The major religions of the west – Christianity, Judaism, and Islam all promise future salvation. All of these religious have changed over time and are still changing today. They’re all linked to the past and have history behind them that make them what they are today. The question prompted is does the past bolster faith or limit it? I think that each religion can be bolstered and limited by the past depending on certain situations.
Christianity, Judaism, and Islam have all undergone major changes over time and have somewhat been looked at into changing for the future generations. I think that in order for the religion that I believe in for example; Christianity, to continue to attract believers, it should stick to where the religion began, but should be open to change in our modern world.
About a week ago we biked on the Appian Way in Rome. I honestly knew nothing about the Appian Way before our history lesson on it. I didn’t know that it is the most important of Roman roads for transportation. But, when I found out that Peter had a vision of Christ along the Appian Way and St. Paul also walked on this road, I gained a better understanding for the Appian Way and it strengthened my Christian beliefs. That is just one experience that has strengthened my appreciation for The Appian Way. But knowing about the past can also limit one’s religious beliefs. For example, in history of Christianity I learned that Jesus walked on water when I was in middle school. Well, many people would say that, that is a myth and doesn’t show factual evidence. So in that kind of situation if you question what might have happened in the past you are questioning your religion and beliefs. This could limit your beliefs if you have doubt.
I strongly believe that sticking to tradition and the roots of a certain religion, but being open to modernization can strengthen a religion and can allow more people to believe in it. I know that if what I learned from my Catholic school and my parents were to change I might doubt my beliefs because that’s what I was taught. Changing tradition can also turn away older generations who have been practicing the same beliefs for many years. But, on the flipside, changing for our modern world today could strengthen the people of our generation’s beliefs.
I’ve been Catholic my entire life, and I do not know about a lot about Judaism and Islam. But even though I don’t know the history behind them, I do know that depending on the way someone were to look history of their religion it can either strengthen or limit their beliefs. During my experience here in Rome so far I do feel that my faith is slowly strengthening by knowing the past behind Christianity and I hope it continues to strengthen for the future
I agree with what you spoke about with the modernization. While it may be needed for our generation or the upcoming generations, if anything were to be changed it could definitely turn many middle aged and older people away. Not only this,but what says that if modernization occurred that it would attract younger people or just people in general. Thankfully, we do not have to make these decisions because whoever does has an extremely hard decision to make.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was intersting that you pointed out the idea of modernization and said that it would attract new believers, but may upset those who have followed old traditions. Even the idea of modernization bolsters and limits faith. You said that science cannot prove Jesus walked on water - but even if you found out he didn't, would it change your belief in the religion? I feel like sometimes history limits us just because people focus on the nuances of events, instead of the foundations of the faith.
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