The world of human beings cannot be imagined without the higher ideologies in each nation. In other words, the reality of both fleshy and spiritual people is accompanied by their beliefs or complex beliefs with appropriate rites and customs. Here the significance of the word “religion” is at the core of the discussion. Its origin and existence are not interesting for most believers, because people take it for granted, in fact. This assumption should be explained in detail due to suggestions of the most eminent and famous philosophers, who investigated this area of straightforward implementation of peoples’ activities. Hence, the paper is aimed at the thorough discussion of possible origins of such concept as a religion along with its applicability to various nations.
First of all, it is vital to have an idea of the origin of this word. From ancient times when Latin was one of the major languages in the world the re-designated the repeated character of something; lig- is the process of connection (Molloy, 2006). Moreover, such a definition of the world is signified with the understanding of individuals to join their community. It explains why religion as the principal idea could relate to people around the main deity or deities. People are always eager to experience something supernatural in their lives. Often they related such intentions with various phenomena in nature. A divine design of everything constituted the higher participation in the creation of the universe.
Thus, according to Molloy (2006), the explanation of religious thought emergence can be outlined with the assertions of German theologian Rudolf Otto, who tended to think that religion was a result of peoples’ observations about the world. They felt, saw, and experienced God everywhere. This was a reason for deeper concernment of ancient people as for making more attempts to please gods. Sacrifices were the background for gods’ mercy. Otto himself called the higher power which ancient people experienced as a “mystery that causes trembling and fascination” (Molloy, 2006, p. 7). Though the wholeness of the universe was something mysterious for people, and a mere attempt of them to personify it caused the emergence of religion as a system of appropriate attributive and other different categories which seem to be apparent in present days.
This suggestion of religion’s origin and existence is grounded more on the idealistic framework about the world, on the whole. More glimpses at the essence of peoples’ beliefs as a product of constant work of mind evaluated another approach toward the existence of religion as it is. On the other hand, a symbol-based approach by Carl Gustav Jung provides a wider scope of information as to the frequent similarities of some symbols in various religions (Molloy, 2006). In this respect, the truth of such assertion is obvious when, for example, comparing the symbols of fire, water, air, sky, stone, etc. Moreover, a special touch made by Jung presupposed the explanation of symbolic coloring of the universe accomplished with deities through the concept of dreaming. In fact, everything which does not exist in reality yet can be assumed in a dream. Such a psychological approach can simply designate the world of dreams from the real world in the same way as the world of gods and the world of people. Such a statement is emphasized when adding some details of peoples’ relationships and state of security and safety because of the religion which unites them.
The idea of a need for safety and security, as a reason for the religious appearance, is implied in Freud’s theory. With regards to Malloy (2006), it is known that Freud insisted on the parental experience, with applicable impressions collected during the life, being prior for children. This is why every single idea of parents about the creation of the world, for instance, was outlined with legends, stories, particular explanations of some elements. As a result, children were rather apt to take such ideas for granted and then to perform them to further generations. The role of personal impressions, in this case, could not be rejected or contradicted. Thus, a solid explanation of the deities in the world was increasing from time to time. Thereupon, children began comparing their parents as closer or similar to God or gods (Molloy, 2006).
To say more, with the flow of time different religions accepted more philosophical explanations of the phenomena in the world. Also, such categories as time, gender, meals, periodical events, institutions of family, state, etc. were included in the conceptual entity of a definite religion. Today people perceive religion as not just a gift of ancestors, but as moral and spiritual constituents for prosperous life which are related to every reality of it. In fact, taking into account all sides of life prospects those religions which have written scriptures have at their disposal an explanation of every situation of life, history, people, nature, higher figures as spirits, deities, angels. The wholeness of approaches toward the origins of religion and its existence in present days constitutes the fact that without religion mankind can hardly be able to live.
Reference
Molloy, M. (2006). Experiencing the World’s Religions (4th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.