Belonging to Different Religions Research Paper

Introduction

Religion is among the basic institutions of any society and can be defined as a social system with shared faith, devotion, and ceremonials. The commonly known religions in the world are Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Atheist, and Vodou (James 2017). These religions profess different faiths, beliefs, and traditions. For instance, Christianity is based on the teaching of death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, while Prophet Mohammad founds Islam’s teachings. Because of the difference, it would be challenging to practice both Christianity and Islam at the same time (James 2017). However, some people have managed to practice multiple religions. In addition, I have a friend who belongs to various religions because of being raised in an interfaith family. Therefore, although there are different religions, an individual can practice more than one religion at the same time.

A Santero May Also Be a Devout Catholic

The practice of multiple religions is something that occurs in society. Based on this, a Santero can be a devoted catholic. Santeria’s rituals, a connection to nature, solid offerings to saints, and random animal sacrifices are associated with Santeria (Merten 2019). It is a religion that developed out of a need for the Yoruba people taken to Cuba as fugitives. According to Merten (2019), Santeria believers frequently visit Our Lady of Mercy Church; a church devoted to Saint Mercedes, and has a large statue of the saint. Santeria worshippers practice their religion in secret because they were the minority in Cuba. Thus, Santeria worshippers can become a committed Catholic Church member.

Many Santeria rituals are directly linked to Catholicism especially through the holy trinity. The Catholics have Saints while the Santeria has Orishas in their practice. There is one supreme God in all religions with three manifestations and names: Olodumare, Olofi, and Olorun, similar to the Holy Trinity in the Catholic Church (Merten 2019). Olodumare is the all-powerful Creator, the Supreme Being, and the Father while Olorun is symbolized by the sun. Olofi has the most direct contact with the Orishas, educating them on what people need to know to live healthy and courteous lives (Merten 2019). The Orishas serve as go-betweens between humans and God in Santero. Therefore, a Santeria has the ability to worship in a Catholic Church confidently.

A Vodou Practitioner May Be Interested In Buddhism

A Vodou practitioner may be interested in Buddhism because of the similarities they share. A Vodou is a religious cult involving witchcraft and communication with ancestors and animistic deities (Daniels 2018). On the other hand, Buddhism is a spiritual practice leading to understanding the factual nature of reality. Buddhism is the pursuit of the Four Noble Truths in order to liberate oneself from suffering, primarily through the attainment of Godhead (Daniels 2018). Vodou shares the same goal, but instead of using the Truths broadly, and uses a customized strategy. An individual practicing Vodou may want to understand and discover more about Truths. Based on this, there is a possibility that a Vodou practitioner can be interested in Buddhism.

People Belonging To More Than One Faith

Personally, I have interacted with people who belong to more than one faith. For example, I had a friend who had parents coming from two different religions. The mother is a devout catholic, and the father is an atheist. She told me that she belongs to the two religions because of her parents. Catholic believes in the existence of God while an atheist believes that there is no God. Despite the difference, the family managed to stay together. However, the confusion affected the child because she did not know what to believe. She explained that she would go to church with the Mother and sometimes attend an atheist gathering with the father. Therefore, my friend belonged to two religions because of her parents.

How to Reconcile Different Faiths

For one to effectively reconcile different faiths, they must practice hypocrisy. Hypocrisy occurs when someone pretends to believe what they do not truly believe or when what they do or say at one moment contradicts what they think at another time. These strategies can allow an individual to effectively belong in different religions (Daniels 2018). This means that an individual can be an active Christian and practice Vodou at the same time. People will know them as Christians, but they secretly practice Vodou (Daniels 2018). In addition, an individual can be a Christian in public and an atheist in private. Therefore, practicing one religion in public and the other in private is one of the strategies used by people to reconcile different religions.

Religions That Accommodate Their Members Belonging To Multiple Religion

Some of the religions that are accommodating to their members belonging to multiple religions are Christianity and Buddhism. Christians believe talks about love for everyone, even enemies. They also believe that God has the power to change anyone at his given time (James 2017). Based on this, there is a possibility for Christianity to accommodate members from various religions. Buddhists believe that nothing is long-lasting and that change is inevitable. A belief that change is always possible is already an accommodating atmosphere in Buddhism (James 2017). A Christian or a Muslim can confidently worship together with Buddhists while still holding to their faiths. Buddhists often align to the aspect of change, believing that one day they will become members. Therefore, Christianity and Buddhist create an environment that can accommodate people from other religions.

Following A Religion That Forbids Other Religions

A person that follows a religion that forbids other faiths is expected to practice one religion. Obedience is an important virtue expected in any religion across the globe. The failure to obey the set rules is likely to attract some kind of punishment (James 2017). For instance, it is legally impermissible for a Hindu to share non-Hindu in anything that violates the fundamentals of their law. In Hinduism, a cow is considered a sacred symbol of life that should be protected and revered (James 2017). However, in other religions like Christianity, a cow is like any other animal and can be killed for food. Based on this, it is wrong for a Hindu to practice Christianity because it will go against their traditions.

Conclusion

Religion is one of the most fundamental organizations in any society, and it may be defined as a social system based on shared faith, worship, rituals, and customs. Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Atheism, and Vodou are the world’s major faiths. These religions adhere to a variety of faiths, beliefs, and customs. For example, Christianity is established on the teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, but Islam is founded on Prophet Mohammad’s teachings. It would not be easy to practice Christianity and Islam because of the differences. However, I have a friend who was both a Christian and an atheist. In addition, some people belong to different religions because of being raised in an interfaith family.

References

Daniels, Kyrah Malika. 2018. “Whiteness in the Ancestral Waters: Race, Religion, and Conversion within North American Buddhism and Haitian Vodou.” Journal of Interreligious Studies 23: 90-102.

James, Jonathan D. 2017. Transnational Religious Movements: Faith’s Flows. SAGE Publishing India.

Merten, P. 2019. In Cuba, Santería Flourishes Two Decades After A Ban Was Lifted. The GroundTruth Project.