It is an old age question that seems utterly inexplicable: what is religion? Although this question infinitely varies depending on the person, one often feels very strongly on this subject. Whether an Atheist, Buddhist, Jew, Hindu, Mormon, or Christian, there is much to be said on beliefs and how one goes about living life strictly based on those vary beliefs. My beliefs, however, do not urge me to answer the question regarding what a religion in itself is, but rather what justifies religion. There is so much that goes into religion that it is difficult to come up with a definite conclusion given that the entire idea of religion is subjective. There are plenty of contradictions, ambiguities, and theories that make up each and every religion.
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If this is true, then why are there even any Christians to begin with? Why is there such a difference between Christians and Jews? Or Christians and people of almost any other previously stated faith, for that matter? This all ties into one main similarity with most of the discussed religions: the idea of an afterlife. For Judaism, there are plenty of laws stated in their scripture that should be followed in order for “access” into heaven. One of these procedures is a cleanliness ritual where “it is forbidden to eat the flesh of impure animals, the most prominent of which is the swine” (110). Jews firmly believe that “the cleanliness laws of the Torah are also an essential part of Jewish ritual” (110). However, the interesting aspect on this religion is the amount of devout, orthodox followers. Why is it that those followers believe that these rules need to be followed in order for a sufficient afterlife, whereas Christianity believes that “Christ’s death has somehow put us right with God and given us a fresh start” in which followers believe “that Christ was killed for [them], that His death has washed out [their] sins, and that by dying He disabled death itself” giving those Christians guaranteed instant access without much to be done individually (194)? All religions have these certain laws, often set in order through their Scriptures. For example, Hinduism has the Manu Smrti which contains “great epic poems, lengthy descriptions of the gods and goddesses, and codes of moral conduct” which believers are intended to follow in order to maintain good dharma (143). Buddhism has Five Moral Precepts which act as a moral code and Tao Te Ching. Judaism has many scriptures which give a multitude of laws, such as the Torah. Mormonism has the Holy Bible and The Book of Mormon which gives strict rules that lead to eternal life. And last,
If this is true, then why are there even any Christians to begin with? Why is there such a difference between Christians and Jews? Or Christians and people of almost any other previously stated faith, for that matter? This all ties into one main similarity with most of the discussed religions: the idea of an afterlife. For Judaism, there are plenty of laws stated in their scripture that should be followed in order for “access” into heaven. One of these procedures is a cleanliness ritual where “it is forbidden to eat the flesh of impure animals, the most prominent of which is the swine” (110). Jews firmly believe that “the cleanliness laws of the Torah are also an essential part of Jewish ritual” (110). However, the interesting aspect on this religion is the amount of devout, orthodox followers. Why is it that those followers believe that these rules need to be followed in order for a sufficient afterlife, whereas Christianity believes that “Christ’s death has somehow put us right with God and given us a fresh start” in which followers believe “that Christ was killed for [them], that His death has washed out [their] sins, and that by dying He disabled death itself” giving those Christians guaranteed instant access without much to be done individually (194)? All religions have these certain laws, often set in order through their Scriptures. For example, Hinduism has the Manu Smrti which contains “great epic poems, lengthy descriptions of the gods and goddesses, and codes of moral conduct” which believers are intended to follow in order to maintain good dharma (143). Buddhism has Five Moral Precepts which act as a moral code and Tao Te Ching. Judaism has many scriptures which give a multitude of laws, such as the Torah. Mormonism has the Holy Bible and The Book of Mormon which gives strict rules that lead to eternal life. And last,