Invitation To World Religion Analysis

Religion is a subject that dates back to prehistoric times. Many times it is used to outline the way a person may think or how their lifestyle should be shaped, in summarization it helps conform the meaning of life. There is no correct meaning to the definition of religion, but it can be best defined as a system of myths, doctrines, ethics, and rituals for the expression of ultimate relevance, as stated from the book, Invitation to world religions. Although many components of religion such as, doctrines, rituals, symbols, myths, and many more have not changed as we have transitioned into the modern world, but some religious practices have adapted to the changes in belief due to many social and economic developments in todays society.
Modernization,
urbanization, globalization, and secularization are four characteristics that help define how the modern world has aided in the reshaping some religious traditions.
Modernization can be described as the transformation of a society mainly to contend with other institutions globally. The main purposes for modernization may include, increased literacy rates, improved education, the enhancement of technologies, increased roles of women in the community, self-sustaining economies, and more engagement of society within the government. (Brodd, Little, Nystrom, Platzner, Shek & Stiles, 2015) For example the role of women in todays society has immensely increased, because many religions have a heavy patriarchal role, with modernization this specific barrier has been broken allowing women to have a more impactful role in the modern world. Urbanization, as stated in Invitation To World Religions, corresponds with modernization; it is the shift of population from rural, agricultural living areas to urban, city like areas. An example of the shift of rural to urban living can be described as seasons and agricultural cycles being used to time stamp specific holidays and traditions, compared to todays society that specific system is rarely used. In contrast to modernization and urbanization, globalization allows for different cultures to connect and conjoin into being more
universal, making it more known worldwide rather than completely altering religious practices. An example of globalization is the use of technology, with technology it helps spread awareness to people anywhere in the world by looking up on the internet certain beliefs and practices of a specific religion. Secularization has an extensive impact in the modern world; it can be compared to modernization in many ways. It can be defined as the significance of traditions diminishing in social power and authority. An example can be described as colonization; many African countries had indigenous religions, or believed in spirits until people from European countries traveled to Africa on missionary trips to convert many Africans into Christians.
Vodou, an African indigenous religion can further show how it has responded to the challenges of urbanization, globalization, and secularization. According to Invitation To World Religions, Vodou, originated from Haiti, is a religion that has spread all over the Caribbean, and southern United States. Vodou has similar practices to both Catholicism and religions of West Africa; it is a religion that recognizes many different spirits. In todays society Vodou is most commonly recognized due to urbanization and globalization. Due to the migration of many people practicing this religion, their beliefs and practices are relevant in many diverse areas allowing for humanity to be more aware of Vodou. Due to the increasing attention from the public many people with no ancestral relation to this religion has been able to become practitioners of Vodou. As more Africans or Vodou practitioners move around the world due to modernization, their practices will follow adjusting to any conditions that arise. Indigenous religions display that continuous change of religions in society allows for the continuation of traditions to advance.
Science is compatible with religious belief, in many ways science and religion overlap.
Invitation To World Religions states, “Modern scientific theories seem almost to converge with ancient religious outlooks.” Both science and religion search for universal principles to explain reality, although science tends to answer how things come about while religion answers why things happen as well as who is responsible, both philosophies allow for a greater understanding. Furthermore Invitation To World Religions affirms, “A more sophisticated perspective on the encounter of religion and science requires us to consider the underlying reasons for both conflict and convergence.” Science and religion comes to terms that a mystery does exists, although science would rather clarify what it is while religion leaves it be, both constituents coincide with one
another.
Religion is a philosophy. It helps shape the way we live and also aids in the modernization of our society. Without having the ideology of religion there would not be a way to understand of believe why certain concepts or things come to exists.