How Much Does Religion Influence Culture? (Essay Sample)

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How Much Does Religion Influence Culture?
The intertwined relationship between religion and culture has elicited numerous contentions among scholars as they try to determine which influences the other. With more than 10,000 religions around the globe, religious beliefs and practices have a notable impact on culture (Cirjak). Be that as it may, approximately 1.2 billion people do not identify with any religious affiliation, describing themselves as atheists, agnostic, or secular (Cirjak). Essentially, religion defines cultural norms since people subscribing to religious beliefs and practices also participate in enacting the culture which they inhabit. Religion is a core factor of cultural identity, influencing people’s behaviors and traditions, such as clothing, food and eating patterns, occupational outcomes, and socio-political statuses.
Followers of a particular religious group uphold its scriptures, which form a fundamental embodiment and foundation of that religion. More customs, including habits and instincts of the supporters, emanate from the scriptural or spiritual basis (Cirjak). Clothing is a religious representation of individual faith as it promotes conformity with a particular belief system. For instance, conservative Muslim women wear veils that identify them from the larger culture. While many followers of Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism are vegetarians, Muslims around the globe fast during Ramadan (Sibal 10912). According to Héliot et al., religious identity plays a profound role in workplace decisions and contributions, especially connected with ethics and values (154). Besides, Zed argues that affiliation with a particular religious group helps envisage a specific cultural pattern or trait. Religion is a critical tool that