So Close, Yet So Far Away

During Monday's class discussion, Miguel started to explain his view on the definition of religion. Defining such a word is a very difficult task, and I'm sure society will never agree on a universal definition. After all, our class has spent an entire semester reading and learning about this struggle, and still have not come any closer on reaching an agreement, so hearing different opinions about this issue really catches my attention. Miguel said to imagine a scale and on one side is the term being defined-religion-and another term that helps us understand the first. He proposed to contrast 'religion' with 'hobby' so people could better understand their differences. He proceeded to say that if a person participates in an activity on a consistent basis and it plays an important role in their life, then this activity is considered a religion. On the other hand, if an activity is done 'religiously' but only takes up some of one's life, then it is a hobby. I wanted to learn more about this idea, so I read his second revision, which just reinterated what he was saying in class on a deeper level. I think this is an interesting way to look at this issue, and in my opinion, it makes sense. Maybe I'm just saying this because I agree with these ideas, but I know others will disagree. That's the way our world works. Everyone has their own opinions and the right to express them, so I'm sure that the scrutiny this proposal will face will take us farther away from uncovering the truth behind the word.