Essay on "Religion -- Concepts of Death Questions Surrounding"

Essay 4 pages (1471 words) Sources: 1+

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Religion -- Concepts of Death

Questions surrounding death and the nature of human existence have intrigued the human race for millennia. The discovery of burial sites dating back from 70,000 to 15,000 B.C.E. carefully laid with certain belongings, and specific positioning and state of the body, suggest ancient practices of religious beliefs and concern for the afterlife (Chidester: 1). The concept of death is important to human history as it helped to develop a concept of rebirth and life's urgency, has acknowledged the existence of a higher power, and contributed to the unification of societies. The concept of death also raises questions regarding human beings, and the understanding of who is a human being. Four factors that help understand the definition of a human being are biological, psychological, sociological, and religious. The work of Chidester explores different types of death, and symbolizes three patterns describing the transcendence of death: ancestral, experiential, and cultural (12). The concept of death in the human race creates an ongoing question, and requires biological, psychological, sociological, and religious perspectives to understand human beings, the role of death, and its resulting significance.

The concept of death is important to human history because it has marked its influence on the urgency for living and ideas of rebirth, the acknowledgment of a higher power, and the unification of society and culture. Death is the one certainty for the living, and is an occurrence that will inevitably be experienced by every human being. The awareness of mortality stresses the importance of life and creates the sense of urgency for the living. This mortal feeling has become a factor in understanding a relationship between death and fertility, or the concept of death and the following rebirth (Chidester: 2). Myths, legends, folklore, and various religious practices support the theme, or actual occurrence of, "out of death, new life" (Chidester: 2). Concepts of rebirth and death brining new life have been understood by some researchers as a foundation of religious principles (Chidester: 2). The acknowledgment of an existing higher power, as shown by many world religions, is another reason why the concept of death is important to human history. The belief in supernatural beings, forces, realities, or gods expresses a human need to believe in a power greater than them (Chidester: 3). In human history, wars have been waged, kings have declared their power, and murders have been committed in the name of such higher powers, showing the potential consequences of believing in a supernatural force. The relationship between death and society is the third concept of death influencing human history. Concepts of death have shaped religions, and a shared religion in itself is a culture. For example, when a community loses one of its members to death, there is a shared mourning for the loss. Religious beliefs, as influenced by death, help to maintain and restore the social order for a community in mourning (Chidester: 3). The sense of community, society, and culture that have been created out of religious practices have distinguished groups of people throughout human history.

Questioning who a human being is presents a complex answer because human beings are not one dimensional. The four factors that help to understand "who a human being is?" are: biological, psychological, sociological, and religious. A human being is first a biological element and exists as an animal life form on Earth (Chidester: 4). Although humans have the ability to think and use tools, a human's natural role on Earth is as an animal. The second component of understanding who a human being is involves psychological interaction. Humans have personal features of consciousness and will, which are influenced by unconscious instincts, drives, and impulses (Chidester: 4). The third factors helping to understand who a human being is includes sociological interaction. Humans exist in a social world with a network of human relationships, which eventually shapes identities and social groups (Chidester: 4). The fourth factor, the religious influence, has the ability to contribute to defining a human being, but religious practices are not shared by all humans. There can be, however, symbolism in the absence of religion. There is a power that exists in religious symbolism, rituals, and traditions, as they provide not only a structure for a human life, but also provides meaning (Chidester: 5). A human is first an animal, secondly a thinking person, thirdly interacts with other humans in a social world, and lastly may… READ MORE

How to Reference "Religion -- Concepts of Death Questions Surrounding" Essay in a Bibliography

Related Essays:

Epicurus's View on Death Essay

Epicurus's view on death

Death has remained the subject of many discussions in the past and the present. Many philosophers and historians have given their ideas about death. Many interesting… read more

Essay 5 pages (2062 words) Sources: 15 Topic: Aging / Death / Gerontology

---

Religion Augustine: Divine Grace and Free Will Term Paper

Religion

Augustine: Divine Grace and Free Will

One of the Doctors of the Church, St. Augustine's teachings have been profoundly influential since earliest times. In particular, St. Augustine expounded upon… read more

Term Paper 20 pages (6715 words) Sources: 10 Style: Chicago Topic: Religion / God / Theology

---

Comparative Religions Essay

Religions

Religion has always been a controversial matter, and, while non-believers have constantly argued that it is all just a waste of time, religious people has kept their passions and… read more

Essay 12 pages (3762 words) Sources: 5 Topic: Religion / God / Theology

---

Non-Denominational Religions Term Paper

Non-Denominational Religions

The new facility housing the Faith Fellowship Ministries World Outreach Center (FFMWOC) in Sayreville, New Jersey is a welcoming complex with a modern feel. Founded in 1998, the… read more

Term Paper 8 pages (2495 words) Sources: 1+ Topic: Religion / God / Theology

---

Buddhism the Concept of Life After Death in Theravada and Mahayana Perspective Term Paper

Buddhism: The Concept of Life After Death in Theravada and Mahayana

The Concept of Life after Death in Theravada and Mahayana

The core differentiation between the Theravada and Mahayana school… read more

Term Paper 22 pages (6173 words) Sources: 1+ Topic: Religion / God / Theology

---

View 100+ more related papers  >>