World Religion Essay

Sustainability and Religion

Religion and sustainability are intertwined, as evidenced by the role that religious leaders have played in the past in finding solutions to pressing global problems like war and climate change. The majority of world faiths emphasize the importance of preserving ecosystems and nature. According to religion, people must make sure they take the necessary steps to safeguard the environment. Making sure that we as humans uphold the biblical precepts of protecting the ecosystem is essential to protecting the planet. Human beings also have to ensure that they lead by the biblical teachings in ensuring that they protect the wildlife. Apparently, the plants and animals were created by God, and they have to be given the most appropriate treatment by human beings. Based on the book of Genesis in the Bible, human beings have made to appear as superior, and this makes them in charge of the other living organisms. According to the Bible, individuals have to ensure that they love one another and that they treat each other with equality. The book of Mathew, in the New Testament, for instance, is a reflection of how God wants human beings to live in the society. In this paper, major focus is shifted to Christianity as one of the most practiced religions around the world.

Selected Religion

Christianity is one of the most practiced religions in the world. As at the end of 2016, there were more than 2.4 billion followers representing 33% of the world population. In more than 153 countries the religion makes up a majority of the people. It is centered on the birth, the life death and resurrection of Christ. They believe that Jesus is the son of God and that his death was washed away humanity sins. The coming of the Messiah, according to Christians was prophesied in the Old Testament. Western civilization has over the years been shaped by Christianity. In as much as it started as a small group, most of the historians believe that its spread and adoption was one of the most successful spiritual mission in humanity.

Christian Concepts and Beliefs

Christians believe that there is only one God, the creator of heavens and earth. Being monotheistic, they also believe that He is Trinity (God the father, the son and the Holy Spirit).

Christianity revolves around the birth, the life and the death of Jesus Christ. They also argue that the resurrection of Christ is a mantle of hope to the believers. According to the Christian doctrine, God sent His son, Jesus Christ, to save the world from sin. Christ's crucifixion on the cross washed away all the sins of humanity.

Christians believe that there will be a second coming of Christ and in the process; he will take with him those persons that led a righteous life.

In Christianity, there are ten commandments, and individuals live in accordance with the biblical laws.

The Bible is a reference book for the Christians. It has various Jesus teachings, the lives and lessons from Major Prophets in the Old Testament and disciples in the new testaments that serve as guidelines on how Christians are supposed to lead their lives.

Christians mainly rely on the New Testament as a reference to most of their teachings.

The cross is an instrumental symbol in Christianity. The Catholic Church, for instance, believes that the holy cross can be instrumental in protecting the followers from the devil's evil works.

Some of the vital Christian holidays include Christmas that marks the birth of Jesus Christ and Easter that marks the death and resurrection of Christ.

Christians believe that there are heaven and hell. Those people that lead lives in accordance with the biblical teachings go to heaven after their death while sinners end up in hell, where they face never-ending suffering.

Historical Context and the Shaping of Christianity

According to historians, Christianity grew from Judaism and spread rapidly around the globe. In the mid-1st century, it started as the second Judaic Temple sect in the Roman province of Judea. It was divided into two significant phases, the apostolic period and post-apostolic period. The apostolic church was led by apostles and some of Jesus' relatives. After his resurrection, he commanded the disciples to spread the good news around the world. The first Christians were of Jewish origin. Paul and fellow disciples were on the frontline in spreading the word to the eastern side of the Mediterranean (Stangroom 56). That marked the beginning of Christianity. It was, however, the doctrine of apostles that led to the conflicts between the early church and some of the Jewish authorities resulting in their being ousted from the synagogues. Beliefs and creeds of the early Christians were sourced from the New Testament.

The post-apostolic period was the time after the persecution of the apostles till the legislation of the Christian worship in Licinius. Peter and Paul were martyred in Rome while other Christians while others were subjected to intense pressure from the pagan population that wanted them eradicated. Most of the Christians were fearful and would occasionally practice it in hiding. Despite the aggressiveness of the pagans, most of the believers were determined in ensuring that Christianity spread to various regions around the world. Some of the historians argue that one of the factors that contributed to the triumphing of Christianity over paganism is that it led to a significant improvement in the adherents lives (Wilson 87). Another factor that contributed to its widespread practice was its promise on the resurrection of the dead and the afterlife where individuals that devoted their lives would enjoy an everlasting life without suffering and pain.

According to Edward Gibbon, there were various reasons that led to the success of Christianity even with the opposition it faced from a wider section of the population. First and foremost, the intolerable zeal and dedication of the Christians made it hard for their being swayed against their beliefs. The doctrine of future life played an integral role in the rapid spread of the religion with most of the believers guided by the thought that their lives would change to the better once they devoted their lives to the Word. Thirdly, the miraculous powers that were ascribed to the primitive church gave them hope for a brighter future that had little pain and suffering. The strong moral values that are inscribed in Christianity attracted more followers, and this led to its expansion. Finally, the union and the strong discipline of the Christian republic was another reason behind the strengthening of the early church.

As a part of the teachings of St. Paul, Europe was one of those regions that applied the doctrine of sharing the word with the non-believers. After the East-West Schism of 1054, the number of Christian crusades increased, and in the process, more followers joined the bandwagon. According to some historians, crusades conducted in countries such as Spain were aimed at campaigning against the Muslim forces and were always sponsored by the papacy. Consequently, those campaigns in the southern part of Spain and Italy ended up eradicating Islamic power in Europe (Wilson 67). During the Italian Renaissance, cultural changes were experienced in the country, and at the same time, the pope was made one of the strongest secular leaders who fostered the expansion of the church. St. Peter's Basilica was one of the most recognized churches during this era. The last modern era witnessed the rise in churches such as Russian Orthodox Church in the Russian Empire and the Russian Orthodox Church in the Soviet Union, and both advocated for the new testament teachings and the belief that there was the second coming of Christ.

The modern period Christianity was dotted with Ecumenism within Protestantism and the strengthening of the Pentecostal movements. Some of the staunch Catholics decided to join the newly formed churches citing that they deeply interpreted biblical teachings. However, one thing that remains constant in the religion is their belief in one God. According to modern day Christianity, human beings have been created in such a way that they have a heart and mind that is different to that of the human beings. They are conscious of what they do, and this means that they have taken care of one another and ensure that do what is right. Unlike most of the Muslims, Christians believe in forgiveness. Those individuals that sin are given a chance to confess their sins and repent. It is believed that God forgives the man if comes back to him and asks for forgiveness. Christianity hardly advocates for murder, and those found engaging in murderous activities have to face the law.

Sociological and Psychological Benefits Provided by Christianity

Christianity comes along with various psychological and sociological benefits that have over the years played a critical role towards its winning of worldviews as well as its rapid spread around the world. Subsequently, the religion has recorded an increase in followers from the early era to the modern period.

Sociological Benefits

Christianity enriches the lives of Christians in various ways. First and foremost, it helps in promoting collective worship and intercessory prayers. In the process, the people assist one another in building their spiritual well-being as well as ensuring that persons benefit regarding a boost in the societal growth. Human beings are conscious of what they do, and this means that they have taken care of one another and ensure that do what is right.

Christianity plays a critical role in guiding societies' values and morals. Lessons from the religion teach the people on the need for leading lives that are in accordance with the bible. The society, for instance, is warned against substance abuse, engaging in criminal activities and sexual exploitation. Individuals are made to fear and respect God, and in the process, they believe that engaging in any sinful activities may end up landing them in trouble with their maker (Wilson 45). According to Christianity, there is heaven and hell, and those that go against the teachings go to hell after their death. It is because of such a sociological benefit that Christianity has over the years won out over other worldviews.

Another sociological benefit of Christianity is that it plays an integral role in enforcing conflict resolution within a community. Societies that live in accordance with the biblical teachings are faced with minimal challenges regarding poor interpersonal relations. In the event of conflicts, individuals are advised to embrace Christian teachings in solving the issues. In so doing, this plays an integral role in ensuring that there is promotion of peaceful interpersonal coexistence within the community. By advocating and promoting peace, Christianity has enjoyed massive support around the globe and found it easy to trounce other worldviews.

By being a Christian, one gains the opportunity of being a role model in the community. The biblical teachings are designed in such a way that they serve as a guideline and instructor for good moral values in the society. Those persons that believe in the existence of God value human life and have a lot of respect for other people's property. A Christian may play a critical role in being a beacon of hope to the hopeless in the society and educating individuals on leading lives that please the Lord. The rapid spread of Christianity, in the early church, was attributed to the ability of apostles such as Paul and Peter to serve as teachers of the word and at the same time role models. Over the years, the religion has also managed to win out over other worldviews as a result of the positive changes that it brings to human life.

Christianity advocates for strong marriages between men and women. Marriage is the foundation of strong societies. Issues of heterosexuality, infidelity, and lack of child support are against the teachings of Christ. Those families that have accepted Christ in their lives are strongly bonded. According to the biblical teachings, a man is the head of the family, and he plays an instrumental role in ensuring that his family is strongly knight. The woman, on the other hand, is mandated with the role of being a home keeper. Societies where marriages are by the Christian teachings are morally guided. It is because of the positive impact that the religion has on marriages that it is gained strength and popularity in various countries around the world.

Psychological Benefits

One of the psychological effects of Christianity is that it gives individuals the very presence of God in their hearts and minds. It provides them with compassion and the very essence of leading lives that are in accordance with the biblical teachings, thus guiding their lives positively. They are also taught about genuine wisdom and morality, and in so doing, it gives them the hunger to learn more truth and be filled with spirituality (Stangroom 76). It is because of such benefit that the religion has over the years managed to win over other worldviews. From the biblical perspective, the man was purposely created to reproduce and fill the world. This statement legalizes the aspect of marriage. In addition to reproducing, man has been mandated with the role of ensuring that he takes care of his environment. In the case of environmental conversation, man has to ensure that he takes care of the trees and animals. The man also has to ensure that there is a peaceful existence in the society. The aspect of sharing has been emphasized by the Christianity, and this broadly means that man has to share the little that he has with those in the society that lack.

Another psychological benefit of Christianity is that it makes the followers increase their belief in eternal life. Followers in this religion know that by leading lives that are in accordance with the teachings of Jesus Christ, they will have an everlasting life that is free from pain and suffering when they depart from earth. Various churches around the world have witnessed an increase in their followers in the past decade, and this can be attributed to the message that they teach on leading Godly lives. Christians believe that human beings need to ensure that they lead a pure and straight life so that when they die, they will be accepted in the Kingdom of God. However, those that lead the life that completely goes against the teachings of God will be punished in the afterlife (Wilson 23). Christians believe in the existence of hell that is solely for those that engage in sin. Man needs to ensure that he repents his sins so that when time comes, he will be accepted into the kingdom of God.

Human beings, according to Christianity, have been created with brains that guide them to do what is right and cannot impact negatively on the other members of the community. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit among the believers has made them have a strong belief in God and His role in protecting the people. Most of the followers have been made to believe that their lives are void and useless without God. Some fast for several days with the aim of bolstering their relations with the creator. Churches are on the frontline in teaching their believers that God hardly makes a lot of changes in the lives of the people but helps in the removal of the accumulation of world. He makes the believers truly and purely and in so doing, they avoid engaging in activities that may end up contributing to poor relationships with God.

Conclusion

From the above arguments, it is evident that Christianity is one of the widely practiced religions around the globe. Christianity has over the years enjoyed immense growth, and this has been attributed to its teachings and its ability to influence various populations, whether old or young. Some of their beliefs include the presence of one God, who is the creator of heaven and earth; they are guided by the Ten Commandments and biblical teachings and have a strong belief that there will be the second coming of Jesus Christ. Christianity comes along with both psychological and sociological impacts. Some of these impacts include improved conflict resolution, strengthened marriages, and companionship, the ability of societies to lead morally upright lives and promotion of forgiveness. Psychological effects include improved personal relationships with God, the belief that there is life after death and the ability to maintain strong interpersonal relationships. The church, in the modern day, has been marred by evil. Some of the purported men of God have turned it into a corruption den, and this has ended up leading to a decline in its relevance.

Work Cited

Stangroom, Jeremy. Religion. ABC Books for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 2007.

Wilson, Mike. Christianity. Greenhaven Press, 2008.