Understanding Religion — Part 1
One of the fundamental aspects of humanity. Religion has dictated morals, ethics, government structure, warfare, etc., since its creation 300,000 years ago. So how did this powerful creation/idea originate? Each religion has its explanation of how it came about. Therefore out of respect, the focus will strictly be on the historical facts of the origin and educated inferences. It does not invalidate any religion’s approach, but rather adds another perspective.
The Origins
Humans first gained the idea of (a) being/beings beyond their existence nearly 300,000 years ago. Their interaction with the natural environment prompted them to ponder the idea of supernatural powers. Keep in mind there was no scientific institution or education system. These humans were hunter-gatherers trying to survive the world. Therefore, they had to make sense of the world on their own.
These early humans had to figure out how the world works the way it does: Why did it rain? Why is there night? Why was there a flood? A famine? They started to attribute meaning to all these things. If there was a drought, the universe was upset with them. If a fellow human shared food with them, they wanted the universe to do something good for them. In this manner, humanity started to add meaning and purpose behind the actions of people and the universe. The foundation of religion was set.
To read more on the science and history behind the origins of religion, check this article out.
Historical Role
Religion has been the controlling factor of empires, war-mongering, and authoritative responsibilities. Most notably, King Henry VIII and his falling out with the Catholic church shaped the British Empire for centuries to come. Henry wanted to divorce his first wife. As such, he asked Pope Clement VII to grant him his wish. The Pope was in a difficult position. He could not simply allow Henry to remarry because the Pope himself was under the control of the King of Spain. By letting Henry remarry and produce a male heir, it would be to the detriment of Spain. Therefore, the Pope kept giving non-answers for years to avoid outright denying King Henry, but also from saying yes. Henry grew frustrated and eventually passed the Act of Supremacy in 1534, an outright break from the Catholic church. From this moment onward, the King was the head of state and the newly formed Church of England.
Transitioning to war, religious motives play an unfortunate role in the bloody bashes. Religion, something that aims to purify one’s soul and give one spiritual guidance, is the foundational cause of bloodshed in some cases. The Crusades are arguably the most notorious religious wars in history. The Christians and Muslims were at odds as both wanted control of sacred sites that held meaning to both. These wars took place from 1096–1291, nearly two centuries. There were a total of seven crusades that took place between the Byzantines and the Muslims. These battles caused Jerusalem to fall and countless dead. The Muslims came out on top, but the Pope had gained a greater reach and the Holy Roman Empire became more wealthy. Some historians argue that the Crusades set the stage for the spread of Christianity.
Modern Role
Just as it did thousands of years ago, religion continues to give people meaning and purpose. It serves as a moral compass through the journey of life. Religion has grown more personal and private compared to how government-controlled it was in the past. Each individual is more at liberty to practice the faith they so choose. There are still many parts of the world where religious oppression occurs, but not to the extent it was centuries ago.
Religion also serves as a medium of unity. It is a calling card to bring people from all walks of life together to unite behind a common purpose. However, it is also used as a medium of division. Some religious leaders may try to pit themselves against other religious groups. Oftentimes, this an internal-religion problem where branches of the same religion come into conflict. These disputes may be out of jealousy, interpretation of holy texts, or even financial reasons.
Unfortunately, politicians and other people in power try to use religion as a tool to manipulate and control. They will convince citizens that certain policies or events are due to the will of (the) God(s) and they should accept them. For instance, Rep. Ted Yoho called his congressional colleague Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez a “fucking bitch”. When confronted about it and asked to apologize, Yoho said he misspoke from a place of frustration and that he “cannot apologize for my passion or for loving my God, my family, and my country.” It is clear this is weaponization of religion for personal political gain. It would be best if people of power did not manipulate faith for selfish reasons.
Religion continues to play a great role in society. It inspires and keeps many people afloat through life. However, as science continues to advance, the conversation between faith vs. logic does as well. It will be interesting to see how that battle rages in the near future.
