REL-127 first week paper

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COMMON PRACTICES IN RELIGION
Stacey Troup
February 26, 2016
Matthew Morrison

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COMMON PRACTICES IN RELIGION
This Week One paper will discuss the basics of religion. Starting with the classical and
definition of the word “religion”, discussion relating to the common practices and experiences
across various world religions and concluding with critical issues within the academic study of
religion. The hope is that this paper will shed light on the basics of indigenous religion.
DEFINITION OF RELIGION
Dictionaries define “Religion” as “The belief in a god or in a group of gods”, “an
organized system of beliefs, ceremonies and rules used to worship a god or group of gods” and
“an interest, a belief, or an activity that is very important to a person or group” (Religion -
Definition of Religion, N.D.). However, it is difficult to have a unanimous definition of the
word as exceptions to the classical definition cause great debate between people who have
trouble with the belief because of the lack of factual evidence proving that a particular god exists
or existed.
COMMON RELIGIOUS PRACTICES
Within both popular and indigenous religions exist certain practices which are similar but
often viewed as very different exist. The Voodoo faith involves elaborate rituals designed to
conjure up spirits in order to gain them favor with the gods. Taking place at night around fire
pits, ground and body painted with ritualistic symbols, ritualistic dancing and chanting takes
place until a particular voodoo spell is complete. While not that different in theory from the
practice of ritual prayer, confession, lighting a candle or praying on a rosary, common within
Catholicism, many would likely disagree that these two practices or religions are similar in any
way (Haiti Makes Voodoo Official, 2003).
When we look at the common religion Catholicism vs. that of Voodoo, we notice that
they both do things in order to gain forgiveness or favor from their god(s). While rituals may be

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different, the purpose is almost always the same. People practicing Voodoo often sacrifice
animals, dance, chant and offer their own bodies in order to have a spirit god come to their aide
and provide them favor. This is not at all different than ritual prayer in theory. Catholics pray a
rosary in order to, essentially, throw rose petals at the feet of the blessed mother in an attempt to
beg forgiveness for some sin confessed during confession.
Voodoo is more centered on potions, symbols and sacrifice it is still considered a religion
by the United States as well as other countries (Haitian Voodoo, N.D.). Where Voodoo faith
seeks to possess a soul as part of a tradition on their high holidays, the Catholic faith would seek
to exorcise possessed spirits from its parishioners believing they are evil.
CRITICAL ISSUES WITH RELIGIOUS STUDY
Some critical issues with the study of religion as a whole involve the differentiating
beliefs of the students at large. Religion as a class is made more difficult for people who were
raised in a specific religious lifestyle. If a Middle Eastern person were to take the class, they
would have very slanted views on the teachings because of the way they were brought up and
would have a difficult time grasping the theories and practices of the other religions. Because
religion is such a major part of their lives and homes, teaching something beyond this theory is
of paramount difficulty.
Historical teachings of specific religions within your home would make accepting a
different religion very difficult because your beliefs are so ingrained that opening your thoughts
to different religions become very difficult if not impossible without prejudice
CONCLUSION
In today’s day and age, it is important that both understanding and tolerance are learned
at a young age to make the ways of the world and the acceptance of differentiating views a
simpler task. By allowing ourselves to learn about different religions and why people feel a

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sense of belonging when practicing different religions, we become more accepting and
understanding of our own faith and what might work for us.
It is important to discover our own faith system, our own beliefs and make our own way.
Several of my friends have converted religions or sought out a religious safe haven to aide in
their recovery. We often do not know how important a religion is in our lives until we fully
understand what each religion stands for and if it is adaptable into our own lives.
Instead of wondering why people get together at night and sacrifice snakes and chickens
in the name of their spirits or gods, spend some time with someone of the practicing religion and
see why it is appealing to them. If it is a more strict religion such as Muslim faith, do what I do;
ask them what some of their practices are. Approach it from an academic perspective and your
are more likely to find favor.
Being in a hub of religion such as New York, it is more important to practice religious
acceptance and understanding than it is hate. I have known people of varying religious
backgrounds and have always asked them about their religion, what the symbolism means and
how they adapt it into their lives so that they understand I am not only curious but want to gain a
greater understanding of their lives.
Open your eyes, free your mind and expand your learning. You could be missing out on
very interesting people because of preconceived religious prejudice rather than practicing
acceptance. We, as New Yorker’s understand acceptance and understanding better than most
after having been attacked several times in the name of religious zealousness. We come together
in the face of tragedy and pull together as Americans, regardless of what religious practices we
may have.
References

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Haiti Makes Voodoo Official. (2003, 04 30). Retrieved from BBC.CO.UK:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/2985627.stm
Haitian Voodoo. (N.D.). Retrieved from Wikipedia.org:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haitian_Vodou
Religion - Definition of Religion. (N.D.). Retrieved from Merriam-Webster.com:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/religion

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Haiti Makes Voodoo Official. (2003, 04 30). Retrieved from BBC.CO.UK:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/2985627.stm
Haitian Voodoo. (N.D.). Retrieved from Wikipedia.org:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haitian_Vodou
Religion - Definition of Religion. (N.D.). Retrieved from Merriam-Webster.com:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/religion