Theology, John C. Cavadini explains, is defined as the study of God. If theology is the study of God, then religion should be similar but involve belief. Religion, point blank, is, “belief in or worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods,” according to Oxford Dictionary, but it goes beyond that. William Cavanaugh describes religion as something that, beyond being something we contribute to, is something that gives back to us. Cavanaugh says that religion “focuses our ‘ultimate concern, ” (p. 2). This means that religion can help you discover what you most deeply care about or desire. It asks what we would sacrifice ourselves for and that tells us some of the most important things about ourselves. Religion also builds a large and close community. The action of going to mass in a church puts many into one space with one mindset, and can help people feel connected and as if they are not alone. Because of this strong community, Cavanaugh and Marty explain, there can be a tendency toward violence, both by the religious group and against it. It can create a significant “us versus them” mindset. Assimilation was something considered acceptable back when North America was being colonized, but we now can see that the act was forceful and unacceptable. The act of having a religion, however, is more pure in its essence. I believe it revolves around community and having a common mindset, as well as providing people with hope and love for each other and for God.
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I really like the quote you incorporated from Cavanaugh about religion being something that also gives back to us. In what ways do you think religion coerces us to face our true selves and the people we intend to be? Many religions have the fundamental idea that love is what brings all of us together, yet, like you said, violent conflicts arise regularly because of disputes with religion. How and why do you think this contradiction happens?
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I like how you roped theology in with religion at the beginning. One thing I thought that you could address is from our second reading. Do you consider any group of people who hold the same beliefs to be religious? For example, are political parties technically religious too?
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I thought it was interesting how you used the definition of theology as a parallel to religion and how you added specific practices of religion. You noted how the article stated there is a tendency towards violence when it come to religion. Why do you believe that is? and what can we learn about religion from that?
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I thought it was interesting that you pointed out that religion is something that gives back to us. Which part of this interaction do you feel is most important in religion- putting effort in/giving to the community or receiving what it has to offer?
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