Laura Nordquist

September 22, 2016

REL-2300-002
Essay 1 on Religion
Religion can be seen as a tapestry of threads made up of religious actions, philosophies,
and moments in the lives of society. It is a complicated, multilayered, always changing, diverse,
and overlapping pattern that influences all cultures in different ways (Fisher, 2011). Many have
searched for a connection to a greater reality that lies past the surface of their lives. Religion
also seeks to answer questions about who we are, why we are here, what happens when we die,
and the reasons behind suffering and evil. The word religion most likely originates from the
Latin meaning to tie again or to tie back. This means that religions give order and tie people
back by introducing a greater reality that is sacred (Fisher, 2011). There are three major theories
of religion which include materialist, faith based, and functionalist. These theories attempt to
explain, through individual perspectives, why religion exists and what it is.
Materialistic theory states that religion is an imagined illusion created to manipulate
people. The philosopher Ludwig Feuerbach (1804-1872) said that religious divinities are
projections of human qualities that a culture sees as desirable, such as wisdom, love, and power.
He reasoned that people will worship a deity because of its supremacy, and fail to realize that
humans have some of those same characteristics and qualities (Fisher, 2011).
Another materialist philosopher, Karl Marx (1818-1883), reasoned that religion is
influenced and created by a societys arrangement and economic structure. He stated that
religions are created because of the wishes and longings of the oppressed who are struggling to

bring about a better society (Fisher, 2011). Religions focus on the otherworldly because a perfect
society is not possible and people want a more satisfying life and fulfillment of their incomplete
desires.
Faith based perspective acknowledges and believes in an underlying reality that no one
can really see or perceive (Fisher, 2011). The ability to see truth beyond blind belief and the
limits of human reasoning is called mysticism. Religions include divine encounters that occur
during near-death experiences, meditation, fasting, chanting, dancing, prayer, and many other
instances (Fisher, 2011). These kinds of experiences bring about dualistic understanding, which
is a non-rational experience of enlightenment where a connection between the divine and our
own awareness has occurred. Dualistic understanding occurrences have resulted in the different
beliefs and behaviors of each religion according to the response of those who experience divine
encounters (Fisher, 2011). All faith based religions seem to follow a similar pattern. These
include the experiences that people have with an unseen reality, motivation for action and
worship, the fact that it involves the whole self, and the great intensity one knows and feels
(Fisher, 2011).
The functionalist perspective states that religion is useful and can be found everywhere.
Societies and individuals wish to define themselves and make this world understandable. There
are several types of explanations that have originated in different fields of study. These include
sociology, biology, medical studies, and psychology (Fisher, 2011).
Sociologist Emile Durkheim described religion as the glue that holds people together
(Fisher, 2011). Religion results in a potentially better society brought about by positive values. A
societys association with a certain religion also influences social change (Fisher, 2011).

Biology functionalism explains religion as a survival instinct. John Bowker stated that
religion influences gene replication and nurtures children, which results in a higher rate of
survival. In other words, religion is already genetically programed into the human brain (Fisher,
2011).
The usefulness of religion has been studied by medical professionals, who have said that
it makes societies significantly healthier. A Duke University research study found that religious
people live healthier lives physically, emotionally, and mentally (Fisher, 2011). The fourteenth
Dali Lama pointed out that meditation helps reduce destructive emotions and that the survival of
humankind relies on the happiness and inner balance of society (Fisher, 2011).
Segmund Freud, a psychoanalyst, stated that religion is a universal obsessional
neurosis that comes from the need to have protection from the fears and terrors that are a part of
life. He stated that religion can be likened to a mental illness brought about by insecurity and
guilt (Fisher, 2011). On the other hand, Erich Fromm likened religion to something that fulfills
the human need that everyone has for a frame of reference that gives strength and a feeling of
safety (Fisher, 2011).
Functionalists also surmise that religion can bring about change in people and give a
desire for achievement beyond the material. The strength needed to deal with the personal
problems in our lives is often provided by religion (Fisher, 2011). Many Eastern religions live
by the concept that each person is a part of a greater whole and that gaining freedom from
personal problems can only come by acceptance of change. By lessening the value and
importance of oneself, a discovery of the eternal self results (Fisher, 2011).

Dogma gives answers to lifes searching questions. It is a part of many religions and is
defined as information that is accepted and declared as absolutely true, regardless of the lack of
personal experience. Other religions encourage followers to answer and explore questions
themselves and see such personal uncertainty as a part of life (Fisher, 2011). Religion also gives
many people relief from a sense of isolation in that the divine provides a loving and
knowledgeable father, mother, or friend (Fisher, 2011).
Religion exists in all cultures, and attempts to give answers to many of lifes most
difficult and persistent questions. Many theories and perspectives have been put forth to try and
explain the reasons for life. Explaining and analyzing the phenomena of religion will continue to
be attempted, because religion will always be a part of human life and continuously changes over
time. Education about religion can explain why and how so many different religions and
cultures have been started and continue to this day. It is incredibly important to understand not
only your own religion and culture, but others as well in order to understand other people.
Ignorance breeds misunderstanding and judgement, which is unfortunately very prevalent in
society.

References
Fisher, M. P. (2011). Living Religions (8 ed.). (C. Campanella, & D. Musslewhite, Eds.) Upper
Saddle River, NJ, USA: Pearson Education Inc. Retrieved 2016