations between students. The association or dissociation of Christianity with Republicans or Liberals is the result of such nurtured beliefs which are shaped by the trends within the American society ().

The evidence presented by Azar Nafisi, of a mysterious connection between human beings despite their religious affiliations or varied backgrounds is nothing but a generalization of the facts about the shared values and bonds which are shared by all human beings, irrespective of caste, creed or color (). Her example of Huckleberry Finn deciding to maintain his relation with Jim on the basis of shared human values which are not affected by his religious indoctrination shows how reasoning can enable one to come up with the right choice. Such beliefs develop as a result of sensory inputs and intellectual digestion of facts which expose the common issues confronting every human being.

The essence of religion, maybe from whichever background, is to guide human beings in their journey of life towards a reasonable and satisfying culmination during which one leaves an indelible mark in terms of good deeds for fellow human beings as well as other creatures of God. When interpreted in a negative manner, religion gives rise to intense hatred and damages public life either in a subtle manner, by victimizing the one belonging to minority or by outrageous manifestation in the shape for violence or war which results in loss of life and property.

The first visual depicts the implications of anti Semitism and tries to show how the people we hate just because of their religious antecedents can be just like any child, man or woman from our own home and family (Visual 1). The second visual shows how Sikhs, a minority community in the United States, try to appeal to the masses to accept them as true Americans despite their peculiar headgear and dress choice (Visual 2). The clear message that emerges from these visuals is to accept all religions as they are and live together in a cohesive manner to further the cause of human existence on this planet. Religious beliefs can assist human beings to seek solace in times of inexplicable hardships and misfortune as well provides guidance during various milestones in one’s life. Life today is dictated by mutual sharing of economic resources and natural bounties which man has harnessed so well. The purpose of religion is to support peaceful coexistence both within and outside its limitations and one should develop the abilities of tolerance and mutual sharing of common bonds which enable one to empathize with people form other religions.

Works Cited

Nafisi, Azar. Mysterious Connections That Link Us Together, Article

Zwier, John. An Opportunity for Intelligent Debate, Article