The Present and the Future of Religion

Discussion 1 – Week 10

"The Present and the Future of Religion" Please respond to the following:

• Among the religions we discussed this week, identify one religion that you find the most interesting. Explain your response.
• Explain at least three ways that social trends affect the formation of new religions and dictate new religious movements.

Post:

            This week I decided to work on the lab first.  I had to go in depth to learn about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to complete it efficiently. I feel that this religion is the most interesting to me.  Before learning what this religion was and the beliefs they have faith in, I looked at it as a cult.  I learned that this religion is about family values and strong beliefs in the community.  According to our text, “The Mormon Church’s success is perhaps due partly to the efforts of its 65,000 volunteer missionaries (usually young men giving two years of their lives), and partly due to the appeal of its emphasis on clean living and strong family values in contrast to the prevailing Western culture” (Fisher, 2013).  It also gave me a new outlook on the American Indians and the way I look at Jesus/God.

            I feel that one reason new religions are established is because people study all religions like we have been doing for the last ten weeks and see our own weaknesses and strengths in these separate religions.  I could take different aspects from many of these religions and make, in my opinion, a perfect religion.  I feel that people grow tired of traditional ways and traditional views on new topics in the world that require them to leave their religions and create new ways of faith to accept the new ways that support their own views.  Abortion, gay marriage, and women rights are a few of the hot topics that religious views are discriminating.   Another reason is these new religions, sects, or cults seem to offer a sense of community, caring, and fellowship.  Now days many people feel distant from their neighbors, family, and/or friends and want to be a part of something.  With unemployment, divorce, and drug addictions people are more inclined to join something that will give them a refreshed new positive look upon life itself.  

References:

Fisher, Mary Pat. (2013). Living Religions. Pearson. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.