Religious Identity and Human Freedom, Essays (university) of Ethics

Download Religious Identity and Human Freedom and more Essays (university) Ethics in PDF only on Docsity! We are part of a determined existence via religious tradition, but we are not fully determined. Why? And how? Belonging to a religion generally entails more than just sharing beliefs and performing rituals; it also entails being a part of a community and, in some cases, a culture. Each religion instructs its adherents on how human beings should treat one another. We are, after all, a part of a decided existence according to religious identity, but why aren't we entirely determined? The reason for this is that each religion has a great deal of variability in terms of how its adherents describe their ties to it. Theological doctrines and worship rituals of a religion are important or central to some people. Others are attracted to a religion's culture and community more than its ideas and rituals. Many people identify with a religion's culture but refuse to engage in its rituals. Some people believe they have the freedom to select their own religion or to reject religion totally as a component of their identity. Others believe they were born and reared in a certain faith and are unable or unwilling to change. And, some governments do not favor one religion over others, while others safeguard citizens' right to practice any faith without restriction or persecution.