Human Behavior and Religion
Even in 2017, when human civilization have explained almost every phenomenon in the nature, some people still believe in mystical things, and follow certain religions. Most of all, they consider religion as an ethical and moral base, arguing that we all must have such beliefs, and that religious rules can serve as a tool that regulates our behavior.
Muslims believe in God and Quran, following all rules written hundreds of years ago. They say that religion is power, and point out the significant influence of religion on our society. Muslim women cover their heads, representing the influence of Islam upon them. Many of them say that they do it not because of their husbands or parents, but by their own will, making a conscious decision. Of course, it is nothing but a conscious decision, especially for women who live in Europe or America, since most of these countries provide freedom of worship, unlike a lot of Islamic countries, where it’s illegal and dangerous to be an atheist, especially for women.
Muslim women argue that everyone needs to believe in something that has power over you. They build an analogy with parents, who raise children and teach them life. They consider religion as a core of human civilization, which consists of family values, moral and ethical rules. Religion teaches people that God knows and sees everything, everywhere, all the time. Therefore, people need to watch their actions and make sure that they don’t do anything wrong. Such an authority has an impact on all spheres of their lives.
Not only provides religion certain rules, but it also implies certain punishment for those who breaks these rules. Religion teaches people that there is another life, a life after death, where they will be judged, and take necessary punishment. Even though there’s no evidence of such a second life, people are afraid of that punishment, because religion is based not on evidences, but on believes. Religion has a significant impact on our minds, telling which kinds of information are permissible, and which are not. Religious people can watch certain TV programs, read certain books, but some sorts of information are considered unacceptable, since they can push religious people to think about forbidden things, or even more, to doubt the truth of their religion.
Even religious people admit that religion limits freedom. Most religions consider freedom as a thing that must be limited, to save followers from sin. Followers must live their lives according to strict rules and guidelines. For example, Muslims cannot eat pork or drink alcohol. Somebody may love it, somebody not, but these rules affect lives of every Muslim, as well as lives of everyone who lives in a Muslim society.
Religious rules, morals and codes impact every aspect of human behavior. Religion tells you how you should act, how you should choose, and moreover, how you should think. Every time when believers face difficult choices, they pray to God and search for a solution in religious sources. They believe that God knows the future and controls everything in the world. Every time students have to take exams, they start praying to God, searching for consolation and hope. Every time believers are stuck in a complicated situation, they ask God for help. This instance is considered as the only one who is capable of taking right decisions, and religion teaches people that they don’t have any individual power.
The very process of worshipping illustrates the impact that religion has on lives of its followers. When people prey, they focus on their thoughts and on God, forgetting about the real life and all stresses that it hides. Praying time is a time for relaxation, privacy and thinking. Some religions, like Islam, teach people that nobody can stop them from praying, since it’s the most important part of their lives. They consider an act of praying as an escape from this world, which gives them a sense of control over this whole world.
Religious people point out that most of moral and ethical standards shared by atheists are a result of religion. Therefore, religion has a power not only over its followers, but also over people who don’t accept religion and doesn’t want to live according to religious standards. History knows a lot of examples of such moral rules formed on the basis of religion. For example, modern society considers incest unacceptable. People of the past banned incest according to religious rules, and until now we don’t practice it anymore. Many years after that, scientists discovered a lot of reasons for such rules, including genetic diseases, but such a moral rule came out a long before any evidences. At the same time, religion labels LGBTQ people as evil and sinners. Even though same-sex marriages don’t cause any damage on human society, most religions still prohibit homosexuality and violate LGBTQ rights.
Some people say that God created people, and some people say that people created gods. Anyway, religion affects everyone’s life. Any religion becomes more and more powerful with new followers. It controls not only lives of individuals, but also major communities as well. Religious people do everything possible to protect their laws and to make others follow these rules. Thus, on the one hand, religion teaches people that no one has an individual power. On the other hand, it increases influence of such communities. Therefore, everyone must take into account such factors and understand the significance of an impact of religion on our lives.