Religion, Culture, and Communication

Author(s):  
Stephen M. Croucher ◽  
Cheng Zeng ◽  
Diyako Rahmani ◽  
Mélodine Sommier

Religion is an essential element of the human condition. Hundreds of studies have examined how religious beliefs mold an individual’s sociology and psychology. In particular, research has explored how an individual’s religion (religious beliefs, religious denomination, strength of religious devotion, etc.) is linked to their cultural beliefs and background. While some researchers have asserted that religion is an essential part of an individual’s culture, other researchers have focused more on how religion is a culture in itself. The key difference is how researchers conceptualize and operationalize both of these terms. Moreover, the influence of communication in how individuals and communities understand, conceptualize, and pass on religious and cultural beliefs and practices is integral to understanding exactly what religion and culture are. It is through exploring the relationships among religion, culture, and communication that we can best understand how they shape the world in which we live and have shaped the communication discipline itself. Furthermore, as we grapple with these relationships and terms, we can look to the future and realize that the study of religion, culture, and communication is vast and open to expansion. Researchers are beginning to explore the influence of mediation on religion and culture, how our globalized world affects the communication of religions and cultures, and how interreligious communication is misunderstood; and researchers are recognizing the need to extend studies into non-Christian religious cultures.

Author(s):  
Maina Ouarodima Ph.D ◽  
Ibrahim Oumarou

Every single society has its dos and don’ts, and African is not an exception. What is more, Africans are strongly attached to their socio-cultural beliefs. However, as time is dynamic, there is need toreflect on the context of situation to evaluate our tradition.Thus, The Legendary Inikpi, the play under discussion, does not only serve as a central source to enable the readers find outhow African societies hold on to their religious beliefs and practices as part of their cultural identities, but also serves as a media tool that calls Africans for a change of attitude. The author considershuman sacrifice as a murder.To redirect the mentality towards certain religious practices such as human sacrifice, Emmy Unuja is able to create a female character named Daughter whose role is to convince people for a change of mentality. If we want African societies to move forwards, it is high time people change their mentality for the better.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Ananya Bhakta ◽  
Smritikana Mani

Belief is the state of mind in which a person thinks something to be the case, with or without there being empirical evidence to prove that something is the case with factual certainty. In developing countries, over 60% of maternal deaths occur during the postpartum period. This period is also greatly influenced by different types of socio-cultural beliefs & practices that increases the risk for poor maternal and child health. A study was conducted to identify and analyse the cultural, social, religious beliefs and practices during postpartum period among postnatal women in Erashal BPHC & Medical College & Hospital of West Bengal. A comparative survey design was adopted in this study. A non probability purposive sampling technique was used to select 120 postnatal women from rural Erashal BPHC & 160 from urban Medical college & hospital as study subject. A valid & reliable Structured Interview schedule(r-0.85,0.90)was used to collect data from the postnatal women who were admitted for delivery and staying postnatal ward. The findings showed that the harmful beliefs regarding maternal, baby care, breast feeding & family planning aspect were present among women during  postpartum period(R-75%,U-54%) Harm less beliefs regarding maternal care& breast feeding aspect were present in  postpartum period(R-31% U-42 %).  Beneficial beliefs regarding separation aspect were present in postpartum period(R-79%,U-90%).The practices were seen in  post partum period(R-52%,U-21%).There was a significant difference in belief among rural & urban women as evidenced by ‘t’ test(t-11.38 at df 278 at p<0.05) . There was a significant difference in practice among rural& urban women (t-6.85 at df278 at 0.05 level).Significant relationship(r-0.35 , 0.28   at p<0.05) was seen between beliefs &practices during postpartum period in both area. There was a significant association (χ2-5.36, 10.56 at p<0.05) between religion with beliefs in both area. The significant association was seen between family type with beliefs in rural (χ2-4.41 at p<0.05) but not in urban. The study concluded that, a concerned matter of issue can be raised to prevent the practices contrary with harmful beliefs by counselling and evaluation of views of the mothers during reproductive period.   Keywords: beliefs and practices, postpartum  period, postnatal women, rural and urban settings


Author(s):  
Matthew Butler

This chapter explains the coverage of this book, which is about the Cristero Revolt in Michoacán, Mexico from 1926 to 1929. It traces the origin of the revolt from the President Plutarco Elías Calles' strict enforcement of the anticlerical provisions of Mexico's 1917 revolutionary constitution. It contends that though popular religious cultures in Michoacán were socially constructed, it did not follow that they were empty, merely instrumental, constructs. It argues that popular groups in the 1920s created multi-layered identities and reshaped not only their political ideas but also their religious beliefs and practices as they alternatively accommodated or resisted the post-revolutionary state.


2004 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 754-770 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Atran ◽  
Ara Norenzayan

The evolutionary landscape that canalizes human thought and behavior into religious beliefs and practices includes naturally selected emotions, cognitive modules, and constraints on social interactions. Evolutionary by-products, including metacognitive awareness of death and possibilities for deception, further channel people into religious paths. Religion represents a community's costly commitment to a counterintuitive world of supernatural agents who manage people's existential anxieties. Religious devotion, though not an adaptation, informs all cultures and most people.


2003 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 88-100
Author(s):  
Paula Kriner ◽  
Yolanda Bernal

Asthma is a major cause of morbidity in children and adults. Imperial County has reported among the highest asthma hospitalization rates in the state. Factors such as poverty, access to care, poor selfmanagement skills, and ethnocultural beliefs may influence asthma exacerbations. Provider and adult asthmatic attitudes, beliefs, and practices regarding asthma were examined using a mixed-methods approach: a survey to evaluate provider conformance with national guidelines, and focus groups targeting medical practitioners and adult asthmatics. Half of all providers who treat asthmatics completed a self-administered survey about asthma diagnosis; clinical monitoring of patients; treatment; patient education; and practice guidelines. Provider focus groups further explored survey results. Adult asthmatics participated in Spanishlanguage focus groups exploring cultural beliefs, attitudes, and practices. El asma es la mayor causa de morbilidad entre niños y adultos. El Condado de Imperial ha reportado las tazas más altas de hospitalización a causa de asma en el estado. Factores como la pobreza, acceso a cuidado médico, falta de experiencia sobre como manejar la enfermedad, y creencias étnicas y culturales pueden tener una influencia en las exacerbaciones del asma. Las actitudes, creencias, y prácticas de proveedores de atención médica y adultos concerniente al asma fueron examinadas utilizando varios métodos: una encuesta con el fin de evaluar el nivel de conformidad de los proveedores según las pautas establecidas a nivel nacional, y grupos foco con médicos y adultos con asma. La mitad de los proveedores que proveen atención a asmáticos completaron una encuesta acerca del diagnosis de asma; el monitoreo clínico de los pacientes; administración de tratamiento; educación a los pacientes; y pautas establecidas para proveer atención a pacientes con asma. Los grupos foco con los proveedores exploraron aun más los resultados de las encuestas. Los adultos con asma participaron en grupos foco dirigidos en español para explorar más a fondo las creencias culturales, actitudes y prácticas.


Author(s):  
Adibah Binti AbdulRahim

ABSTRACT Secularism is the most serious challenge of modernity posed by the West. Its main ideology is to liberate man from the religious and metaphysical values and expel religion from the practical aspect of man’s life. It clearly presents its materialistic viewpoint which is cut off from Divine, Transcendent or Supernatural principles and does not refer to and is isolated from Revelation. In terms of its intensity and scope as well as its discernable effects upon people’s mind, the repercussion of secularism is so pervasive and universal. It gives a great impact on every facet of life including individual and family lives as well as educational, political, economic and social-cultural realm. Most importantly, secularism affects the very tenets of traditional religious beliefs and practices. This paper tries to focus on the danger of secularism and its principles which are contradict to the religious worldview.  


Author(s):  
Adrian Curtis

Knowledge of the religion of ancient Syria has increased significantly in recent years thanks to key archaeological discoveries. Particularly important have been those from Ras Shamra (ancient Ugarit), which may offer the best window available for an understanding of Canaanite religious beliefs and practices. Excavations have revealed structures of religious significance, such as temples, sanctuaries, and tombs, as well as numerous texts. Of special interest are those mythological texts which tell the exploits of Baal, El, and the other great gods. There are also legends, sacrifice lists, pantheon lists, and prescriptions for various rituals. Some of these, notably the legends of Keret, and of Danel and his son Aqhat, provide evidence for beliefs about the religious status and significance of the king. This material enables a more considered understanding of ideas and practices that may have impacted upon Israelite religion.


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