HERINK WORLDVIEW AND DISCUSSION

Chapter 3 discussed the construct of the individual’s worldview and how that worldview in turn affects communication between individuals and groups. In the chapter Nakayama and Martin discuss two major components, religion and culture that help develop a worldview.

The chapter first discusses the varying viewpoints of the different major religions worldwide. Nakayama and Martin then went on to disclose how these different religions might begin to inform an individual’s worldview. I particularly like the example which refers to women in some Middle Eastern countries who were forced to hide themselves from men. While this seemed like a major injustice to me, persons of a differing worldview might view this as just. This difference illustrates how a religious viewpoint influences a cultural viewpoint which in turn helps develop an individual or group’s worldview.

The chapter also spoke of how the dynamic nature of religion and cultural identity can influence one another. I thought the paradoxical scenario that arises regarding which influenced which first allows for some interesting discussion regarding the foundation of our beliefs. Since so many believe that religion supersedes cultural identity, it would be interesting to find out how much of our religion is actually informed by non-supernatural forces and instead by our cultural.

I also thought it was interesting how Nakayama and Martin discussed how culture can in turn affect communication. Due to conflicting culture which informs a worldview tensions can be created in communication. It can become difficult to interact with an individual whose viewpoint conflicts directly with something you feel strongly with. I can definitely see how this is true in country like America where there are so many different religions and cultures that influence individual’s worldview tensions are inevitable.

1. The chapter discussed how cultural, national identity and religions inform a person’s worldview. What other components might help to define an individual’s worldview?
2. What responsibilities do we have as communicators when interacting with others with differing worldviews?

Outline and Discussion

Dylan Goodell, Alex Metschke, Jessica Periago, Tom Cameron
Chapter 3 Outline

Worldview, Religion, and Intercultural Communication
I. Religion
a. Can lead to intercultural conflict or cooperation
b. Personal or cultural views
i. Beliefs, attitudes, and values
c. 3 groups of religions
i. Western religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam)
ii. Eastern religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism)
iii. Prehistoric and Tribal religions (indigenous peoples of North America, Africa, Australia)
II. Worldview (separated into 3 parts)
a. God or Ultimate Reality
i. Western religions- believe in on god that started everything(monotheistic)
ii. Eastern religions- believe in many gods(pantheistic) but Buddhism has no authority figure
iii. Prehistoric and Tribal religions- everything is tied together in life some how, may have one god may have many gods
b. Absolutism vs. Relativism
i. Western Religions- see their religion as the only truth, that’s why they try to convert others
ii. Eastern Religions- more mixing of religions because of Relativism
iii. Prehistoric and Tribal religions- very similar to eastern religions
c. Origins of the world and human beings
i. Western Religions- everything is headed somewhere and there is a purpose to life and death
ii. Eastern Religions- circle of life, countless lifetimes, yin and yang
iii. Prehistoric and Tribal religions- many different views, and all not really sure what happens in the afterlife
III. Different kinds of Religions
a. Judaism
i. Best expressed through practice
ii. Often persecuted minority group
b. Christianity
i. 21,000 different denominations
ii. seek to know god and worship him
c. Islam
i. Love for and fear of Allah
ii. Have to follow 5 pillars of practice (pg. 25)
d. Hinduism
i. “Live and let live” or kharma
ii. Many different life cycles
iii. 4 aims of human life(pleasure, wealth, righteousness, liberation)
e. Buddhism
i. Four noble truths (pg. 25)
ii. Ultimate goal is to attain nirvana
1. Nirvana- state of enlightenment, of egolessness, quietness, and bliss
f. Confucianism
i. 4 principles
1. Humanism, faithfulness, propriety, and wisdom
ii. Focuses on cooperation, warm relaxed human relationships, consideration of others and group harmony
IV. Religion, Culture, and Communication
a. Religion and Cultural Identity
i. Religion can be a bad thing for cultural identity
ii. Ex. Koreans in America attend church to be included in the social place
b. Religious Differences and Nationalist Differences
i. Which came first? No one really knows
ii. Ex. What was the cause for the split between Belgium and the Netherlands?
1. Religious, Nationalist, or Economic Differences?
c. Religious Differences on the Interpersonal Level
i. Might be offensive to ask some people what religion they are
1. To most southerners this is a normal question
d. Religion and Colonialism
i. Large numbers have converted to Christianity all around the world
ii. Christian discourses used to justify the domination, enslavement and massacre of “heathens” in the Americas
e. Hybridity in Religion
i. Religion can be considered a moving target (always changing)
ii. Many blending into each other to form new religions



In today’s society, religion is a huge part of our society and culture. As stated in UNL’s Intro to Religion class everyone has a religion whether they believe it or not. To believe in nothing is believing in something. What religion we are helps place us in different societies and cultures. There are many different religions scattered throughout the world but some are more specific to different areas of the world. However, religion still differs whether one is the majority or not. In our American society we experience a lot of Anglocentrism and Ethnocentrism. America has a high percentage of Christianity and we like to see ourselves as superior to other nations and that our view of the world is right. We like to force our ideas in others’ minds. Prejudice is used everyday. Religion takes up a big chunk of this. Just because you believe in Islam does not mean that you’re a terrorist. Just because you are a Christian does not mean you are always right and better than others that are not. Just because you believe in Judaism does not mean that you are stingy. Not all Buddhists are monks. There are thousands of prejudices that impede our communication process with others. To communicate more efficiently we need to knock down those barriers. Different beliefs don’t make people threats. Communication is understanding and trying to get your point across as best you can. Knowing about others and how to relate and talk to them allows for the connection to communicate. Communication is what makes the world go round.

Questions:

1.Do you think governments are affected by religious beliefs?

2.Will we ever accept people for who they are or will we always judge people and stereotype based on religious beliefs?

3.How far will people go toward absolutism and conversion to their beliefs? i.e. Western Baptist Church

4.What is the fine line between religion and culture?

Derek Dam Worldview and Religion

“Every individual holds a set of values or beliefs about the way the world and human behavior should be.”

This statement by Martin and Nakayama shows that there is much diversity in our culture. I think that even though most of us don’t think about it, a lot of our daily decisions stem from how our religion was involved in our childhood. I think that this is also why Americans are not very vocal about their religion. When I was growing up, my parents always taught me that your actions will speak louder than your words. And I think that the Christian religion is being expressed in this very way, we just don’t realize that we are doing it.

After reading this essay, I feel that it showed how blind we are to other people’s religions. The example of the Muslim man walking ahead of his wife, while she is dressed from head to toe, and is also carrying everything is definitely showing that our perceptual “lens” is solely focused on us. I always knew growing up that Christianity and Judaism were very similar, but never would have thought that Islam could be so closely related to these two religions.

Discussion Questions:

- Is there a way to look at a person's religious views and accept them for who they are, or will we always be judging people and stereotyping for what they believe in?

- If Christianity makes up a third of the world population, why does it feel like the less followed religions are having their way with the expression of Christianity in public?

Katrina: Worldview, Religion, Intercult. Comm 1-26-11

Given that many values, beliefs, and attitudes stem from religion, it is not surprising to find that religion has a significant influence on the communication among individuals and groups. Many theological teachings prescribe guidelines on how to live one’s life thus resulting in pronounced ways of thinking and acting. For example, harmony is a reflection of Confucianism in Far East cultures and tolerance from Christianity in Western cultures. A few random points sparked my attention; please bare with me as I jump from point to point.

I like the suggestion the essay makes in regard to identifying values among various cultures, using universal questions rather than a list. Using a list approach could easily result in slightly more negative interpretations of others cultures. We naturally tend to describe ourselves in a positive light so when it comes time to describe another culture, possessing values that are seemingly contrary, the selected terms many not be as warm and complimentary. This would suggest that descriptions of others values as inherently less favorable than the description we ascribe to ourselves.

While members of various religions consider their “membership” to be a central aspect of their identity, it seems that Jews give particular attention to this affiliation; this also seems to be reinforced by their non-Jewish contemporaries. In other words, being Jewish seems to be the dominant characteristic of identity overshadowing other affiliations and roles. This does not necessarily hold true for other religions in the US. “Jewish” has almost become an ethnic category. A phenomenon that was exhibited in the Chappelle clip in which participating teams were Asians, Latinos, Whites, Blacks, and Jews. Notable here not of the other “teams” were religions.

1. Why are some group affiliations so much more dominant to our identity while others are more recessive (from an inner and external perspective)?

2. Where do you see influences of religion in communication and behavior in the US?

Renzo Callirgos, 1/26/2011

I like the way this article was written. I also liked how it defined worldview as a set of values or beliefs about how things should be. I know that I violate my own values and beliefs pretty often. I also like how the article discussed the connection between religion and cultural identity. Growing up in a Hispanic household, I was raised Catholic. However, the schools I attended in Texas did a good job of introducing me to the other religions discussed in this article.

From I had learned previously about Islam and what has been discussed in the article, it is hard to see why I commonly see hatred towards Muslims. I understand the fear that has been brought about by the actions of Muslim radicals, but I mostly see a blind hatred towards anyone that is Muslim. During the most recent presidential campaign, Barack Obama was labeled a Muslim. This was done with the hope that the negative connotation that comes with being Muslim would destroy his image. I’m not here to discuss anything about President Obama. I just don’t see why we need to hate someone because of his or her religion.

How does your religion relate to your cultural identity?

When was the last time you talked to someone about religious beliefs? How did that go?

Khris Tate Blog #1 1/26/11

As I began to read this essay, I noticed how where I grew up has very much to do with worldview. I grew up in the South in the Bible Belt in Texas, and the Baptist churches are all over the place. I would say that that region of the country is very closed-minded to other religions and cultures. And growing up there, I know there was not much interest in other religions at all.
Another thing I noticed between all the three major religions that this essay talked about was that they all believe they must act a certain way to achieve something. Whether in this life or the next, living and doing certain things are different in each religion. I believe with this being said, that there will always be difficulty in communication and peace between culture and the religions they have. With some religions like the indigenous tribes who believe in being accepting of others, this may seem to be an issue that can be solved. But history showed in the essay how Catholicism was pushed upon many parts of the world. Unless all religions and cultures and worldviews are the same, I do not see there ever being a cure-all solution in how to communicate and associate with other religions and cultures.
Another thing I believe would be an issue involves the cultural side. I think that all cultures and the religions they have all have a very big sense of committment to each other. Even trying to be more accepting and understanding of other cultures and religious groups, I think that they will feel more committment to their culture and religion that to accepting of other cultures worldviews.

Discussion Question 1: What are some basic worldviews that would be the easiest medium to make it easier to communicate effectively between very different cultures/religions?

Discussion question 2: Do you think that all world problems, ex: war, revolution, politics, etc., have something to do with religion, culture, and worldview issues?

Greg Albin, 1/26/11

I found the article interesting in several different ways. To begin, my background on the Eastern religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism is very limited as compared with the Western religions of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.

The views between the two separate categories had more in common than I would have thought. The Western religions all believe in one divine being, while the Eastern religions believe in several or many deities or gods. I found it intriguing that Buddhism and Confucianism have no single authoritative god or being.

The difference between the ideas and views of afterlife between the religions was interesting. I am familiar with the Christian view and somewhat of Judaism. I was also familiar with the Buddhist idea of nirvana. But, the idea of Confucianism that there is emphasis on the afterlife, only the yin and yang through interaction, seems very strange to someone who grew up with the idea that attaining life past death is an ultimate goal.

I also found it interesting to realize how Christianity and Islam are the only two main religions that really try to spread its beliefs around the world. It’s hard for me to understand what differs in these religions that make people become missionaries and want to spread their beliefs and why the other religions do not want to. I also found it fascinating how dispersed globally and diverse the followers of the religions are. An example the writer used was: Christianity exists heavily in Ireland as well as the Philippines. The hybrid religions were also interesting to read about. The fact that groups of people took ideas and beliefs from two or more different religions is unique, and in my life so far I have not witnessed any sort of hybrid religion such as the Candomblé in Brazil.

1. Why do you think Christians and Muslims try to spread their religions while Buddhists and Hindus do not do this (at least not as publicly)?

2. Do you think there are similarities in the religions, pertaining to an afterlife?

Matt German #1 1/26/2011

One line in the section that stood out to me was "Every individual holds a set of values or beliefs about the way the world and human behavior should be(not necessarily the way things are)." I know I have my own idea how the world should be based on my experiences and what I have been taught. I believe everyone should get along and not care care about what beliefs or ideas that other people have. But based on history and the present that is not true.
I am raised Catholic and went to private school all my life. I do not believe that the catholic views are the best for everyone but some people my disagree. I believe that it is over these views that religions fight one another. This can be seen back in the 1300-1400's with the Christians fighting the Muslims. And can be seen today with the different kinds of Islam fighting each other saying that this one is better than that one.
People judge each other based on their religion. ie. if you are Muslim your are bad. Aversion of this can be seen during WWII when it was Japanese not Muslims that were seen as evil.
Religion has fueled wars and started conflicts in the past and will continue to do so in the future.

Questions
1. How can we get people to look past ones religion and see the person?
2. How has religion affected your decisions and judgement?

Jordan Berg Blog 1, 1/26/11

Religion and Intercultural Communication

As I was reading this article I found it interesting that when the book compared Western religions like Judaism, Christianity, and Islam to Eastern religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism that the Western religions were all primarily monotheistic, or belief in one God, while the Eastern religions were primarily pantheistic, or belief that there can be many gods in different forms. The book goes on to say that Western religions are also more structured and based on the individual and his/her relationship with God and the purpose to life while Eastern religions are based on the circularity of life and more of an understanding that one should search self and society for answers (Ellwood, 1992). I wonder how these certain religions all ended up by each other (for the most part) geographically and all have the same norms and values and if one day it will be possible to combine all of them somehow into one hybrid religion for the whole world.

Another interesting article to me was Religion and Cultural Identity. The book gives an example about all Irish not being Catholic and not all Catholics are Irish. I never gave much thought about how much culture and sometimes ethnicity can affect what assumptions people make on your religious views when they see you or know where you are from. I think religion should be based on what you believe as an individual and personal beliefs rather then what is associated with the region where you are from or your cultural background. No one should have the right to push their own beliefs on you and force you to believe what they do, it should be a personal choice that you will figure out as you grow as a person.

Questions:

1) Do you think it will ever be someday possible to have a "hybrid" religion that might contain portions of every main religion that everyone could agree on and accept at a worldwide level?

2)Will stereotypes about religion based on where people think or know you are from ever change or be erased completely?

Sarah Milem, Blog 1

As I read through this section the thing I found most interesting was looking at religion as part of your identity or considering that to be part of you.  I find that I agree with this section.  No matter what religion you are there are certain values and beliefs that you are taught and that stick with you and that stay with you.  This section also talks about Irish Catholics and how all Catholics are not Irish and not everyone that is Irish is Catholic.  Religion is part of an individual’s identity not an entire countries identity. I also find looking back on history in both the United States and other parts of the world that people were discriminated against solely based on their religious beliefs.  Irish Catholics were persecuted upon enter the United States as well as those who shared Jewish beliefs.  Both of the sets of religious groups have been blamed by other religious groups in American history for being the reason of problems that have existed. Again an entire group of people have been blamed for certain problems simply based on their religion.  An example of this could be when John F. Kennedy was running for president.  Many people did not or were hesitant to vote for him simply because he was Catholic.  They felt that by putting a person with Catholic beliefs into presidential office somehow the United States would not be ran by an American but by a Catholic.  As if being Catholic was the only part of John F. Kennedy mattered.     And while I believe being Catholic was part of Kennedy’s identity it was the only aspect that made up his identity.  And while we like to believe as a country we no longer look simply at a person’s religious beliefs  to look at their individual identity I believe today it is still a major part of us. 

Questions:

1)      Do you believe that as a society we look at a person religious beliefs and then draw opinions about who they are simply based on those beliefs?

2)      Do you think a person’s religious beliefs will affect them being elected into a public office?

Tylor Robinson, Blog #1

This reading was about worldview, religion, and intercultural communication.  It broke religion down into 6 different categories, and explained the beliefs of each religion and the gods they worshiped. Coming from a small Nebraska town, this was interesting to me because everyone I grew up with practiced Christianity so we all prayed to the same person.  This would also include using the word “Christianity” synonymously with “religion” because we have not been exposed to many other religions.

Another interesting topic in this section was the religious differences and national differences.  Looking  at the laws that govern our society I see a distinct similarity to the commandments from the Christian bible.  So, in the United States I think religion did come before nationalism.  

I also thought it was interesting when the book pointed out that in U.S. American culture it is considered impolitic to ask other about their religions. I believe that this is because in the Christian faith you are supposed to have a personal, individual relationship with god. When the book talks about Christianity it says, (pg. 25) “Prayers should be private, good deeds should be done secretly, and the ultimate aim is to be included in the kingdom of heaven afterlife (Fisher, 1999).”

This reading opened my eyes to the other types of religions and what they believe. It might be easier to understand and accept the beliefs of other religions if I had a little more exposure to them. I think it would be interesting to see first had the practices of a Buddhist munk.

Do you think the governments are affected by religious beliefs?

Do you believe in sharing your religious beliefs with others?