Religion and Culture

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer discusses the understanding that organized religion is mandatory in the lives of some individuals, while it is cast aside by others. The writer notes that within her own personal experience in relation to the larger social order, these practices are both acceptable, depending on the individual. The writer maintains that the acceptance of this belief is due to a background in which hypocrisy has been seen in religion, as events over the last several decades have demonstrated that organized religion is not always about God, but about wealth. The writer concludes that due to culture, gender or the structure of organized religion, the true basis of religion is consistently ignored and this creates issues in theology that are detrimental to the beauty of faith.

From the Paper:

"This knowledge has affected how I envision a divine ministry because it forces me to question the truthfulness of those that represent the church. Additionally, these experiences have led me to believe that my personal connection to God is more devout that many ministers or supposed faithful. This is because when representatives of the church seek to gain prosperity from innocent believers who are struggling in this world, they are overlooking the real core of religion. Religion must be about a personal relationship with God, not about ensuring that the poor remain so throughout their lives in the name of God."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Gebara, I. Out of the Depths: Women's Experience of Evil and Salvation. Augsburg: Augsburg Fortress Publishers, 2002.
• Goizueta, R. Caminemos Con Jesus: Toward a Hispanic/Latino Theology of Accompaniment. New York: Orbis Books, 1995.
• Hartman, Laura. "Lived Theology". University of Virginia. 13 September 2006. < http://livedtheology.org/pdfs/outofthedepths.pdf>
• "Saddleback Story, The". Saddleback Church. 13 September 2006. < http://www.saddleback.com/flash/story.asp

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