Religion in the News

News Item

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2017/03/24/france-president-election-politicians-religion-muslims/99580576/

For the first time in years a French politician used religion as a means to gain a vote. In France there is a clear line between the church and state. It is not only an odd way to promote presidency, but the way Marine Le Pen went about gained more press. She refused to put on a headscarf to meet with a Muslim leader in Beirut, however, she met with a Roman Catholic leader and Lebanese Maronite leader where there was press and cameras to capture the moment. Many people commented on this believing she was sending a clear message: Christians- good, Muslims- bad. In any case, these publicized meetings resulting in the resurgence of religion in France.

This relates to our readings and the way that religion can play a role in both society and politics. While France is not considered to be a religion country, there is still an awareness of the role of religion. Politicians are trying to take new angles and use religion for their benefit.

Reflection Week 11

Reflection

This week there were multiple presentations and readings on the religious landscape. Some articles that were read had a focus on religion within the direct society and its importance or lack thereof. In other articles there was an emphasis on theory and the theorists who helped develop the sociology of religion. The theorists where not all specifically sociologist, but rather applied their ideas to the realm of sociology. In this way we are able to look at religion and its importance from the view point of those like Marx.

McGuire’s reading on religion and the individual was the most interesting to me. I had the same questions that she presented: is religion itself on the decline or is the way people practice different than traditional ways, therefore there isn’t a way to measure it as easily as before. After talking to people and taking multiple religion classes, this is what I think it happening. Religion is not declining, but the way that people practice is. People are becoming frustrated with the idea that “one size fits all,” therefore they are making religion their own and practicing it in a way that helps them to get closer to a higher being.

Religion for the Individual/Community

Reflection

This week in class we presented different examples from readings we read about how religion can be tailored more towards an individual or more towards a particular community. We also talked about why certain people and groups would find these certain things appealing. One reading talked about how different immigrant groups tailor religion to feel more like home. (Ebaugh, Pg. 80) They model the buildings they use after ones from their home countries, they celebrate traditional holidays, and they serve traditional food. (Ebaugh, Pg. 81, 84-85, 87-89) They use religion as a way to gather together as a community with similar backgrounds in order to hold onto parts of home while still trying to transition into a new life in a new country. (Ebaugh, Pg. 80) This is an example of tailoring at the community level. However, tailoring religion at the individual level can also include tailoring it to the community level as well. One of my groups presented on a reading about a gay bar in Atlanta that does “Gospel Hour.” (Gray and Thumma, Pg. 79) Drag queens who do shows there come out and sing gospel music and some people find that very powerful. (Gray and Thumma, Pg. 79-81) In this case, this was a place where religion and homosexuality could come together under one roof. This was important for men who were religious but needed a place where they could practice their faith, be accepted, and not be stigmatized by other Christians who think homosexuality is a sin and that homosexuals can’t be Christian because of this. (Gray and Thumma, Pg. 81, 89-90) This example demonstrates how religion can be both tailored for the individuals as well as the community as a whole. This is all important in the end because it reveals peoples’ mindsets and how they can use religion creatively to get the most out of it.      

Princeton seminary taking some heat for honoring Redeemer’s Tim Keller

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Timothy Keller, founder of the Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan (1989), will receive the 2017 Kuyper Prize for Excellence in Reformed Theology and Public Witness on April 6th. An announcing the award, the seminary stated Keller “is widely known as an innovative theologian and church leader, well-published author, and catalyst for urban mission in major cities around the world.” Many critics aimed at how the ordinance of women and LGBTQIA promoted domestic abuse and discrimination, and the “censorship”, Barnes argued, was antithetical to the seminary’s mission: “…o be a serious academic institution that will sometimes bring controversial speakers to campus because we refuse to exclude voices within the church.” Conservatives defended Keller, stating that he “is not known as a culture warrior.”

Nike and Hijabs

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Nike has recently published an add advertising their new athletic hijab to their clothing line. Considering all the hate both men and woman of the Islamic hate have been going through the timing of the hijab release has been both praised and condemned upon by the public. Many people of the public are very happy that Nike is becoming a more inclusive athletic line and are hoping that as an American country this shows to the Islamic community a more positive side than the discrimination going on as per the presidential election. However, there are also many that have the “Argument that the Pro Hijab is too late, too expensive, and not necessarily in demand by the Muslim athletic community shouldn’t be shrugged off” (Spector 2017). This article really got me thinking does Nike really have the best intention when making the athletic hijab’s, when they already are a company known for barely paying their factory workers enough to survive and employing child workers? Many companies to to be a more inclusive corporation but perhaps Nike could have partnered up with a smaller company that already makes athletic hijab rather than trying to take business away from them.

http://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/nike-s-hijab-prompts-backlash-boycott-praise-n733171

Islam to Surpass Christianity

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In this article from Fox News 8, it states that Islam is the world’s fastest growing religion. In a recent Pew Researach Center study, it is projected that by 2050, 10% of all Europeans will be members of the Muslim faith. This study also states that from 2010 to 2050, those practicing Islam across the world will have increased by 73%, followed by Christianity, which is expected to grow by only 35%. Hindus are also expected to grow by 34% in this time period. This article is very interesting to me because in today’s society, there is a lot of fear surrounding the Muslim religion, but it appears to be the fastest growing. I previously assumed that Christianity was the most prominent religion in the world, but it appears that will not remain true for long. I wonder if the rise in Islam will make the American society, and society as a whole, more accepting towards this religion. If it is going to grow as much as Pew projected, I am hopeful for a future of acceptance and greater tolerance towards different religions.

 

 

http://http://myfox8.com/2017/03/19/islam-to-surpass-christianity-as-the-worlds-biggest-religion-by-the-end-of-the-century/

Islam to surpass Christianity as the world’s biggest religion by the end of the century

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This article describes how Islam is the fastest growing religion. The study estimates that “from 2010 to 2050, Muslims will have increased across the world by 73%, followed by Christians who are projected to grow by 35% during the same time period, and Hindus at 34%”. The article then discusses why this could end up being true. It was said that Muslim women on average have 3.1 compared to 2.3 for all other religious groups combined. The Pew Research study also mentioned how “those of Muslim faith tend to be seven years younger than non-Muslims”.

Comparing this to what we have learned in class makes sense. We have noticed many changes within American religion and it only seems to be decreasing. Muslim faith could be increasing but with our new President Muslim faith may not have a drastic affect on American religion. Immigrant bans on major Muslim countries could hold back this shift in religion. There religion does not seem as secularized as Christianity.

 

http://myfox8.com/2017/03/19/islam-to-surpass-christianity-as-the-worlds-biggest-religion-by-the-end-of-the-century/

Mormon Stance on Homosexuality

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Last Thursday, the Mormon Church officially released a video about a Mormon family with a gay son. The six-and-a-half minute video profiled a middle-aged Mormon couple whose son had come out to them several years before. The video interviewed both the parents and the son, who had just graduated with his master’s degree. Ultimately, it highlighted the love the parents expressed for their son and their journey toward their acceptance of his identity. In the video, the parents even acknowledge his open relationship with another man and his move away from the Mormon Church, though they seem less at peace with these expressions of his gay identity.
The video engendered a variety of responses from Mormons on social media. Some welcomed the video unequivocally, saying that they were delighted to see the Church produce a video that discussed gay (former) Mormons in a relatively positive light. Others appreciated the Church’s fine line between a message love and compassion while stopping short of embracing his identity theologically. Others responded negatively, believing that using the word “identity” to discuss a “sin” was an abomination and represented a departure from Church teachings. In all, the video seems to reflect the Mormons’ increasing difficulty defending their position on gay marriage while retaining as many members as possible.

Mormons’ reactions to LGBT video reveal the LDS Church’s mixed messages about gays

Development of Religion as Seen Through a 3year old

Religion and ...

A consistent theme throughout the articles we have been reading is the religion means something different to everyone in and out of practice. Religion as a series of symbols, stories, experiences, and community appeals to different people and different ways. I am convinced that each person no matter how devote has a different interpretation of their religion or lack of. This week a three-year-old visited Rome and the Vatican City with her family. Those in the Pope’s presence and throughout the holy city, were there with some understanding of the religious significance. The toddler on the other hand had no experience yet to help her understand the significance of the city she was in let alone the man who she was being introduced to when she took his skull cap. Laughter erupted. Estella’s actions were funny because of the innocence behind the action. In a sense this was an action of undeveloped religion. Without understanding the stories or symbols denoting the significance of the pope Estella could not be expected to act according. This story clearly shows that one is not born with religion, but religion is acquired over time.

 

O’Sullivan, Donie. “Girl Meets Pope. Girl Steals His Hat.” CNN. Cable News Network, 22 Mar.

  1. Web. 22 Mar. 2017.

Religion and Immigrants

Reflection

This week I read Reproducing Ethnicity by Helen Rose Ebaugh and Janet Saltzman Chafetz. This article talks about how immigrant religious institutions provide a safe space  which those who share the same traditions, customs and languages can come together. As immigrants adapt to the new culture of their surrounds, it helps to have little bits of tradition to help you feel grounded. It made me think about how I felt when I first came to the University of Redlands and although everyone was still speaking the same language around me, it was still a new environment. I had never moved before so it was a big step for me. I had to try and bring little pieces of home to make myself feel more comfortable. I imagine that finding that community within the church makes the transition easier. In many religions a home alter is a piece of the ritual so creating that space were someone can be with God in their own home, helps the transition. Another point the article made was the community immigrants find in the church also makes it easier to share these customs with their children. The rituals that are conducted at churches contribute to reproducing ethnic customs that are particular to different ethic groups. Food was one custom that was talked about in depth. Food can remind people of the past and where they came from and teaching the children to cook ethnic food brings them closer to their ethnic traditions. Immigrants find homes within the religious communities to keep their traditions alive.