Radot,
I really thank for your letter about Religion and Society. It is interesting to know that a society is dictated by belief(s) of its people. I did try to make a small study on several religions and which countries that are affected by each religion. I made a brief study about religion that had impacted the history of my country. I also did make a quick comparison between my country and countries in Southern part of America. There is a clear difference on the way people live. This led me to a question, ‘what caused this difference?’ Could be this an example of how religion impacts a society?
Another question, there are several religions on this world? What is the approach in discussing religion? Any thought?
Sincerely,
Hildegard
Dear Hildegard,
I appreciate your effort to make study on religion. As we will see, religion affects society and state. An example of this impact could be seen on the way people live or culture of any country. We could observe the difference between your country and those of Southern America’s, between the United States of America with countries in Europe, between a country in western and a country in eastern part of Europe, between your country and my country, and between your country and other countries in Asia and Africa. For a while, I am not going to discuss this subject, but I will answer your second question- approach in discussing religion.
My personal advice is that we discuss this subject academically; try not to emphasize or avoid discussion on how one applies one’s belief on his daily life. Let his performance be his personal accountability to his God. This does not mean that we can not talk our personal experience on how we apply our beliefs. It could be encouraging to others when we share our experiences if it builds others. But, I will urge to talk about the core belief of religion, its teaching, its hope and its impact on society.
The reason for this is simply to minimize unnecessary arguments. When people discuss religion, often they quickly jump from its teaching to its practice; they quickly talk about how one applies his belief before having discussing a lot of the teaching or belief. They are in a hurry to judge people through their conduct and evaluate how consistent one is in obeying the teaching of his belief.
When we discuss the topics about religion, we should focus on what each religion teaches, what its core beliefs are, why one religion differs from another religion, what its impacts are in a society, and what makes one religion works well in a society or country.
I hope you will take a proper care when talking about religion with your friends. Topic about religion is a life and dead matter. Be careful in sharing its teaching.
Sincerely yours,
Radot
