Introduction
Christians are arguably the largest religious group in the world. From the religious composition of many societies, religion has a huge impact on daily life. CREDO (1) believes that Christianity also affects the lives of non-believers because they often have to abide by the norms and practices of the dominant society.
This paper demonstrates that Christianity mainly affects our legal and social practices. Particularly, this paper highlights the Christian influence on marriage, family (as the basic social unit), health, lifestyle, and the development of laws and social customs.
Development of Laws and Social Customs
Many laws and social customs stem from religious influences. Although some people may argue that many laws aim to accommodate all religions, it is highly unlikely that such laws would contravene Christian teachings and practices (in a Christian society) (CREDO 2).
Therefore, broadly, many laws are extensions of Christian religious practices (Green 160). Since laws and customs outline societal formations, Christianity has a huge impact on the world, as we know it. Furthermore, since our behaviors often conform to existing laws, customs, and traditions, Christian-based laws and customs guide our lives.
Family Life
The family is arguably the basic social unit of society. Christianity plays a significant role in its composition and longevity. CREDO (4) believes that marriage is a religious convention.
While many people could live together (harmoniously) without Christian influences, evidence shows that such unions would not last long or live up to the conventional standards of marriage, without religious influences (CREDO 4). The idea that a man and a woman should live happily in marriage is a product of Christianity and its teachings (Witte 14).
Furthermore, CREDO (4) suggests that without the religious influence of Christianity, marriages would be short-term because people would walk out of marriages if they wish. From a psychological perspective, such relationships would be unhealthy for children because they deny them the benefits of living with both parents (Witte 14).
Relative to this fact, Christianity highlights monogamy as an important facet of marriage (monogamous unions bind married couples). Therefore, Christian teachings about marriages are the binding forces that hold marriages together and define the basic components of society.
Health and Lifestyle Choices
Christianity affects our health and lifestyle choices. For example, many religious influences on human health and nutrition stem from religious influences on lifestyle choices, such as smoking and drinking. For example, Christian religious practices do not support smoking and excessive drinking (Beck & Worden, 58).
Many Christians choose to avoid such lifestyle choices because religion requires its followers to abide by its teachings (Beck & Worden 58).
Furthermore, besides substance abuse, Christianity supports clean living. CREDO (5) believes that many religions support clean living. Clean living significantly influences societal health and lifestyle choices. Comprehensively, these influences show that Christianity has a significant impact on our health and lifestyle choices.
Conclusion
After weighing the findings of this study, it is pertinent to mention that Christianity significantly affects most aspects of our daily lives. Mostly, this paper affirms Christian influences on our social and legal practices.
Christian influences on marriage, lifestyle choices, and health outline how religion affects our social practices. Its influence on domestic laws and customary practices outline how religion affects our legal practices. Comprehensively, Christianity affects most aspects of our lives.
Works Cited
Beck, Richard & D. Worden. Truth, Spirituality and Contemporary Issues, London: Heinemann, 2002. Print.
CREDONG. Influences Of Religion On Daily Life. 2014. Web.
Green, Steven. The Second Disestablishment: Church and State in Nineteenth- Century America, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010. Print.
Witte, John. An Apt and Cheerful Conversation on Marriage, Edinburgh: CTPI, 2001. Print.