Blog 3 (1-26-12)

Response to HW reading that we did NOT discuss in class:

Believers are an essential part to understanding the history of a religion. Just like a leader can't lead without followers, a religion cannot sustain itself without believers. Believers are the ones who alter  a religion, practice the religion, and pass it to the next generations. Throughout history religions have been changed, completely forgotten, and also strengthened. This is why religion now is so drastically different from religion many years ago. I feel that the idea of religion being a safe haven, and an ever-belonging community is something that has always been around and will continue to stay that way. I believe that the actual practices and rituals in religions have changed, and the ways that religion affects people's lives have changed. The rituals and routines within a religion have changed over the years probably because the society around us has changed so much. The ways and to what extent religion influences our decisions and ideas has shifted as well. With all of the technology, social communicating, and media, religion has now been a big part of all of that, which is something that was not possible a few decades ago. Because of the power of the media, people have gotten more defensive about their religions. As everything around us in society changes and advances, I feel that the way religion affects one's life will change as well.

In my opinion, not saying that this is correct, but I believe that in order to be religious you should be open minded. I think that a huge, huge part of being a in a religious group or a religious individual means  accepting others and not being close minded. By definition, nobody has to tolerate or even listen to other people's opinions, they can just believe that everything they think and have grown up around is right. However, a GOOD religious person in my view would be willing to talk with other people about religion. People of various religions have so much to offer each other, that I think talking and being willing to listen to other peoples opinions and ideas would strengthen one's religion. Just like there is the difference between a good leader and an effective leader, there is the different between someone who is born into a religion and strictly follows that because it is easy and thats what you are "supposed" to do, but then there are those who are born into a religion but are willing to have an open mind and discuss what that religion means to them and how it affects them as they live in the world. People are allowed to think whatever they want, but just being able to listen to other people, which is something so easy to do, can really help someone out.