Religion and Meaning

Religion is in disrepute in our times. It is variably seen as a cause of conflicts and wars, as a body of illogical and superstitious beliefs and practices, as a refuge for the weak and the unaccomplished, as a bastion of male supremacy and control of the masses, as a repository of unscientific and superstitions beliefs and practices, and as a relic of the past. From one perspective, all these critical views of religion are accurate. However, a dispassionate, objective review of the origins, teachings, and accomplishments of the main religions of the world reveals that every race and group of people has a religious and spiritual orientation and history. All religions address physical, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of human nature and prescribe moral and ethical principles that govern human relationships and conduct. All the universal codes of moral and ethical conduct, as put forward by the main religions of the world, are in fundamental agreement. All religions concur that life is sacred; that human life is a process of actualization of our inherent potential qualities of body, mind, and spirit; and that the main purpose of religion is to bring meaning, direction, harmony, cooperation, beauty, and civility to the life of the individual and society alike. The examples of the lives of the Founders of the major religions of the world are outstanding unique testimonies to the fundamental nobility, integrity, universality, and unity of their teachings. This paper offers an integrative perspective on the phenomenon of religion, its progressive nature commensurate with the ever-evolving collective development of humanity, and its fundamental harmony with science. The paper also analyses the main reasons for the decline of religion and its misguided applications. In its analysis of the nature and purpose of religion, the paper draws heavily from the teachings of the Baha’i Faith.

Consensus, 2018

This article looks at the two faces of religion: one potentially divisive and the other holistic and nothing but unifying.

Choice Reviews Online, 2013

Journal for the academic study of religion, 2024

Undoubtedly, religion has walked the stairs of history with man. From time immemorial, it has stepped into the activities of man: affecting his actions, punishing his inactions and Setting standards that will guide the affairs of men. Its effect is far-reaching, and has remained unmoved in the face of science and technology. The aim of this work is to provide the readers with a basic understanding of the intricacies of religion; its types, forms and importance. It contains four chapters, well written, readable and intriguing. From the very first chapter, the writer leads the reader through a tour to understand some basic concepts of religion, types of religion, forms of religious beliefs, down to the main crux of the work; the importance of religion to humans. It is hoped that the work act as an invaluable asset to the reader and is therefore, highly recommended for research as well as general academic exercise.

Critic – Te Arohi, 2010

2009

This thesis explores religious faith from an integrated interdisciplinary standpoint that draws heavily on Georges Bataille's religious theory, Jacques Lacan's psychoanalytical framework (as distilled through the lens of Slavoj Žižek), and Pascal Boyer's evolutionary model of cognitive inference systems, in order to recast Paul Tillich's faith dynamics in terms of a contemporary critical theory of religion. Focusing on Tillich's understanding of faith as engaging with a depth of meaning, a hypothesis is presented that casts religious faith as a complex natural human phenomenon that functions as a species of generative human 'depth of meaning' engagement within particular hermeneutical frameworks with a focus on the 'Other' (transcendence / the infinite) that were born from the communal symbolic-linguistic system of meaning making that arose with human evolutionary development as a by-product of several cognitive inference systems and as a result of a lost intimacy with immanence. This hypothesis is explicated throughout the thesis in defence of a non-religious analysis of religious faith which is non-reductive and which avoids caricature. Tillich's understanding of faith as the central phenomenon in the personal life of human beings is recast as one form of human 'depth of meaning' engagement, with religious faith understood as providing a mechanism for accepting a certain intra-systematic coherence and a volitional (trust) commitment to an intra-systematic being (God) or principle deemed extra-systematic but inscribed within the particular symbolic universe in which the interpretive framework operates. The historical dialectical hypothesis developed throughout the thesis is tested against contemporary manifestations of religious faith, particularly of a violent geo-political nature, and various implications are drawn out that demonstrate the fecundity and importance of the hypothesis, particularly in terms of a point of departure for further research.

distinguishes man from the other a n i r n a l~.~ The study of man cannot be complete unless it includes the study of his religion, for it is a very important and outstanding feature of human life. The religious faith and practices are intimately connected with human nature and life in general. However unrefined a religion might have been in its origin, and however gross the superstitions with which it has often been associated, its omnipresence and centrality in the history of humanity are facts to be reckoned with.3 The religious perceptions and sensitivity helped man a lot to keep alive and hopeful in his hazardous journey through history.4 In many cases the bonds of religion have proved stronger than the bonds of race or climate or even descent.

Shodh Sarita, 2021

This article explores the intricate interplay between religion, culture, and society, delving into the evolution of religious beliefs and practices within the framework of modernity. It examines how religion, centred on the belief in supernatural forces, weaves through the fabric of culture, impacting rituals, symbols, and societal norms. An emphasis is placed on the dynamic interplay between the emotional dimensions of religion and the rationality symbolised by science. As modern societies gravitate towards secularism and empirical foundations, religion undergoes a transformative shift, adapting to coexist harmoniously with reason. This transformation is marked by changes in religious practices, from the all-encompassing influence in traditional societies to a more situational role in contemporary times. This evolution has led to the displacement of certain societal elements by religion, reshaping its contours within modern societies. Furthermore, the article underscores the intricate relationship between belief systems, artistic expressions, and ethical frameworks. It highlights that religion’s impact goes beyond mere ritualistic observance, permeating individual morality and behaviour. While religion remains a unifying force, providing cohesion and a sense of purpose, it can also be a source of conflict when exploited for political agendas. The author concludes the article with a philosophical reflection, emphasising that despite the rise of reason, religion remains a facet of human existence, offering solace and guidance in the face of life’s enigmatic uncertainties. This reflection postulates that the essence of religion transcends the confines of doctrine, encapsulating the timeless human pursuit for connection, meaning, and universal truths that reverberate across cultures and epochs.

California Institute of Integral Studies, Academia, 2022

Calling forth, thinking upon, and discussing an essential spiritual reality of our existence perhaps hold the key to our necessary and imminent global transformation as a species. Exploration of the nature of religion as a survival mechanism of the species.