Religion and Spirituality (Term Paper Sample)

Religion and Spirituality Student's Name University Affiliation Religion and Spirituality The paper seeks to reveal the connection present in spirituality and religion. The main focus is on the elements, worship and deities. Religion is defined as a system of beliefs and worship. Religion is usually expressed in actions and words, normally governed by rituals that are particular to various communities and their beliefs. It can be defined as a set of beliefs, organized to fit the natural and the supernatural angle of reality. Religion is closely linked to people's cultural systems. Many denominations and localities share a common characteristic of having symbols, narratives and sacred histories (Deutsch, 1995). Spirituality on the other hand is often confused with religion. Social scientists have given spirituality a definition to mean the search for that which is sacred and is different from the ordinary. Waaijman gives a traditional definition of spirituality as a process of reformation to recover God's image (2002). The paper will analyze the relationship between worship and deities with respect to religion and spirituality. In religion, a deity is considered as a supernatural being, which may be sacred, holy or divine. Some religions have belief in one deity, but others have multiple deities that are believed to perform different functions. Deities are believed to have power greater than that of any human. A male deity is referred to as a god while a female deity is called a goddess. Historically, deities were accountable for the natural phenomena that were hard to comprehend. Natural events like lightning, floods and catastrophes such as floods were attributed to deities (Muldoon, 2012). In Christianity, God is presented as the supreme God. In the science of spirituality, God manifests himself in different ways to perform different functions. The five principles include; creation, sustenance, multiplicity, dissolution and bliss. These principles explain why God exists in different forms which are considered as different deities. Deities in religion are given respect and roles that are unique to human capabilities and understanding. Durkheim asserts that gods represent an extension of humanity in their social life (1966). He further argues that where human beings gathered in multitudes, they had to create gods to ensure morality was upheld through religion (Durkheim, 1966). Worship is an important element of religion and spirituality. It is an act of devotion that is directed towards a deity. Worship is an important element to religion and spirituality as it gives honor to the supernatural beings. Worship gives worth to a deity. For Christians, it is God that is worshiped and in the Islam religion worship of Allah in the five principles of Islam. Worship in Hinduism involves a sense of bhakti where higher forces are invoked to help in spiritual and material processes (Bennet, 1984). In Judaism, worship is majorly done through prayers. Wiccan worship often takes place during a new moon or a full moon. Wiccan worship involves rituals called Esbat which involves some form of magic that is believed to protect the people. Sikhism worship involves the worship of one God known as Waheguru which means the wonderful teacher. In religion and spirituality, worship was given preference in times of need and for reasons of thanksgiving or repentance (Bennet, 1984). Honor was an integral part of the old societies in different religions. In some cases...