college essay religious

• Entertainment
• Environment
• Information Science and Technology
• Social Issues

Home Essay Samples

Essay Samples on Religion

Composing your student essay about religion, it’s essential to research your subject first and avoid controversial subjects. The trick is to provide a clear structure that will focus on theological aspects of things. When you strive to compare different religions, do not write in a biased tone and work on your compare-and-contrast essay. The body parts of your religion essay must start with a good topic sentence as you address a particular concept or the roots of some religious notions. It’s always good if you can find reliable sources to support the facts. If you are not sure about some source or an idea that must be explored, you can either talk to an academic advisor or focus on a good religion essay example that we have prepared for you. These will help you get a basic idea of how such essays must be written. See the introduction part in every essay sample provided and don’t forget to stay respectful as you work on the differences and similarities. Check your grading rubric requirements twice. Regarding a good thesis statement, religious essays should only pose assumptions or compose specific claims that are supported with another sentence to avoid misreading or confusion.

Why Is Freedom of Religion Important

Freedom of religion stands as one of the fundamental pillars of a democratic and pluralistic society. It safeguards an individual's right to practice their chosen faith without fear of discrimination or persecution. This essay delves into the resons why freedom of religion is important, exploring...

• Religious Tolerance

Who is God in Your Life: Personal Beliefs and Spiritual Connections

The concept of God holds profound significance across cultures and belief systems, shaping individuals' values, perspectives, and sense of purpose. So who is God in your life? This essay delves into the diverse ways people perceive God in their lives, whether through religious traditions, personal...

• Religious Beliefs

Should Religion Be Taught in Schools

Should religion be taught in schools? This question is a topic that evokes discussions about cultural diversity, freedom of religion, and the role of education in shaping students' worldviews. Advocates argue that including religion in the curriculum can foster understanding, promote tolerance, and provide students...

How Does Religion Affect Your Life

How does religion affect your life? Religion is a deeply personal and influential aspect of human experience, shaping beliefs, values, behaviors, and perspectives. The impact of religion extends beyond mere rituals; it permeates various dimensions of life. This essay explores the intricate ways in which...

How Are Religion and Culture Connected in Various Ways

The intricate relationship between religion and culture is a subject of immense significance, shaping the values, behaviors, and traditions of societies worldwide. While religion and culture are distinct concepts, they are profoundly interconnected, often influencing and informing one another. This essay delves into how religion...

• Culture and Communication

Stressed out with your paper?

Consider using writing assistance:

• 100% unique papers
• 3 hrs deadline option

Buddhism and Hinduism: Exploring Similarities and Differences

Buddhism and Hinduism, two of the world's most ancient and complex religions, share both commonalities and distinctions that have shaped the spiritual and cultural landscapes of Asia. This essay delves into Buddhism and Hinduism and the core similarities and differences between these two belief systems,...

Death is a Passage Beyond Life

Introduction In virtually every culture and religion around the world, death is not regarded as an end, but as a passage to a different form of existence. This belief, deeply rooted in human history and psyche, has shaped rituals, philosophies, and the way we perceive...

Why Should We Respect Our Parents: Exploring Islamic Arguments

What islam says about why should we respect our parents? In this essay I want to emphasize that Allah is telling us to treat our parents kindly and to make effort in pleasing them. He says that our mother most deserves our respect and service,...

• Parent-Child Relationship

Respect Your Parents and Take Care of Your Children: Ephesians 6:1-9

I chose the following passage Ephesians 6:1-9. The main reason that I chose this passage was because the other passages had already been taken. Now after researching this passage I discovered that there was more than meets the eye and I want to learn how...

The Importance of Respect and Obedience to Our Parents in Islam

DedicationI dedicate this research to God Almighty my creator, my strong pillar, my source of inspiration, wisdom, knowledge and understanding. He has been the source of my strength throughout this research and on His wings only have I soared. I also dedicate this work to...

Respect for Life: the Issue of Death Penalty in Catholic Teachings

An essential principle of a human rights is that each and every human being has an innate dignity that must be respected. Respect for one's human dignity is the original human right from which other human being had as a gift from our almighty God....

• Catholic Church
• Death Penalty

What Does Respect Mean to You: Christian Explanation

A few days ago a friend of mine asked 'what does respect mean to you?' Later this question inspired me to write this essay about the meaning of respect from christian believer's point of view.   Paradise is something that many people think they can...

• Biblical Worldview
• Christian Worldview

Implementing the Four Noble Truths in Everyday Life

Introduction One of the fundamental doctrines of Buddhism set forth by Buddha himself are the Four Noble Truths. These contain the very essence of the Buddha's pragmatic teachings. The Buddha is known to attain enlightenment only after the realization of these four truths during his...

Euthanasia and the Catholic Church in Australia

An ethical issue is a problem or dilemma that involves a person having to decide whether or not it is morally right or wrong. Euthanasia is a clear example of an ethical issue currently present in Australia. Euthanasia is a process whereby a person who...

• Assisted Suicide

Islamic Traditions and Practices: A Focus on Asian Muslims

Asia is home to one of the largest Muslim populations in the world. Muslim population accounts for approximately 62% of the total population of Asia. Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Bangladesh are Muslim-majority countries of Asia. As Muslims have different cultures, values, and histories, their...

The Divine Love: Understanding God's Love for Humanity

There is a multitude of attributes of God, what He is and that any human being can also become. Among these countless attributes or characteristics, we have love. A 'simple' characteristic present in some way in the life of all humanity, from the rich to...

• Image of God

Comparison of Islamic Religious Texts: the Quran and Hadith

The Quran is the most important text in the Islamic faith, believed to be the word of God communicated to the prophet Muhammad who spoke to his followers, and what he said was written down in the Quran years after his death. The Hadith is...

• Religious texts

The Virtue and Significance of the Quran: Exploring its Divine Revelation, Recitation, and Impact on the Muslim Community

The Quran is defined as the miraculous word of God, devoted to its recitation, the house of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by revelation by Jibril, peace be upon him, and transmitted to us in frequency. It should be noted that the Quran came down in...

Human Experience of Illness and the Key Role of the Environment

The key goal of the healthcare facility is to offer a environment where the sick will be at ease and to enable their body to regenerate. There are three principles for a healthy environment: seen, unseen, and storied environments. These ideas give us a deeper...

The Trustworthiness of the Bible: Exploration of Its Foundations

The Bible, a collection of sacred texts revered by millions around the world, has endured for centuries as a source of moral guidance, spiritual enlightenment, and historical insight. Its trustworthiness stems from a multifaceted examination of its historical, literary, and spiritual foundations, which collectively affirm...

• Personal Experience

Exploring of the Five Meanings of Science of the Quran

Sciences of the Quran are each science that is intended to serve the Holy Quran and attempt to investigate its privileged insights and uncover its puzzles, for example, the exploration in the Quranic disclosure and Quranic contents, the gathering and grouping of the Quran, the...

Exploring Invaluable Role of Jesus Christ for the World

Jesus Christ is one of the most well known historical figures that could be considered heroic and relatively important to the development of Western Civilization. The existence of Jesus and the eternal legacy he left after he sacrificed himself was one that dramatically influenced the...

• Historical Figures
• Influence of Christianity
• Jesus Christ

Is Jesus a Myth: One of the World’s Most Controversial Figures

It would be hard to find a person in history that has been met with so much controversy than Jesus of Nazareth. According to those who wrote the New Testament, Jesus is God, who was born of a virgin, who lived a sinless life, was...

• World History

Why Jesus Is a Hero: an Example of Love and Forgiveness

Is Jesus a hero or not? The meaning of a hero is someone who shows bravery, courage, determination, justice and more. A hero doesn’t need to save the world for people to say that is what a hero is, like Jesus, he reached out to...

• Influential Person

The Life and Achievemnts of Muhammad - a Founder of Islam

I chose Muhammad because he did a lot from the day he was born till the day he died. One of the many things that Muhammad did was when Muhammad founded Islam and made it the way it is now. Muhammad was born in Mecca,...

Unveiling Jesus as the Heroic Figure of True Faith and Love

A hero is someone who gives themselves, often putting their own life at great risk, for the greater good of others . A hero shows courage and is determined and dedicated to helping others in need by showing selflessness and sacrifice for the good of...

Jesus as the Greatest Hero: Being Gifted With Godlike DNA

A hero is a person who is admired for their courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. Jesus shown these quality’s in different bible readings. Jesus was not only a hero that did miracles to heal people, he was a hero that sacrificed his own life...

Personal Reflections: Three Lessons I Have Learnt From Hosea's Story

David was chosen to be king at a young age when he was only a shepherd, but wasn’t the king until he was 30 years old, David had been working for king Saul and throughout that time he had been taken to court by king...

The Menace of Terrorism Around the World: Emerging Threats and Issues

The menace of terrorism has been increasing over the years though there have been several efforts to counter it. The evils of terrorism have become widespread, and the world has become too familiar to them. There has been a lot of debate on the definition...

• Religious Conflict
• Social Problems

Understanding Islam: Beliefs, Practices, and History

What is Islam? What do they believe in? Who are they? Well continue reading and you will find out a lot about this religion. Islam is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion teaching that there is only one God and that Muhammad is the messenger of God....

• Five Pillars of Islam

The Unique World of Buddhism: Its Origins, Beliefs, and Practices

The World is today is unique, religion being a huge part of that uniqueness. The religions shaped many of the well- known religions today. There are a lot of well-known religions today adapted some of practices of many older religions that today depending on the...

Submission to Allah: The Core Concept of Islam

The concept at the core of Islam is the intention that a Muslim follows the will of Allah as closely as possible in hopes that each moment of each day is to be lived in an attitude of complete submission to Him. Allah’s greatest revelation,...

The Increased Violence in New Terrorism: What Is Going On

The 1990s recalls a series of extremist acts that ushered a new and more violent form of terrorism. Propelled by religious motivations, decentralized organization, and technological advancement, the new terrorism distinguished itself from old terrorism with its inclination to indiscriminate killing and mass casualties. Rapoport’s...

The Sacred Mystery of Plants in Eastern Religion Cultures

Sacred plants are specific plants those are usually devoted to gods and goddess. The human relation with sacred plant stands basically on religion which is considered with Hindu, Buddhist and Jain culture. During the ancient period, the worship of sacred plants is most of the...

Understanding Islam: The Complete Submission to the Will of God

Religion is often a fundamental part of one’s identity. The word religion originates from a Latin word meaning “to tie or bind together.” As new and modern religions continue to develop, religion defines as “an organized system of beliefs and rituals centring on a spiritual...

Difference Between Islam and Christianity: Perspectives on Racism

Islam and Christianity are two of the largest religions in the world, with billions of followers combined. While there are significant difference between islam and christianity in this essay we will also analyse similarities between islam and christianity. For this paper we have interviewed several...

Postulates and Principles of Islamic Moral Economic System

In this paper we will take a short review of main principles and postulates, its subsequent objectives of the Islamic moral economic system.  Tawhid or the Unity of God is the fundamental principle of IME. It refers to the human beings being equal before the...

• Economic systems

Muhammad and the Birth of Islam: Unraveling the History and Teachings

Chapter 10 of Islam of “Living Religions” by Mary Fisher talks about how Islam is viewed by society and how Islam came about. Reading this chapter from the point of view of the author who is not Muslim made me feel like she was with...

• History of Islam

The Journey to Nirvana: The Teachings and Beliefs of Buddhism

Buddhism is among the world's biggest religions, with origins in India dating back 2,500 years. Buddhists think that human existence is full of misery, believing the way to obtain happiness, or nirvana, is via meditation, spiritual and physical effort, and moral behavior. Buddhists believe life...

Gautama and the Middle Way: The Birth of Buddhism

Although we think of Buddhism as being created by Buddha, Gautama a young prince, was the creator and he is now referred to as Buddha, also known as the enlightened one. Since Gautama was a prince that meant that his father was a king and...

The Intersection of Religion and Abortion: A Comparative Analysis

Abortion has been a hot topic for several years. People are very opinionated about the case and there's an ethical side to the subject. The abortion debate asks whether it may be morally right to terminate a pregnancy before normal childbirth. Some people believe that...

• Abortion Debate

Buddhism in Asia: A Cultural and Historical Perspective

The story of the life of Gautama Buddha According to the legend the person now commonly known as the Buddha was a prince named Siddhartha Gautama. His father, Suddhodana Gautama, was the ruler of the Shakya clan. Siddhartha’s birth was attended by many unusual events....

• Zen Buddhism

From India to China: The Spread of Buddhism along the Silk Road

Introduction The silk road spread religions, philosophies, education, goods, and people. The people who embarked for a journey on the silk road were monks from India. India, during the iron age, between the fourth and sixth centuries, began urbanization and in this process, the influence...

Exploring Buddhism at a Traditional Mon Buddhist Dharma Session

Introduction Sunday, February 16th at two-thirty, I visited the Mon Buddhist Monastery Community in Akron Ohio. This was a traditional Mon Buddhist Dharma session. I was very pleased by the turnout of the session and was able to grasp a better understanding of the Buddhism...

The Rise and Spread of Islam: History and Impact

Introduction Islam is probably the most youthful religion and has the biggest followers in the world and is predominant in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia (Hopfe and Woodward 330). Islam is a significant religion in the world and has in excess of billion followers...

The Dichotomy of Annihilationism and Non-Annihilationism in Buddhism

Introduction Buddhism can be split into two distinct schools of thought: annihilationism and eternal rebirth. The argument that the state of nirvana is achieved through the blowing out of what fuels one’s self is the one generally accepted by most Buddhists and scholars. The minority...

Islam: The Role of Gender, Storytelling, and Conflict

Introduction: The emergence of the Muslim minority in Western nations has spurred discussion over which Muslim behaviors should be accepted, with many people considering certain customs a rejection. In Western countries, societies based on the Islamic belief system have wrestled with gender roles, the importance...

The Ethical Code of Islam: A Comprehensive Overview

Introduction: In Islam, there is a strict ethical code that must be followed in order to abide by Allah. This code is highlighted in the Koran and is practiced through traditions, actions, clothing, and food consumption. Furthermore, every Muslim is expected to adhere to the...

Religion and Abortion: Understanding the Pro-Life Movement

Introduction  Death sentences, guns, religion, and abortion are among the top debated subjects in conversations. These topics are discussed frequently, especially if it’s a hot topic for a political debate. There are supporters and opponents on these subjects due to their strong points of view....

Organ Donation and Brain Death from Buddhist's Perspectives 

Modern scientific and technological developments have contributed to mass production. There have arisen many issues which affect human health both physical and mental are related, regarding to ethical criteria in physical medicine. This paper will discuss brain death and organ transplantation from Buddhists perspectives. There...

• Organ Donation
• Organ Transplant

Hinduism and Buddhism as Most Popular Religions in India

Located in northern India that flows from the Himalayan Mountains to the Bay of Bengal lies the Ganges River. Known as a sacred entity, many Hindus bathe in its waters to cleanse past sins and to facilitate Moksha, liberation of reincarnation; thus, many faithful customs,...

Faith and Reason Are Compatible: Suspension of Disbelief 

Art is a platform that dares reality. It stretches the limits of reality and tends to over step these boundaries all to serve the purpose of the piece of art. This is where the suspension of disbelief comes in. One must set aside their typical...

The Baptism Experience: Passing God's Love Through Baptism

One simple act creates an endless ripple where people passes it on and pays it forward. This is due to the interconnected nature of human beings – when we are happy, we influence the people around us to have a positive outlook in life. And...

The Idea That Faith and Reason Are Compatible in Religious Texts

There are four fundamental claims of the Catholic intellectual tradition and the one I choose is, the dignity of the human being inviolable and the commitment to justice for the common good is necessary. These four fundamental claims are very important in the catholic religion...

The Baptism Experience in the Life of Children in the Medieval Ages

Of all the misconceptions of the Medieval Ages, some of the most prevalent include the life of a child during this era. During this time it is believed that many children were shown no recognition and they were treated as though they were adults as...

• Middle Ages

Hinduism and Buddhism: The Values and Purposes of Both Religions

Today there are many different religions in the world. In Asia, Buddhism and Hinduism are popular beliefs in general. Hinduism is the religion of Antigua known and very rich in literally hundreds of divinities, rituals and symbolic beliefs. Believes is that was founded around 1500...

Nacirema Culture and Buddhism Religious Practices

Religion is a topic that provokes or brings about different thoughts and ideas between people. We all have our own beliefs and traditions that make each one of our religions stand out. It is what makes us who we are. Myths and rituals are a...

The Freedom Of Religion And Why Is The First Amendment Important

First Amendment “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of...

• American Constitution
• First Amendment

Belief In God: Relationships Between Science and Religion

The conflict between science and spirituality (religion) usually refers to an assumed conflict between science and belief in God. For the purpose of this talk “religion” refers to the monotheistic religion which is the belief in the existence of a good, personal and transcendent creator....

• Science Vs. Religion
• Spirituality

Why Do You Believe In God

Well, God can do all of these and even more. Sometimes, situations can make anyone forget or doubt God's abilities irrespective of how strong you have been in faith. Remember, no one is ever ready for hard situations to hit them, it just happens, but...

• Kingdom of God

Peter`s The Great Reforms: A Knot Between Church And State

Christians all over the world have been persecuted for their religious beliefs. Although the situation became better with time, it was still not ideal in the 18th century. Peter the Great, the first emperor of Russia, introduced the Most Holy Synod, and it changed the...

• Russian Empire

The Nature Of Confucianism and Daoism, And The Gender Roles

The story of Cui Ying Ying was composed during the late Tang dynasty and is regarded as famous romantic prose. The story explores cultural dynamics during the Tang period and displays the contrasting views of Chinese philosophy in the era. To truly comprehend the symbolism...

• Confucianism
• Gender Roles

"Paradise Lost" By John Milton: Book Review

In this review, I hope to put forward two different approaches to interpreting Milton’s Paradise Lost. I will be exploring Archie Burnett’s article ‘Sense Variously Drawn Own’ published in 2003 which examines the relation between Lineation, syntax, and meaning in Milton’s Paradise Lost. I will...

• Adam and Eve
• Paradise Lost

"Does Science Threaten Religion?" By Gerber and Macionis: A Review

The article “Controversy and Debate: Does Science Threaten Religion?” has demonstrated the changing relationship between science and religion, from apparent contradictions in the past to recognizing and accepting each other in the present (Gerber & Macionis, 2018, pp. 553). The author has incorporated a structural-functional...

The History Of The Emergence And Spread Of Christianity And Islam

Christianity is one of the most spread religions in the world. It centers its belief in the public life of Jesus Christ. The term Christianity is a derivation of the followers of Christ. Therefore, Jesus is the pioneer of this faith. Christians base their teaching...

• Spread of Christianity

The Second Coming By Yeats: Powerful Warning To Society

In a world full of hostility and loss of faith surrounded by war and technological developments, the modernist era of literature developments, the modernists era of literature arose. The sinking of the Titanic symbolized the falling of the Great Britain empire and newly invented standardized...

• The Second Coming
• William Butler Yeats

Acceptance Concepts Through the Bible Topics

I believe that God creates all of us to be good genuinely and kindhearted. God believes that we are most beautiful & unique the way he created us. So, bullies should stop their intimidating behaviors towards others, they don’t need to be so, they should...

Humble, Mainwairing and Pompous Pride

This is probably something that none of you know about me and that is I am a massive Dads Army fan, I have all the available episodes and movies on DVD. It’s been great to watch the lost episodes on Gold this week, now I...

Apuleius’ Metamorphoses and Picture of Human Nature

This essay will explore Apuleius’ Metamorphoses with special regard to what picture of human nature and society it presents and whether or not the gods offer the prospect of salvation. Dealing with the tale of Lucius whose overly curious nature results in him being turned...

• Human Nature
• Metamorphoses

The Shinto Religion and the Root of Japanese Culture

Shintōism is frequently portrayed in art from all over the world, especially in Japan. The Shintō religion is at the root of Japanese culture and history and therefore has a profound impact on its popular culture today, from manga and anime to film to video...

• Personal Beliefs

Biblical Archaeology: How the Study of God Is Look Like

Archaeology is defined as the scientific study of historic or prehistoric peoples and their cultures by analysis of their artifacts, inscriptions, monuments, and other such remains, especially those that have been excavated. (Dictionary, Archaeology) Archaeology is used throughout history and in many ways. Biblical Archaeology...

• Archaeology

The Development of Islamic Art

Islamic art is created not only for the Muslim faith, but it consists of artworks such as textiles, architecture, paintings and drawings that were produced in the regions that were once ruled by Muslim empires. Artists from various disciplines take part in collaborative projects and...

• Islamic Art

Unforgiveness Steals Away Your Joy, Peace, and Happiness

Forgiveness is one of the topics most Christians don't like to talk about especially if they were truly hurt by someone close to their heart. Sometimes, we feel it is better to carry the burden of hatred rather than forgive those that have wronged us....

• Forgiveness

Role of Cultural and Religious Pluralism

Cultural pluralism is a term used when smaller groups within a larger society maintain their own unique cultural identities. Migration is a key process that makes significant contribution to the growth of urbanism. Often immigrants belonging to particular region, language, religion ,tribe etc tend to...

• Art and Religion
• Religious Pluralism

Political Correctness and Occidental International Law

The uniformity of European political thought canon as asserted by postcolonialists has created a ‘residual sense that the Christian faith is an expression of white Western privilege ’. This deficit in postcolonial theory, to account for Grotius and theorists who argued for the separation of...

• Political Correctness

The Portrayal of the Culture of Death and Afterlife in Art

Throughout history, different cultures dealt with the concept of death and afterlife according to their beliefs, and developed different perspectives about what happens after the body dies. These ideas were often reflected in their art, literature, and their lifestyle as well. Most cultures produce art...

The Tattoo of Cherry Blossom Bracelets in China

The armband tattoos were a popular excitement 10 to 15 years ago. Today, however, it is gradually becoming a hot trend again. These types of tattoos are appealing because they are easy to show and can be quickly hidden in the sleeve. What do bracelet...

• Chinese Culture
• Christianity

Amazon's Upload is All About the Digital Afterlife

Take Black Mirror's dystopian tech analysis, The Good Place's thoughtful investigation of the afterlife, and the workplace pranks of The Office, squeeze them together, and you have Amazon’s Upload. It takes place in a world that could simply be 10 years from now. You can...

Hagia Sophia and Eastern Roman Empire

Hagia Sophia is the great rich remain and an important monument for the Eastern Roman Empire commonly known as the Byzantine Empire. It remain the Centre for Orthodox Church for nearly a thousand years. The current version was built in the year 532. This iconic...

• Ancient Rome
• Byzantine Empire
• Hagia Sophia

Life After Death for the One Whose Heart Is Light

Built in the 27th century BC for the burial of Pharaoh Djoser by his vizier; architect and later known as the God of Medicine, Imhotep. Pyramids were built for religious purposes and the Egyptian civilization were one of the first to believe in an afterlife....

Insurance Regarding the Existence of an Individual’s Afterlife

Under the rational choice model, decisions individuals make are based on perfect information. This implies that people do not undergo any risks or uncertainties when making a choice. However, religious choices of individuals cannot be based on perfect information, for there are no verified sources...

Johann Christoph Blumhardt and Christology

Johann Christoph Blumhardt (1805-1880) was a Lutheran pastor in Württemberg. He was known among the Lutheran Pietists who built the relation between Southwest Germany [then] with the Basel University of Switzerland mission Society. Certain authors consider this relationship as fostering the trans-Atlantic faith healing movement....

• Christology
• Martin Luther King

Finding What Is The Biblical Purpose Of Govenrment

One day a man was walking down the streets of his city, headed to the capitol, and then he saw a car wreck right in front of him. His first instinct is to go help, so he rushes over and sees the scene. Now with...

• Role of Government

The Creation Myth And Human Evolution: The Everlasting Debate

Every generation of people, young and old as well, come to ask questions about the origin of the universe: Where did it come from? When did it start? or How did it come into existence? Scientists, philosophers or religious believers have all tried to explain...

• Creation Myth
• Human Evolution

Considering Religious Beliefs And Freedom Of Expression

Whether you believe in something or not, the idea of religion has probably crossed your mind. Some people see it as a way to make sense of the world around us and some see it as way of life. the idea that a higher power,...

The Foundational Beliefs Of The Biblical Worldview

To build a biblical framework, or foundational beliefs about God, His character, His world, and His plan one must go to Scripture, for these are His words. Here answers are found to life’s questions; why are we here, good and evil, our purpose, and where...

The Truths About Real Life In The Biblical Worldview

Introduction Every person has a worldview that is either biblical or secular (humanistic). A person’s worldview is the lens through which they view the world. It dictates the decisions they make, the way they treat themselves and others, and their ideas of life after death....

The Perception Of The World In The Christian Worldview

A worldview, this is easy to say its self-explanatory, but it’s much more than that. A worldview can be defined as, “a particular philosophy of life or conception of the world” (Google Dictionary). Another idea is, how a Christian worldview is defined. A Christian Worldview...

The Correlation Between Christian Worldview And Criminal Justice System

Abstract This criminal justice research paper will discuss how people in law enforcement have demonstrated and or expressed their integration of Christen Worldviews into the field of criminal justice. It will show how their Christian beliefs are the driving force behind their ethical and moral...

The Age Of The Earth: Creation Vs. Evolution

There are four great questions of life that everyone asks. The questions are; Who am I? Where did I come from? Why am I here? And where am I going when I die? These questions are answered completely different depending on if you are an...

The Impact Of Religion On Defining What Is Value Of Life

What might most people on this earth value? You guessed it right, it’s Life! Life brings a lot of meaning and purpose that is I feel is an ideal answer to the society and lets just face it, what could someone value other than life?...

• Meaning of Life

Exploration Of Buddhism And Hinduism: Similarities And Differences

Nearly, all people chose at least one religion which is suitable for their thoughts and believes. Due to that fact, people of the same religion come together usually. For instance, there are islamic countries in one community which is called Muslim countries or Ummah. Moreover,...

Buddhism And Hinduism: The Similarities And Differences Of Views

There are three ways to achieve moksha which is when a person’s atman (individual soul) is released from the eternal cycle of reincarnation. Reincarnation is a core idea of Hinduism as according to Upanishad (the third and final Vedic scripture) literature the atman would go...

The Similarities And Differences Between Worldviews Of Hinduism And Buddhism

I will start with the greeting of each religion since it gives a good first impression about you if you greet them in their own way. “Namaste” is the common greeting or salutation in Hinduism, it is usually said with body gestures where they bend...

A Biblical Worldview: The Values Of A Devoted Christian

There comes a point in everyone's life that they must start making decisions on their own, it is at this point they choose what lenses they will use to drive their decisions. For Christians that lense is the Bible and the Holy Spirit is the...

Christian Worldview: Faith And Forgiveness As A Basis

Throughout history, different point of views arose and changed the way people looked at the past of the world. One specific viewpoint is the Christian’s worldview. Christians sin just like everyone else and they recognize that, just like how they recognize the faith of God....

The Biblical Worldview On The Human Trafficking

Choices to commit a crime, fight against crime, or generate justice for criminal acts are all motivated by our worldview. Incorporating a Christian worldview into the Criminal Justice approach allows you to view behavior and response through the lens of God's expectations. This perspective creates...

• Human Trafficking

The Christian Worldview: Philosophy And Values

Today's culture has multiple worldviews. Many individuals prefer to select various religions views but mostly keep to one central worldview. A worldview is the gathering of values that form our everyday work and define our overall vision of existence. Looking seriously at my beliefs, my...

The Effect Of Prophet Muhammad On The Quick Spread Of Islam

This paper will deeply investigate the following interesting question on Islam and it’s spread. What effect did the spread of Islam by Prophet Muhammad in Mecca have on the already religious Saudi Arabian society? In order to compose this paper with reliable facts, mostly primary...

Understanding the Power of a Biblical Worldview in Psychology

A biblical worldview is a transformative lens through which we view the world, based on the teachings of the Bible. It impacts our perspectives on various situations, facts, and aspects of life. This worldview has profound implications for psychology, influencing even the smallest details, such...

Best topics on Religion

1. Why Is Freedom of Religion Important

2. Who is God in Your Life: Personal Beliefs and Spiritual Connections

3. Should Religion Be Taught in Schools

4. How Does Religion Affect Your Life

5. How Are Religion and Culture Connected in Various Ways

6. Buddhism and Hinduism: Exploring Similarities and Differences

7. Death is a Passage Beyond Life

8. Why Should We Respect Our Parents: Exploring Islamic Arguments

9. Respect Your Parents and Take Care of Your Children: Ephesians 6:1-9

10. The Importance of Respect and Obedience to Our Parents in Islam

11. Respect for Life: the Issue of Death Penalty in Catholic Teachings

12. What Does Respect Mean to You: Christian Explanation

13. Implementing the Four Noble Truths in Everyday Life

14. Euthanasia and the Catholic Church in Australia

15. Islamic Traditions and Practices: A Focus on Asian Muslims

• Seven Deadly Sins

Need writing help?

You can always rely on us no matter what type of paper you need

*No hidden charges

100% Unique Essays

Absolutely Confidential

Money Back Guarantee

By clicking “Send Essay”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement. We will occasionally send you account related emails

You can also get a UNIQUE essay on this or any other topic

Thank you! We’ll contact you as soon as possible.

Essays About Religion: Top 5 Examples and 7 Writing Prompts

Essays about religion include delicate issues and tricky subtopics. See our top essay examples and prompts to guide you in your essay writing.

With over 4,000 religions worldwide, it’s no wonder religion influences everything. It involves faith, lessons on humanity, spirituality, and moral values that span thousands of years. For some, it’s both a belief and a cultural system. As it often clashes with science, laws, and modern philosophies, it’s also a hot debate topic. Religion is a broad subject encompassing various elements of life, so you may find it a challenging topic to write an essay about it.

1. Wisdom and Longing in Islam’s Religion by Anonymous on Ivypanda.com

2. consequences of following religion blindly essay by anonymous on ivypanda.com, 3. religion: christians’ belief in god by anonymous on ivypanda.com, 4. mecca’s influence on today’s religion essay by anonymous on ivypanda.com, 5. religion: how buddhism views the world by anonymous on ivypanda.com , 1. the importance of religion, 2. pros and cons of having a religion, 3. religions across the world, 4. religion and its influence on laws, 5. religion: then and now, 6. religion vs. science, 7. my religion.

“Portraying Muslims as radical religious fanatics who deny other religions and violently fight dissent has nothing to do with true Islamic ideology. The knowledge that is presented in Islam and used by Muslims to build their worldview system is exploited in a misinterpreted form. This is transforming the perception of Islam around the world as a radical religious system that supports intolerance and conflicts.”

The author discusses their opinion on how Islam becomes involved with violence or terrorism in the Islamic states. Throughout the essay, the writer mentions the massive difference between Islam’s central teachings and the terrorist groups’ dogma. The piece also includes a list of groups, their disobediences, and punishments.

This essay looks at how these brutalities have nothing to do with Islam’s fundamental ideologies. However, the context of Islam’s creeds is distorted by rebel groups like The Afghan mujahideen, Jihadis, and Al-Qa’ida. Furthermore, their activities push dangerous narratives that others use to make generalized assumptions about the entire religion. These misleading generalizations lead to misunderstandings amongst other communities, particularly in the western world. However, the truth is that these terrorist groups are violating Islamic doctrine.

“Following religion blindly can hinder one’s self-actualization and interfere with self-development due to numerous constraints and restrictions… Blind adherence to religion is a factor that does not allow receiving flexible education and adapting knowledge to different areas.”

The author discusses the effects of blindly following a religion and mentions that it can lead to difficulties in self-development and the inability to live independently. These limitations affect a person’s opportunity to grow and discover oneself.  Movies like “ The Da Vinci Code ” show how fanatical devotion influences perception and creates constant doubt. 

“…there are many religions through which various cultures attain their spiritual and moral bearings to bring themselves closer to a higher power (deity). Different religions are differentiated in terms of beliefs, customs, and purpose and are similar in one way or the other.”

The author discusses how religion affects its followers’ spiritual and moral values and mentions how deities work in mysterious ways. The essay includes situations that show how these supreme beings test their followers’ faith through various life challenges. Overall, the writer believes that when people fully believe in God, they can be stronger and more capable of coping with the difficulties they may encounter.

“Mecca represents a holy ground that the majority of the Muslims visit; and is only supposed to be visited by Muslims. The popularity of Mecca has increased the scope of its effects, showing that it has an influence on tourism, the financial aspects of the region and lastly religion today.”

The essay delves into Mecca’s contributions to Saudi Arabia’s tourism and religion. It mentions tourism rates peaking during Hajj, a 5-day Muslim pilgrimage, and visitors’ sense of spiritual relief and peace after the voyage. Aside from its tremendous touristic benefits, it also brings people together to worship Allah. You can also check out these essays about values and articles about beliefs .

“Buddhism is seen as one of the most popular and widespread religions on the earth the reason of its pragmatic and attractive philosophies which are so appealing for people of the most diversified backgrounds and ways of thinking .”

To help readers understand the topic, the author explains Buddhism’s worldviews and how Siddhatta Gotama established the religion that’s now one of the most recognized on Earth. It includes teachings about the gift of life, novel thinking, and philosophies based on his observations. Conclusively, the author believes that Buddhism deals with the world as Gotama sees it.

Check out our guide packed full of transition words for essays .

7 Prompts on Essays About Religion

Religion’s importance is embedded in an individual or group’s interpretation of it. They hold on to their faith for various reasons, such as having an idea of the real meaning of life and offering them a purpose to exist. Use this prompt to identify and explain what makes religion a necessity. Make your essay interesting by adding real-life stories of how faith changed someone’s life.

Although religion offers benefits such as positivity and a sense of structure, there are also disadvantages that come with it. Discuss what’s considered healthy and destructive when people follow their religion’s gospels and why. You can also connect it to current issues. Include any personal experience you have.

Religion’s prevalence exhibits how it can significantly affect one’s daily living. Use this prompt to discuss how religions across the world differ from one another when it comes to beliefs and if traditions or customs influence them. It’s essential to use relevant statistical data or surveys in this prompt to support your claims and encourage your readers to trust your piece.

There are various ways religion affects countries’ laws as they adhere to moral and often humanitarian values. Identify each and discuss how faith takes part in a nation’s decision-making regarding pressing matters. You can focus on one religion in a specific location to let the readers concentrate on the case. A good example is the latest abortion issue in the US, the overturning of “Wade vs. Roe.” Include people’s mixed reactions to this subject and their justifications.

In this essay, talk about how the most widespread religions’ principles or rituals changed over time. Then, expound on what inspired these changes.  Add the religion’s history, its current situation in the country, and its old and new beliefs. Elaborate on how its members clash over these old and new principles. Conclude by sharing your opinion on whether the changes are beneficial or not.

There’s a never-ending debate between religion and science. List the most controversial arguments in your essay and add which side you support and why. Then, open discourse about how these groups can avoid quarreling. You can also discuss instances when religion and science agreed or worked together to achieve great results. 

Use this prompt if you’re a part of a particular religion. Even if you don’t believe in faith, you can still take this prompt and pick a church you’ll consider joining. Share your personal experiences about your religion. Add how you became a follower, the beliefs that helped you through tough times, and why you’re staying as an active member in it. You can also speak about miraculous events that strengthen your faith. Or you can include teachings that you disagree with and think needs to be changed or updated.

For help with your essay, check out our top essay writing tips !

Maria Caballero is a freelance writer who has been writing since high school. She believes that to be a writer doesn't only refer to excellent syntax and semantics but also knowing how to weave words together to communicate to any reader effectively.

View all posts

Best Bible Resources For Christians

Bible Facts

• Christian Life
• Read the Bible

Home > Bible Facts > Writing a Perfect Religion Essay for College Students

Writing a Perfect Religion Essay for College Students

Modified: January 9, 2024

Written by: Daniel Gallik

Wonder how to write an amazing religion essay for collage? Here's a guideline that covers the basis of what to write and how to write.

• bible facts
• religion essays

(Many of the links in this article redirect to a specific reviewed product. Your purchase of these products through affiliate links helps to generate commission for Christian.net, at no extra cost. Learn more )

Are you a college student wondering how to write the perfect essay on religion? If yes, read on and find all that you need to know about writing a religion essay. This article will cover the basics and all you need to know about writing an excellent essay piece on religion.

What is a Religion Essay

Image by Thought Catalog on Unsplash

Well, religion essays are a kind of paper that relates to religion, belief, and faith. 

In college, many students will be required to write a few essays on religion. Students typically struggle with writing assignments of this nature since they haven’t learned how to write professionally. After all, religion is a highly personal subject, and objective discussions about religion can be particularly difficult and generally mind-boggling. 

As a result of this, many students prefer outsourcing their writing assignments on religion to a custom essay writing service like Edubirdie. On this “write an essay for me” platform, there are plenty of professional writers for you to choose from with guaranteed transparency on their profiles and reviews. After reviewing, you can simply choose a writer and you will have your essay delivered in no time. 

On the other hand, some students prefer completing such religious essays themselves to improve their writing. If you fall under this category we’ve put together some tips for you. for you to ace your religion essay.

Read more : Christian Blogs To Follow Before Writing a Religious Essay

Tip 1: Choosing a Topic for a Religion Essay

Image by Keenan Beasley on Unsplash

Consider a topic that interests you, one that piques your curiosity . Though it’s said that curiosity kills the cat, it’s a much-needed drive in essays, especially ones that deal with theology and mind-boggling ideas. H aving an interest as your personal pedestal throughout is effective for your research and writing.

A contentious issue would make a fantastic topic for a religion essay because it means it’s a topic of interest to people and it gives room and framework to your arguments. An example can be whether hell is a truth or a myth . You can decide to look into where a particular religious idea came from and employ background information and opposing points of view to present your argument. Whatever the topic, always use the most reliable sources you can to back up your claims.

Next, contemplate what your stance is towards the issue and start to build your case around it. Are you for it or against it? Should this topic even be contentious in the first place? Are there other points that should be contended besides what has already been debated? Usually, a great religious essay identifies the issue and has tight arguments to support the thesis. But, an amazing essay is one that brings in a fresh perspective that’s been rarely discussed in class. So, work around that.

This step is usually the toughest, but once you’ve passed through it, the rest of the work is a breeze.

Tip 2: How to Write an Introduction for a Religion Essay

Image by Patrick Perkins on Unsplash

Prepare your notes and an overview of your case before beginning to write the introduction. In contrast to creative writing , the reader expects your thesis statement and facts up front in an essay. Because of this, seasoned writers advise pupils to read more books and develop their own points of view. But occasionally it can be advantageous to grab an idea from someone who wrote it before you. It’s catchy and demonstrates your familiarity with the subject. The reader should have a clear understanding of what to anticipate from the article from the beginning.

How can you create a strong essay introduction? The components of a strong introduction are numerous such as some background information, a thesis statement, a purpose statement, and a summary of what’s to be covered. Essentially, your introduction is your first impression and a blueprint of what the entire essay will be. 

The topic and focus of the essay, as well as a few other important concepts, should be covered in the first paragraph. Along with the thesis, it should also give background details and the context of the argument. It should also describe the essay’s structure, which is outlined in the last paragraph. The importance of the introduction increases as the essay gets longer. Even though it may appear tedious, just like any first impression, the introduction is an important component of any paper. 

Tip 3: How to Write the Body of a Religion Essay

Image by green chameleon on Unsplash

Introduce the basic tenets and principles of the religion you’re addressing in the major body of your essay. Then, you should investigate the crucial components of the tradition. What are its core ideals and beliefs? What role does it play in society? How is it relevant in our current world? Textual support must be provided because this is an excellent approach to capturing your readers’ interest.

The promise you made in your introduction should be fulfilled in the body of your essay. Make sure to add new proof to the main argument of each paragraph in the body of your essay. Each paragraph should be concluded with a sentence that emphasizes the importance of the argument and connects it to the following one.

Tip 4: How to Write the Conclusion Section for a Religion Essay

Image by Christin Hume on Unsplash

Your conclusion is a paragraph (or two) of concluding remarks that demonstrate the points you’ve made are still true and worth considering . Think of it as a final impression you make on the readers, you’d want to make yourself memorable Additionally, it should demonstrate that the arguments you made in the essay’s main body are supported by relevant evidence.

A great conclusion is also one that highlights the significance of your points and directs readers toward the best course of action for the future. This shows that you aren’t just someone who debates but someone who is also willing to try and better the situation.  Keep in mind that your final chance to convince or impress your audience is the conclusion.

Read more : Cultural Sensitivity in Student Essays about Religion

Tip 5: Find Proofreaders

Image by Joel Muniz on Unsplash

If I’d learned anything through my years of college essays, it’s to get people to proofread your essay. They are your safety nets. I’d usually find a coursemate or someone from my class to proofread. They are valuable second pairs of eyes to help you spot grammar mistakes but also in concepts that you may have applied. Next, find a friend that’s not from your course or class because they are an accurate assessment of how clear and cohesive your essay is. If they can understand what you’re writing, you can be sure that half the battle is already won.

Was this page helpful?

Finding Peace in a Chaotic World: Tips for Christians

Christian Dating

Enhancing Church Newsletters: A Step-by-Step Guide

Why Did Fish Become Okay To Eat During Lent

Where Is Wake Forest Baptist Hospital

Latest articles.

What Is A Bishop To A Baptist

Written By: Daniel Gallik

When Did Jesus Disciples Become Apostles

Which Order Of Monks Spread Catholicism Around The World And Built Universities?

How To Pray With A Heart That Desires God

Find Peace In 35 Bible Verses About Peace

Related post.

By: Taylor McKittrick  •  Christian Resources

By: Mark Waite  •  Theology and Spirituality

By: Kor Adana  •  Bible Facts

By: Daniel Gallik  •  Christian Resources

By: Mark Waite  •  Christian Resources

By: Andy Reece  •  Christian Resources

By: Mary Hughes  •  Christian Resources

By: Karen Herndon  •  Theology and Spirituality

By: Susan Kearney  •  Theology and Spirituality

By: Daniel Gallik  •  Christian Life

By: Karen Herndon  •  Christian Resources

By: Ronald Rentner  •  Theology and Spirituality

Please accept our Privacy Policy.

CHRISTIAN.NET uses cookies to improve your experience and to show you personalized ads. Please review our privacy policy by clicking here .

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

• https://christian.net/theology-and-spirituality/writing-a-perfect-religion-essay-for-college-students/

Should I Mention My Religion in My College Essay?

Here’s another key tip to keep in mind for your college applications, from College Essay Guy Ethan Sawyer!

The short answer is this: it’s okay to discuss religion in your essay as long as the take-away (or values) promoted in the essay are universal. Here’s what I mean:

In the past, I’ve had students write essay drafts that end with something like, “Since accepting Christ (or) learning to meditate (or) converting to Judaism, I’ve made it my goal to tell others about the difference that Christ/meditation/Judaism can make in their lives.” I call this the “missionary” essay. And it can be off-putting to readers, particularly to those who don’t share your religious beliefs (which, statistically speaking, is likely).

Instead, discuss the values you gained through your religion. How?  

Step 1: Take a look at this Values List and ask yourself: what values have I gained through my religion?

Examples: “Getting used to wearing a turban in ninth grade helped increase my self-confidence and, interestingly, my grades went up that year!” (or) “Feeling judged by my youth group leader helped me better understand how my friend must have been feeling about me; I realized I was essentially doing the same thing to her.”

Check out the values displayed in those sentences: self-confidence and empathy. Nice! And anyone, no matter the religion or belief system, can get on board with those.  

Step 2: Make sure the values you’re discussing are non-obvious and specific. Obvious connections lead to boring essays.

Examples: “Playing in the band at church helped me learn the value of working with others” (seen it!) (or) “Volunteering at our mosque helped me develop myself personally” (super vague–say how!).  

Step 3: Get feedback from someone who does not share your religious belief. Once s/he has read the essay, ask the person: do you feel closer to me after having read that? If the answer isn’t “Yes,” or even if the person hesitates before responding, ask, “What would help you feel closer to me?”  

Step 4: Listen with your entire being. Stay curious about his/her feedback to you.  

Step 5: Thank the person and go back to the drawing board.  

Because you are creative and original and you have something important to communicate.

For more personal statement help, check out www.collegeessayguy.com .

This post was written by a friend of Magoosh.

View all posts

More from Magoosh

3 responses to “Should I Mention My Religion in My College Essay?”

I was wondering if writing about struggles with religion would be appropriate. My topic is trying balance christianity and my sexuality, and I was wondering how exactly I should frame that, if even write about it at all.

Hi Isaac, our expertise is in test prep, not admissions advice, so I first have to say that I’m not an expert in this topic. This is also an very personal topic that you should make sure you feel comfortable writing about, and keep in mind that you will probably want to have others proofread and critique your essay. That being said, you can definitely write a strong essay about balancing your sexuality and religion using the guidelines in this blog post. It sounds like this is a big part of your identity, and your personal statement is all about letting your personality, strengths, and introspective abilities shine.

Interesting!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

• How It Works
• Prices & Discounts

The College Student's Guide to Writing Theology and Religion Assignments

Table of contents

Growing up, you were always intrigued to learn more about the history and origin of different religions, how the concept of God varies, and the like, which is why you took up Religion and Theology in college with great earnestness.

Yes, it is a fascinating subject, and you thoroughly enjoyed everything the course had to offer until one fine day when you were asked to write a Theology and Religion essay.

Now, you’re just staring at a blank computer screen, wondering where and how to begin! Does that ring a bell?

Wipe away those tears because here’s the complete guide on finishing your Theology and Religion paper and how you can do a brilliant job at it.

Everything About Writing a Theology and Religion College Paper

Theology and Religion studies focus on teaching students about the various types of religions that exist in the contemporary world.

An interdisciplinary field, this subject encourages students to explore how people from different religions and cultures express their faith and the driving reasons behind the same. Regardless of whether you believe in a particular faith, studying theology and religion serves as a window to gain insights into religious ideas and how they shaped the world as we see it today.

Types of Theology and Religion Writing Assignments

Theology and Religion studies involve extensive coursework and writing assignments that are aimed at shaping students’ perspectives on religion while considering the cultural, historical, sociological, and anthropological aspects.

As a Theology and Religion student, here are the four common types of papers you will come across.

Research Paper

This paper requires students to present a thesis statement and make arguments to support it. Being one of the longer assignments, writing research papers requires you to explore a particular topic fully, raise interesting questions, and present logical evidence to demonstrate your understanding. You might also need to conduct quantitative and qualitative research to support your paper.

Comparative Essay

As the name suggests, comparative essays involve comparisons while highlighting similarities and differences between two theories or concepts. You are expected to tie your comparisons to a broader theological point.

To learn more about writing compare-and-contrast essays, take a look at this video

Critical Analysis

Contrary to popular perception, critical analysis does not refer to ‘criticizing’ religion or ideology. Instead, you need to break down the text and evaluate the different aspects while gathering research material from various sources to support your claim or argument. The keyword here is - analysis.

Reflection Paper

Reflection papers urge you to reflect, look inward, and present your opinion surrounding a particular theological or religious concept. You get the chance to reflect on your experiences and their impact on shaping your perceptions.

Don’t mistake this for an informal essay - a reflection paper is as ‘formal’ as the others.

How to Write a Theology and Religion Essay for College

Regardless of what type of paper it is, all Theology and Religion essays involve certain steps that, when followed with sincerity and precision, can set you up for success.

Look at the step-by-step guide to writing a Theology and Religion essay for college.

Pick a Focussed Topic

If you have been given a specific topic, you don’t have to worry about this step. What you need to do is understand the question well. Is it asking you to compare, analyze, reflect, review - make sure you know what is expected of you to do justice to it?

Now, let’s look at a situation wherein you are asked to pick a topic or are given an open-ended topic to explore.

The key to a successful paper is a narrow and focused topic or research question. You need to get into the ‘how’s and ‘why to generate a novel paper. It cannot be something that you have learned about in class or one that has been done to death.

To stand out, you need to first entice the instructor with an interesting topic or take on an interesting angle that will set you apart from your classmates.

Here’s a video on how you can narrow down your essay topic

Conduct Extensive Research

Research is key - your paper will only be as strong as the research you do.

So, give yourself ample time to research and scan essential reading material such as journals, online sources, existing research studies, religious texts, and library books. The more you read, the more meat you will have to write this paper.

It is also a good idea to speak to experts in theology and religion to get new views and insights into the topic you are exploring.

Considering the amount of reading you will be doing, always keep a notebook by your side to highlight and take notes on the critical points that would be of use while writing the paper. This is an effective way to gather references for citations at the end of the assignment.

Draft an Outline

Hold on - don’t start writing, not just yet.

Before writing, you must first work on a rough outline. This will ensure you don’t miss out on any points and maintain a logical flow while writing.

So, work on an outline and map your points to the following key headings:

Introduction - Introduce the topic and main points of the paper while providing background information and context. This paragraph needs to end with a strong, arguable thesis;

Body - this section consists of multiple paragraphs where you need to discuss your thesis and present your arguments and evidence obtained from research;

Conclusion - the concluding paragraph needs to reinstate your thesis statement and do a quick recap of your main arguments.

Start the Writing Process

Now that you have your outline ready with the crucial points, you can finally start writing.

Considering the amount of information you are grappling with, you might get overwhelmed initially - not knowing how to articulate yourself properly.

To avoid a panic attack in such situations, we recommend breaking down the writing process as per the sections. That way, you can approach it clearly and concentrate better.

Here’s a tip - thesis statements are a vital component so instead of wasting time on it in the beginning, start with a rough thesis statement which you can come back to and finetune once you are done with the rest of the paper.

There are two parts to proofreading - one involves ensuring you have accurately addressed the question, included the relevant sections logically, and presented your paper as per the requirements. The second part is reading the essay to spot grammatical, spelling, and sentence formation errors.

Another aspect to remember while proofreading is checking whether your essay is free of plagiarism . Sometimes, despite delivering ‘original’ work, a few silly mistakes can result in unintentional plagiarism.

Proofreading once is not enough - give your essay a couple of readings before turning it in. Ensure you don’t read it immediately after writing because you are likely to be tired of spotting errors. So, give your brain a rest and return to it the following day.

What Makes an Excellent Theology and Religion College Paper

You need to submit a Theology and Religion paper that makes your instructor go.

Wondering how? Here are four essential elements that make up an excellent Theology and Religion essay.

Logical Evidence

Through your writing, you need to convince the reader about your stance by presenting substantial evidence. Now, this requires thorough research, reading, and analysis.

From sacred scriptures and worship texts to official religious teachings - these are all considered to be logical evidence and need to be referred to in your paper.

Accurate Facts

Misinterpretation of facts is a severe problem in academic writing. You might think, “no one will notice,” but when your inaccuracies are spotted, it is a huge blow.

Hence, make sure the facts and references you include are accurate and from reliable sources. For instance, you cannot reference a Wikipedia page because it is undoubtedly unreliable, as it allows people to edit information whenever possible.

Inaccurate references reflect your laziness and lack of knowledge which is why you should always verify your references by double-checking the information you choose to include.

Neutral and Inclusive Writing

Let’s face it - Theology and Religion is a sensitive topics which makes it all the more important to be cautious about the language you are using. Such a paper demands the use of neutral and inclusive writing.

What does that mean? Be respectful and unbiased, use non-sexist language, and avoid using words that might be offensive.

So, while proofreading your paper, be on the lookout and ensure you are sensitive to all sentiments and avoid cultural biases that might dampen your paper.

Take a look at this insightful video on why using gender-inclusive language matters

Clarity in Writing

From correct grammar and spelling to proper presentation and formatting - all these factors contribute to writing with clarity.

You might have strong points and arguments, but unless you don’t articulate them properly, there is no way you can drive your message home and leave a positive impression in the minds of readers.

Hence, make sure you plan your writing, use the correct terminology, and structure your paper such that it is easily comprehensible.

Considering the intimidating and time-consuming nature of this assignment, many students end up despising the subject, but you don’t have to.

Follow this extensive guide, take it one step at a time, and immerse yourself in the assignment - that is the only way you can do an excellent job and enjoy the process.

If you are still worried about writing your Theology and Religion paper, Writers Per Hour would be happy to come to your rescue.

Yes, that’s right.

All you have to do is write to us with your requirements and deadline, and we will find and assign a reliable college paper writer for you. From choosing the appropriate topic to doing research and accurately citing references, our assigned writing expert will work with you to create an exemplary essay that will help you ace this assignment.

Share this article

Achieve Academic Success with Expert Assistance!

Crafted from Scratch for You.

Ensuring Your Work’s Originality.

Transform Your Draft into Excellence.

Perfecting Your Paper’s Grammar, Style, and Format (APA, MLA, etc.).

Calculate the cost of your paper

Get ideas for your essay

• Religion Essays

Free Religion Essays Examples in English + Writing Tips

Relevant tags:

• Bullying Essays
• Capital Punishment Essays
• Abortion Essay
• Gun Control Essays
• Globalization Essays
• Video Games Essays
• Drug Abuse Essays
• Homelessness Essays
• Feminism Essays
• Police Brutality Essays
• Racism Essays
• Global Warming Essays
• Immigration Essays
• Mental Illness Essays
• Social Networking Essays
• Marijuana Essays
• Death Penalty Essays
• Autism Essays
• Hero Essays
• American Dream Essays
• Obesity Essays
• Gender Discrimination Essays
• Friendship Essays
• Family Essays
• Happiness Essays
• Love Essays
• Pollution Essays
• Freedom Essays
• Civil Rights Essays
• Civil War Essays
• World War 1 Essays
• World War 2 Essays
• Romeo and Juliet Essays
• The Great Gatsby Essays
• To Kill a Mockingbird Essays
• Catcher in the Rye Essays
• Hamlet Essays
• I Have a Dream Essays
• Frankenstein Essays
• Edgar Allan Poe Essays
• Macbeth Essays
• Procrastination Essays
• Human Trafficking Essays
• Scarlet Letter Essays
• A Raisin in the Sun Essays
• Cyber Bullying Essays
• Anxiety Essays
• Domestic Violence Essays
• Stress Essays
• Vietnam War Essays
• Letter From Birmingham Jail Essays
• Social Media Essays
• Fahrenheit 451 Essays
• Illegal Immigration Essays
• Overpopulation Essays
• Animal Testing Essays
• Bipolar Disorder Essays
• Of Mice and Men Essays
• Recycling Essays
• Industrial Revolution Essays
• Westward Expansion Essays
• The Crucible Essays
• Into the Wild Essays
• Lord of the Flies Essays
• Child Abuse Essays
• The Yellow Wallpaper Essays
• Resilience Essays
• Cancer Essays
• Alzheimer's Disease Essays
• Diabetes Essays
• Nutrition Essays
• Vaccination Essays
• Failure Essays
• Jackie Robinson Essays
• Overcoming Obstacles Essays
• Football Essays
• Soccer Essays
• Volleyball Essays
• Social Justice Essays
• Fake News Essays
• Discourse Community Essays
• Media Analysis Essays
• American Identity Essays
• LGBT Essays
• Stereotypes Essays
• Cold War Essays
• Fences Essays
• Things Fall Apart Essays
• A Modest Proposal Essays
• A Rose For Emily Essays
• Hills Like White Elephants Essays
• Just Mercy Essays
• The Things They Carried Essays
• Othello Essays
• 1984 Essays
• Anne Frank Essays
• Utilitarianism Essays
• Standardized Testing Essays
• Endangered Species Essays
• Water Pollution Essays
• Hurricane Essays
• Climate Change Essays
• Abraham Lincoln Essays
• George Washington Essays
• Declaration of Independence Essays
• Pearl Harbor Essays
• French Revolution Essays
• Imperialism Essays
• Artificial Intelligence Essays
• Bill of Rights Essays
• Racial Profiling Essays
• Women's Suffrage Essays
• Child Labor Essays
• Gender Equality Essays
• Civil Disobedience Essays
• Black Death Essays
• Cesar Chavez Essays
• Adolf Hitler Essays
• Virtual Reality Essays
• Mass Incarceration Essays
• Refugee Essays
• Elon Musk Essays
• Creation Myth Essays
• Food Waste Essays
• Concussion Essays
• William Shakespeare Essays
• 9/11 Essays
• Identity Essays
• American Revolution Essays
• Discrimination Essays
• The Story of an Hour Essays
• Federalism Essays
• Cultural Identity Essays
• Pride and Prejudice Essays
• Time Management Essays
• Beowulf Essays
• Freedom of Speech Essays
• Slavery Essays
• Minimum Wage Essays
• Empathy Essays
• Schizophrenia Essays
• Eating Disorders Essays
• The Metamorphosis Essays
• Motivation Essays
• The Great Depression Essays
• Thomas Jefferson Essays
• Career Goals Essays
• Media Bias Essays
• Smoking Essays
• Air Pollution Essays
• Volunteering Essays
• Manifest Destiny Essays
• Buddhism Essays
• Censorship Essays
• Animal Rights Essays
• Democracy Essays
• Drunk Driving Essays
• Education System Essays
• Euthanasia Essays
• Salem Witch Trials Essays

Critical Evaluation of Harold A. Netland’s Christianity & Religious Diversity

Words: 1953

Paganism in European Religion

Words: 1185

Conflict Between Religion and Science

Hire an expert to write you a 100% unique paper aligned to your needs.

American Jesus and feminist ideology

"3 idiots" film analysis.

Words: 1568

Jesus and the Gospel Accounts

The revelation of humanity to itself "humanity as god intended it", the difference between christianity and buddhism.

Words: 1109

The Jesus Seminar - A Comprehensive Guide

Words: 1584

The Nature of God: Exploring the Divine Character

• Essay of any type
• Scholarship essay
• Admission essay
• College essay
• High School

Fine collection of free essay examples, paper samples and topics

Access a vast arsenal of free writing examples covering any subject or topic. Use these academic essay examples to draw inspiration or deepen your knowledge in various areas. Start exploring now!

• Persuasive essays
• Argumentative essays
• Analytical essays
• Expository essays
• Classification essays
• Cause-and-effect
• Problem-and-solution
• Compare-and-contrast
• Descriptive essays
• Narrative essays
• Definition essays
• Informative essays
• Critical analysis
• Rhetorical analysis
• Admission essays
• Human Resources
• Political Science
• Government Studies
• Linguistics
• Gun control
• Capital punishment
• Domestic violence
• Police brutality
• Marijuana legalization
• Climate change
• Globalization
• Illegal immigration
• Overpopulation
• Gender roles
• American Revolution
• World War 1
• The Great Depression
• World War 2
• Vietnam War
• American Dream
• The Great Gatsby
• Romeo and Juliet
• To Kill a Mockingbird
• Catcher in the Rye
• Miscellaneous

What Is a Religion Essay

Let’s begin with a proper definition of religion essay. Such texts talk about the basics of faith, churches, and believer communities’ traditions or inspect religions from historical, cultural, or philosophical perspectives. Depending on a general subject, you might talk about your belief or discuss other ones you are familiar with within your essay.

When describing such kind of topic (be it your own one or some others you wish to talk about), you should typically provide the following information:

• Its core beliefs (is it mono- or polytheistic and so on).
• Its main traditions.
• Problems it faces (or has faced in the past) and how they are solved, etc.

Religion Essay for School

In this article, we’ll provide some guidelines for writing about religion in schools essays. First of all, keep in mind that your paper must be informative and objective. Describing your own belief or discussing other ones, you need to avoid uninformed assumptions and prejudice. In order to engage in such discussions, one should learn about some basic principles at least:

• What is it in general?
• What are the main religions in the world or in your country?
• Main differences between religions or churches, etc.

More detailed tips for essay about religion in schools will be provided below. Besides, we’ve got many such examples posted here for free. Go ahead and check them. Maybe you’ll find some helpful ideas there to borrow for your own work. Start with civil disobedience essay or discrimination essay at StudyBounty .

Religion College Essays Example

Looking for a sample of college essays about religion? We’ve got one for you! Feel free to check out its structure and style and reuse it in your own essay.

College students are expected to address more complicated problems in their papers. But you need to stay respectful while writing about religion in college essays. This is quite an important and sensitive aspect of modern life so better make sure you’re not offending anyone. Be objective and use valid sources to back up your narrative. Avoid informal vocabulary and make sure all parts of your text are logically connected with each other.

Religious college essays aren’t very easy to compose. That’s why it would be useful to have some real completed works as your reference materials. Scroll down to access our college essay examples .

Religion Essay Examples That Will Help You in Writing

Searching for a good religion example to help you with your writer’s block? You’ve come to the right place. We have many different examples for various kinds of essays on this subject.

Is your task to write a college essay on religion? This level requires proper analysis and some time spent on research. You are likely to address complex or even controversial problems. So, make sure to use good argumentation and at the same time avoid radically judging other people’s views.

There are two main essay types for this topic:

• Argumentative
• Persuasive.

Each subtype has its own peculiarities and limitations. It is better to learn more about each one before choosing your topic. Let’s examine both these essay types in detail.

Religion Argumentative Essay

Writing an argumentative essay on religion requires presenting some claim and defending it before your audience. You should build a set of reasons showing that you’re right which requires conducting some preliminary research. 

So, these are necessary steps when working on an argumentative essay about religion:

• Formulate a strong claim in your thesis statement. Be cautious with that since you’re dealing with a sensitive subject.
• Brainstorm ideas and collect sources.
• Build your argumentation taking potential counterarguments into account.

Religion argumentative essay topics are controversial by definition which is why it might be complicated to deal with them. Feel free to check out argumentative essay examples or samples below – maybe you’ll find its argumentation structure useful for your own work.

Religion Persuasive Essay

Interested in persuasive essay topics on religion? We’ve got you covered! A real religion essay sample of this type is provided below. Feel free to use it as inspiration or reference material while writing your task.

Here are also some tips for persuading others to use in your writing:

• Choose a familiar topic. It would be hard to convince others when discussing questions you aren’t too well versed in.
• Use different types of reasoning. Appeal to your experience, emotions, rhetoric, etc.
• Maintain a respectful tone because you’re dealing with some quite sensitive questions. For example, if you’re presenting ‘My religion essay”, don’t offend any other religions or their representatives.

Do not forget to browse various persuasive essay examples by StudyBounty . It is crucial for your essay writing.

Religion Essay Outline

Let’s talk about an outline of essay on religion. This step is very serious because composing an excellent outline would help make huge progress with your essay. Presenting its logical structure in shortened but comprehensive format allows you to correct all grave mistakes before writing the full text.

Let's look at our sample. Suppose your general topic is ‘Cultural role of religion’.

Outline example for religion essay

Introduction: draft an introduction providing your thesis statement.

• Introduce your topic and write a thesis statement – a full sentence. E.g. debate that your belief is a key element of your national culture.
• Add a few words about this problem’s context, explaining the history of this question in your country.

Main body: the body should contain at least three paragraphs, sketched but concise. 

• Think your argumentation through and perform the necessary research.
• When defending the cultural role of your religion, place each of your major arguments in a new paragraph.
• Reserve the last paragraph to review possible counterarguments and refute them.

Conclusion: write a shortened conclusion.

• Summarize your arguments and refutations.
• Restate your claim and check whether it sounds convincing. Fill in any logical gaps if needed.

Bonus: Do not know how many pages your essay should be? Try our words per page tool and get an instant result!

Religion Essay Introduction

Making an introduction to religion essay informative enough requires some preparation and analysis. First, read how to write an informative essay . And here are the recommended steps:

• Provide your thesis statement making it clear, concise, and well formulated. We’ll discuss this part in another section below.
• Add enough context to make your audience familiar with the selected problem. It should explain why this problem is important and/or interesting for others. Otherwise, you would risk losing your audience’s attention.
• Make sure to keep it brief nevertheless. Don’t disclose any vital information that is to be provided in the main part later.

Our sample is available for you here. Feel free to choose and if necessary copy this structure and these techniques to use in your paper.

Introduction of religion essay example

During the ancient era, both power and religion had a connection to the aspect of kingship. Power was defined as the authority to influence other people's behavior. On the other hand, religion at times espoused the belief that the divinity in human beings was expressed in the center of leadership, in this case, the kingship. The fields of religious studies and anthropology, as well as a number of conferences, have considered kingship with respect to its relationship to religion. Going back to the early civilizations, the aspect of power and religion worked similarly as well as differently in both Aegean Crete and in Mesopotamia. This paper aims at discussing how the two aspects operated in the two regions.

Religion Essay Thesis Statement Examples

When brainstorming a thesis statement on religion, better focus on the aspects you are well familiar with. It would be difficult to prove the point if you don’t know enough about the problem.

Are you writing an argumentative or persuasive essay? In both cases, you should make some controversial claims so that you would have enough materials for discussion.

Here is a thesis statement about religion that you could use when discussing its cultural role:

Despite many controversies about the current role of our church, religion has shaped the unique culture of our society.

Here you quote an opposite opinion on your problem and refute it in the same sentence. Such construction makes your thesis sound more interesting.

Religion Essay Body Paragraph

The classic format of 5 paragraph essay about religion foresees using 3 out of 5 paragraphs for the main body part. The remaining 2 paragraphs are left for the introduction and the conclusion respectively.

Here is what your main part should include:

• All the information with necessary explanations and argumentation. Make sure to prepare valid data or evidence for your claims and assumptions.
• Each paragraph in your essay should contain a certain major argument. Leave the last one for reviewing the main counterarguments against your position and refuting them.
• Remember that all paragraphs should be logically connected with each other.

You can see how it is done in a sample available below.

Religion essay body paragraph example 

Ancient leaders, more particularly Kings, used architecture and art to show their true dominance vividly. In this context, various structures conferred different messages. It's evident that every structure portrayed a specific message as far as kingship was concerned. A much more critical component, in any case, is the central role performed by organized religion within Mesopotamian in regards to issues of state (Finegan 2015). More certainly during the Sumerian times, the city and its monetary association were the duty of the sanctuary, with its progressive brotherhood in which was vested a power practically equivalent to that of the ruler and his admonitory committee of elders. As needs were at the beginning of Sumeria and Babylonia, consideration was paid essentially to the design of religious structures, and all sculptures that had a religious significance filled. The elaboration and enhancement of castles were an advancement of the Assyrian times.

Religion Essay Conclusion

Finally, let’s talk about a conclusion on religion essay. Here are several tips on writing a good one:

• Summarize the important information you’ve provided in your essay, but don’t repeat it. Make sure you address the opposing point of view – this will make an essay more objective.
• Don't put any reference material in this section – place all of that in the previous part.
• Make it brief but comprehensive. Try adding some captivating comments about the subject. They could leave a lasting impression on readers.

A good sample is available below. It could be useful for you as extra reference material. Feel free to borrow some ideas from it!

Example of conclusion for religion essay

Evidently, as the paper highlights, in the ancient world, kingship was complemented both by power and by religion. The highest-ranking officials in government used architecture and artworks to show their dominance and authority. For instance, a stone relief and the Akkadian statue in Mesopotamia and the tallest buildings in Aegean Crete such as the Knossos Palace. These artworks showed that the kingship position was for universal well-being. The artwork was symbolic. It showed power vested upon the ruler and not the ruler themselves.

How to Write a Religion Essay

Are you stuck at the beginning? Here’s how to write an essay about religion – step by step:

• Choose your topic carefully. Brainstorm ideas and conduct some research. Make sure you know well what you are writing about.
• Present it to your audience properly. This includes preparing a strong thesis statement. But at the same time remain respectful to other people, including your opponents. Review your thesis carefully before proceeding.
• Write a short outline. At this stage, it will be much easier to evaluate how concise your work would be. Serious misjudgments, errors, or gaps can be quickly spotted and corrected. Just make sure to review your completed outline at least twice.
• Conduct serious research about your topic. Collect all necessary reference material. Use only valid sources and make sure all the citations aren’t offensive.
• Write the full essay. Format it carefully, use proper vocabulary, and don't forget about grammar.
• Review it at least once. Minor issues are left unnoticed quite often. Try asking someone else to check it out.

Still not sure how to write an essay on religion? You can contact us! We have experienced academic writers who are happy to help students.

List of Popular Religion Paper Topics

Need some good topics for religion papers ? Or not sure how to choose from various religion topics to write about? We’ve got your back! Here are the 12 best religion topics for essays of various levels and types:

• The historical role of religion in education. (Look at the education system essay from our library.)
• Comparison and contrast of Islam and Christianity.
•  Start with Importance of religious community in our society.
• How do churches in maintain international peace?
• Benefits of polygamy/monogamy from the religious aspect.
• Ideas of reincarnation and their basis.
• Dangers of religious radicalism.
• Are religious people more moral? Why or why not?
• What justifies changing your belief? 
• Why the church should/should not be separated from the state.
• Polytheism vs monotheism.
• Why religions will/will not disappear eventually.

FAQ About Essays on Religion

Sure, we’ve got totally free essays religion for you, at no charge at all. Feel free to browse through them, read or download them as pdf. As long as you avoid direct copying, you can reuse their style or structure in your own original work or borrow their sources if they match your own topic.

Always start your religious essays with strong thesis statements. It is recommended to address complex and even controversial problems. Such claims provide enough material for discussion and engage your reader. Don’t forget to give enough context about your thesis. Otherwise, people who read it might lose focus at the beginning.

No! These religion papers available here aren’t unique. They have already been published online and are visible to all other people. Submitting someone else’s text for your school assignment qualifies as plagiarism, even if you’ve copied only a part of it. Be sure that your professor can easily detect that.

Because of the importance of studying religion essay is a popular assignment in various colleges. This kind of paper allows students to demonstrate their ability to address different complex and very sensitive problems. In addition to their writing skills, they show their capabilities of performing analysis and maintaining respectful dialogue.

Many essay titles about religion are helpful for engaging your reader. A strong title should be captivating (e.g. using unexpected logical constructions); controversial and inviting for a debate; correct and completely corresponding to your thesis statement but not copying it completely; relevant for different types of societies and avoid a narrow focus.

Running out of time ?

Entrust your assignment to proficient writers and receive TOP-quality paper before the deadline is over.

100+ Religion Essay Topics

The realm of religion has always been a deeply fascinating and, at times, contentious area of study. The possibilities for exploration are vast, from theological doctrines to the impact of religion on societies. If you are a student or an enthusiast looking to delve into religious studies through essays, you’ve come to the right place.

Table of Contents

What is a Religion Essay?

A religion essay is a piece of writing that explores topics related to spirituality, theological doctrines, the historical evolution of religions, religious practices, and the impact of religion on various facets of society. It provides an avenue for individuals to critically examine and articulate their understanding of a religious subject, fostering both introspection and academic analysis.

Guide on Choosing a Religion Essay Topic

In 100-150 words? Here goes: Choosing a topic for a religion essay can be overwhelming, given the vastness of the subject. Start by narrowing your focus. Are you more interested in theological concepts, historical events, or social impacts? Research current events related to religion, as contemporary issues can provide fresh perspectives. Reflect on personal experiences or curiosities. It’s always easier to write on topics you’re passionate about. Lastly, ensure your chosen topic has enough credible sources available for a well-researched essay.

Religion Essay Topics Lists

Theological concepts.

• The Concept of God in Abrahamic Religions
• Karma and Reincarnation in Hinduism
• The Significance of Nirvana in Buddhism
• Sufism: The Mystical Dimension of Islam
• The Holy Trinity in Christianity: Interpretations and Beliefs

Historical Events

• The Crusades: Religious Zeal or Political Conquest?
• The Reformation and its Impact on Christianity
• Spread of Islam: Historical Perspectives and Causes
• Ancient Egyptian Religion and its Influence on Society
• The Role of the Vatican during World War II

Social Impacts

• Religion and its Role in Shaping Moral Values
• The Influence of Religion on Art and Architecture
• Religion and Politics: A Dangerous Liaison?
• Impact of Secularism on Modern Societies
• Feminism and Religion: Points of Convergence and Divergence

Contemporary Issues

• The Rise of Atheism in the 21st Century
• Religion and LGBTQ+ Rights: Conflicts and Resolutions
• Modern Religious Movements and Cults: A Study
• Religion in the Age of Technology: Evolution or Dissolution?
• Climate Change: Religious Perspectives and Responsibilities

Personal Reflections

• My Spiritual Journey: Discoveries and Challenges
• Religion in My Family: Traditions and Changes
• The Role of Prayer in My Life
• Personal Experiences with Religious Tolerance and Intolerance
• Finding Peace: A Personal Encounter with Meditation

Historical Contexts

• The Fall of Constantinople: Religious Implications
• The Establishment of the Church of England
• Comparative Analysis: Spread of Christianity and Islam in Africa
• The Dead Sea Scrolls: Relevance and Discoveries
• Influence of the Byzantine Church on Orthodox Christianity

Theological Doctrines

• Comparative Analysis of Heaven in Different Religions
• The Role of Angels and Demons across Religions
• Salvation in Christian Theology
• Islamic Views on Predestination
• Hindu Views on Creation and Cosmos

Philosophical Questions

• The Problem of Evil in Religious Thought
• The Existence of God: Arguments For and Against
• Morality: Divine Command Theory vs. Secular Ethics
• Free Will vs. Divine Determinism
• The Concept of Soul in Various Religions

Modern Interpretations and Movements

• Progressive Christianity: A New Age Movement?
• Jihad: Misunderstandings and Clarifications
• Spiritual but Not Religious: The Rise of Secular Spirituality
• Neo-Paganism and Modern Witchcraft
• The Baha’i Faith and Its Universal Message

Religious Practices and Rituals

• The Significance of Hajj in Islam
• Christian Sacraments: Symbols and Meanings
• Hindu Festivals and Their Socio-religious Importance
• Jewish Dietary Laws: Significance and Practice
• Zen Buddhism: Practices and Philosophies

Religion and Society

• The Role of Religion in Contemporary Politics
• Religion and Education: Benefits and Drawbacks
• Religious Perspectives on Healthcare Ethics
• The Impact of Religion on Family Structures
• Religion in Media: Representation and Bias

Interfaith and Comparative Studies

• Comparative Study of Abrahamic Religions
• Eastern vs. Western Spiritual Practices
• Similarities in Creation Myths Across Religions
• Comparative Study of Ascetic Practices in Religions
• Rituals of Death and Afterlife Across Cultures

Gender and Religion

• Female Figures in Christianity: Beyond Mary
• The Role of Women in Islamic Societies
• Feminine Divinities in Hinduism
• Gender Roles in Traditional and Modern Jewish Practices
• The Evolution of Gender Norms in Buddhist Traditions

Religion and Science

• Religious Perspectives on Evolution
• The Vatican and Astronomy: A Historic Relationship
• Islamic Contributions to Science and Mathematics
• Hindu Cosmology and Modern Astrophysics
• Buddhism and Psychology: Overlaps and Insights

Mysticism and Esoteric Beliefs

• Kabbalah: Jewish Mysticism Explored
• Christian Gnostic Traditions
• Sufism: The Heart of Islamic Mysticism
• Tantra in Hinduism and Buddhism: Misunderstandings and Realities
• The Rosicrucians: History and Beliefs of a Mysterious Order

Sacred Texts and Their Interpretations

• The Bhagavad Gita: A Philosophical Analysis
• Parables in the New Testament: Meanings and Implications
• The Talmud and Its Relevance in Contemporary Judaism
• The Tao Te Ching: Exploring Daoist Philosophy
• Themes of Justice and Mercy in the Qur’an

Religion and Art

• Depictions of Buddha in Art: Evolution and Significance
• Christian Iconography: Symbols and Their Origins
• Islamic Calligraphy: Beauty in Sacred Texts
• Religious Themes in Renaissance Art
• The Influence of Hindu Mythology on Classical Dance Forms

Faith and Modern Challenges

• Addressing Climate Change: Religious Responses and Responsibilities
• Religion in the Digital Age: New Forms of Worship and Community
• The Ethics of Genetic Engineering from Religious Perspectives
• Faith Healing vs. Modern Medicine: A Comparative Analysis
• The Role of Religion in Modern Mental Health Practices

Minor Religions and Sects

• Jainism: Principles of Non-Violence and Asceticism
• The Yoruba Religion: Understanding Orishas and Rituals
• The Alevi Community: Beliefs and Practices
• Zoroastrianism: History and Current Status
• The Raelian Movement: Extraterrestrial Beliefs and Controversies

Call to Action

Overwhelmed by the vastness of religious topics or unsure how to articulate your thoughts cohesively? Let WriteOnDeadline help! Our expert essay writers are well-versed in diverse religious subjects and can craft an impeccable essay tailored to your needs. Don’t hesitate – reach out to us today!

Useful References

• BBC Religions – Comprehensive information on a wide array of religions.
• Religion Online – Full texts by recognized religious scholars.
• Pew Research Center’s Religion & Public Life Project – Offers statistical research and reports on religion’s role in society.

What do students’ beliefs about God have to do with grades and going to college?

Assistant Professor, Fields-Rayant Chair in Contemporary Jewish Life, Tulane University

Disclosure statement

Ilana Horwitz does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

View all partners

In America, the demographic circumstances of a child’s birth substantially shape academic success . Sociologists have spent decades studying how factors beyond students’ control – including the race , wealth and ZIP code of their parents – affect their educational opportunities and achievement .

But one often overlooked demographic factor is religion. The U.S. is the most devout wealthy Western democracy . Does a religious upbringing influence teens’ academic outcomes?

Over the past 30 years, sociologists and economists have conducted several studies that consistently show a positive relationship between religiosity and academic success. These studies show that more religious students earn better grades and complete more schooling than less religious peers. But researchers debate what these findings really mean , and whether the seeming effect of religiosity on students’ performance is really about religion, or a result of other underlying factors.

My latest research underscores that religion has a powerful but mixed impact. Intensely religious teens – who some researchers call “ abiders ” – are more likely than average to earn higher GPAs and complete more college education. By religious intensity, I refer to whether people see religion as very important, attend religious services at least once a week, pray at least once a day, and believe in God with absolute certainty. Theological belief on its own is not enough to influence how children behave – they also need to be part of a religious community. Adolescents who see an academic benefit both believe and belong.

On average though, abiders who have excellent grades tend to attend less selective colleges than their less religious peers with similar GPAs and from comparable socioeconomic backgrounds.

The takeaway from these findings is not meant to encourage people to become more religious or to promote religion in schools. Rather, they point to a particular set of mindsets and habits that help abiders succeed – and qualities that schools reward in their students.

Religious landscape

People of any religion can demonstrate religious intensity. But the research in my book “ God, Grades, and Graduation: Religion’s Surprising Impact on Academic Success ” centers on Christian denominations because they are the most prevalent in the U.S., with about 63% of Americans identifying as Christian. Also, surveys about religion tend to reflect a Christian-centric view , such as by emphasizing prayer and faith over other kinds of religious observance. Therefore, Christian respondents are more likely to appear as highly religious, simply based on the wording of the questions.

Based on a 2019 Pew survey and other studies , I estimate that about one-quarter of American teenagers are intensely religious. This number also accounts for people’s tendency to say they attend religious services more than they actually do .

The abider advantage

In my book, I examined whether intensely religious teens had different academic outcomes, focusing on three measures: secondary school GPA; likelihood of completing college; and college selectivity.

First, I analyzed survey data collected by the National Study of Youth and Religion , which followed 3,290 teens from 2003 to 2012. After grouping participants by religious intensity and analyzing their grades, I found that on average, abiders had about a 10 percentage-point advantage.

For example, among working-class teens, 21% of abiders reported earning A’s, compared with 9% of nonabiders. Abiders were more likely to earn better grades even after accounting for various other background factors, including race, gender, geographic region and family structure.

Then working with survey measurement expert Ben Domingue and sociologist Kathleen Mullan Harris , I used data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health to see how more and less religious children from the same families performed. According to our analysis , more intensely religious teens earned higher GPAs in high school, on average, even compared with their own siblings.

Scholars like sociologist Christian Smith have theorized that increased religiosity deters young people from risky behaviors, connects them to more adults and provides them more leadership opportunities. However, I found that including survey measures for these aspects of teens’ lives did not fully explain why abiders were earning better GPAs.

To better understand, I went back to the National Study of Youth and Religion , or NSYR, and analyzed 10 years of interviews with over 200 teens, all of whom had been assigned individual IDs to link their survey and interview responses.

Many abiders made comments about constantly working to emulate and please God, which led them to try to be conscientious and cooperative. This aligns with previous research showing that religiousness is positively correlated with these traits.

Studies have underscored how habits like conscientiousness and cooperation are linked with academic success , in part because teachers value respect. These traits are helpful in a school system that relies on authority figures and rewards people who follow the rules .

Post-graduation plans

Next, I wanted to know more about students’ college outcomes, starting with where they enrolled. I did this by matching the NSYR data to the National Student Clearinghouse to get detailed information about how many semesters of college respondents had completed, and where.

On average, abiders were more likely to earn bachelor’s degrees than nonabiders, since success in high school sets them up for success in college – as also shown by my analyses of siblings . The bump varies by socioeconomic status, but among working-class and middle-class teens, abiders are more than 1 ½ to 2 times more likely to earn a bachelor’s degree than nonabiders.

Another dimension of academic success is the quality of the college one graduates from, which is commonly measured by selectivity. The more selective the institutions from which students graduate, the more likely they are to pursue graduate degrees and to secure high paying jobs .

On average, abiders who earned A’s graduated from slightly less selective colleges: schools whose incoming freshman class had an average SAT score of 1135, compared with 1176 at nonabiders’.

My analysis of the interview data revealed that many abiders, especially girls from middle-upper-class families, were less likely to consider selective colleges. In interviews, religious teens over and over mention life goals of parenthood, altruism and serving God – priorities that I argue make them less intent on attending as highly selective a college as they could. This aligns with previous research showing that conservative Protestant women attend colleges that less selective than other women do because they do not tend to view college’s main purpose as career advancement.

Grades without God

Being a good rule follower yields better report cards – but so can other dispositions.

My research also shows that teens who say that God does not exist earn grades that are not statistically different from abiders’ grades. Atheist teens make up a very small proportion of the NSYR sample: 3%, similar to the low rates of American adults who say they don’t believe in God.

In fact, there is a strong stigma attached to atheism . The kinds of teens who are willing to go against the grain by taking an unpopular religious view are also the kinds of teens who are curious and self-driven. NSYR interviews revealed that rather than being motivated to please God by being well behaved, atheists tend to be intrinsically motivated to pursue knowledge, think critically and be open to new experiences. These dispositions are also linked with better academic performance. And unlike abiders, atheists tend to be overrepresented in the most elite universities.

• High school
• US education
• High school students
• College applications
• Academic achievement
• Academic success
• Religion and society
• Religion and education

Content Coordinator

Lecturer / Senior Lecturer - Marketing

Assistant Editor - 1 year cadetship

Executive Dean, Faculty of Health

Lecturer/Senior Lecturer, Earth System Science (School of Science)

Religion in College Essays: Yay or Nay?

<p>So one of the Common App essay questions is:</p>

<p>“Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?”</p>

<p>Personally, I hear the question and my mind jumps to religion. I am an atheist. I was wondering if writing about a time I decided to “challenge a belief” (aka reject Christianity) is a flat-out bad move. I know they always say “religion and politics” are the two topics you should avoid in “polite” conversation, but I’m wondering if this rule applies to college essays as well. </p>

<p>So, should I go for it? Or pick a different topic?</p>

<p>What specifically would this essay involve? </p>

<p>If you write about how you go around criticizing people’s religious beliefs without prompting, that would make you look bad. (I’m an atheist, and I think it’s weird that you view atheism as “rejecting Christianity” specifically rather than as simply not believing in a deity. Do you just mean that you were a Christian before and you de-converted?) </p>

<p>If it doesn’t make you look bigoted or close-minded, it might be okay…but it’s still sort of iffy. After you write it, get some moderate religious people to tell you what they think.</p>

<p>If your goal is admission, stick to polite conversation. I wouldn’t put a lot of energy into a topic likely to offend if it goes on all your common app schools. If you still think it works, follow halcyonheathers advice.</p>

<p>I vote “go for it”.</p>

<p>I think this will be a difficult topic to write in a positive way that shows you in a positive light. You can’t write about how you decided that the religious beliefs of others are a bunch of nonsense. You could possibly write about how difficult it was for you to step away from the beliefs that supported you in your youth–but I still think it’s going to be hard to write in an entirely positive way. I think this essay prompt is best used for a situation in which you overcame a negative belief–and portraying religion as a negative belief is probably not the best approach.</p>

<p>It’s not a taboo subject, religion. However, I think this will not be a unique subject. I wonder if you have anything truly interesting to say on the topic. Heather makes good points.</p>

<p>I think the subject could make a fine essay provided you stick to your personal struggle and how it affected you in relation to your community, school, family, etc. – your personal journey of self-discovery and truth-seeking, the challenge of “coming out of the closet” to your family and friends, resisting peer pressure, incidents of discrimination that you have suffered as a result of your reality-based world view, etc. Show your strength of character and try not to come off as “preachy” and condescending. Good luck (and congrats!)</p>

<p>Thank you for all of the opinions! @halcyonheather , I didn’t mean to define atheism as “rejecting Christianity”; Christianity has just been a prevalent topic amongst my family and (especially) my community. And for me, I associate “rejecting Christianity” with deciding my own beliefs (as DGDzDad said, a “personal journey of self-discovery and truth-seeking”). </p>

<p>Everyone seems to have pretty different opinions on what I should do…the trickiest part about writing this, I suppose, will be to avoid causing anyone offense.</p>

<p>Not even that, really. I think the things that make it difficult to write the proposed essay well are (1) the need to refrain from belittling religion while making the case for atheism, and (2) the fact that the story you have just lived quite personally and, I presume, intensely is actually not new at all to readers who are 10 or 30 or 50 years older than you are.</p>

<p>OP does not have to “make the case for atheism.” The point of the essay would be for OP to show how being a minority challenging a belief held by a majority of the community affected OP personally and how OP handled it.</p>

<p>The same could be said for probably 80% of college application essays.</p>

<p>The issue is that religion is a controversial subject. Some people just feel defensive when an essay talks about challenging a belief they hold, no matter how inoffensive you tried to be. I think it’s important to show that you’re open-minded and that you’ve really thought about this stuff. Don’t be condescending, and don’t act like you have all the answers.</p>

<p>Colleges (ostensibly) try to create intellectual diversity, and I think a college education should force you to examine at least some of your views even if you get offended at times, so it seems kind of weird to me that talking about religion would be completely off-limits in a college essay. But it does need to be done carefully.</p>

<p>What did you challenge? Did you were in the middle of some people and challenge them who want to kill others who don’t want to perceive the same believe?</p>

<p>You don’t believe in god. what has that got to do with a college application?</p>

<p>Perhaps the point shouldn’t be that you went from Christianity to athiesm. Maybe it should be you changed your beliefs (without labeling what you were and what you are now). You can talk about the struggle, the conflict in breaking away from what you grew up with, the necessity to respect others’ religious beliefs yet be true to your own developing thoughts … Without identifying the religion you’re leaving or going to. It may be awkward and perhaps it’s unworkable, but I think it’s your best shot.</p>

<p>Religion is not a no-no. The problem is in how the typical 17 year old writes about it. There you have adcoms looking for your curiosity, open mindedness and flexibility- and kids can come across as too all-fired certain, done questioning and finished exploring. It backfires. They know a young person is not fully formed and should be continuing to evolve. Same goes for politics. Or social commentary. </p>

<p>This isn’t just a topic and an assignment to take a stand. And remember, “show, not tell.”</p>

<p>kitkat: you’ve been given advice on how not to appear. What happens if some of the advice runs against what you really believe? What if when someone warns you of the dangers of looking inflexible, too-certain, causing offense and bigoted but*** yet these are the attitudes you possess***? We don’t know you and should not judge you. That’s for you to determine. Even the bigoted, close-minded and offensive people refuse to characterize themselves in this way and desire to be admitted to competitive colleges.</p>

<p>Either abandon the topic or state it boldly and let them admit/reject you for who you really are.</p>

<p>Most college essays have nothing to do with the college application. I wouldn’t want to read one about the college application.</p>

<p>Couldn’t you say that about a lot of the introspection people do in college essays, though? They’re sort of asking you to make a statement about who you are, even though most teenagers aren’t any one thing for very long.</p>

<p>"Most college essays have nothing to do with the college application. "</p>

<p>They are. You write about DOING things. I fought with self mentally to reach a decision that I don’t believe in god is not doing much. I worked in soup kitchen, I collected toys for kids with cancer, I started a quidditch club, I cured cancer are the things that tell an adcom what you might do at their college.</p>

<p>We are not Catholic, or even very religious, but my son attends a Catholic school. I thought he wrote a very thoughtful essay about originally feeling out of place at his school, but eventually getting to a place where he was grateful for many elements of a Catholic education that he would not have experienced in another school setting. He had several specific examples.</p>

POPULAR STATES

Search sat scores, search act scores, search gpa’s, subscribe to our newsletter.

Stay informed with the latest from the CC community, delivered to you, for free.

CONNECT WITH US

© 2023 College Confidential, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

We use cookies to enhance our website for you. Proceed if you agree to this policy or learn more about it.

• Essay Database >
• Essays Samples >
• Essay Types >
• College Essay Example

Religion College Essays Samples For Students

5359 samples of this type

If you're looking for a possible way to streamline writing a College Essay about Religion, WowEssays.com paper writing service just might be able to help you out.

For starters, you should browse our vast directory of free samples that cover most diverse Religion College Essay topics and showcase the best academic writing practices. Once you feel that you've analyzed the basic principles of content organization and drawn actionable ideas from these expertly written College Essay samples, developing your own academic work should go much smoother.

However, you might still find yourself in a situation when even using top-notch Religion College Essays doesn't let you get the job accomplished on time. In that case, you can contact our writers and ask them to craft a unique Religion paper according to your custom specifications. Buy college research paper or essay now!

Islam Phobia Essay Example

Fitness essay sample, good essay on cannibals.

Don't waste your time searching for a sample.

Get your essay done by professional writers!

Just from $10/page

Islamic Art Essays Example

Islamic art: understanding visual wealth behind religion.

The consistent way of adding in faith into their work was a distinct characteristic of Islamic art. Among the primary themes that are found in such artistic works include the presentation of Mohammad, the distinct identification of Allah’s power and the way the Moslems prayed and praised their God Allah. These particular presentations about common themes in the Islamic belief create a well-drawn definition on how they ought to follow the distinct rules of Islam in their lives. What is specifically evident in most Islamic art forms is the absence of personas unlike other religious works.

Islam Development Essay Examples

Islam development, robbery essay examples, introduction, essay on jilting of granny weatherall, essay outline.

- Thesis: In Katherine Porter’s Jilting of Granny Weatherall, granny Weartherall’s main antagonist is life itself (that throws back and forth), but she manages to soldier on and weather all kinds of adversity till her death.

- Jilted at the age of 20

- Granny Weatherall gets jilted by her lover, George, at the age of 20.

- She withstands the pain of the break-up.

- Sick at 40

- At the age of 40, granny Weatherall develops milky leg and double pneumonia.

- She manages to pull through.

Sample Essay On Iran and Cambodia

Iran and cambodia, free homicide investigation essay example, federal government essay samples, international relationship essay sample, free voltaire essay example, religious nationalism essay sample.

The reflection paper, based on a range of classes of the course, is aimed at once more reconsidering what I have learnt during the course and the way I was feeling about each of the classes. Before considering each of the classes I would like to mention that all the class were very insightful, and made me more interested in religious studies in general, and the development of religion in Korea.

Genres of Music Essay Samples

Good essay about christianity, good essay on rerum novarum, the islam religion essay sample, ibn batuta and marco polo essay examples.

Both Ibn Batuta and Marco Polo were famous world explorers at their respective times – about a generation apart. However, the travels of Marco Polo preceded those of Ibn Batuta by a couple of decades. Therefore, in that respect, the worldview of the both the travelers are not that different since both saw more or less the same period in history. This essay shall compare the travel accounts of both these travelers and argue that the travel accounts of Marco Polo are historically more reliable than those of Ibn Batuta.

Free Essay About The Wife of Bath

Sample essay on trends in religion, good essay about modern buddhism, good essay about chinese ideologies.

Compare and contrast the new ideologies that developed in the Han period, including neo-Daoism, Buddhism, and other new influences in China. What was the impact on Chinese society and politics of these new schools of thought?

Free Agno theist on Myths America Live Essay Example

Essay on religions of asia.

In the beginning of the semester, I wrote on the Discussion Board that even though I am from Asia and people may think that I am familiar with religions of Asia, I did not have much understanding of various religious faiths in Asia. Because I have never believed or practiced any religion in my whole life, I did not have much interest about religions of Asia or elsewhere.

Italian Traditional Family Essay Sample

Italy is one of the most historical countries in Europe with its landscape serving as a portrait of years gone by. The rich history is woven into all aspects of the country including family, business and culture. With landmarks and ruins as old as two thousand years, Italy has managed to keep its history intact while adopting modern values. Today, it is not only an attraction for the tourists but also a hub of arts, fashion and traditions.

Essay On Loves Philosophy

Comparison of the rime of the ancient mariner (samuel taylor coleridge) to love's philosophy (p.b. shelley).

Romanticism is the element of classic English literature that is evident in the products of early The French Revolution. It is embedded as the fundamental of an individual that triggers alienation with the power of the spirit that demand change as violent obsession. The poets, philosophers and writers of the age of romanticism can be evaluated by comparing the constituents of emotions, passion and rationality. The same pattern will be used to perform a comparative analysis of The Rime of the Ancient Mariner (Samuel Taylor Coleridge) to Love's Philosophy (P.B. Shelley)

Free Essay On China and Japan

China and Japan both have a very long history, they have both formal and informal relationship. China in a big way influenced Japan, for example, in writing system, architecture, culture, psychology, law system, politics and economics, etc. China is much older than Japan. Both of these countries had different kinds of relations such as commercial and cultural that were established long ago, nearly 200 A.D. China has influenced Japanese language. Japan didn’t have its own written language, do when they had their first contact with Chinese civilization Japanese civilization they started using Chinese symbols in their writings.

Good Interviewing the Client Essay Example

Example of essay on human nature, chapter 10 q1, judaism essays example, 1. who is the founder of this week’s religion are there any other major contributors to the development of the religion.

Judaism is an oldest monotheistic religion among the three faiths f Islam and Christianity that originated in the Middle East. The religion started over 3500 years ago. The founder of the religion was Moses despite the fact that Jews draw their history back to Abraham. Other contributors of Judaism religion include Jacob and Isaac (Bbc.co.uk, 2014). The three patriarchs are the spiritual and physical ancestors of Judaism.

2. Describe the historical progression of this week’s religion. What are some key events that have helped to shape the religion’s core beliefs and practices?

Good essay on inca art in south america.

The sixteenth-century Inca Empire was one of the largest states in the worldat that time. It included most parts of modern Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, and northern Chile and reached into contemporary Argentina. The Inca called their empire the Land of the Four Quarters, which began as a state of many small rival kingdoms. To hold this linguistically and ethnically diverse state together, they depended on religion, a well-organised bureaucracy, and different forms of labor taxation.

Pecolas Life Essay Samples

The sacrament of baptism essay, free essay on classism in usa, free essay on the nature of religion, unearthing voodoos true relevance essays example, informative speech: unearthing voodoo’s true relevance to erase the historic misinformation, the age of american unreason essays examples, free essay about religion linked to happy life, questions on: “religion linked to happy life.”.

- What is this article about?

The article in context is about the effect of religious belief on the holistic happiness of human beings. Religion is researched as a very important factor in the life of human beings and the effects of religious practice are delved deep into in this article. It talks of several studies which have been carried out to substantiate the inference. The readers come to know how the devout religious person remains immune to negativity of life and how religion helps man tread on the path of life with its ups and downs.

A Ritual Essay Example

Morality in religion essays examples, 1857 indian revolt essay example.

The mutiny of 1857 was a turning point in the history of India under British rule. This event is considered as one of the most dangerous threats to rulers of contemporary India. The mutiny caused some very significant changes in the history of India and affected every aspect of the India. This paper intends to discuss 1857 mutiny and further probes what were the principal causes and characteristics of the Mutiny of 1857.

Sufi Poetry Essay Example

In this paperwork, I am going to discuss two or three major themes that emerge from Sufi poetry and how these themes connect to the general teachings of Islam. I will also compare the Sufi poetry with Merton Thomas work.

Cultural Conflict Essay Sample

In this paperwork, I am going to demonstrate my understanding about cultures in conflicts drawing a minimum of ten key concepts introduced throughout the term. When it comes to conservation, which plays a major role in culture conflict, it is clearly depicted that the Maasai are excluded by park managers from their traditional territory and resources to allow them practice conservation. The move of excluding the Maasai from their native land results into disagreement between the two parties, thereby, bringing up unnecessary fracas contributing to cultural conflict.

Free Essay About Protestantism movement in Korea

The following reflection paper is dedicated to reconsidering my new knowledge and ideas that I have got after most recent classes. In this paper I will address such topics as the developments in Protestantism in Korea over the period from the 19th to 21th centuries; the personalities of major leaders in this movement, as well as considering the reasons behind the Protestantism movement in Korea.

Existential Ethic Essays Example

Good psychology of religion essay example, free renaissance art essay sample, free essay on senju kannons, characteristics of freedom and their features essay example, example of new england essay, free essay on the bill of rights, buddhism and hinduism spiritual paths essay examples.

The knowledge above all is a key aspect in the Hindu spiritual tradition. The desire to know more about the depths of life and death cannot be bribed. Death offers Naicketas pleasures, happiness, wealth, many years of life, for him and his family in order to make him take back his question about a man who is considered death, although some other people consider him alive.

Example Of Mary Rowlandsons Story Essay

The phenomenon of religion essay, essay on american grace.

This review paper aim is to review the book “American Grace” by two American authors. The review is mainly based on the subject of “Sociology of Religion”. It addresses the authors’ findings, their conclusions and the significance of sociological approach to the American religion.

Example Of Essay On Religion

Question 1:, questioning religion essay.

Religion can be defined as a practice or belief intended to create long-lasting and influential meaning by establishing symbols that relate to a specific set of human values. Religion seeks to explain origin of the universe and life, giving meaning to life and explain other phenomena. Examples of religion are Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism and Islam. The debate about whether questioning religion is morally right is as old as religion itself. In my opinion, rational questioning of religion is not morally wrong; in fact, it helps to advance religion positively.

Essay On Workplace Diversity

Essay on debate on nato presence in afghanistan.

The North Atlantic Alliance (NAA) was formed on April 4, 1949. The NAA is an intergovernmental military partnership headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, based on the North Atlantic pact. Under collective defense, member states mutually defend against external attacks (Andreas et al 76).

The NAA's presence in Afghanistan has benefited the Middle East, though some argue it has increased conflict and misunderstanding. NAA operations in Afghanistan and Iraq have enhanced strategic importance in the Persian Gulf (Priest 65). NAA nations recognize instability's dangers and promote stability in Afghanistan and the Gulf. The NAA assists new Iraqi authorities to control defense and security themselves. As a populous state, NAA support has helped Iraq emerge as a regional power (Priest 67).

Iran's ballistic missile and religious extremist capabilities pose a threat. The NAA has not convinced Iran to halt these projects. This failure underpins critiques of the NAA's ineffectiveness in containing dangerous missiles and bombs, jeopardizing Euro-Atlantic security (Andreas et al 86).

The NAA's role in promoting regional stability and addressing Iran's nuclear program is significant. While some critics say the NAA overreaches into politics over peacekeeping, human rights advocates support the alliance's humane approach toward achieving Middle East stability and unity (Priest 69) (Kaplan 125).

Iraqis are rebuilding, but Iranian extremists like Mogtada al-Sadr promote instability and chaos to undermine emerging powers, maligning the NAA as ineffective (Kaplan 125). NAA presence has reduced deaths and boosted economic growth in Afghanistan and the Middle East overall, while curbing property destruction from prolonged regional war and religious conflicts. The NAA has established electoral leadership to replace Shiite infighting in Tehran (Kaplan 127).

The NAA engages influential clerics to limit political clerical power and promote strong nationalism over religious sectarianism. In May 2010, NAA officials and Pakistan's President Zardari and Army Chief discussed Afghan strategy, benefiting citizens through conflict resolution efforts (Priest 75).

Expanded NAA counterterrorism training aims to build mutual benefit and cooperation, including with the U.S. and other continents, to make the NAA a global body countering Middle East terrorists like Osama Bin Laden (Andreas et al 87).

While playing a key role in the Middle East, NAA members should pursue comprehensive solutions for lasting peace (Kaplan 128). Working with U.S. intelligence, the NAA can coordinate policies to dissuade Iran and terrorists from jeopardizing Middle East stability with nuclear and missile programs. Though contributing significantly in Afghanistan and the Gulf, the NAA's primary political purpose is to avoid military complications in stabilizing the region politically and economically.

With its mandate, the NAA can develop a new collective, coordinated regional security mechanism focused on Iraq, Iran and Yemen as the most affected states (Kaplan 130). It should address military issues and promote internal stability and reform in the post-Hussein period. Given the lack of evidence that the NAA has worsened Middle East conflicts, its Afghan presence has been beneficial overall (Andreas et. al. 90).

Works cited:

Priest, Andrew. Kennedy, Johnson and NATO: Britain, America and the dynamics of alliance, Contemporary security studies. New York: Taylor & Francis, 2006 (2): 65-75. Kaplan, Lawrence. NATO divided, NATO united: the evolution of an alliance. New York: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2004 (3): 125-130. Andreas, Wenger, Christian Nuenlist and Anna Locher. Transforming NATO in the Cold War: challenges beyond deterrence in the Middle East. New York: Taylor & Francis, 2007 (7): 76-90.

Importance Of Chivalry Concept Essay

Password recovery email has been sent to [email protected]

Use your new password to log in

You are not register!

By clicking Register, you agree to our Terms of Service and that you have read our Privacy Policy .

Now you can download documents directly to your device!

Check your email! An email with your password has already been sent to you! Now you can download documents directly to your device.

or Use the QR code to Save this Paper to Your Phone

The sample is NOT original!

Short on a deadline?

Don't waste time. Get help with 11% off using code - GETWOWED

No, thanks! I'm fine with missing my deadline

Three Essays on Religion

Author:  King, Martin Luther, Jr.

Date:  September 1, 1948 to May 31, 1951 ?

Location:  Chester, Pa. ?

Genre:  Essay

Topic:  Martin Luther King, Jr. - Education

In the following three essays, King wrestles with the role of religion in modern society. In the first assignment, he calls science and religion “different though converging truths” that both “spring from the same seeds of vital human needs.” King emphasizes an awareness of God’s presence in the second document, noting that religion’s purpose “is not to perpetuate a dogma or a theology; but to produce living witnesses and testimonies to the power of God in human experience.” In the final handwritten essay King acknowledges the life-affirming nature of Christianity, observing that its adherents have consistently “looked forward for a time to come when the law of love becomes the law of life.”

"Science and Religion"

There is widespread belief in the minds of many that there is a conflict between science and religion. But there is no fundamental issue between the two. While the conflict has been waged long and furiously, it has been on issues utterly unrelated either to religion or to science. The conflict has been largely one of trespassing, and as soon as religion and science discover their legitimate spheres the conflict ceases.

Religion, of course, has been very slow and loath to surrender its claim to sovereignty in all departments of human life; and science overjoyed with recent victories, has been quick to lay claim to a similar sovereignty. Hence the conflict.

But there was never a conflict between religion and science as such. There cannot be. Their respective worlds are different. Their methods are dissimilar and their immediate objectives are not the same. The method of science is observation, that of religion contemplation. Science investigates. Religion interprets. One seeks causes, the other ends. Science thinks in terms of history, religion in terms of teleology. One is a survey, the other an outlook.

The conflict was always between superstition disguised as religion and materialism disguised as science, between pseudo-science and pseudo-religion.

Religion and science are two hemispheres of human thought. They are different though converging truths. Both science and religion spring from the same seeds of vital human needs.

Science is the response to the human need of knowledge and power. Religion is the response to the human need for hope and certitude. One is an outreaching for mastery, the other for perfection. Both are man-made, and like man himself, are hedged about with limitations. Neither science nor religion, by itself, is sufficient for man. Science is not civilization. Science is organized knowledge; but civilization which is the art of noble and progressive communal living requires much more than knowledge. It needs beauty which is art, and faith and moral aspiration which are religion. It needs artistic and spiritual values along with the intellectual.

Man cannot live by facts alone. What we know is little enough. What we are likely to know will always be little in comparison with what there is to know. But man has a wish-life which must build inverted pyramids upon the apexes of known facts. This is not logical. It is, however, psychological.

Science and religion are not rivals. It is only when one attempts to be the oracle at the others shrine that confusion arises. Whan the scientist from his laboratory, on the basis of alleged scientific knowledge presumes to issue pronouncements on God, on the origin and destiny of life, and on man's place in the scheme of things he is [ passing? ] out worthless checks. When the religionist delivers ultimatums to the scientist on the basis of certain cosomologies embedded in the sacred text then he is a sorry spectacle indeed.

When religion, however, on the strength of its own postulates, speaks to men of God and the moral order of the universe, when it utters its prophetic burden of justice and love and holiness and peace, then its voice is the voice of the eternal spiritual truth, irrefutable and invincible.,

"The Purpose of Religion"

What is the purpose of religion? 1  Is it to perpetuate an idea about God? Is it totally dependent upon revelation? What part does psychological experience play? Is religion synonymous with theology?

Harry Emerson Fosdick says that the most hopeful thing about any system of theology is that it will not last. 2  This statement will shock some. But is the purpose of religion the perpetuation of theological ideas? Religion is not validated by ideas, but by experience.

This automatically raises the question of salvation. Is the basis for salvation in creeds and dogmas or in experience. Catholics would have us believe the former. For them, the church, its creeds, its popes and bishops have recited the essence of religion and that is all there is to it. On the other hand we say that each soul must make its own reconciliation to God; that no creed can take the place of that personal experience. This was expressed by Paul Tillich when he said, “There is natural religion which belongs to man by nature. But there is also a revealed religion which man receives from a supernatural reality.” 3 Relevant religion therefore, comes through revelation from God, on the one hand; and through repentance and acceptance of salvation on the other hand. 4  Dogma as an agent in salvation has no essential place.

This is the secret of our religion. This is what makes the saints move on in spite of problems and perplexities of life that they must face. This religion of experience by which man is aware of God seeking him and saving him helps him to see the hands of God moving through history.

Religion has to be interpreted for each age; stated in terms that that age can understand. But the essential purpose of religion remains the same. It is not to perpetuate a dogma or theology; but to produce living witnesses and testimonies to the power of God in human experience.

[ signed ] M. L. King Jr. 5

"The Philosophy of Life Undergirding Christianity and the Christian Ministry"

Basically Christianity is a value philosophy. It insists that there are eternal values of intrinsic, self-evidencing validity and worth, embracing the true and the beautiful and consummated in the Good. This value content is embodied in the life of Christ. So that Christian philosophy is first and foremost Christocentric. It begins and ends with the assumption that Christ is the revelation of God. 6

We might ask what are some of the specific values that Christianity seeks to conserve? First Christianity speaks of the value of the world. In its conception of the world, it is not negative; it stands over against the asceticisms, world denials, and world flights, for example, of the religions of India, and is world-affirming, life affirming, life creating. Gautama bids us flee from the world, but Jesus would have us use it, because God has made it for our sustenance, our discipline, and our happiness. 7  So that the Christian view of the world can be summed up by saying that it is a place in which God is fitting men and women for the Kingdom of God.

Christianity also insists on the value of persons. All human personality is supremely worthful. This is something of what Schweitzer has called “reverence for life.” 8  Hunan being must always be used as ends; never as means. I realize that there have been times that Christianity has short at this point. There have been periods in Christians history that persons have been dealt with as if they were means rather than ends. But Christianity at its highest and best has always insisted that persons are intrinsically valuable. And so it is the job of the Christian to love every man because God love love. We must not love men merely because of their social or economic position or because of their cultural contribution, but we are to love them because  God  they are of value to God.

Christianity is also concerned about the value of life itself. Christianity is concerned about the good life for every  child,  man,  and  woman and child. This concern for the good life and the value of life is no where better expressed than in the words of Jesus in the gospel of John: “I came that you might have life and that you might have it more abundantly.” 9  This emphasis has run throughout the Christian tradition. Christianity has always had a concern for the elimination of disease and pestilence. This is seen in the great interest that it has taken in the hospital movement.

Christianity is concerned about increasing value. The whole concept of the kingdom of God on earth expressing a concern for increasing value. We need not go into a dicussion of the nature and meaning of the Kingdom of God, only to say that Christians throughout the ages have held tenaciouly to this concept. They have looked forward for a time to come when the law of love becomes the law of life.

In the light of all that we have said about Christianity as a value philosophy, where does the ministry come into the picture? 10

1.  King may have also considered the purpose of religion in a Morehouse paper that is no longer extant, as he began a third Morehouse paper, “Last week we attempted to discuss the purpose of religion” (King, “The Purpose of Education,” September 1946-February 1947, in  Papers  1:122).

2.  “Harry Emerson Fosdick” in  American Spiritual Autobiographies: Fifteen Self-Portraits,  ed. Louis Finkelstein (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1948), p. 114: “The theology of any generation cannot be understood, apart from the conditioning social matrix in which it is formulated. All systems of theology are as transient as the cultures they are patterned from.”

3.  King further developed this theme in his dissertation: “[Tillich] finds a basis for God's transcendence in the conception of God as abyss. There is a basic inconsistency in Tillich's thought at this point. On the one hand he speaks as a religious naturalist making God wholly immanent in nature. On the other hand he speaks as an extreme supernaturalist making God almost comparable to the Barthian ‘wholly other’” (King, “A Comparison of the Conceptions of God in the Thinking of Paul Tillich and Henry Nelson Wieman,” 15 April 1955, in  Papers  2:535).

4.  Commas were added after the words “religion” and “salvation.”

5.  King folded this assignment lengthwise and signed his name on the verso of the last page.

6.  King also penned a brief outline with this title (King, “The Philosophy of Life Undergirding Christianity and the Christian Ministry,” Outline, September 1948-May 1951). In the outline, King included the reference “see Enc. Of Religion p. 162.” This entry in  An Encyclopedia of Religion,  ed. Vergilius Ferm (New York: Philosophical Library, 1946) contains a definition of Christianity as “Christo-centric” and as consisting “of eternal values of intrinsic, self-evidencing validity and worth, embracing the true and the beautiful and consummated in the Good.” King kept this book in his personal library.

7.  Siddhartha Gautama (ca. 563-ca. 483 BCE) was the historical Buddha.

8.  For an example of Schweitzer's use of the phrase “reverence for life,” see Albert Schweitzer, “The Ethics of Reverence for Life,”  Christendom  1 (1936): 225-239.

9.  John 10:10.

10.  In his outline for this paper, King elaborated: “The Ministry provides leadership in helping men to recognize and accept the eternal values in the Xty religion. a. The necessity of a call b. The necessity for disinterested love c. The [ necessity ] for moral uprightness” (King, “Philosophy of Life,” Outline, September 1948-May 1951).

Source:  CSKC-INP, Coretta Scott King Collection, In Private Hands, Sermon file.

©  Copyright Information

U.S. Colleges With Religious Affiliations: What Students Should Know

Religiously affiliated colleges welcome students of all faiths and beliefs.

Colleges With Religious Affiliations

Getty Images

Some colleges are religious only in their origins, but others have integrated their faith into all parts of campus life.

Key Takeaways

• A significant number of U.S. colleges have a religious affiliation.
• You don't have to be religious to attend a religiously affiliated college.
• Some schools have religious course or event attendance requirements.

When researching colleges and universities , students often have religiously affiliated schools on their list. Knowing what to expect or how a particular school may affect a student’s academic and college life is important to understand early in the selection process.

There were 3,893 degree-granting institutions of higher education in the U.S. in fall 2021, and 849 were religiously affiliated, according to the latest data from the National Center for Education Statistics.

Some of these institutions include the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, which is affiliated with the Congregation of Holy Cross; Baylor University in Texas, a Baptist university; Emory University in Georgia, founded by Methodists; Yeshiva University in New York, a Jewish university; and Wilberforce University in Ohio, which is affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Colleges founded by religious groups "have opened their doors to diversity,” says Mary Banks, director of admissions consulting at Quad Education Group.

Attending a religiously affiliated college can be an attractive option. While some students may be drawn because a school matches with their faith, others may be seeking a supportive atmosphere or opportunities for spiritual growth and exploration that can make this type of college a natural choice, experts say.

“When students seek to maintain and replicate their family values, a religious university provides a safe space,” Banks says.

Some colleges are religious only in their origins, but others have integrated their faith into all parts of campus life . Here are some things students should know about religiously affiliated colleges and universities.

Everyone Is Welcomed

Most religiously affiliated universities do not require students to be of the same faith or any faith at all to attend.

“While these schools may ask and consider a student's faith in the admissions process , they still value the same diverse student body, academic freedom and supportive campus community that all top schools do,” says Jayson Weingarten, senior admissions consultant for Ivy Coach.

One of the biggest misconceptions about a university with a religious affiliation is that “everyone there shares that faith and those who do not will quickly be inculcated in that faith. That's simply not the case,” Weingarten says.

Among religiously affiliated colleges and universities across the U.S., there are about 230 Catholic colleges and universities, says Donna M. Carroll, executive director of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities. She says a common misperception of Catholic institutions is that they enroll only Catholic students, but the reality is “only about half of all students attending Catholic colleges and universities self-identify as Catholic.”

Carroll says students of other faith traditions are often drawn to Catholic schools “because they feel that the Catholic campus culture will be more respective and supportive of their faith life than a secular institution.”

Religious Involvement Varies by Campus

Religiously affiliated colleges are not all the same and have different levels of religious involvement on campus.

“An ill-informed applicant might think a Jesuit school would require him or her to attend religious instruction or perhaps mass on Sunday. This is no longer part of the Catholic university experience, nor is it required at most religiously affiliated programs,” Banks says.

At religiously affiliated institutions like Boston University in Massachusetts and Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., the student experience is largely unaffected.

“Many of these schools do have a theology requirement, but these schools offer many nonreligious general philosophy or ethics courses to fulfill that expectation,” Weingarten says.

However, at some colleges, students may be required to take a religion class or attend some sort of regular convocation or event during their studies.

For example, Brigham Young University in Utah is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and requires students to follow a strict code of conduct and, for degree-seekers, to take religion courses as part of the general curriculum. Baylor requires all undergraduate students to take two separate semesters of chapel to graduate.

Diversity of Opinion Is Celebrated 

Religiously affiliated universities often feature smaller class sizes and campuses and lower student-to-faculty ratios, which aid in nurturing diversity of thought, experts say.

“Living in a pluralistic society means appreciating and respecting other ideas with room for respectful disagreement,” says Amanda Staggenborg, chief communications officer for the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities.

For example, the University of San Diego in California, a Catholic university, offers courses such as Islamic Thought and Culture, LGBTQ+ and Christianity, The Hindu Tradition, The Prophetic Tradition of Israel, Indigenous Religions and Spiritualities, and The Problem of God.

“There is sometimes a misperception that Catholic colleges and universities take a narrow view when, at most institutions, the reverse is true. The search for truth requires input from diverse experiences and perspectives,” Carroll says.

Some religiously affiliated universities also have chaplains and related staff representing multiple faiths. Tufts University in Massachusetts, for instance, lists eight chaplains on its website from numerous faith traditions.

“Many of the larger Catholic institutions do, in fact, have religiously diverse ministry teams, and large and small have active interfaith efforts,” Carroll says.

Whether a university is religiously affiliated or not, Weingarten says, students “will always be drawn to our nation’s most highly selective universities,” mainly for their academic programs, campus culture and community, and sports teams . That includes many religiously affiliated universities.

Banks encourages prospective students to talk to administrators and current students on the campuses they are considering.

“The welcome mat is out,” Banks says. “Do your research and include these universities in your school lists whether you’re seeking to remain in your comfort zone or are seeking a challenging environment that is culturally different.”

10 Steps to Choosing the Right College

Tags: religion , colleges , education , students

Popular Stories

Applying to Graduate School

Best Colleges

Medical School Admissions Doctor

Law Admissions Lowdown

2024 Best Online Programs

Compare online degree programs using the new U.S. News rankings and data.

You May Also Like

Options without residency matches.

Anayat Durrani April 30, 2024

Religious Accommodations on Campus

Anayat Durrani April 25, 2024

Ways to Maximize Campus Life

Anayat Durrani March 14, 2024

Disability Accommodations in College

Anayat Durrani Feb. 23, 2024

6 Traits of Successful MBA Candidates

Anayat Durrani Feb. 15, 2024

U.S. and Europe Degree Differences

Anayat Durrani Feb. 13, 2024

International Freshmen Mistakes to Avoid

Anayat Durrani Jan. 18, 2024

Waitlists and International Students

Anayat Durrani Dec. 21, 2023

Mental Health Tips

Anayat Durrani Dec. 18, 2023

Duolingo English Test

Anayat Durrani Dec. 8, 2023

Huge Rise in International Students

Anayat Durrani Nov. 28, 2023

Weigh Study Abroad Options

Anayat Durrani Nov. 17, 2023

Benefits of a Liberal Arts Education

Anayat Durrani Nov. 9, 2023

Tips for International Student-Athletes

Anayat Durrani Oct. 16, 2023

Ways to Utilize EducationUSA

Anayat Durrani Oct. 5, 2023

How International Students Can Transfer

Anayat Durrani Sept. 15, 2023

International Student Scholarship Guide

Anayat Durrani Sept. 7, 2023

U.S. Education and Foreign Students

Anayat Durrani Aug. 11, 2023

Understanding Academic Integrity

Anayat Durrani Aug. 9, 2023

Reasons to Choose a Catholic University

Anayat Durrani July 14, 2023

Professor Jeffrey Gonzalez publishes review essay in “Public Books”

Posted in: English Department , Homepage News and Events

English professor Jeffrey Gonzalez recently published a review essay discussing Sonic Youth member Thurston Moore’s memoir, Sonic Life , in the online magazine Public Books . Professor Gonzalez’s review, which appeared on May 16, was included in Lithub’s “ LitHub Daily, ” whose editors describe their selections as “the best of the literary internet,” on May 20.

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Guest Essay

Higher Education Needs More Socrates and Plato

By Ezekiel J. Emanuel and Harun Küçük

Dr. Emanuel and Dr. Küçük are on the faculty of the University of Pennsylvania, where Dr. Emanuel is a professor and the vice provost for global initiatives and Dr. Küçük is an associate professor of the history and sociology of science.

The right attacks colleges and universities as leftist and woke. Progressives castigate them as perpetuating patriarchy and white privilege. The burdens of these culture war assaults are compounded by parents worried that the exorbitant costs of higher education aren’t worth it.

No wonder Americans’ faith in universities is at a low. Only 36 percent of Americans have confidence in higher education, according to a survey by Gallup last year, a significant drop from eight years ago. And this was before colleges and universities across the country were swept up in a wave of protests and counter-protests over the war in Gaza.

But the problems facing American higher education are not just the protests and culture war attacks on diversity, course content, speech and speakers. The problem is that higher education is fundamentally misunderstood. In response, colleges and universities must reassert the liberal arts ideals that have made them great but that have been slipping away.

By liberal arts, we mean a broad-based education that aspires to send out into society an educated citizenry prepared to make its way responsibly in an ever-more complex and divided world. We worry that at many schools, students can fulfill all or most of their general education requirements and take any number of electives without having had a single meaningful discussion that is relevant to one’s political life as a citizen.

Over the past century, what made American higher education the best in the world is not its superiority in career training, but educating students for democratic citizenship, cultivating critical thinking and contributing to the personal growth of its students through self-creation. To revive American higher education, we need to reinvigorate these roots.

In Europe and many countries elsewhere, colleges and universities have undergraduates specialize from Day 1, focusing on developing area-specific skills and knowledge. College students are trained to become doctors, lawyers or experts in international relations, English literature or computer science.

In the United States, European-style specialization for medical, legal, business or public policy careers is the purpose of post-collegiate professional schools. Traditionally, the American college has been about imparting a liberal arts education, emphasizing reasoning and problem solving. Those enduring skills are the critical ingredients for flourishing companies and countries.

Historically, students arriving on American college campuses spent a majority of their first two years taking classes outside their projected majors. This exposed them to a common curriculum that had them engage with thoughtful writings of the past to develop the skills and capacity to form sound, independent judgments.

Over the past half century, American colleges and universities have moved away from this ideal , becoming less confident in their ability to educate students for democratic citizenship. This has led to a decline in their commitment to the liberal arts, a trend underscored in the results last year of a survey of chief academic officers at American colleges and universities by Inside Higher Ed. Nearly two-thirds agreed that liberal arts education was in decline, and well over half felt that politicians, college presidents and university boards were increasingly unsympathetic to the liberal arts.

Today, there is almost no emphasis on shared courses among majors that explore and debate big questions about the meaning of equality, justice, patriotism, personal obligations, civic responsibility and the purpose of a human life. Majors that once required only eight or 10 courses now require 14 or more, and students are increasingly double majoring — all of which crowds out a liberal arts education. Ambitious students eager to land a prestigious consulting, finance or tech job will find it too easy to brush aside courses in the arts, humanities and social and natural sciences — the core of a liberal education.

The devaluing of the first two years of a shared liberal arts education has shortchanged our students and our nation. Educating young adults to be citizens is why the first two years of college still matter.

To that end, the so-called Great Books have long been the preferred way to foster citizenship. This approach is not, contrary to critics on the left and right, about sanctifying specific texts for veneration or a mechanism for heritage transmission.

Books by Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Kant, Emerson, Thoreau, Whitman as well as Wollstonecraft, Austen, Woolf, Baldwin, Hurston and Orwell are worthy of introductory collegiate courses for students of all majors. These writers address the fundamental questions of human life. They explore the ideas of self-determination, friendship, virtue, equality, democracy and religious toleration and race that we have all been shaped by.

As students address those big questions, the Great Books authors provide a road map as they challenge and criticize one another and the conventional wisdom of the past. The Socrates of Plato’s dialogues is the exemplar — asking about beliefs and then subjecting them to respectful but critical analysis and skepticism.

These books are best studied in small seminar discussions, which model and inculcate in students democratic behavior. This discourse is an antidote to the grandstanding in today’s media and social media.

The teacher is less an expert in specific writers and more a role model for intellectual curiosity, asking probing questions, offering critical analyses and seeking deeper understanding. In an idealized Socratic fashion, these discussions require listening at length and speaking briefly and, most important, being willing to go where the argument leads.

Parents who are paying for college might question the value of spending $80,000 a year so that their son or daughter can read Plato, Hobbes and Thoreau instead of studying molecular biology or machine learning. But discussing life’s big value questions in seminars gives students personal engagement with professors that can never be reproduced in large lecture halls. Discussions among students on their deepest thoughts cultivates curiosity and empathy, and forges bonds of friendship important for citizenship and fulfilling lives.

Although we like to set ourselves apart from the past by appeals to modernity, the fundamental questions that we find ourselves asking are not always modern, and the latest answer is not always right. But how would you know how to think beyond the readily presented check boxes if you haven’t done the work of laying things out and putting them back together for yourself?

War was no less a concern for Thucydides, Tacitus and Thoreau than it is today. Discussing Great Books allows students to gain distance from the daily noise and allows their reason to roam free among principles and foundations rather than becoming absorbed in contemporary events. Our biggest problems are often best addressed not by leaning in but by stepping away to reflect on enduring perspectives.

Liberal arts education is not value neutral. That is why it is indispensable today. Freedom of thought, critical reasoning, empathy for others and respectful disagreement are paramount for a flourishing democratic society. Without them, we get the unreasoned condemnations so pervasive in today’s malignant public discourse. With them, we have a hope of furthering the shared governance that is vital to America’s pluralistic society.

Ezekiel Emanuel and Harun Küçük are on the faculty of the University of Pennsylvania, where Dr. Emanuel is a professor and the vice provost for global initiatives and Dr. Küçük is an associate professor of the history and sociology of science.

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .

Follow the New York Times Opinion section on Facebook , Instagram , TikTok , WhatsApp , X and Threads .

• Election 2024
• Entertainment
• Newsletters
• Photography
• Personal Finance
• AP Investigations
• AP Buyline Personal Finance
• AP Buyline Shopping
• Press Releases
• Israel-Hamas War
• Russia-Ukraine War
• Global elections
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East
• Election Results
• Delegate Tracker
• AP & Elections
• Auto Racing
• 2024 Paris Olympic Games
• Movie reviews
• Book reviews
• Personal finance
• Financial Markets
• Business Highlights
• Financial wellness
• Artificial Intelligence
• Social Media

Why the speech by Kansas City Chiefs kicker was embraced at Benedictine College’s commencement

The Benedictine College sign is seen Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Atchison, Kan., days after Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker gave a commencement speech that has been gaining attention. Butker’s speech has raised some eyebrows with his proclamations of conservative politics and Catholicism, but he received a standing ovation from graduates and other attendees of the commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 11. (AP Photo/Nick Ingram)

Students leave after attending a Catholic Mass at Benedictine College Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, in Atchison, Kan. Students told The Associated Press in interviews they embrace the college’s emphasis on Catholic teaching and practice. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

FILE - Catholics pray during Mass at Benedictine College Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, in Atchison, Kan. Enrollment, now about 2,200, has doubled in 20 years. Some 85% of its students are Catholic, according to the Cardinal Newman Society. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)

The campus at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan., was quiet on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, days after Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker gave a commencement speech that was getting attention. Butker’s speech has raised some eyebrows with his proclamations of conservative politics and Catholicism during his weekend speech, but he received a standing ovation from graduates and other attendees of the commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 11. (AP Photo/Nick Ingram)

• Copy Link copied

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker may have stirred controversy in some quarters for his proclamations of conservative politics and Catholicism on Saturday, but he received a standing ovation from graduates and other attendees of the May 11 commencement ceremony at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas.

The fast-growing college is part of a constellation of conservative Catholic colleges that tout their adherence to church teachings and practice — part of a larger conservative movement in parts of the U.S. Catholic Church.

Butker’s 20-minute speech hit several cultural flashpoints.

Butker, a conservative Catholic himself, dismissed Pride month as consisting of the “deadly sin sort of pride” while denouncing abortion and President Joe Biden’s handling of the pandemic. He said women are told “diabolical lies” about career ambition when “one of the most important titles of all” is that of homemaker. He said this is not time for “the church of nice” and in particular blasted Catholics who support abortion rights and “dangerous gender ideologies.”

WHAT IS BENEDICTINE COLLEGE?

Benedictine College is a Catholic college in Atchison, Kansas, that traces its roots to 1858. It is located about 60 miles north of Kansas City., and has an enrollment of about 2,200.

LOTS OF COLLEGES ARE CATHOLIC. WHAT MAKES IT DISTINCTIVE?

In some ways, Benedictine College sounds like a typical Catholic college. Its “mission as a Catholic, Benedictine, liberal arts, residential college is the education of men and women within a community of faith and scholarship,” according to its website.

But its home to more traditional expressions of Catholicism, such as the Latin Mass, all-night prayer vigils and a strict code of conduct. Its mission statement further cites its commitment to “those specific matters of faith of the Roman Catholic tradition, as revealed in the person of Jesus Christ and handed down in the teachings of the Church.”

The school gets a high ranking from the Cardinal Newman Society, a group that touts nearly two-dozen conservative colleges that exhibit what it calls “faithful Catholic education.” That includes upholding church teachings and Catholic identity while providing ample Masses and other devotional activities in shaping their students.

The society seeks to differentiate schools that “refuse to compromise their Catholic mission” from those that have become “battlegrounds for today’s culture wars.” Others praised by the society include Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., Ave Maria University in Florida and Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio.

The society’s ranking says Benedictine benefits from having monks in residence, multiple Masses and prayer groups, spiritually focused organizations and theology programs with professors with a “mandatum” of approval from the local bishop.

HOW HAS THAT RESONATED WITH STUDENTS?

Benedictine’s enrollment has doubled in the past 20 years. Some 85% of its students are Catholic, according to the Cardinal Newman Society.

Students told The Associated Press in interviews they embrace the college’s emphasis on Catholic teaching and practice.

“It’s a renewal of, like, some really, really good things that we might have lost,” one student told the AP in its recent article on the revival of conservative Catholicism.

OTHER FACTS

Annual tuition for full-time undergraduates is $35,350, but Benedictine says 100% of its students receive some form of financial aid.

Benedictine’s sports teams, called the Ravens, compete in National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Its athletics department says it is committed to ”setting the highest standards for academic success, athletic competition, ethical behavior, fiscal responsibility, and spiritual development.”

HOW DID GRADUATES REACT TO BUTKER’S SPEECH?

Video of the commencement shows virtually all the graduates and spectators rising to a standing ovation, but student interviews showed a more mixed reaction.

ValerieAnne Volpe, 20, who graduated with an art degree, lauded Butker for saying things that “people are scared to say.”

“I was thinking about my dad, who was also here, and how he’s probably clapping and so happy to see what he would say is a real man (reflecting) family values, good religious upbringing and representation of Christ to people,” she said. “You can just hear that he loves his wife. You can hear that he loves his family.”

Kassidy Neuner, 22, said the speech felt “a little degrading” and gave the impression that only women can be a homemaker.

“I think that men have that option as well,” said Neuner, who will be spending a gap year teaching before going to law school. “And to point this out specifically that that’s what we’re looking forward to in life seems like our four years of hard work wasn’t really important.”

Elle Wilbers, 22, who is heading to medical school in the fall, said the Catholic faith focuses on mothers, so that portion of the speech wasn’t surprising. She was more shocked by his criticism of priests and bishops “misleading their flocks” and a quip comparing LGBTQ+ Pride month to one of the seven deadly sins.

“We should have compassion for the people who have been told all their life that the person they love is like, it’s not okay to love that person,” Wilbers said. “It was sort of just a shock. I was like, ‘Is he really saying this right now?’”

WHAT DID BENEDICTINE’S NUNS SAY?

The Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica, one of the founding sponsors of Benedictine College, issued a statement Thursday criticizing Buter’s speech, contending it did not properly represent the college’s values.

“Instead of promoting unity in our church, our nation, and the world, his comments seem to have fostered division,” the statement said.

“One of our concerns was the assertion that being a homemaker is the highest calling for a woman,” it added. “We sisters have dedicated our lives to God and God’s people, including the many women whom we have taught. ... These women have made a tremendous difference in the world in their roles as wives and mothers and through their God-given gifts in leadership, scholarship, and their careers.”

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

Recommended

Chiefs’ kicker butker’s college speech: letters to the editor — may 21, 2024.

• View Author Archive
• Get author RSS feed

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission.

The Issue: Harrison Butker’s commencement speech at Benedictine College regarding his religious views.

I applaud Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker for standing up for his Catholic beliefs (“ Cancel worthy? Beg to differ!, ” Kirsten Fleming, May 17).

He reminded us of the dignity of life, motherhood and masculinity. In all, he recognized that the traditional family unit is not something to be looked down upon.

Secondly, he asks that our bishops teach the deposits of faith and tradition as opposed to wokeness, which should have no place in the Catholic Church. His fidelity to the traditional Latin Mass emphasizes his belief in the proper order to worship God and that the Mass is the most important act that takes place every moment of the day worldwide.

Butker’s courage in speaking about what he believes should encourage others to do the same.

Louis Galdieri

Morristown, NJ

So, the NFL distances itself from Butker’s speech as his “views” do not align with the National Football League.

Really? In a league with its fair share of felons, misogynists and impaired drivers, perhaps the league should reassess its “views.”

And considering that most players and officials — including NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell — are married with kids who are raised by both parents, the league could preserve its image by embracing decency as opposed to distancing itself from it.

Boca Raton, Fla.

Bravo to Butker for “kicking” the woke agenda out of the way.

He nailed it by pointing out that President Biden is both a hypocrite and a false Catholic. Biden blessed himself in front of an abortion clinic. He also funds and promotes abortion, which is murder — plain and simple.

The church should threaten Biden with excommunication as he allegedly committed adultery while his wife was married to another man. And (just like Biden) the NFL, alongside Commissioner Goodell, is a feckless organization with no guts or morals.

Harrison is also correct in arguing that Catholic church leaders should be more vocal about their beliefs.

David J. Smith

Stamford, Conn.

I find it amazing when a man like Butker, a man of true faith, chooses to speak his truth and is excoriated for it.

He gave respect and honor to the women who personally chose to be wives and mothers. He never once said that every single woman should choose these life paths.

Yet the NFL is distancing itself from his comments. This is despite the fact that the NFL stands silent on some of its players involved in murder, assault and domestic abuse.

It is a sad time in our history when a man who stands up for his principles is made out to be a bad man. I’d argue Butker’s opinions and beliefs are much more prevalent than one would be led to believe.

Butker gave a great speech at Benedictine College honoring his Catholic faith.

He gave kudos to the two most important women in his life, his mother and his wife. He also told the audience about the joy of marriage and urged many of them to start a family.

Yet the NFL chose to distance itself from Butker, simply because he is strongly against abortion. This is proof that the moral compass in America is in freefall, and yet another reason why I don’t watch the NFL.

Albert Bianchini

Pittsburgh, Pa.

Butker is being criticized for his commencement speech because of his religious beliefs.

College students, however, are defending Hamas and are being applauded. You could not make this hypocrisy more disgusting if you tried.

Lorraine Fittipaldi

Apollo Beach

I don’t understand how some people have the right to condemn those who have a strong Christian faith.

Who are they to criticize? And what do they possess that makes them moral authorities?

Butker is just telling it as it is, and he has every right to express how he feels. And even though I do not agree with everything he says, I believe he has the right to speak out about what he believes in.

Daniel Ricciardi

Want to weigh in on today’s stories? Send your thoughts (along with your full name and city of residence) to [email protected]. Letters are subject to editing for clarity, length, accuracy, and style.

Share this article:

EWTN News, Inc. is the world’s largest Catholic news organization, comprised of television, radio, print and digital media outlets, dedicated to reporting the truth in light of the Gospel and the Catholic Church.

• National Catholic Register
• News Agencies
• Catholic News Agency
• CNA Deutsch
• ACI Afrique
• ACI Digital
• Digital Media
• ChurchPOP Español
• ChurchPOP Italiano
• ChurchPOP Português
• EWTN News Indepth
• EWTN News Nightly
• EWTN Noticias
• EWTN Pro-life Weekly
• Register Radio

Get HALF OFF the Register!

National Catholic Register News https://www.ncregister.com/news/harrison-butker-speech-at-benedictine

• Synod on Synodality
• Most Popular
• Publisher’s Note
• College Guide
• Commentaries
• Culture of Life
• Arts & Entertainment
• Publisher's Note
• Letters to the Editor
• Support the Register
• Print subscriptions
• E-Newsletter Sign-up
• EWTN Religious Catalogue

Full Text: Harrison Butker of Kansas City Chiefs Graduation Speech

The Super Bowl champ and kicker spoke about the dignity of life, masculinity, and the most important role of all: motherhood.

Editor’s Note: Harrison Butker, 28, the placekicker for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League, delivered the commencement address at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, on Saturday, May 11, 2024. A transcript of his remarks is below.

Ladies and gentlemen of the Class of 2024:  I would like to start off by congratulating all of you for successfully making it to this achievement today. I'm sure your high school graduation was not what you had imagined, and most likely, neither was your first couple years of college.

By making it to this moment through all the adversity thrown your way from COVID, I hope you learned the important lessons that suffering in this life is only temporary. As a group, you witnessed firsthand how bad leaders who don't stay in their lane can have a negative impact on society. It is through this lens that I want to take stock of how we got to where we are, and where we want to go as citizens and, yes, as Catholics. One last thing before I begin, I want to be sure to thank President Minnis and the board for their invitation to speak.

When President Minnis first reached out a couple of months ago, I had originally said No. You see, last year I gave the commencement address at my alma mater, Georgia Tech, and I felt that one graduation speech was more than enough, especially for someone who isn't a professional speaker. But of course, President Minnis used his gift of persuasion. [ Laughter ] It spoke to the many challenges you all faced throughout the COVID fiasco ,and how you missed out on so many milestones the rest of us older people have taken for granted. While COVID might have played a large role throughout your formative years, it is not unique. Bad policies and poor leadership have negatively impacted major life issues. Things like abortion, IVF, surrogacy, euthanasia, as well as a growing support for degenerate cultural values in media, all stem from the pervasiveness of disorder.

Our own nation is led by a man who publicly and proudly proclaims his Catholic faith, but at the same time is delusional enough to make the Sign of the Cross during a pro- abortion rally. He has been so vocal in his support for the murder of innocent babies that I'm sure to many people it appears that you can be both Catholic and pro-choice.

He is not alone. From the man behind the COVID lockdowns to the people pushing dangerous gender ideologies onto the youth of America, they all have a glaring thing in common. They are Catholic. This is an important reminder that being Catholic alone doesn't cut it.

These are the sorts of things we are told in polite society to not bring up. You know, the difficult and unpleasant things. But if we are going to be men and women for this time in history, we need to stop pretending that the "Church of Nice" is a winning proposition. We must always speak and act in charity, but never mistake charity for cowardice.

It is safe to say that over the past few years, I have gained quite the reputation for speaking my mind. I never envisioned myself, nor wanted, to have this sort of a platform, but God has given it to me, so I have no other choice but to embrace it and preach more hard truths about accepting your lane and staying in it.

As members of the Church founded by Jesus Christ, it is our duty and ultimately privilege to be authentically and unapologetically Catholic. Don't be mistaken, even within the Church, people in polite Catholic circles will try to persuade you to remain silent. There even was an award-winning film called Silence , made by a fellow Catholic, wherein one of the main characters, a Jesuit priest, abandoned the Church, and as an apostate when he died is seen grasping a crucifix, quiet and unknown to anyone but God. As a friend of Benedictine College, His Excellency Bishop Robert Barron, said in his review of the film, it was exactly what the cultural elite want to see in Christianity -- private, hidden away, and harmless.

Our Catholic faith has always been countercultural. Our Lord, along with countless followers, were all put to death for their adherence to her teachings. The world around us says that we should keep our beliefs to ourselves whenever they go against the tyranny of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We fear speaking truth, because now, unfortunately, truth is in the minority. Congress just passed a bill where stating something as basic as the biblical teaching of who killed Jesus could land you in jail.

But make no mistake, before we even attempt to fix any of the issues plaguing society, we must first get our own house in order, and it starts with our leaders. The bishops and priests appointed by God as our spiritual fathers must be rightly ordered. There is not enough time today for me to list all the stories of priests and bishops misleading their flocks, but none of us can blame ignorance anymore and just blindly proclaim that “That's what Father said.” Because sadly, many priests we are looking to for leadership are the same ones who prioritize their hobbies or even photos with their dogs and matching outfits for the parish directory.

It's easy for us laymen and women to think that in order for us to be holy, that we must be active in our parish and try to fix it. Yes, we absolutely should be involved in supporting our parishes, but we cannot be the source for our parish priests to lean on to help with their problems. Just as we look at the relationship between a father and his son, so too should we look at the relationship between a priest and his people. It would not be appropriate for me to always be looking to my son for help when it is my job as his father to lead him.

St. Josemaría Escrivá states that priests are ordained to serve, and should not yield to temptation to imitate laypeople, but to be priests through and through. Tragically, so many priests revolve much of their happiness from the adulation they receive from their parishioners, and in searching for this, they let their guard down and become overly familiar. This undue familiarity will prove to be problematic every time, because as my teammate's girlfriend says, familiarity breeds contempt. [ Laughter ]

Saint Josemaría continues that some want to see the priest as just another man. That is not so. They want to find in the priest those virtues proper to every Christian, and indeed every honorable man:  understanding, justice, a life of work — priestly work, in this instance — and good manners. It is not prudent as the laity for us to consume ourselves in becoming amateur theologians so that we can decipher this or that theological teaching — unless, of course, you are a theology major. We must be intentional with our focus on our state in life and our own vocation. And for most of us, that's as married men and women. Still, we have so many great resources at our fingertips that it doesn't take long to find traditional and timeless teachings that haven't been ambiguously reworded for our times. Plus, there are still many good and holy priests, and it's up to us to seek them out.

The chaos of the world is unfortunately reflected in the chaos in our parishes, and sadly, in our cathedrals too. As we saw during the pandemic, too many bishops were not leaders at all. They were motivated by fear, fear of being sued, fear of being removed, fear of being disliked. They showed by their actions, intentional or unintentional, that the sacraments don't actually matter. Because of this, countless people died alone, without access to the sacraments, and it's a tragedy we must never forget. As Catholics, we can look to so many examples of heroic shepherds who gave their lives for their people, and ultimately, the Church. We cannot buy into the lie that the things we experienced during COVID were appropriate. Over the centuries, there have been great wars, great famines, and yes, even great diseases, all that came with a level of lethality and danger. But in each of those examples, Church leaders leaned into their vocations and ensured that their people received the sacraments.

Great saints like St. Damien of Molokai, who knew the dangers of his ministry, stayed for 11 years as a spiritual leader to the leper colonies of Hawaii. His heroism is looked at today as something set apart and unique, when ideally it should not be unique at all. For as a father loves his child, so a shepherd should love his spiritual children, too.

That goes even more so for our bishops, these men who are present-day apostles. Our bishops once had adoring crowds of people kissing their rings and taking in their every word, but now relegate themselves to a position of inconsequential existence. Now, when a bishop of a diocese or the bishop's conference as a whole puts out an important document on this matter or that, nobody even takes a moment to read it, let alone follow it.

No. Today, our shepherds are far more concerned with keeping the doors open to the chancery than they are with saying the difficult stuff out loud. It seems that the only time you hear from your bishops is when it's time for the annual appeal, whereas we need our bishops to be vocal about the teachings of the Church, setting aside their own personal comfort and embracing their cross. Our bishops are not politicians but shepherds, so instead of fitting in the world by going along to get along, they too need to stay in their lane and lead.

I say all of this not from a place of anger, as we get the leaders we deserve. But this does make me reflect on staying in my lane and focusing on my own vocation and how I can be a better father and husband and live in the world but not be of it. Focusing on my vocation while praying and fasting for these men will do more for the Church than me complaining about her leaders.

Because there seems to be so much confusion coming from our leaders, there needs to be concrete examples for people to look to in places like Benedictine, a little Kansas college built high on a bluff above the Missouri River, are showing the world how an ordered, Christ-centered existence is the recipe for success. You need to look no further than the examples all around this campus, where over the past 20 years, enrollment has doubled, construction and revitalization are a constant part of life, and people, the students, the faculty and staff, are thriving. This didn't happen by chance. In a deliberate movement to embrace traditional Catholic values, Benedictine has gone from just another liberal arts school with nothing to set it apart to a thriving beacon of light and a reminder to us all that when you embrace tradition, success — worldly and spiritual — will follow.

I am certain the reporters at the AP could not have imagined that their attempt to rebuke and embarrass places and people like those here at Benedictine wouldn't be met with anger, but instead met with excitement and pride. Not the deadly sin sort of pride that has an entire month dedicated to it, but the true God-centered pride that is cooperating with the Holy Ghost to glorify him. Reading that article now shared all over the world, we see that in the complete surrender of self and a turning towards Christ, you will find happiness. Right here in a little town in Kansas, we find many inspiring laypeople using their talents.

President Minnis, Dr. [Andrew] Swafford, and Dr. [Jared] Zimmerer are a few great examples right here on this very campus that will keep the light of Christ burning bright for generations to come. Being locked in with your vocation and staying in your lane is going to be the surest way for you to find true happiness and peace in this life.

It is essential that we focus on our own state in life, whether that be as a layperson, a priest, or religious. Ladies and gentlemen of the class of 2024, you are sitting at the edge of the rest of your lives. Each of you has the potential to leave a legacy that transcends yourselves and this era of human existence. In the small ways, by living out your vocation, you will ensure that God's Church continues and the world is enlightened by your example.

For the ladies present today, congratulations on an amazing accomplishment. You should be proud of all that you have achieved to this point in your young lives. I want to speak directly to you briefly because I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolical lies told to you. How many of you are sitting here now about to cross this stage and are thinking about all the promotions and titles you are going to get in your career? Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world.

I can tell you that my beautiful wife, Isabelle, would be the first to say that her life truly started when she began living her vocation as a wife and as a mother. I'm on the stage today and able to be the man I am because I have a wife who leans into her vocation. I'm beyond blessed with the many talents God has given me, but it cannot be overstated that all of my success is made possible because a girl I met in band class back in middle school would convert to the faith, become my wife, and embrace one of the most important titles of all: homemaker.

[ Applause lasting 18 seconds ]

She is a primary educator to our children. She is the one who ensures I never let football or my business become a distraction from that of a husband and father. She is the person that knows me best at my core, and it is through our marriage that, Lord willing, we will both attain salvation.

I say all of this to you because I have seen it firsthand how much happier someone can be when they disregard the outside noise and move closer and closer to God's will in their life. Isabelle's dream of having a career might not have come true, but if you asked her today if she has any regrets on her decision, she would laugh out loud, without hesitation, and say, “Heck, No.”

As a man who gets a lot of praise and has been given a platform to speak to audiences like this one today, I pray that I always use my voice for God and not for myself. Everything I am saying to you is not from a place of wisdom, but rather a place of experience. I am hopeful that these words will be seen as those from a man, not much older than you, who feels it is imperative that this class, this generation, and this time in our society must stop pretending that the things we see around us are normal.

Heterodox ideas abound even within Catholic circles. But let's be honest, there is nothing good about playing God with having children — whether that be your ideal number or the perfect time to conceive. No matter how you spin it, there is nothing natural about Catholic birth control.

It is only in the past few years that I have grown encouraged to speak more boldly and directly because, as I mentioned earlier, I have leaned into my vocation as a husband and father, and as a man.

To the gentlemen here today: Part of what plagues our society is this lie that has been told to you that men are not necessary in the home or in our communities. As men, we set the tone of the culture, and when that is absent, disorder, dysfunction, and chaos set in. This absence of men in the home is what plays a large role in the violence we see all around the nation. Other countries do not have nearly the same absentee father rates as we find here in the U.S., and a correlation could be made in their drastically lower violence rates, as well.

Be unapologetic in your masculinity, fighting against the cultural emasculation of men. Do hard things. Never settle for what is easy. You might have a talent that you don't necessarily enjoy, but if it glorifies God, maybe you should lean into that over something that you might think suits you better. I speak from experience as an introvert who now finds myself as an amateur public speaker and an entrepreneur, something I never thought I'd be when I received my industrial engineering degree.

The road ahead is bright. Things are changing. Society is shifting. And people, young and old, are embracing tradition. Not only has it been my vocation that has helped me and those closest to me, but not surprising to many of you, should be my outspoken embrace of the traditional Latin Mass. I've been very vocal in my love and devotion to the TLM and its necessity for our lives. But what I think gets misunderstood is that people who attend the TLM do so out of pride or preference. I can speak to my own experience, but for most people I have come across within these communities this simply is not true. I do not attend the TLM because I think I am better than others, or for the smells and bells, or even for the love of Latin. I attend the TLM because I believe, just as the God of the Old Testament was pretty particular in how he wanted to be worshipped, the same holds true for us today. It is through the TLM that I encountered order, and began to pursue it in my own life. Aside from the TLM itself, too many of our sacred traditions have been relegated to things of the past, when in my parish, things such as ember days, days when we fast and pray for vocations and for our priests, are still adhered to. The TLM is so essential that I would challenge each of you to pick a place to move where it is readily available.

A lot of people have complaints about the parish or the community, but we should not sacrifice the Mass for community. I prioritize the TLM even if the parish isn't beautiful, the priest isn't great, or the community isn't amazing. I still go to the TLM because I believe the holy sacrifice of the Mass is more important than anything else. I say this knowing full well that when each of you rekindle your knowledge and adherence to many of the church's greatest traditions, you will see how much more colorful and alive your life can and should be.

As you move on from this place and enter into the world, know that you will face many challenges. Sadly, I'm sure many of you know of the countless stories of good and active members of this community who, after graduation and moving away from the Benedictine bubble, have ended up moving in with their boyfriend or girlfriend prior to marriage. Some even leave the Church and abandon God. It is always heartbreaking to hear these stories, and there is a desire to know what happened and what went wrong.

What you must remember is that life is about doing the small things well, setting yourself up for success, and surrounding yourself with people who continually push you to be the best version of you. I say this all the time, that iron sharpens iron. It's a great reminder that those closest to us should be making us better. If you are dating someone who doesn't even share your faith, how do you expect that person to help you become a saint? If your friend group is filled with people who only think about what you're doing next weekend and are not willing to have those difficult conversations, how can they help sharpen you?

As you prepare to enter into the workforce, it is extremely important that you actually think about the places you are moving to. Who is the bishop? What kind of parishes are there? Do they offer the TLM and have priests who embrace their priestly vocation? Cost of living must not be the only arbiter of your choices, for a life without God is not a life at all, and the cost of salvation is worth more than any career.

I'm excited for the future, and I pray that something I have said will resonate as you move on to the next chapter of your life.

Never be afraid to profess the one holy, Catholic, and apostolic Church, for this is the Church that Jesus Christ established, through which we receive sanctifying grace.

I know that my message today had a little less fluff than is expected for these speeches, but I believe that this audience and this venue is the best place to speak openly and honestly about who we are and where we all want to go, which is Heaven.

I thank God for Benedictine College and for the example it provides the world. I thank God for men like President Minnis, who are doing their part for the Kingdom. Come to find out you can have an authentically Catholic college and a thriving football program. [ Laughter and applause ]

Make no mistake: You are entering into mission territory in a post-God world, but you were made for this. And with God by your side and a constant striving for virtue within your vocation, you too can be a saint.

Christ is King.

To the Heights.

• harrison butker
• benedictine college
• Related Stories
• Latest News

Chiefs’ Harrison Butker Chides Catholic Leaders in Benedictine College Commencement Address

Catholic bishops should be more like St. Damien of Molokai, the three-time Super Bowl winner and outspoken Catholic said. ‘I believe that this audience and this venue is the best place to speak openly and honestly about who we are and where we all want to go, which is heaven.’

Harrison Butker: In Hot Water or Too Hot to Handle?

So much is being said about a speech that wasn’t even for us.

Harrison Butker Supported by Kansas City Bishop, Prominent Catholics Amid Speech Backlash

Former Notre Dame football coach and Hall of Famer Lou Holtz publicly thanked Butker on Twitter Thursday for his speech.

Kicking Butker: KC Chiefs’ Star Torched on Social Media for His Graduation Speech

Mainstream media critics of Butker’s Benedictine College address went after him for what he said — and what he didn’t say.

Catholic University in Erbil Is a Beacon of Perseverance, Sowing Hope in Iraq

COMMENTARY: Archbishop Bashar Warda established the university 10 years ago, in the wake of the Islamic State’s campaign of genocide.

True and False Democracy in the Catholic Church

COMMENTARY: We are all sinners in need of grace and we are all looking to the horizon for Our Lord’s return.

German Priests Do Not Support Synodal Way, New Study Finds

Researchers contacted all of the 847 priests who were ordained between 2010 and 2021 in Germany to take part in the study. “In total, a representative sample of 17.8% took part.”

Among a Cloud of Witnesses at the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage

Christ will bring others to love him in the Eucharist through the lives of those who already do.

Pedaling With the Mystic Rose: The Link Between Bicycling and the Month of Mary

There is a profound connection between Mary, the Giro d’Italia, the month of May and the Catholic Church.

There and Back Again: How J.R.R. Tolkien Helped Save a Marriage

What is Tolkien’s contribution to his fellow man but celebration in the eucatastrophe — a happy ending that comes after a journey fraught with peril?

Pope Francis: ‘It’s a Manner of Communicating My Ministry’

From skeptic to promoter: dominican friar explains the power of the rosary, and they’re off national eucharistic pilgrimage routes begin with holy spirit-powered send-offs, pentecost: a fire that burns but does not consume, ‘60 minutes’ interview with pope francis: 12 quotes on a range of topics, ignatius press and ave maria university team up to bring book fairs to catholic schools, photos: jesus crosses the golden gate bridge at start of national eucharistic pilgrimage, vatican’s new apparitions document may lead to quicker pronouncements on purported marian apparitions, experts say, peoria diocese to reduce the number of parishes in the diocese by half, subscription options.

Subscriber Service Center Already a subscriber? Renew or manage your subscription here .

Subscribe and Save HALF OFF! Start your Register subscription today.

Give a Gift Subscription Bless friends, family or clergy with a gift of the Register.

Order Bulk Subscriptions Get a discount on 6 or more copies sent to your parish, organization or school.

Sign-up for E-Newsletter Get Register Updates sent daily or weeklyto your inbox.

Calculate for all schools

Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, can discussing religion in my college essay help or hurt my application.

Hey fellow juniors, I've been brainstorming ideas for my personal statement and I'm really passionate about my religious journey. I've been involved with my community's religious youth group, which has shaped a lot of my experiences. Is it okay to delve into religion in my college essay, or could that be a risky move? I'm worried admission officers might have biases or it could come off the wrong way. Thoughts?

Hello! I'm glad to hear that you are considering a topic that means a lot to you for your college essay. Sharing your religious journey can be a compelling subject as long as you focus on what you've learned and how it's influenced your growth and perspective. Colleges appreciate when students show insight and reflection in their essays.

However, it's also essential to ensure that your narrative is inclusive and not preachy or dogmatic about your religion itself. The key is to concentrate on the personal elements and universal themes such as community, service, and character development. For example, writing about how organizing a community service event through your youth group taught you about leadership and empathy can be very effective.

Moreover, if your involvement has led to any noteworthy initiatives or achievements, make sure to highlight them. This way, admission officers see the impact that your religious commitment has had on your life and, by extension, your potential contribution to their campus community. Stay true to your story while being aware of how it's presented!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.