Jonathan Haidt suggests that religion has a particular impact on individuals. Identify what he says this impact is, and then comment on the extent to which you agree with him.
Religion, according to Jonathan Haidt, impacts individuals to let go of their selfish interests and makes them concentrate on the welfare of all humanity. When an individual loses themselves for the sake of others, it makes them feel good and leads to a more forgiving and loving personality. When one lets go of their selfish feelings, they tend to work towards the attainment of a common goal and bring about human cooperation. Emile Durkheim believes that religion brings about social unity, and people tend to work towards a common thing they believe in.
Religion brings about a revolution in humans as they go up the staircase. Climbing up the staircase can either make one attain the sacred or ordinary life, and this brings about different views individuals have on life. People tend to work towards an individual goal, but once they realize working as a team helps them achieve the final goal, they unite towards a common enemy.
I agree with Jonathan since it is evident that when individuals work towards a common goal without any selfish interests, they tend to achieve more. Furthermore, working towards the common welfare of society is more fulfilling, and it ensures global peace and harmony. Religion helps bring about social order and ensure that the world is a better place just like Jonathan said because at the end of the day, and an individual will work towards the sacred idea.
How does religion shape sociology? What are your views on religion and spirituality?
Religion is a set of beliefs, rituals, texts, and practices that a particular group of people considers holy or divine. Over time leaders across all societies have used religion to try to understand life and the universe. Examples of religious practices include marriage and funeral rites, feasts and celebrations, holy rites to God or gods, and different kinds of sacrifices. These spiritual practices have influenced the cultural traditions of very many societies across the globe. For example, each culture performs marriage and funeral rites; although they are some disparities in each culture, there are some shared practices. These variations in the way societies practice religion have enriched the sociological field.
Social theorist Karl Marx, max weber, and Emile Durkheim, who are the fathers of modern sociology, studied the influence of religion and society. Durkheim believed that faith brought abought social unity, enhances morality in the community, and gives life meaning and purpose. Max Weber, who was a sociologist and political economist, studied the effects of religion on the economy. Weber noticed that the Netherlands, England, Scotland, and German, which were protestant societies, were the most developed entrepreneurial societies. He believes Protestantism leads to the growth of capitalism, and some of their teachings made Protestants strive to work hard and be prosperous. Karl Marx believed that religion promotes unfairness in society. Karl thinks that religion has a tremendous impact on labor and the economy. He famously remembered by the quote that religion is the opium of the people.
Religion and spirituality are both considered sacred, but my view is that there are two different concepts. An individual can be religious but not spiritual and vice versa. Religion is a system of beliefs and practices by a group of people, while spirituality is an individual’s process to gain personal views for them to have peace and perseverance. In religion, there is more emphasis on material things, for example, a church, rituals, and scriptures. Spirituality focuses more on the internal awareness that involves soul searching and personal understanding. Religion is more structured and laid down rules and some moral expectations. Spirituality is more of an inner path, and an individual set their ethical expectations they will use to discover themselves. I still believe that identifying with a particular religion can help and individual strengthen their spirituality.
Summarize Pope Francis’ message. Then, comment on if you think religion brings people together or causes societal divides.
Pope Francis reminds us that the future can be seen through individual people and their encounters. It is, therefore, through people’s relations that life flows. From his own experience, everyone’s existence is tied to that of the other, and life is not time passing by but rather the interactions between individuals.
Among us are the disadvantaged who end up being ” discarded”. The Pope notes the importance of working together to build a future that includes everyone. We all need each other to create an all-inclusive future since everything is interconnected. To maintain these connections in a healthy state, we should forgive each other and ensure we have a happy future.
The Pope also highlights that the growth of scientific and technological innovation should observe equality and social inclusivity. This can be achieved by educating everyone to foster solidarity and not just reduce some people to social work. Only through solidarity will we be able to overcome the ”culture of waste” among those sidelined by techno-economic systems that value products more than people. Therefore, solidarity can be described as a free response from within every individual that cannot be programmed.
His holiness reminds us that hope is the future, and a single individual is enough for hope to exist. When these individuals come together, they form a group that drives a revolution of tenderness towards each other on the same level. The powerful should be responsible and act humbly since their actions have an impact on people. However, the future is not exclusively on them but also on the people that recognize others as individuals and themselves as a part of “us” because we all need each other.
Religion Brings People Together or Causes Societal Divides
The Pope’s message depicts religion to be a binding factor between individuals. It motivates individuals that hope for a brighter future exists. Religion focusses on ensuring that individuals unite to achieve a common goal, which in this case is to ensure they have a happy future. Through this unity, each one of us can have equal opportunities to overcome the challenges they face and avoid ending up among the “discarded” people.
Religion also advocates for equality, social inclusivity, and solidarity for all people because they are not just a statistic. This indicates that religion aims to bring people together, ensuring that they recognize each other on the same level since we all need each other. This, therefore, shows that religion brings people together than it causes societal divides