Write an Essay on a Religion
Writing a paper on a world religion might seem intimidating at first, but it doesn't have to be. Simply break the religion down into smaller component parts: an overview of the origins, and then the "three Cs": Creed (what does this religion teach? what does it say is the meaning of life?), Code (what is its ethical standard? what rules and customs are people expected to follow?), and Cult (how do its people worship? what are its major rituals?). Sticking to the three Cs will make a religion essay of any length more manageable.
Instructions
1. Write about the origins of the religion. Every religion comes from someplace; every religion traces itself back to a particular founder, a particular people or the religious experience of a particular person. All religions have a history. Explore that history in the first section of the religion paper.
2. Write about the religion's major beliefs: creed. All religions have developed doctrines, which are the forms in which the religion can be taught, studied and passed along. Some of these doctrines are written down in books, like the Bible or the Catechism of the Catholic Church; others are passed down orally from generation to generation. In the second section of your religious essay, explore some of the major teachings of the religion.
3. Write about the religion's ethical code: code. Most religions are concerned with the behavior of their adherents; there are right ways and wrong ways to act. Sometimes, acting correctly brings benefits and acting incorrectly brings punishment. In the third section of your paper, explore the religion's approach to morals.
4. Write about the religion's major rituals: cult. Rituals reinforce the community's sense of purpose and also help people get through crucial times in their life, such as the birth of a child, puberty, marriage, and the death of a loved one. In the last section of the religion essay, explore two or three of the religion's characteristic rituals.
Tags: Write about, about religion, Write about religion, about religion major, essay explore, Essay Religion, major rituals