Religion Structures A Religious Person's Life example essay topic

People are religious for many reasons. These include the difference religion makes in life and how religious beliefs influence actions. Religion structures a religious person's life. More than three quarters of the world's population consider they belong to a religion. All aspects of religion are reasons for a person to be religious. For some, the difference that sacred places, books, prayer and celebration make is significant.

Others, the belief that there is something beside our own world or the difference having a figure to follow can change a life. Sacred places can help a person to have an ambition in life, a reason to live - to reach this sacred place, for example the Holy place of Mecca for Muslims, a pilgrimage is taken, and this is a life experience for many Muslims. Books help many understand life, and much of being religious is about understanding. They answer questions and instruct you in the right direction in life. Prayer can be seen in two ways, in my opinion. The first is to pray to a God, to keep you and your loved ones safe, for security.

Secondly, it gives a person a daily or weekly ritual, which can help in structuring lives. By having this structure also gives a person security and sometimes controls emotions in a very complicated society we live in. Celebration can be an appeal to religion, if a not strong one. Celebrating a belief among others passes on the faith to the future generations. The dictionary definition for "religious" is "Pertaining to the belief in and worship of a god or gods, a specific system of belief and worship involving a code of ethics, a value orientation emphasizing spiritual peace". Belief is a common reason to be religious.

Belief that there is an external force that guides you through life. Belief that there is life after death. Belief is very personal. Everyone has different beliefs, and by following a religion with similar belies to your own, you can fulfil your own. Fear is another aspect of being religious. Fear that if you do not believe and there is something else then something bad will happen.

If a person is not religious then often they feel scared that when they die they will not fulfil "heaven" or "enlightenment" or any other after life. there is doubt; Other humans prompt people to become religious. Society today, for example Discrimination in the West of Africa caused a group of young African boys to join a religion where they were accepted. They were in an environment where they were equal; less strained and were surrounded by people who understood them. Also, many are religious by tradition and family. If your parents and ancestors are religious, and this is the way you are brought up, many cannot imagine life without their religion. Growing up in a high density of one religion and belief often draws a person to it.

Aspects in society such as violence can be incorporated into reasons to be religious. Religion has caused more wars than political or other reasons. The September 11th scenario is a good example. Here the issue was Islam versus the West.

Religion and difference in beliefs caused the incident, the deaths and the sorrow, yet so many people turned to God and a religion in mourning, prayer and distress post to the incident. Often when people encounter, or a loved one of a person encounters a near- death experience, then a feeling of "being spared" turns them to a religion. Religion is often found through illness, trauma, suffering and violence. After encountering this experience, many are reformed and join a religion to thank someone.

Another example is the recent tsunami disaster. So many lost lives of family, friends, and relations in the tragedy and found hope in praying for saved ones or for ones not yet found. Peter Gaiter, an English citizen, turned to a religion because, "he wanted someone to thank for the good things in life and to blame for the bad things". It helps to have a guider, someone to turn to in your happiest and darkest times. Being religious gives many people security and a sense of being safe. Guy Potter, a new found Buddhist claimed he "used to be involved in heavy drinking and drug taking, and since becoming a Buddhist has found happiness and calmness".

Before converting to Buddhism, he thought of going to university, getting a job, living a full life and dying at an old age. Yet life was still confusing to him. Now, he has had many of his life questions answered, and like many Buddhists, has no desires and experiences no suffering. For him, becoming religious has changed his life for the better. Religion is widely spread across the world, but is significantly in poorer developing countries, living in poverty. Perhaps this is because there is more need to believe that one day life for them will improve.

At one point the Vatican Church was the richest bank in the world. Many gave much money to the church in order to become a "good" person and to become closer to heaven, give them a better chance of reaching heaven. Yet there were still homeless people living on the streets with nothing. It has apparently been proven that people belonging to a religious faith live for up to ten years longer. Is this because they are happier, healthier and living life happily? Or is it psychological?

If you have the belief you will live to a fuller extent because of your way of life, then maybe you will?