Religion, Culture, and Morality
Michelle Minchew
Human Culture & Society, HUMA2133
LeTourneau University
December 13, 2015
VIIII. Cultural Religion
Is religion really a major factor in culture, as some anthropologists claim it to be?
In order to compose a logical answer to this question, a defined understanding of the word culture must be acknowledged. Through many years and studies, the term culture has been defined in assortment of ways. One of the earliest widely cited definitions, offered by Edward Tylor, defined culture as "that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society (Taylor, 1871).” A more recent definition is given by C. Kluckholn and W. Kelly which they refer to culture as "all the historically created designs for living, explicit and implicit, rational, irrational, and non-rational, which exist at any given time as potential guides for the behavior of men (Kluckholn & Kelly, 1945).” Culture is further defined by James Downs as being "a mental map which guides us in our relations to our surroundings and to other people (Downs, 1971).” In light of this, it is safe to say that to understand culture is to open the door to understanding how people see and make sense of their world.
The definition of religion is just as diverse as the definition of culture. For the purpose of this question, religion is defined as a set of beliefs in supernatural beings and forces directed at helping people make sense of the world and solve important problems (Ferraro & Andreatta, 2008). Similarly, Graham Haidt explores religion with a view of how community members interpret their role in the universe (Haidt, 2010). Exploring these thoughts and insights show how different religions rise out of different cultures. With these two definitions in mind, people see and make sense of their world based upon their religious beliefs.
Religion...