Taoism: The Role Of Religion In Human Society

Religion is one of the most universal concepts found in human societies. It is an ancient concept that has remained in society till this day. Religion is a community of followers who believe in divine beings, or explanations of why things are a certain way. Though each religion is diverse they all have a sole persistence, which is to accentuate the importance of being virtuous and of living a moral lifestyle. Religion can be defined using characteristics, its role in society, and the lifestyle. There are many characteristics that define religion due to its existence today and in the past. Among every characteristic nothing can be declared as the absolute truth. It can only be said that it captures the essence of each religion. The characteristics …show more content…
The founder of Taoism was Lao Tzu. Taoism has a main goal and that is to reach Tao .Tao is defined to be the ultimate reality and the guide to everything. In Taoism the focus is not worship a god but focus on reaching Tao.Taoisim characterizes religion in characteristics with a belief to another power, which is the Tao. The Tao helps create an understanding and purpose for what people are doing. Tao is essence of everything that is right. The ultimate goal of Tao is to reach the after life with the universe. The role Tao plays in people lives is the steps it takes towards a destination. Taoism talks about the survival of the spirit after death, which is the ultimate position of Tao. They don’t believe that birth and death are the beginning and the end. The texts in Voorst book were helpful reading while using translations. The Voorst text states in the writings of the Tao Te Ching “ The ways that can be walked are not the eternal way. The names that can be named are not the eternal name. The nameless is the origin of the myriad creatures. The named is the mother of the myriad creatures.”(Voorst). This means that the Tao exists before heaven and earth. This is a primary example that Tao exists before anything and is everywhere. Taoism helps you attain a lifestyle by living to reach something higher. People have to live a moralistic way to be able to reach the most divine power the Tao. …show more content…
Hinduism is one of the religions that doe not have single founder or religious organization. It is one of the most diverse religions that I have come across in Smiths text. It consists of belief in traditions and values. There are many concepts that are in Hinduism that make it a religion such as its belief in higher beings and these higher beings and are all listed in the Bhagvad Gita the holy book of guidelines. The Hindus also believe in the Vedas a higher association with God. There is also a big belief in karma. Huston Smith states, “ Because karma implies a lawful world, it has often interpreted as fatalism” (Smith 65). This is the belief that everything is guided through the choices a person makes. There are certain spiritualties and prayers done to reach the highest power. The role Hinduism plays is in a person’s life is the belief in after life and reincarnation. The goal of a Hindu is to live a good life to reincarnate. This belief is based off the fact that in order for a person to reincarnate their spirit never dies but is reborn in another form of life. The text Bhagvad Gita states, “ You are a supreme, changeless reality, the one thing to be known. You are the refugee of all creation (Voorst 58). This talks about the lifestyle of Hindus and how their reality is the importance of what they become is important to reincarnation. The lifestyle of Hindus is decided according to their