Drop Box Assignment ThreeZoey RentzNovember 25, 2013Honors Cultural Anthropology: Anthropology 102-INHIn order to define religion it is important to consider the entire cultural system being studied. Cultural systems consist of four levels. These four levels are all integrated with one another. Religion is a part of the highest category known as the superstructure. The superstructure is defined by Haviland as, “perception of the self, society, and the world around us” (Haviland et. al. 2014:297). These perceptions are used within a culture to understand the world and the role they playin it. As self-reflecting animals, humans want to learn and understand the world they live in. Questions that stem from these self reflections often go unanswered. In a quest for answers humans will turn to religion, most but not all religions reference a supernatural force or entity. With the advancement of science and technology conflict arose between scientific evidence and traditional beliefs. These differences in religions, or not having a religion, shape different worldviews; meaning that different religions have different answers to the questions about our present reality. In anthropology all concepts relating to our present reality are studied. This includes the beliefs of the small percentage of humans that do not believe in a religion. Religion plays a strong role in culture, contributing to different rituals and teaching expected behaviors. Identifying with a specific religion and adhering to thecultural guidelines of the religion leads individuals to believe that their religion is correct in explaining our present reality. This devotion to only one religion leads to conflict between religious groups. This devotion also makes it difficult to objectivelyobserve and study different religions. Anthropologists must look at religionswithout judging the different supernatural beliefs; religions are studied to better understand human nature and human culture.Two terms: religion and spirituality. These terms are both important when comparing different worldviews. Haviland defines religion, “as an organized system of ideas about the spiritual sphere or the supernatural, along with associated ceremonial practices by which people try to interpret and/or influence aspects of the universe otherwise beyond their control” (Haviland et. al. 2014:299). This definition of religion describes religion as organized ideas about the supernatural that people look to for answers or help in a ceremonial way. In contrast to religion, “spirituality is concerned with the sacred, as distinguished from ordinary reality, butis often individual rather than collective and does not require a formal institution” (Haviland et. al. 2014:299). The inability of humans to control events, present and future, makes religion a part of all known cultures. There are several major religions present in the world today. These major religions also branch off into smaller groups. Currently the largest religion is Christianity. Those humans that adhere to Christianity are referred to as Christians. Smaller groups within Christianity have differences but in order to be grouped into Christianity there are some common beliefs. Christianity is centered on the life and death of Jesus of Nazareth. Information about Jesus is mostly found in writings, which are referred to as The Gospels. The Gospels consist of four books written bydifferent authors 30-100 years after Jesus' death (“Overview of Christianity” 2013:1). After Jesus’ execution by crucifixion Christians believe that he rose from the dead after three days. In Christianity the belief of Jesus’ resurrection leads to theforgiveness from sin and the ability to attain eternal life. In Christianity there is one god, making it a monotheistic religion. However, this one god is made of three different people: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. Christianity uses the Bible as its sacred text, including both the Old Testament and the New Testament. The New Testament starts with the Gospels. Christianity includes some of the following smaller groups: Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran, Reformed/Presbyterian, Anglican/Episcopalian, Methodist, and Baptist. In the Muslim religion the angel Gabriel appeared to a man named Muhammad, telling him the word of the one and only God. During his time he spread the word that there was only one God contrary to the popular polytheistic belief at that time. His life work was recorded in a book titled the Qur’an. The Qur’an is the sacred text of the Muslim religion. Muhammad designated Mecca as the holy city for the religion. Muslims pray in the direction of Mecca five times a day.One of the five pillars of faith is a pilgrimage to Mecca, following the same path that Muhammad followed. Muslim includes some smaller groups known as Islam, Shiite, and Sunni.Religious specialists are individuals that help others learn the beliefs andpractices of a specific religion. These individuals are known as different titles in different religions. Priests and Priestesses perform different ceremonies and rituals;they have the ability to facilitate conversation between supernatural powers and fellow humans. Following different cultural standards these individuals are distinguishable from others in the religion. Different titles for these individuals are: “lama, kahuna, imam, priest, minister, rabbi, swami, or copa pitào (Haviland et. al. 2014:303). Only in societies where women influence the economy in a significant way are women found in these positions, though a man or woman can hold them.The importance of having religious specialists leads to an important issue, what happens when the religious specialist dies? Different religions have different protocols for choosing a new religious specialist. The kohanim, high ranking Israelite priests, claim a paternal lineage to the priest Aaron. Priest Aaron is a legendary priest believed to have lived around 3,500 years ago. This biological descent from a divine being is one way a religious specialist is chosen. In the religion Sufi, a sect of Muslims, leaders train and appoint an heir. This successor is in charge of maintaining the spiritual legacy of the religion. In the Roman Catholic Church an election is held to determine it’s spiritual leader. A group of Cardinals choose the pope and pronounce him as