Why Does Religion Exist?

For starters, religion is a way for a civilization to have a higher power to look up to and to have set guidelines to follow. For example, in Christianity, there is one God, and the bible is what Christians use as a life guideline. In other religions, there are multiple Gods or Goddesses, and each one may represent one aspect of life or earth. Having these 'higher powers' to look up to enables a civilization to have something in common. It also provides a stable resource when there is chaos or confusion.

Four-Part Vocabulary

1. Polytheism
Definition: Believing in more than one god or higher power
Support fact: the ancient Greeks were polytheistic
Interesting fact: The ancient Egyptians worshipped over 3000 gods

2. Monotheism
Definition: Believing in one god or higher power
Support fact: Christianity is monotheistic
Interesting fact: The word ‘monotheism’ was derived from the Greek, who were polytheistic

3. Cuneiform
Definition: One of the earliest known forms of written expression
Support fact: Cuneiform was used by the Sumerians about 3000 BC
Interesting fact: They were written on clay tablets using reeds as a writing utensil

4. Hieroglyphics
Definition: It is a Greek word that translates to ‘sacred carving.’
Support fact: It is what the Egyptians and a few other civilizations used as a writing system
Interesting fact: Egyptians had more than 2000 different characters used in their hieroglyphics

5. Hammurabi’s Code
Definition: the best persevered ancient law code (from ancient Babylon)
Support fact: The laws are inscribed on a long slate of stone, numbered 1-282
Interesting fact: The code is considered the first example of a legal system

6. “Golden Age”
Definition: the highest age in the Greek spectrum of Iron, Bronze, Silver and Golden ages
Support fact: The Golden Age was a time of peace, stability, and prosperity. In other words, a utopia.
Interesting fact: In Christianity, the Golden Age refers to Heaven

7. Mandate of Heaven
Definition: a Chinese philosophical concept that gives the current Chinese ruler the power to be God
Support fact: It was first used in the Zhou Dynasty to overthrow the Shang Dynasty
Interesting fact: The Mandate of Heaven is very similar to the European Divine Right of Kings

8. Patriarch
Definition: The highest ranking Bishop
Support fact: Pope Benedict XVI is the current patriarch in Rome
Interesting fact: There are patriarchs in many different parts of the world

9. Polis
Definition: A city-state
Support fact: They originate from ancient Greece and into Rome
Interesting fact: The latin equal to ‘polis’ is ‘civitas’ which sounds a lot like ‘city’

10. Republic
Definition: A state/country where the people have impact on the government
Support fact: the USA is a republic
Interesting fact: In political science, a republic is said to be the ideal government

What Does it Mean to be Civilized?

In terms of world history, civilization can be a number of things. One of the most important ideas behind it is government. Following government is rules and laws that help to guide the people. Another idea linked to government is a stable financial system. Another important aspect, which isn't as closely directed from government, is religion. The 'higher power' in religion gives the people a guideline to follow, such as how to act or how to solve personal issues. Lastly, and most importantly, is geography. For a civilization to flow well, a stable and nourishing land is critical for the people to survive.