to the basic theme of this chapter:The deep structure of culture deals with issues that
matter most to people.Whether they are wondering about the first cause of all things
or the reason for natural occurrences, such as comets, floods, lightning, thunder,
drought, famine, or disease, many people rely on religious explanations. Smith elo-
quently expresses the steadfast importance of religion to the psychological welfare of
most people:
When religion jumps to life it displays a startling quality. It takes over. All else, while not
silenced, becomes subdued and thrown into a supporting role.... It calls the soul to the
highest adventure it can undertake, a proposed journey across the jungles, peaks, and
deserts of the human spirit.^32Religion and Human Behavior
Religion not only deals with the sacred and the spiritual but also helps its adherents
manage worldly issues related to human conduct by serving as a mechanism of social
control. This role is fulfilled by establishing notions of right and wrong, transferring
part of the burden of decision making from individuals to supernatural powers.
Tischler explains the social dimension of religion:“Religion responds to the basic
human need to understand the purpose of life. This means creating a worldview
that can have social, political, and economic consequences.”^33 History tells us that
religion has been a major source of cultural values, beliefs, and attitudes for as long
as humans have used religion as a way of understanding how to function among
other people. Haviland and associates point out,“a religion held in common by a
group of people reinforces community values and provides moral guidelines for per-
sonal contact.”^34 From this statement, it should be clear that for the religious indi-
vidual, theology and everyday experiences cannot be separated.Each religion offers its
adherents structure, a
common purpose, and
membership in a
group made up of
people who share
beliefs.
M. Freeman/PhotoLink/Getty Images110 CHAPTER 4•Worldview: Cultural Explanations of Life and Death
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