Religious Life of Planet Earth
REL 212
26 July 2012

The term religion is coined as a particular response to dimensions of life considered sacred, as shaped by institutionalized traditions (Fisher, 2011). Religion can be associated as a group of people coming together to practice and share a feeling or doctrine of beliefs, to an individual meditating by themselves once or several times a day. Religion has become not just a practice of many people in one group, or a spiritual comfort to a singular person. One cannot simply justify what is religion just by looking at a group or a single individual. If we were to base religion off of a group, one could state that Alcoholics Anonymous could be a religious group. These people gather willingly together to form a support system for each other and comfort each other through their times of need. They do not worship one particular deity, but still gather for a greater purpose. With that being noted, I believe that one person or group cannot justify what they see or define as religion or what is not. I think it is up to the group or individuals practicing or believing in their faith or doctrine to acknowledge that they have a belief system that they hold as sacred. There are seven common factors that inhibit a sense of religion. What may seem like religion in one person’s mind may not be considered a religion in anothers. Of the seven common factors; rituals, narrative and mythic stories, experiential and emotional feelings, social and institutional groups, ethical and legal rule, doctrinal and philosophical framework, and material things and possessions, I consider rituals, social and institutional groups, and doctrinal and philosophical framework to be my definition of a religion or religious practice (Fisher, 2011). Rituals are a practiced function that a group or individual might repeatedly perform. Fasting is a ritual in my mind. This act is done to serve as a spiritual practice in reference to a certain event or feeling that relates to their religion. Social and institutional groups bring people from all over, regardless of their stature, together to worship and serve a deity. I believe that churches, temples, and mosques serve as a place where larger groups worship. However, groups will ultimately practice their faith anywhere they have the means to. Doctrinal and philosophical frameworks are another means to support a religion. When people practice their faith based off of these two things, they make a common understanding with the world surrounding them. They can place these teachings into their everyday life to help better understand the wrong doings of mankind. This also can help them become what they believe is a better person. When coming together in a group, they can share their interpretations of such doctrines and build a better understanding, which can help them focus more on their goals they have set for themselves to better serve in their faith. Not all doctrines are written, and some are passed down verbally. Upon my observations, I think that the purpose of religion on Earth is to assure most people that their life was spent in doing the right thing, and trying to be the best person that they could. Even with karma, one believes that if you were not a good-hearted person in this life, you will be in a worse situation in your next life. This is similar to the practice of heaven and hell. If you are a good person while you are alive, then you will redeem the riches of heaven. If you are not, then you will perish in the fires of hell. Since people are mostly afraid of death, I think believing in life after death gives them the fuel to have a religion and practice it the best that they can. Often this religious practice comes from a life changing experience, where the person claims to have faced death, and now wants to change for the better to reap the benefits of their afterlife. Other than its function, religion could also be understood to any person in his or her own terms. I myself do not have a particular religion that I follow. I am one of the many that base many of my ideas and beliefs off of science. I do take into my practice to be fair and just, lead a wholesome and clean lifestyle, and to treat others with fairness and respect. I think that many other people practice this as well without calling it a specific type or name of religion. At the end of the day, I think it’s your beliefs and principles that drive you to succeed as a human being that cultivate your religious practices. Whether they are documented, grouped, or sacred, they are your preference and a choice in your life.

References
Fisher, M., P. (2011). Living Religions (8th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education.