Research Paper Introduction

Religion is one of those things that inevitably bring about discord and argument- throughout history, but especially today. This is especially ironic considering that religion was created by us as a means to grapple with unanswerable questions and as a tool for us to connect and speak with something much greater than ourselves. The role of religion in human life has changed over time and seems now more than ever to be fading, seemingly on attack by science and logic.  Religion for many people is still something they hold dearly to, for comfort, for answers, and for a deeper spirituality. Karen Armstrong, in her essay “Homo Religiosus” argues in favor of religion, acknowledging that its primary use is not one as a definitive answer guide, but rather as a tool that enabled individuals to live with that which they did not understand and perhaps even connect with the higher powers which explained those phenomenons. Even though religion has evolved into something that seems excess in pomp and pageantry and sometimes even resembles the governments which we have become so disenfranchised by, they central goal of religion remains the same as it was for our ancestors drawing fantastic beasts in caves only to the light of the torch. Religion for many is so intertwined with their day to day activity that spirituality for them is less an pursuit active than it is passive state of being. Research shows how an active pursuit of fulfillment and happiness is ill-fated, rarely leading to the satisfaction that individuals so desire. A belief in religion, I believe, allows individuals to achieve a happiness and fulfillment that is simply unattainable by “earthly means”.