Here in America there is a vast diversity of religious traditions, each with a many number of professed followers. What is likely to first come to mind as being most popular would be the religion known as Christianity it seems to have the majority of followers. There is even talk that America is a Christian Nation which goes to show the weight of presence this religion has here. In fact, Christianity has a notable presence that extends all over throughout various countries of the world. Amongst other notable religions, here in America there is another that I would think classifies as a religion that doesnt first come to mind to most people. It too like Christianity has a presence to be reckoned with that also extends all over throughout various countries of the world, its called Consumerism (also known as the ideal of the American Dream).
Now your average person wouldnt readily consider this ideal as a religion but if one looks a little closer one may begin to consider otherwise. To start with, it may help to look at whats generally taken as components of a religion these days. For the sake of consistency we will examine Christianity. The make up of Christianity can be said to involve
1. Sacred text = (The Holy Bible)
2. Saints, Holy individuals = (Jesus, Paul)
3. Creed or statements of belief = (Nicene credo)
4. Holy days = (Christmas, Easter)
5. Sacred places = (Jerusalem)
6. Symbols = (Cross)
7. Rituals = (Communion)
8. Concept of salvation (freedom from sin /suffering) = (Acceptance in Jesus as son of God (or as God), and embracing the teachings of the Bible)
Within this light lets now examine The American Dream
1. Sacred text = (The constitution, Declaration of independence)
2. Saints, Holy individuals = (George Washington or The presidents)
3. Creed or statement of belief = (Bill of Rights)
4. Holy Days = (Memorial Day, Thanks Giving)
5. Sacred places = (Washington D.C)
6. Symbols = (Flag, Bald Eagle, Liberty Bell)
7. Rituals = (Pledge of allegiance, various parades)
8. Concept of salvation or (freedom from sin / suffering) = (independence, wealth, status, attractiveness, achievement, ect a.k.a Consumerism)
One can say the core component of a religion rests essentially on number 8: A concept of salvation, which encourages a particular way of living aimed at our well being. In light of this, the American Dream seen as a religion in todays society (2012) is most prominent amongst other religions I would say, and has remained so for a long time. Look around you; look at yourself even perhaps, would you say so too? Its appeal to salvation; living a so-called happy meaningful life of purpose has more or less become engrained throughout the hearts of most if not all people across America and elsewhere. Turn on a T.V and you will see it there. Listen to whats considered popular music and you will hear it there. Open up a news paper and youre likely to read about it there. Walk into a school classroom and there too, one is likely to witness the same. In all these areas one is more likely than not to be presented with information that serves to provoke the will to compete, to be rich, to accumulate fancy things (however meaningless they may be), to become a special and independent somebody, to reach for great achievements ect. At first glance it would appear that literally everyone throughout society functions along the lines of such information (although probably not literally everyone).
The popularity of this religion cannot be matched. Most people embrace its values and way of life wholeheartedly without the slightest thought, and even when thought is applied its done so in a sense of justification and / or trying to accommodate it; Some people think in terms of prosperity gospels and some simply think Its just the way things are, how else are we going to live? It has become so appealing you see? Some of us are so convinced that this way of life is in fact the way of life we will not let it go for anything. Even if / and when it seems to fail in bringing salvation or true happiness we cling to it, continue to make effort for it and therefore accept a great deal of suffering for it.
Perhaps one of the most noticeable ways we suffer for it comes about from the very act of clinging to it not being willing to let it go. In the face of its short comings (which may be to some people - its failure to result in contentment, salvation, happiness or whatever word youd like to use) by not letting it go we then, from our discontentment, embrace a belief of another way of life that we wish to try and mold to have it fit in with the American dream. You notice the words fit in? Instead of letting it go, we cling to it and try to fit another kind in. We try to accommodate to do both. This is where wed suffer, this kind of thing can be seen as double-mindedness double mindedness of life styles is one of the most noticeable ways we willingly suffer.
For example; He or She has accepted and conducts their existence according to a way of life that involves principles A, B and C (The American Dream). And at the same time believes in a way of life that involves principles D, E and F. Therefore, he or she moves through life double minded resulting in a constant inward conflict or struggle. They struggle trying to change, mold, and or substitute the principles of the extra way of life contained in the belief to create some kind of harmony between the two ways of life taking out D in place of A, trying to squeeze in F next to C and so on of the like. This kind of conflict is the most likely outcome from double mindednesses of life styles. Its like trying to play two totally different video games at once that each have different rules, goals, characters, actions and so on you cannot possibly do both simultaneously. Well, you probably can but youre likely to do poorly at them both and end up creating a mess; yet this is whats happening in some peoples lives its a mess. There is a passage in the Bible that relates Jesus, I believe, as addressing this in a way
This goes to show how The American dream for a lot of us is amongst the most appealing, popular and dominant when seen as a religion.
Now above near the beginning, it was mentioned that Christianity seems to have the most professed followers here in America. But if you look a little closer you will see that yes; it seems to have the most professed followers that is, professed followers in the sense of simply holding a verbal expression of belief while as far as an embraced way of living, youre likely to see The American Dream as the winner for It is the Most Dominant Religion In America (as far as I can tell).
Now your average person wouldnt readily consider this ideal as a religion but if one looks a little closer one may begin to consider otherwise. To start with, it may help to look at whats generally taken as components of a religion these days. For the sake of consistency we will examine Christianity. The make up of Christianity can be said to involve
1. Sacred text = (The Holy Bible)
2. Saints, Holy individuals = (Jesus, Paul)
3. Creed or statements of belief = (Nicene credo)
4. Holy days = (Christmas, Easter)
5. Sacred places = (Jerusalem)
6. Symbols = (Cross)
7. Rituals = (Communion)
8. Concept of salvation (freedom from sin /suffering) = (Acceptance in Jesus as son of God (or as God), and embracing the teachings of the Bible)
Within this light lets now examine The American Dream
1. Sacred text = (The constitution, Declaration of independence)
2. Saints, Holy individuals = (George Washington or The presidents)
3. Creed or statement of belief = (Bill of Rights)
4. Holy Days = (Memorial Day, Thanks Giving)
5. Sacred places = (Washington D.C)
6. Symbols = (Flag, Bald Eagle, Liberty Bell)
7. Rituals = (Pledge of allegiance, various parades)
8. Concept of salvation or (freedom from sin / suffering) = (independence, wealth, status, attractiveness, achievement, ect a.k.a Consumerism)
One can say the core component of a religion rests essentially on number 8: A concept of salvation, which encourages a particular way of living aimed at our well being. In light of this, the American Dream seen as a religion in todays society (2012) is most prominent amongst other religions I would say, and has remained so for a long time. Look around you; look at yourself even perhaps, would you say so too? Its appeal to salvation; living a so-called happy meaningful life of purpose has more or less become engrained throughout the hearts of most if not all people across America and elsewhere. Turn on a T.V and you will see it there. Listen to whats considered popular music and you will hear it there. Open up a news paper and youre likely to read about it there. Walk into a school classroom and there too, one is likely to witness the same. In all these areas one is more likely than not to be presented with information that serves to provoke the will to compete, to be rich, to accumulate fancy things (however meaningless they may be), to become a special and independent somebody, to reach for great achievements ect. At first glance it would appear that literally everyone throughout society functions along the lines of such information (although probably not literally everyone).
The popularity of this religion cannot be matched. Most people embrace its values and way of life wholeheartedly without the slightest thought, and even when thought is applied its done so in a sense of justification and / or trying to accommodate it; Some people think in terms of prosperity gospels and some simply think Its just the way things are, how else are we going to live? It has become so appealing you see? Some of us are so convinced that this way of life is in fact the way of life we will not let it go for anything. Even if / and when it seems to fail in bringing salvation or true happiness we cling to it, continue to make effort for it and therefore accept a great deal of suffering for it.
Perhaps one of the most noticeable ways we suffer for it comes about from the very act of clinging to it not being willing to let it go. In the face of its short comings (which may be to some people - its failure to result in contentment, salvation, happiness or whatever word youd like to use) by not letting it go we then, from our discontentment, embrace a belief of another way of life that we wish to try and mold to have it fit in with the American dream. You notice the words fit in? Instead of letting it go, we cling to it and try to fit another kind in. We try to accommodate to do both. This is where wed suffer, this kind of thing can be seen as double-mindedness double mindedness of life styles is one of the most noticeable ways we willingly suffer.
For example; He or She has accepted and conducts their existence according to a way of life that involves principles A, B and C (The American Dream). And at the same time believes in a way of life that involves principles D, E and F. Therefore, he or she moves through life double minded resulting in a constant inward conflict or struggle. They struggle trying to change, mold, and or substitute the principles of the extra way of life contained in the belief to create some kind of harmony between the two ways of life taking out D in place of A, trying to squeeze in F next to C and so on of the like. This kind of conflict is the most likely outcome from double mindednesses of life styles. Its like trying to play two totally different video games at once that each have different rules, goals, characters, actions and so on you cannot possibly do both simultaneously. Well, you probably can but youre likely to do poorly at them both and end up creating a mess; yet this is whats happening in some peoples lives its a mess. There is a passage in the Bible that relates Jesus, I believe, as addressing this in a way
This goes to show how The American dream for a lot of us is amongst the most appealing, popular and dominant when seen as a religion.
Now above near the beginning, it was mentioned that Christianity seems to have the most professed followers here in America. But if you look a little closer you will see that yes; it seems to have the most professed followers that is, professed followers in the sense of simply holding a verbal expression of belief while as far as an embraced way of living, youre likely to see The American Dream as the winner for It is the Most Dominant Religion In America (as far as I can tell).
