Introduction: Religion has played an important role thoughout human development. The early Indian culture developed Hinduism and later Buddhism. The early Chinese cultures adopted Buddhism and developed philosophies of their own, like legalism and Confucianism. Using your text and notes as sources, discuss the following question.
For discussion: Why do you believe that early societies developed religious or philisophical beliefs?
For consideration:
- Aryan civilization
- Siddhartha Gautama
- collapse of the Zhou dynasty in China
- Confucius
Discussion will terminate at midnight on 28 September 2009.
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Carlos De León
Social Studies Teacher
Luther Burbank High School
57 comments:
I beleive that early societies devoloped religious or philiophical beliefs so that they could keep some kind of control or power in their society. For example the Zhou dynasty in China had he Mandate to Heaven which led to the dynastic cycle, which gave oppertunity to seize power. Eventually that led to the collapse of the Zhou Dynasty,
in 256 B.C
I believe that religions wwre developed because they explained things to people seeking answers. back then, lightning wasnt a discharge of electricity it was a sign of anger from the gods.
I think that confucianism has a lot to do with the development of philisophical beliefs. In confucianism, which started in 500 B.C.E, its founder Confucius believed that relationships were the most important thing that mattered. Also, according to Confucius everyone had duties and responsibilities they needed to fullfill in order to be labeled as "good people". This, he belived, would have people and things in order. His philosophy was pretty much declared by him in a very few words. "Do not do to others, what you do not wish yourself."
I agree with Yvette's comment. I too believe they pretty much had these beiefs because so they maintain conrol over there land and many of the citizens would believe it if they thought it was from someone much greater then them. Like that the government would be able to keep things in order till the Zhou Dynasty had the Mandate of Heaven which allowed the citizens have some power and over throw there kings. The Mandate of Heaven then led to the collapse of the Zhou Dynasty.
sources:lecture notes.
I agree with Yvette about her example about the Zhou Dynasty. Also I think that apart from the Mandate of Heaven leading to the collapse of the Zhou Dynasty, it influenced the Zhou in a positive way. The people believed that gods gave authority and so when the Zhou overthrew the Shang they used the Mandate of Heaven as justification for their action. This helped them because since supposedly the "gods" gave them the authority to do so, people couldn't go against them.
i believe that early societies developed religious or philiophical beliefs so that they could try to explain things they saw but didn't really understand. Siddhartha Guatama saw suffering, but didn't know why it was occuring. He was enlightened and had the idea that suffering was caused by want. Therefore, Buddhism was founded on suffering. I believe people develop religions so that they can find a way to explain and escape hardships.
Well wouldn't control and power be the whole reason to have religions and philiophical beliefs.People believe any thing they're told, especially in that time.Religions just make life more interesting,especially to see how some are different from other!!
The early societies devloped religious and/or philiophical beliefs in order to keep some kind of orangization and spreading of power making belief that there was a type of control also during those times there was no belief in science therefore there was no other way than to use relgion and philosopy to help explain. for example the shang dynasty used kings to keep a sense of power then in hinduism and buddism they have a god(s) using religion as another sense of power.
I agree with Fatima Karla Nic && Chris.
They all have good points and I believe each of what they said is true many of the societies just needed to have an explantion to come up with why things happened the way it did. And like Samantha said people believed anything if you were a King and told them this is the god of _____. They would just think that because your higher then them && you have control over them.
I also like how Nic used Siddhartha Guatama as her example because he was one of the people who actually wanted to find another meaning to his questions.
I think early civilizations developed religion and philosophical beliefs because it provided them with some kind of understanding of the world around them. It answered things that were too difficult to comprehend, so they used beliefs and philosophies to explain phenomenon. It also gave them organization and "guidelines" to keep their society in order.
A religous belief is something in which a person can put there faith into. Many people have there own reasons for beliving in what they belive in. As for the early societies, there religion was based on many diffent things. My belief is being that the early civilizations didnt really know anything about the future or past these ''leaders'' or ''chosen people'' were the ones who gave people or kingdoms something that they could develop into a religion and just go from there. The early civilization started off with so much as just simple things that throughout time were much more expanded. Thus, religous beliefs were just somehting that was passed down or taught from generation to generation or kingdom to kingdom. With the many diffrent kingdoms is was likely that each kingdom wanted to better that the one before so they developed there own religious belief to have that as a part of the society.
I think that early societies developed religious beliefs because they needed a purpose in life.For example the Aryans had storm gods, snake gods,fire gods and many other gods.They believed that if they offered sacrifices of food or drink, these gods would give them wealth, health, and victory in war.
source:World History book
I agree with Karla's comment.The Zhou used the Mandate of Heaven to get people to agree with them and since they believed it came from the gods they would go with it.
I agree with Nicolette when she mentions Buddhism. I could also add that Siddhartha Gautama changed his name to Buddha when he became aware of the suffering people went through. He then founded Buddhism and created the Four Noble Truths. He believed the main reason for affliction was desire. His solution was something like, no desire, no afflictions. I think that Buddhism was developed in early societies because in time we have proven that Siddhartha Gautama was right and life is pain and suffering when you desire and that could help people be happy and stop desiring so much. Also I think the Four Noble Truths could help people, who practice Buddhism, achieve level of enlightment called nirvana.
I agree with Fatima because that was a long time ago. They didn't know what anything was because they weren't that advanced so they made up different religions to explain where things come from.
well duhh..power and control have everything to do with religions and philiophical beliefs...plus back then people beleived any thing they were told becuase all they wanted were answers:)
I agree on what Nicolette has to say about Siddharta Gautama. He used religion as an explanantion to what was ocurring. In his time everything was considered mystical, thus an explanation had to be found. Religion and philosophy also keep the people organized, much like what Megan said. Thus, they were both important elements in the life of people in their time.
i agree with fatima because like you said most things that they didnt understand they made a god for and they had hundereds of them(gods)..
I agree with Fatima's comment. People would seek answers and when nobody had an answer, they would try and come up with an idea to satisfy their curiosity. They based their answeres on things they created, but didn't have much scientific proof. They only had their beliefs.
I agree with Yvette about how the Zhou took over using the Mandate of Heaven. Back then it was all about the gods and when the Zhou claimed that if they beat the Shang, then the gods favored them now. The Zhou used the gods to their advantage to gain control.
I agree with Dani's comment because the beliefs that were passed down didn't always meet the standards or suit everybody,so it was only natural for them to follow thier different beliefs and alter the religion that they knew, which led to new religions and beliefs. I aslo agree with Fatima because people's knowledge about the world now and back then differ. Now we know what makes the world go round and why it rains, but they didn't. People simply had question's that no one could relatively answer so they took it upon themselves to get answers as to why things were the way they were.They made the best of what they had..imagination and beliefs. It gave them what they were looking for and settled down thier curiousity.everybody won(:
I agree with Dani when she mentions people having religions to have some sort of faith in their lifes. Also I think that sometimes people have different beliefs as motivation in the way they're living. In the early civilizations, religion and philosophies helped people move forward and even made things easier for them. For example, in Hinduism they believe that the untouchables, which are the ones at the bottom of the caste system, are not to be touched or else you become dirty. If they wouldn't have developed this philosophy, the rich people would have to be in a way mixed with the poor and they didn't want that to happen. They needed some kind of order and by adopting a philosophy having to do with that, they didn't have to give much thought to it anymore and that was convenient to them.
I agree with Nicolette.Religious beliefs were developed to have answers to things they didnt understand.Siddharta Gautama is a really good example,he tried to find the answer to his question which was,Why do people suffer.He came to the conclusion that people suffered because of want.
I think that kings and other rulers just used religions to scare people into obeying them and staying loyal. People were scared to go against them becasue they were scared of the gods. Until the Zhou figured out a way to rebel and not go against the gods (The Mandate to Heaven).
I agree with Karla's comment. Philosophies and religion helped people in older times maintain a desired control and organization in their everyday lives. Just like she used the example of the untouchables in the Hindu caste system, it is the same as the "Mandate of Heaven" with the Chinese. They used this belief to justify the fall of unwanted rulers as "saintly" to the public. Beliefs and philosophies influenced much of the social and even governmental courses of different cultures shuch as the Hindus and the Chinese. Thus, societies needed to create religion to keep their systems running smoothly.
I agree with Samantha. People believed anything righer ranking people said. They believed the gods put the kings in charge, so the people whom did not want to anger the gods went along with what the kings said. People weren't too much allowed to believe what they wanted, they believed in what they were told to believe in. Power was one of he main things that made people believe in the early religions and societies.
I think legalism is another good philosphy that the Chinese came up with because it stopped rebellion. The main reason they came up with this was because of the many constant wars. They made up new strict laws and tougher punishments so that the evil people could be controlled. This philosophy is still in use and has China's criminals under control.
Well i agree with marliz because back then people didnt know much so they did need a purpose they thought why do this nobodys in charge nothing will go wrong thats where the gods or kings came into place to give belief that someone is in charge and there is a differense from right and wrong also in a way gave a meaning in something they yet did not understand.
in a way they used religion in order to be safe they figured well if i obey my god/ruler i am protected from other and have a better life. like today in some cases when you help someone or do the right thing it comes back to you in a posive way.
ha i also agree with same because basically that what all this comes down to power and control maybe even some kind of purpose in living and trying to improve society the kings keep everything in order the gods made mostly everything safe and that made room to do everything else like farm or build in peace to fight for everyone you love and care about then the rest of the people work on surviving making a better life improving thier homes making life easier raising the young into being someone with a purpose and learn to respect and love their superiors
Also this makes everything, organized, ready for anything and respectful the king provides the army the order the laws the gods give a purpose something to follow in other words something like a role model someone(s) to want to be like to be perfect its like a fist you dont go to fight with one finger you use ur fist you got the gods the king the warriors the farmers and the followers(each repersenting a fingure)the with everything your prepared with food saftey power works and an army then in leads to thanking the god for everything because with out them there would be nothing (as to them)
"in a way they used religion in order to be safe they figured well if i obey my god/ruler i am protected from other and have a better life. like today in some cases when you help someone or do the right thing it comes back to you in a posive way."
i agree with that comment Chris B. left beacuase he has a point, at least, i think he does. I do belive that they had a feeling safety when they just listened to their rulers. They never had to deny anything because they did believe in whatever they wanted.
ha..chris thanks for agreeing with me but you really need to learn how to spell my name!!...and why else would people have religions if it had nothin to do with power.Back then people were so curious and had no idea about life or anything so they believed anything they were told!!Duhh..
I agree with Karla's point on legalism. I agree with the comments that this philosophy kept the civilization under control. It controlled crime, rebellion, and any kind of bad deed due to its harsh punishments and rules. With this philosopy people rarely ever did anything bad because they did not want to suffer severe punishment. This philosophy helped control the people, which is why the leaders of that time implemented it.
I also agree with Dani's comment on the fact that religion and philosophies were developed so people could have some sort of faith in their lives.People need some kind of motivation in their lives to avoid becoming materialists. Religion gives many people a purpose, and a will to live life and continue on with everyaday actions and activities. Religion and philosophies were developed to keep peole spiriually motivated, and to put their belief in a faith that keeps them content.
I also agree with Chris's comment. Religion and philosophies were also developed so people could feel a sense of security. It made people believe and feel that an all-powerful being was watching over them and helping them. It led to the creation of riuals and actions that supposedly kept the god's happy. It somehow comforted older civilizations such as the Chinese and the Aryans, that a great being would be there to help them in a time of need. Religion and philosophies not only help societiess in a social or governmnetal ways, it also helped the people find security and happiness within themselves.
I agree with Chris when he talks about doing good deeds and things coming back to you in a positive way. That would pretty much be labeled as "karma" which is the belief Hindus had that after death you reincarnate in a better way if you were a good person. Also if you were at the top of the caste system but you did something bad and then you die, you will reincarnate being part of the bottom of the caste system.
I agree with Dani's comment on how people wanted something to have faith in. Sometimes having a little faith helps you to live through the hardships you face in everyday life. Back then, people went through way more hardships than we do today. The people needed something to get them through everyday life.
I also agree with Chris's comment. People wanted a to feel secure and a way to do that would be to believe in some higher power beyond anything they could ever achieve in their lives. They believed that the gods would make everthing better or they would decide who was to be punished. So, the people had a sense of justice.
Oh yeah I also agree with Karla and Chris about the whole karma and caste system thing. I think it made people at least try to stay out of trouble back then so they could lead a good life after their reincarnation thing. I wouln't want to start all over at the bottom, becoming one of the "untouchables". I think that also helped keep some people in line back then.
i agree with what chris says because....he talks about what basically is karma which the hindus beleived in and some people even took it as far as not killing animals (cows) because they thought u could come back as one....
i agree with albert and anyone else who said that religion was used to rule over people. if someone told you, "god wants you to do this" most people would do it. who wants to make a god angry???
I agree with Fatima. Nobody who believes in god wants to make him angry. Wether it is because they do not want to be punished or they are trying to be rightous. So back in the older times people went along with anything to do pertaining to god in oreder to stay in his good graces.
I also agree with Albert. The kings needed a way to secure their position and what better way than to strike fear into the people. The people were too afraid to get on the gods bad side, that they didn't dare go against the king. Fear was probably a reason people were afraid to rebel against the rulers.
First of all, I would like to know why NOBODY has ever agreed with my comments! :)
Anyway, I agree with Fatima about the making gods angry issue. If people had fear of consequences that would harm them, then they would follow the laws or rules set by the gods. It kept a civilization under control. Leaders would also use this belief in favor and convenience for them. Philosophy and religion were not always true, sometimes, leaders just told the people about them only to keep them under their control. In some cases, just like the Chinese and the "Mandate of Heaven", this ocurred; the religion anfd philosophies were only developed to keep a civilization in check.
I agree with Albert's comment that religious beliefs were just used to make people obey by scaring them with the idea that if they disobeyed they would be punished by the gods.
I agree with what Fatima says about who would want to make God angry. But also we have to keep in mind that many religions have different gods and different saints and idols and sometimes it might be difficult to please all of them at once.
Just so Mitzi won't be sad and cry in the corner. I agree with her 1st comment way up there ^^^^^^ :)
It did provide them some kind of unsterstanding in the world && it answered many of the questions people had they didn't bother to look anymore till Buddha. As Karla mentioned earlier.
I'd also like to add that I agree with Fatima's comment as does everyone else as I can see :)
Who want to get any god mad I think people believed that if you got a god upset or angry the worst was to come to you.
I like what Karla says also, that many religions have different saints and idols and what not && it is difficult to please them all at once but isn't that why many of the leaders and rules had such strict rules so they wouldn't have to disobey them && be worried about upsetting the gods?
Because Mitzi is complaining... haha. just kidding. I agree with Mitzi because people just naturally want some kind of understanding about how things are working. Humans are naturally curious creatures and need an answer or an explanation for any little thing.
i think they use religion for main 3 reason to scare to protect provide. to scare others with the power thier god suposibly had to protect them for people or thing that will hard thier life sytle and to provide thing they needed or wanted because there was a god for almost everything they believed they need one for
i think magen should just stop agreing with people and make her own answer everyone pretty much agrees its for power, control, secerity, birth its what they believe made thier world go around
Finally, AT LEAST one person in the total of ----49----- comments agrees with me!!!!:D
Well, I agree with Albert and Marliz's comments about the religions and philosophies sometimes only existing so people could obey what their rulers mandated. It wouuld have been easy to have an entire civilization on the palm of your hand by telling them that if they did not comply with them, the gods would kill them all.
I also agree with Megan(AKA THE ONLY PERSON WHO AGREES WITH MITZI)!! Her comment states that the reason rulers had such strict rules in their philosophies and religions was to supposedly keep all of their gods happy. But, as she said, it is difficult to please them all at once. Thus, people would ALWAYS follow the rules to the minutest aspect to avoid problems wth the superior beings. This was a very easy way of keeping a society or civilization to do whatever the rulers ordered. They used the excuse and falseties of a "religion" and "philosophy" sometimes just o maintain control.
i agree with mitzi cause shes going to have a heart attack(; and because the way she talks about the gods keeping everything in order because people would fear the consequences..
I believe that religions were based on people trying to figure why things were happening. They wondered why they had no food to eat, why droughts occured, why death was occuring all the time. All of these people were suffering and when higher ranking people told them it ws due to the gods puishing them, they believed it. They beleved that the higher ranking people were so much better off due to the gods. Religion was merely a tool to help people prosper through tough times.
Im glad this is the last comment i post on this blog! :D Anyways, I don't really understand what Megan said, but if she's saying that leaders made strict rules so people could obey them and wouldn't worry about upsetting the gods, i agree. The fact that leaders told people the rules were made according to the gods' will, made people want to follow the rules. Rulers were very succesful in their leadership mostly because religion/gods help them keep everything and everyone under control. In my point of view religion is supposed to be something sacred, maybe even a privilege and its proven that rulers/kings/leaders in earlier civilizations took it as an easy way out of a place full of chaos with people doing whatever they wanted!
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