Lesson 1.2

Prior to lesson 1.2, my general consensus on Religion was the dark past and even present conflicts that form from it such as the wars in the middle east. Since as long as I could remember I went to church once a week every Sunday, which ultimately left a bad taste in my mouth. Six years of Catholic school and 16 years of going to Church felt like a chore and a burden to my time and gave me a negative opinion towards the concept of religion. I was aware of the a few of the pros to religion but did not fully comprehend how it influences the cultures that use it. I also never thought how, “the study of religion is cross-cultural” because of globalization and the different cultures we come across now. I also appreciate when Nye said the study of religion should be done through the eyes of the human world. Not to say that the spiritual side of religion is wrong or unexplorable, but the study of religion does not go over that.

Some complex thoughts that I personally never touched on was the psychology involved with religion. For example, the difference a personality will make when embodying a religion and what it does for them. Many scholars believed personality what the main cause for religion from the idea of believing in a greater identity.

The readings show that there are many different religions and cultures that impact people. Over time the change of these different backgrounds and perspectives dictate how certain societies function today. is why it is necessary to study religion and gain a better understanding of each others backgrounds.