Essay on scientific codes and religious

        For a long time, scientific codes and religious values have been clashing with each other. Considering religion regardless of its forms, it is static as only the founder has the power of changing the absolute values. But when it comes to science, it is not static at all as all the time, there is something new being discovered or studied. There are countless groups of scientists researching on different causes while using different perception. Their discoveries have brought a new environment and an atmosphere. It is actually science that created the modern world and it clashes with that of religious world. In both Muslim and American world, there are some people who resist such a change as religious values are molded into their psychologies and they are unable to bring themselves to look at the world from a broader view. It is true that religious values suggest something entirely different from the modern values but it doesn’t mean that abandoning the modern codes simply is not the right way. In both Catholicism and Islam, there are some strict rules that must be followed no matter what and there is no other way of evading consequences. However, it doesn’t point out that hiding from the modern world is the only way of preserving the old order. An accurate way concerns the adjustment to the modern world while making sure that old values of religion are kept in heart.

        Curiosity of a human has led him to discover what was thought impossible. In many studies, it has been proposed that earth was made only by a large explosion and with the passage of time, life was developed. Meanwhile, it has also been suggested that for the creation of earth, there must be some type of a designer controlling the events that take place. Every religion has a founder and the followers of that specific religion believe that this founder is actually the designer pulling the strings and shifting the chapters of life. Such a theory is composed by religions. Meanwhile, science takes people into a completely different direction as it proposes that no one created earth and humans only got lucky to be born into the right planted sustainable for growth. Every now and then, there is a new discovery and new theory proposed for describing a specific concept of nature. Some scientific theories threaten to damage the belief of religion followers while some actually strengthen that belief. For instance, there are some parts in different religions which describe parts of reality. When investigated by science, such facts were proven accurate and it played an important role in strengthening the beliefs of followers. But most of the concepts proven by science seem to resist the religious values and it threatens the foundation of religion. Hiding away from the change brought by science is definitely not the right way of preserving religion in both the Muslim world and America because religions have a foundation of their own and it cannot be preserved by only inching away.

        There have been various studies, discussions, and even books discussion the clash and different theories proving religion wrong. While there are some books which present theories hoping to prove scientific theory of mainly the creation of earth and life wrong. Although this clash has been going on for years now but there are some researchers who have opted for a neutral approach such as Otto. Such officials though excel in both fields and they know just what type of clash is going on at the moment but they don’t lean towards either of the study. They actually use the neutral approach as they don’t take either side and try to keep a balance in both of the clashing momentums. They act as a barrier which keeps both of the things separated. For instance, they keep the religious values in mind while adapting to the new changes being brought by science. It is rationally a better approach rather than being too scientific or too religious as both types of extremist can hurt the peace of world which is not sustainable in any possible way. There is no religion that actually threatens to take a dangerous step towards the opposing party and the same can be said about science as well. They are actually the followers who create distraction and that are why a neutral approach is better than either of the extremist approach. The theories of thinkers should be considered as they create a balance which makes their theories better.

        Religion is basically a way of life whether it is Islam or not because there are different rules and codes that one has to follow throughout the period of a human life. Adhering to the values of a religion means spending the life in such a way which has been described in a specific religion. Since it is more or less like a lifestyle, there are different ways of illustrating codes and specific ways which were demonstrated by either the founders of religion or the direct Prophets. Such events which display a religious code or a specific function are referred as rituals in terms of a religion. Every ritual has a Holy message which is relayed to the ones carrying it out and the followers of that specific religion. Every religion has its own rituals and it has a message which was bestowed directly by the founders and their successors. Confusion actually arises as there are also communities and they have developed rituals of their own which has a message as well but they are not linked with the religion at all. The basic function of every other ritual is all about conveying a specific message in that ritual. A ritual illustrates beliefs of a specific community or a religion along with practical methodologies and knowledge. They are practiced so that the beliefs of followers are strengthened and they are reminded of the act which was carried out in the past by their ancestors. Communities also perform rituals so to inform the message and strengthen the beliefs.

        As stated above a religion is all about the lifestyle of a human. Since a religion actually has a founder, there are various acts performed by either the founders or their successors. They are an important part of the religion and following after them is an integral parts. Some rituals relay messages and some rituals have the objective of reviving the meaning which was described by their Holy Figures or Prophets. They carried out some certain acts for creating a message for every follower and that act is revived in a ritual which not only strengthens the resolve but also the belief of followers which makes it an important and possibly a main part of every religion. Since Holy Figures practiced such events, rituals intend to revive the feeling of devotion and showing their love to the founder of that religion. The ritual is performed to make sure that every follower knows and their Holy Figures’ teachings have yet to be forgotten. Their activities are still cherished and they will not be forgotten and so is actually the mission of a ritual. Compared to only communities, religious rituals surely have a Holy message linked to the history creating a clear background of what happened in the past is still cherished even in the present. In some religions they care considered the most important while in some religions, they are considered significant because they have a message linked with religion to be relayed to the followers. It strengthens the love of followers for their Holy Figures and keeps it from disappearing.

        Rituals are very important in every religion and community and that is how the confusion of a ritual being a true creator of human arises. Rituals actually are important because they have a message to display and additionally, they guide followers towards a specific activity that has a hidden religious meaning. Since they have information to guide the new generation that is how they can be the actual creator of humanity as they improve the habits of followers and take them to the absolute path. However, such a thing is also proven wrong considering the fact that there are some communities which have developed rituals of their own without taking anything from a religious value. Such people create a ritual of their own so to display the values that their ancestors have created and such figures don’t believe in a Holy Figure. Generally, a ritual has a religious value or message to display. However, when communities that don’t believe in such a designer create some rituals, it deletes the possibility of rituals creating the humanity. Religious rituals represent the religious value that is to be carried out in the same way just to remember the way how their Holy Figures did the same thing. For instance, many rituals that Muslims carry out have the aim to revive the act which was carried out by their Prophets. That is what eliminates the possibility of ritual creating the humanity in religion as they have been created by Holy Figures.

QUESTION: "What roles does religion play in Appiah’s analysis? How is your approach similar to or different from his? (That is, do you agree with Appiah’s analysis or disagree?)

        In this article “the case for contamination”, Appiah mixing up different religions as world is continuously going towards globalization. According to Appias’s analysis, it concluded that we left our ancestors traditions and not following our religion and norms. Things changes rapidly with the passage of time and we must adhere the new changes. Appiah also thinks that other religion give more freedom to their women’s so that they can live better. They encourage criticism and allow people to speak and share their views and thoughts. When we talk about the author who lives in the Kumasi Ghana town, has different thought about life and according to his thoughts, people changes their culture changes and they learn new things in societies so that they adopt new changes within the boundaries of their religion. Once the culture accepts the new inventions around peoples and thinks that globalization is better for their culture, enhancing living standards, societies can grow better. Globalization creates a huge impact on people and allows economic growth as well. When Appiah talked about Globalization, it means cultural diversity. Some people are more advance in culture and give good education, food, ethics etc to their children whereas some are not advance and cannot afford education expenses.

        Appiah also describes in this article that many people are not taking interest to move into the modern world and want to keep themselves unaware from modern societies and culture, which ultimately leads them to the backward. Appiah thinks that many brands like coca cola came into their land and all people started purchasing their beverages. We can also preserve our culture from adopting bad things like negative usage of internet or use it for right purpose to search educational material only.

In Appiah’s analysis, religious plays an important role in every culture and society. We must take care of other’s opinions, values and norms. People fight without understanding of other’s point of view, which creates conflict. In some countries people cannot offer prayers like in India, Muslims found lot of issues while offering prayers. Appiah likes globalization but discourage this kind of treatment with people. Appiah is open-minded women and wants respect to other’s culture as well as her culture. If any new changes opposed in the world, we must adopt them if that change is not against us or harmful for us.

        My thought is same as Appiah because we should understand to each other, must be patient, give respect to others and do not enforce our beliefs on others. We must listen what opponent is saying and stop the way to say wrong to others. When I travelled to USA, I met different people having different mind of thoughts and diversified culture. They are very respectful with me even they told me about their religion about church and prayers and I was very pleased with them. These people were known their beliefs and norms and that’s the thing, which their religion taught them, and when I sat with them for dinner, they ask me first to take food and this was the good habit to treat foreigners in their country.

        Countries are getting more advance, according to this article “The Case for Contamination” every religion has own values and beliefs as religion is very important to build a human mentality and follow the traditions. Cultures from the beginning of this world are open to accept changes but this is our responsibility that which changes we need to adopt and which is not good for us. Some people thoughts that adopting new culture is not good and we stepped back by our traditions and culture. They should know that in every culture, people accept those things or changes, which are better for them. Now days, Countries are moving very fast towards diversity and changes reflects rapidly. People, who have old thoughts, cannot understand this change.

        In my opinion, broad-minded people are best and ideals which accepts other principals and values and allow others to speak about their religion. So that we must know to each other, our beliefs, values and cultures. World is changing and cannot stop to someone for those people change is not good and we cannot adopt new changes. These people must face the changes and think about instead criticizing on those people who wants to live with new changes. Appiah’s thoughts are very good about religion and diversified culture because by adopting and facing new good changes in our culture we can remain intact with the world. If we do not accept changes we cannot step forward into the latest world which ultimately will not good for us.