Chapter 17, Problem 1CC-P451

Summary Introduction

Introduction

Religion is a form of culture, with shared beliefs, values and norms. Religion also has ritual activities for adherents to identify them as members. Religion gives meaning to life in terms of purpose and value that secular systems cannot. Not all religions feature a god or gods, for example, Buddhism specifically rejects the idea of deity in a personal form.

Explanation of Solution

Answer and explanation

Religions are social institutions in that they provide meaning for life, giving adherents purpose and the sense that they are part of something larger than the secular problems of the world. Religions can also be considered as cultures because they also share expected behaviors, value the same things, and have consistent beliefs. For example, most Christians go to church on Sunday and pray. Religion also provides ritual activities that make their members distinct. For example, thirteen year old Jewish children perform bar or bat mitzvahs as a rite of passage into adulthood. Dietary restrictions are another example of ritual. Halal meat used by Muslims must be prepared according to certain guidelines, and many Jewish individuals adhere to a strictly kosher diet.