This essay brought up several bubbling questions for me, as well as a few discoveries about the people, cultures, and religions that surround us all. The essay broke down several common religions, and illustrated very different perspectives on how these different religions fall into different cultural beliefs. It gives way to the differences in societal function, especially for very largely diverse communities. It seemed very interesting to me that when dealing with Western Society, we more often than not associate christianity with religion. This seemed very alarming, especially considering the many different religions that are accepted and practiced, when dealing with intercultural communications, this would be a huge red flag! How can we effectively communicate to a diverse people, if we automatically assume that our own personal cultural and religious beliefs are the norm for everyone? It is simply a formula for failure.
This gave light to a recent situation that I recently had with a friend of mine. We were nonchalantly discussing movies, and the film, The Book of Eli, was brought up. She immediately accused the film of slandering God's name, by using Denzel Washington's character as another God-like figure. While I had never thought of it in that light, I was perplexed by her insights, however, she then continued to about how she didn't really care, but it offended her greatly because she is Atheist. I was unaware of her religious beliefs, but I am in no position to judge her because of them. I began to explain my beliefs, and immediately she assumed that I had no right to continue. While I gave her ample time to present her case on why she disliked the film, when I tried to explain what I got from the film and how I interpreted it, she refused to let me finish, because she has a predisposed notion that I was going to preach to her, rather than just talk about a movie. She cut me off, and the conversation ended in a really negative light. I was really upset about the whole situation, and the essay really put into light where situations like mine and many others come from. My friend has a different cultural past from mine, and we literally failed in communicating with one another because of our assumptions between our religions.
It is clear that we all come from different backgrounds, but it is really important to try and not pass judgment on individuals based on their history, the essay also discussed this briefly, when comparing Jewish religions and Japanese religions, and how they connect their religions with the hardships they both experienced during WWII. While the Jewish religion, tends to keep their religion disclosed, the Japanese religion is very open to share their religious views, and how those views helped them through their struggles when in internment camps. However, this also makes sense in regards to why they were placed in internment camps. Neither situations should have occurred and I've read literature on the personal struggles both cultures have experienced because of this history, but Jewish citizens were placed in concentration camps merely because of their religion, while Japanese citizens were place in U.S. internment camps more so based on their heritage, rather than their religious beliefs. It is understandable the historical turmoil that the Jewish community might carry with them, and in order to deal with that they conceal their religious views, while Japanese citizens coped and turned to their religious beliefs for hope.
It is also very interesting relating back to my personal dilemma with my friend, that we both concealed our religious views to one another, I have never really expressed what I believe in to her, which helps me to better understand that her assumptions cannot be taken personally because it is based on previous experience. It is not fair for either of us to assume certain roles for each other, but it is difficult not to do so if when we had never discussed our ideas and beliefs prior to the situation. It is a sensitive and personal topic, and is difficult to discuss based on our histories.
1. What other cultural barriers tend to hold people back from expressing their religious beliefs?
2. Is there a positive way to change the on-going affiliations that are assumed for different religions?
3. Should we be more open about personal cultural and religious beliefs, or would it cause more conflict in general?
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