Testing the Validity or Invalidity of Worldviews Essay Example

to believe in the same world reality. 1: Hiebert, Paul G. Anthropological insights for missionaries. Baker Academic, 1986,p22 2: Ibid p22.

In a similar perspective, Shaw reinforced Paul’s explanation by emphasizing that the common activities within a group of people defines the premises, concepts, and the assumptions that are shared among the members.footnoteRef:3 The values form the cultural background in which the central concepts are presumed to be the truth. It, therefore, means that people tend to interpret life experiences based on the devised realities and believe that there would be no need to reason logically against the norms. Michael Kearney adds on the idea by stating that worldview provides coherent assumptions that are composed of self-images and those of others, and their relationships.footnoteRef:4 Through the comparisons, one tends to act according to the majority view of the world, making the societies to act in accordance to their realities in a more or less common perception. 3: Shaw, R. Daniel. "the Power and the Glory." Editorial: Taking the Bull by the Horns (1995), p,155. 4: Kearney, Michael. "World view theory and study." Annual review of anthropology 4 (1975), p248.

Based on personal or community needs, worldview acts as a theory that validates beliefs as well as the perceived facts. It highlights the paradigm of the realities that a society upholds and forms the functional value. In such an observation, worldview determines the behavior and appropriate responses towards a certain action. The values are normally reinforced by the religious activities, the acceptable rituals, and the morals that once acknowledged, gives the people freedom, peace, and self-satisfaction.footnoteRef:5 Through the worldview approach, a complete social and cultural system is created;

hence, all the aspects of culture are organized and integrated. Besides, it is seen as a way of monitoring cultural changes and selecting the set of people who fit in a society because of its adaptive nature. 5: Hiebert, Paul G. Anthropological insights for missionaries. Baker Academic, 1986. p.82.

Worldview and religion are interrelated in the fact that people view the realities of beliefs from common and identical assumptions. In the Animism theory, for instance, Edward Tylor observed that religious beliefs originated from immaterial souls. These souls include animals, stones, trees, or human bodies. Therefore, beliefs were probably dreams and the dead people seemed to exist in an independent physical body.footnoteRef:6 On his part, Herbert argued that religious groups were formed from the attributed respect conferred to the ancestors and the ghosts from dreams. The dream experiences caused fear of the mighty aspects of nature. Subsequently, people thought that there must be some supernatural beings and acknowledged that their spirits exists. Such beliefs are evolutional. However, Christianity differs from the cultural beliefs. Christianity is based on the revelations that the world had a distinguished beginning in which there was the creation of man, who was placed in a Garden called Eden. Together with the Jews, they maintain that a divine revelation from God to man gave out the truth about his existence as the Supreme Being. All the believers have the obligation to hope for an immortal life upon obeying him alone.footnoteRef:7 6: Eller, Jack David. Introducing anthropology of religion: culture to the ultimate. Routledge, 2014, p.76 7: Cohn, Norman. The pursuit of the millennium: Revolutionary millenarians and mystical anarchists of the middle ages. Random House,

2011, p89.

The worldview can be compared to the psychological theories and Science. All the theories are grouped into the wish-fulfilment, intellectual, and the social functional theories.footnoteRef:8 Wish-fulfilment links the feelings such as fear or insecurity to religion in that religiousness provides the safe option for the believers. Through religion, people find freedom and comfort upon believing in a Supreme Being who is not seen directly. Here, the dominating social construction is that God exists and the believers attribute their personal images to that of God. As developed by Rizzuto, (1979), God is represented in the psychoanalytic or the object-related theory in which components such as parents are considered. For instance, a good relationship between a child and a parent influences a positive attitude towards God. Since human changes through the evolutional cycles, the image of God also changes as the child grows. 8: Dennet, Daniel. "Breaking the spell." VIKING, New York (2006), p.37

In a similar way, the worldview upholds that people of the same cultural beliefs are connected by the fact that they are linked to a Supreme Being in a spiritual attachment. Believers hold on caring, chastising, and guiding attributes of the ancestors. The fear and insecurity motivates people to seek for protection and proximity from the ancestors through prayers, offerings, sacrifices, and rituals. Therefore, both the traditional religions and the view of God as an almighty father by Christians translates that the ancestors have a vital role in mediating man to the Supreme Being.footnoteRef:9 God as well as the traditional gods are invisible and can only be accessed through the conventional believes that the ancestral spirits work closely with them and to man.

9: Kirkpatrick, Lee A. Attachment, evolution, and the psychology of religion. Guilford Press, 2005, p76.

Worldview can also be analyzed against the evolutionary psychology which comprises of the Scientific and intellectual theories. The evolutionary psychology draws its guiding paradigm from the evolutionary anthropology, biology, ethnology, and cognitive sciences.footnoteRef:10 From Darwinism, evolution yields in adaptations, by-products, and mutations. Adaptations arise from successions in reproduction and result in identical physical and emotional outcomes whereas the by-products may differ slightly. When mutations occur, the original form of being is altered by the environmentally and genetically modified factors. In essence, the adaptations are aimed at solving the survival problems, just as the intellectuals argue.footnoteRef:11 These theories link religion to the languages and the cognitive strategies that tend to control human minds across generations in a bid to survive as well as reproduce. 10: Dennet, Daniel. "Breaking the spell." VIKING, New York (2006), p.77. 11: Medin, Douglas L., et al. "Categorization and reasoning in relation to culture and expertise." Psychology of learning and motivation 41 (2002), p32.

From a critical observation of the evolutionary theories, language and cognitive psychology determines the fate of man’s religion. Adaptation of a language facilitates communication whereas the cognitive approach assists in understanding others’ minds and predicts their actions. The two perceptions yield the need for organizational significance, hence, the emergence of religious groups that connects people of the same mind-sets and language. Therefore, worldview is a not different as it highlights that religion evolves from people who are linked together by factors that act as the agents control their desires and objectives.footnoteRef:12 The binding factors in the worldview are the common needs of prosperity, reproduction, and

survival. Besides, Gods and the ancestral spirits represent the agents that control the minds while human bodies are controlled by the choice of behavior that is in turn controlled by the collective religious beliefs. 12: Berger, Peter L. The sacred canopy: Elements of a sociological theory of religion. Open Road Media, 2011, p55.

An elaborate analysis of the worldview theories is done by relating its similarities as well as the differences with other theories such as the evolutional or scientific theories. All the theories express that people would prefer their ideas to become logically consistent. It has been identified that the scientific and worldview theories influence each other.footnoteRef:13 13: Ibid p67.

All the scientific research which includes the theory of evolution is determined by the cultural as well as personal factors. The personal factors revolve around the psychological motives like curiosity, self-esteem, power, financial stability, and respect for God and other people. On the other hand, worldview is influenced by the ideological principles within a society. More preference is bestowed on the authorities and societal leaders who are normally acknowledged because of their expertise and power. Actually culture and science interact with each other. Science, for instance, is more or less likely to adapt a theory that shows consistency with their ideological or metaphysical theories.footnoteRef:14 Worldviews have been changing with time, making it possible for the scientists to evaluate evolution through the cultural changes over a long period of time. 14: Globalchristiancenter.com, 2016, np.

However, Science and religion seem controversial. Since science depends on the historical concepts and facts, the colorful or dramatic paintings and sculptures do not provide accurate answers. They do not describe the actual events,

hence, arousing conflicts in the scientific ideas.footnoteRef:15 Moreover, the Biblical or cultural reports of miracles do not provide logic or rationalism to the scientists. Nevertheless, scientists agree that the world does not have to be natural in all ways. There are some instances in which the natural course changes, a case explained by Christians as miraculous happenings. 15: Kim, Young Hee, "Relationship Between World View And Religion", (2012), p56.

Critical analysis of all the above mentioned theories indicate that they are all interrelated as they shows how humans regulate relationships and cooperation for a functional and reproductive society. Every person inhabits his or her own world and creates personal understanding of the universe.footnoteRef:16 Upon interactions, people combine their perceptions of the world and come up with common understandings, called the worldview. It is a virtue that is composed from views of ordinary people, the experts, institutions, and abstracts and integrates people into a meaningful connection with God, others, and self. These connections are made possible by the influence of the theories and cultural beliefs on the thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. The collective purpose and approach make people form religions that are based on the same ethics and beliefs. In essence, the beliefs form the principalities that determine culture and actions.footnoteRef:17 Therefore, just like any other theory, worldview envelopes the people’s need for religion and incorporates any form of cognition. 16: Van der Merwe, Karen, "A Psychological Perspective On The Source And Function Of Religion", HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies, 66 (2010), np. 17: Globalchristiancenter.com, 2016, np

Worldviews are manifested in different ways according to how humanity evolves. It can be evaluated through the level of understanding,

consciousness, ethics, and the ability to provide care for the humanity. Questions about the development of worldview and its manifestation form the basis of the understandings and evaluations.footnoteRef:18 These stages of development can also be reflected by the level of faith among people of the same religion. From the beginning, a child references to him or herself by being sensitive to his or her bodily sensations and needs. Eventually, he or she develops into accepting others and identifying them as part and parcel of his life.footnoteRef:19 At an adult stage, he or she evolves to an individual who learns from others, expands his or her care for the family, tribe, and the community. As a result, the collective thinking, love, moral guides, and religions which forms the universal communities. 18: "International Journal Of Leadership Studies - Servant Leadership: A Worldview Perspective", Regent.edu, 2016, np. 19: Wilber. "A psychological perspective on the source and function of religion." HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 66.1 (2010), p7.

In evaluating worldview through animism, the people holding on a pre-secular animistic view are held by dreadful hostage because they belief in an animated world, having fearful unintelligible forces. On the other hand, secular animism, which is associated with modernism, presents a scientific advancement whereby everything is related to human, God, and the nature. In the post-modernism, acknowledgement of the worldviews and tolerance lead to the acceptance of religion in both the metaphysical and physical dimensions.footnoteRef:20 This means that worldviews form the basic foundation of cultures and religion, being successive and a source of societal truths. 20: "Science And Worldviews (Cultural Influences)", Asa3.org, 2016 np.

In the western worldview about modernity, epistemology and reasoning

have helped in shaping the broad spectrum associated with philosophies as well as religious commitments. This means that most of the cultures are linked to a certain form of faith that no one in the society can challenge.footnoteRef:21 Therefore, one can conclude that worldview has played a vital role in building up the scholarly ideas due to its multiple modernity approach and the fact that truth has various discourses. 21: "Science And Worldviews (Cultural Influences)", np.

Regarding Christianity, there is the acceptance of the religious principles, assumptions, and religious stories that are derived from the ancient worldview without questioning the validity. Different myths are used to prescribe the concepts and rules.footnoteRef:22 The existence of God cannot be questioned, being the creator of man and the universe and that the human race is answerable to him alone. His rules have to be followed and sinners have to be redeemed in order to restore their relationship.footnoteRef:23 However, there are eventual changes from the mythical to modernized conceptions of the Christian God, leading to diversity in beliefs although the basic elements of truth remain the same. 22: Wilber. "A psychological perspective on the source and function of religion." p7. 23: Cobern, William W. "Worldview theory and conceptual change in science education." (1996), p45.

From the cultural and traditional world realities, there are visible and invisible spheres explaining the Supremacy of God. For instance, the African religions conceive God as an omnipresent reality in which sacrifices as well as rituals are conducted to elevate him. Theologians and specialists maintain that the oral traditions are passed metaphors, icons, metonymies, visions or dreams, rituals, and symbols from generation to the next. There are

powerful supernatural forces that govern life and are beyond human control.footnoteRef:24 In the same way, there are evil forces that continuously try to counter the protection and the chastity provided by the good spirits.footnoteRef:25 24: Wilber. "A psychological perspective on the source and function of religion."), p5. 25: Cobern, William W. "Worldview theory and conceptual change in science education, p66.

Consequently, the invisibility of the forces provides the room for building up strong relations with the Supreme Being through the rituals. Although some of the diviners may manipulate the forces in order to achieve some evil plans, the sacrifices and rituals continue to strengthen the religious communities.footnoteRef:26 An example of the evil diviners are said to be associated with witchcraft. However, their existence has helped in understanding the essence of the religious realities, and more so, in regard to the traditional worldview. It is believed that the unpleased ancestors may cause diseases and other personal or societal problems. Such problems cannot be solved scientifically, proving that there must be some elements of truth in the worldview of the traditional cultures.footnoteRef:27 26: Ibid, p76. 27: Kriger, Mark, and Yvonne Seng. "Leadership with inner meaning: A contingency theory of leadership based on the worldviews of five religions." The Leadership Quarterly 16.5 (2005), p791.

In worldview construction, there are some basic approaches are vital. First, the anthropological way is essential in observing the religious experiences and practices through selected world realities. Data is collected and interpreted through the standards upheld by a certain community and through literature studies. Secondly, the theological approach can be implemented in a bid to discover the realities among human whose divine revelation is valued from

God’s perception.footnoteRef:28 Through this method, the Biblical interpretation is done in the context of people’s cultures and histories. 28: Ibid, p799.

Some of the questions that can help in constructing a valid worldview include:

i) Do people accept the scriptural realities as authoritative, the Bible being the source of understanding?
ii) Do they admit that there is a kingdom better than those of the world?
iii) Are there strong believes in the myths about the origin of the world and the influence of a Supreme God?
iv) Do people believe in the existence of Christ as a human and as God?
v) Are there diviners or priests who connect man to the creator and foresee the future through revelations?
vi) Do people believe in sins and the need for reconciliation or salvation as a way of reconciling man and God?
vii) Do sacrifices or rituals help in maintaining a strong relationship between man and God?
viii) What are the relationships between the traditional ways of worship and the modern ways?footnoteRef:29 29: Koltko-Rivera, Mark E. "The psychology of worldviews." Review of General Psychology 8.1 (2004), p 3.

From the modern Christian believes, God is supreme over any other being. He owned the earth from the beginning, being the creator and the source of all goodness. Everybody is answerable to him and no one can challenge his existence.footnoteRef:30 He reveals himself through diviners and priests, whom he selects among his faithful followers and uses them to deliver any information to man. He is, however, invisible but man holds on the belief that he exists in a spirit form although he had send his only son, Jesus Christ, to deliver man from his sinful actions.footnoteRef:31 On the other

hand, the traditional religions had distinct gods. There were rituals that were conducted to soothe him for the sake of the redemption of man through the same way of divinity of the ancestors.footnoteRef:32 The only difference is that different communities served different gods, whereas the modern God is universal. 30: Pargament, Kenneth I. The psychology of religion and coping: Theory, research, practice. Guilford Press, 2001, p67. 31: Luckmann, Thomas. "Shrinking transcendence, expanding religion?." Sociology of Religion 51.2 (1990), p130. 32: Emerson, Michael O. "Through tinted glasses: Religion, worldviews, and abortion attitudes." Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion (1996), p50.

All in all, there are several factors that compose the reality of religion. These factors are symbolism, myths, and rituals. The symbols emphasize the teachings or doctrines through the use of shapes, sounds, colors, and styles. Rituals are conducted as ceremonies that express the beliefs and commitment to God. They, therefore, form the important element of behavior in a religion. Finally, the myths are common in all religions as powerful stories that function to explain the literature of a particular faith.footnoteRef:33 They are aimed at discovering the origin of the earth or the universe, develops the cultural beliefs, and acknowledge the values within the religion. 33: Seul, Jeffrey R. "Ours is the way of god': Religion, identity, and intergroup conflict." Journal of peace research 36.5 (1999), p551.

Conclusion

Critically, worldview has been found to be a valid approach towards religion and cultures. It is through the collective ideologies that a society is built and associate in a harmonized way. Although many theories and philosophies have tried to explain the origin and development of religion, the worldview psychology has

offered a basic platform where the ideas are developed. In science, for example, scholars argue that humans keep on evolving through generations. As the evolution proceeds, people adapt most of the features from their ancestors. Although some changes might be experienced, the adaptations make the new generations have a similar mind-sets and behaviors. In the same way, the worldview is developed from the past, in which the information flows through myths, rituals, and other traditional practices that result in the formation of societies with the same beliefs and morals. Therefore, it is true to say that worldview has played its part by unifying people, and has preceded the ideas and theories that concerns man, religion, and divinity.

References

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