How Religion Influences How a Culture Developes

What is culture? Culture is a society's way of life. This includes language, food, art, relationships with family and others, shelter, and most importantly religion.

Religion has a major influence on culture. I guess you can say religion is like culture. What you believe, is your way of life. One example of this are Muslims. They are not allow to eat any meat, according to their religion. This method is now their culture. One other way is during Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. Now in that month that they fast, traffic is stopped during prayer time. If that person is not near a place of worship, he or she may unroll a samll prayer rug on which to kneel to pray. Their religion has affected their way of life. If you ever travel to Southwest Asia, one of the first things that you will notice is that women cover their heads, hair and sometimes their faces with a scarf or veil. This keeps their belief that covering those parts of the body is pleasing to God. Another example is myself. I am an Asian. We have a tradition that we celebrate every year that is called Lunar New Year's. It is the equivalent of the American New Year's. Because my family is also Buddhist, we go to the temple every year on this day. Since many people are also doing this, it has become our culture. We would wear what we call an ao dai. It has now become our culture and tradition.

Religion has a very big impact on a culture. Cultures mostly develope by religion because it give them something to believe. After so long in believing that certain faith, it becomes part of their daily lifes. And when this happens, it becomes their culture. No matter what your religion is, there is always going to be many different cultures to go along with it.

Anglo America vs. Latin America

European colonization made a huge impact on both Anglo America and Latin America. How you may say? Together, we will find the answer to the question.

Political

The British colonized Anglo America politically by introducing democracy to the people. Today, in the United States of America, we have a President who takes charge and cares for the country. While in Canada, they still remain in the British control. How does this differ from Latin America you may say? Well, Latin America was not just colonized by the British, but also the Spanish. Latin America has also experienced many different types of governments, from monarchy to democracy. Anglo America was also the same way. Some of the countries in Latin America also has presidents like the U.S. does. Both regions are continually trying to make their government better and more stable.

Social

The social things that American people do is very different than what the Latin American people do. Americans like to watch sports such as football and baseball. We also like to go to the movies. We have barbacues with family and friends on the weekends. The language in Latin America is mostly spanish and english is mainly the language in the U.S. The religions are also somewhat different. Since the Spanish colonized most of Latin America, Catholic is the main religion. In the U.S, there is a variety of religions, but most people are Christians.

Economic

The economy of both regions are alike in some ways but also different in many ways also. The currency in the U.S is dollars. Most of the Latin American countries use pesos. Both regions are part of NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement). By trading with each other, they improve their economy. Right now, America has a very stable market economy, unlike Latin America, they are still trying different types of economy. There is currently an income gap in Latin America that the government is trying to close.  It is really hard to make a business in Latin America for the local people don't have much money. It is easier to start a business in the U.S.

We have now explored the impact of European colonization of both these regions. These two regions have many things that are similar and different, but without each other, they would not have been able to support their countries, politically, economically, and socially.  

Chilean Miners Rescued in Chile

On August 5, 2010, a mine in Copiapó, Chile collapsed leaving 33 miners trapped over 2,000 feet below ground.  They survived underground for more than 2 months. The rescue mission was a success on October 13, 2010. All 33 of the miners arrived back on the surface safely. Family and friends had gathered at the mine site as one by one, the miners resurfaced.
The rescue mission started on October 12 as the first rescue capsule was lowered down. It took less than 24 hours for all the miners to be rescued.The miners were given sunglasses to wear since they had been in the darkness for 69 days. Every one of the miners were given medical care as soon as they got out of the capsule. One of the miners, Mario Gómez, had pneumonia and was immediately hospitalized. Each miner embraced family and friends as soon as they got out. This was a joyous occasion to the country of Chile, and the president was even there to celebrate with the miners and their family and friends. The last to be rescued was Luis Urzúa. The days following the rescue was full of celebrations for the miners. This event was an experience of a lifetime for the miners that they will never forget.