Elements of Religious Traditions Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Elements of Religious Traditions - Research Paper Example The paper would discuss its relationship with various elements of social interaction. Identifying critical issues God is a supreme being in different religions vis-a-vis Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhaism etc. The varying traditions and their interpretations therefore become critical issues to define human behavior and actions, especially with regard to various socio economic and political paradigms which have catalytic effect on all people cutting across nationality, race, culture and color. The racial prejudices, gender inequality, capitalistic structure of society and even national boundaries are seen as going against the basic posit of religions’ core beliefs. This also raises the need to examine religion in various perspectives to gauge its responses amongst the people who practice it in different format and expressions. Relationship with divine God’s supremacy is recognized within all religious scriptures and exemplifies its relationship with the Di vine in terms of behavior that is morally and ethically correct. The Bible teaches to be God fearing and stresses the need to repent by the sinners. It believes that God has endowed man with free will so he can follow his course of actions that would lead him towards the God. The sinful acts would lead him to purgatory and therefore repentance becomes intrinsic part of Christianity. Hinduism also reveres God as Creator and inculcates God fearing tendencies for fear of going to hell rather than heaven. Thus, in all religions, good actions are encouraged because they bring men closer to God. Relationship with sacred time Religious traditions and scriptures are abound with the notion of eternity and the scientific theory of evolution of man which has faced tremendous pressure from the Church and other religions. The theory of creation and orthodox Jews beliefs that ‘our history had been preceded by untold cosmic cycles of millions and billions of years’ (N.d, 2010, reading 1). The Hinduism’s concept of rebirth delineates the concept of time to surreal realities which are but the imagery of our physical self. In religious traditions, sins and purgatory would invite wrath of God, resulting in ultimate destruction of the world. The sacred time, therefore is important aspect where events occur in cyclic order irrespective of the fact whether it is desired or not. Thus, prayers become important part of religious traditions. Relationship with sacred space or natural world World is created by God and Human beings are called to work as God's stewards. The created order is entrusted to humanity, not as individuals, but as a community. The private property right is therefore embedded in an inclusive concept of common property of all people and is never allowed to become an absolute right that excludes others completely (Graafland, 2008, reading 3) Religious conceptualization of space and natural world delimits the manmade boundaries of nations. Everythin g belongs to God and respect and healthy regard for all elements of the earth become intrinsic to religious philosophy. Merleau-Ponty (reading2, 1965) says that there are two world, one external that needs space or territory and the internal one or ‘agora’ that resides within oneself. Agora continuously provokes people to move and thereby ‘