Religion as Cultural Identity: Addressing Misconceptions and Examining Attitudes
Religion, throughout human history, has been a defining characteristic of cultural identity for
numerous societies and communities. Today it continues to shape beliefs, values, and practices,
reflecting a deep-rooted connection between religion and culture. The sense of belonging and
connection that individuals feel through religion towards a particular culture is expressed
uniquely for each society. This is a multifaceted concept that encompasses various factors and
experiences and provides an understanding of who individuals are and how they relate to the
world around them. However, misconceptions often arise surrounding this relationship, leading
to misunderstandings and biases. If we were to explore the concept of religion as a cultural
identity, one will see that the subject gives birth to contradictory debates and forms certain
attitudes towards religion and automatically, towards involved societies.
Paintings, sculptures, and murals have been used to depict religious stories and narratives. These
visual representations inspire devotion and reinforce the cultural identity associated with a
particular religion. In modern times, art continues to influence religious cultural identity through
contemporary interpretations and expressions. This issue is also addressed by artists who wish to
make a change as art can significantly influence religious identity and its understanding. Through
their work, artists can break stereotypes and help people broaden their horizons. A wider
understanding of religion enriched in meaning, and history and adapted to the contemporary
context, can transform it into a powerful tool for community progression and individual well-
being. Contemporary art has the potential to address extremist ideologies and religious
fundamentalism by promoting dialogue, critical thinking, and empathy. While art alone may not
completely eliminate them, it can play a role in fostering a more open and tolerant society.
What is Cultural Identity
Cultural identity refers to the sense of belonging and connection that individuals and
communities feel towards a particular culture or cultural group. It is a multifaceted concept that
encompasses various factors and experiences, shaping an individual’s understanding of who they
are and how they relate to the world around them. Cultural identity is constantly evolving and is
influenced by a range of elements such as ethnicity, language, traditions, and historical
experiences.
Ethnicity is a defying trait of cultural identity because it explores the shared background of one
community. Language, ancestry, and historical heritage create the idea of belonging to a specific
nation-state. Ethnicity is shaping one’s cultural identity, as it provides a sense of collective
history and tradition. Historical experiences such as triumphs, struggles, and challenges
contribute to the formation of ethnicity. Collective memories of historical events can influence
how a community perceives its place in the world and relates to other cultures. Together with
ethnicity, the language spoken by a community carries with it a wealth of cultural knowledge,
stories, and expressions, creating a specific pattern of how people communicate and interpret the
world.*
Cultural traditions are perhaps the most visible parts of cultural identity because it comprises
rituals, celebrations, festivals, and social norms that reflect the group’s shared values. Engaging
in these traditions reinforces a sense of cultural identity and fosters a feeling of continuity with
the community’s ancestors. For example, the Hindu festival of Diwali, the Islamic month of
Ramadan, and the Christian celebration of Christmas are not only religious observances but also
carry distinct cultural meanings and practices associated with the respective communities. The
traditions are highly influenced by the group’s beliefs, often involved in the day-to-day
behavioral moral patterns and religious and philosophical ideas.
Creative expressions, such as art, literature, and music, contribute to cultural identity by
reflecting the values, beliefs, and aesthetic sensibilities of a community. These artistic forms
often serve to preserve and transmit cultural knowledge and heritage. Art has the power to
express spirituality and shape the way people perceive and engage with their religious traditions.
For example, Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” or Michelangelo’s “The Creation of
Adam,” not only convey visual biblical narratives but also contribute to the cultural identity of
Christianity.
Religion as a Pillar of Cultural Identity
Religion plays a pivotal role in establishing moral values and organizing social interactions. The
religious expressions of individuals serve as a crucial element of cultural identity by offering a
framework for understanding the world. More than this, religion provides limits by establishing
moral guidelines and organizing social interactions. Religion can also influence various aspects
of a person’s life, including their art, literature, music, architecture, and even dietary preferences.
Consequently, when individuals identify with a specific religion, they often align themselves
with the cultural heritage, traditions, and values associated with that religion, contributing to
their sense of cultural identity. For instance, Hinduism, with its rich tapestry of rituals, festivals,
and traditions, profoundly influences the cultural identity of millions of people in India and other
parts of South Asia. Similarly, Islam, emphasizing prayer, fasting, and pilgrimage, forms an
integral part of the cultural fabric of many Middle Eastern and North African societies.
However, while religion can be a significant component of cultural identity for many people, it
does not define their entire cultural identity, and individuals can have multiple cultural
affiliations and identities simultaneously. By appreciating religion as a cultural identity, people
can contribute to the promotion of dialogue, social harmony, and mutual respect in our
increasingly interconnected world.
Misconceptions About Religion and Cultural Identity
One common misconception is that religious identity implies a homogeneous belief system
within a cultural group. This misconception overlooks its diversity and complexity as religious
beliefs and practices can vary significantly even among individuals who identify with the same
religion. Religion often intertwines with local traditions, leading to unique variations within the
practice such as the way religious rituals are performed, the language used in religious
ceremonies, and the specific customs followed by a religious community. Even within the same
community, individuals may have varying degrees of devotion and adherence to specific
religious teachings. Personal beliefs, spiritual experiences, and individual understanding of
religious doctrines can lead to differences in the way individuals practice their faith. Many
scriptures contain passages that can be interpreted in multiple ways. As a result, different
religious denominations or sects may emerge, each interpreting certain aspects of their faith
differently. Within Christianity, there are various denominations such as Catholicism,
Protestantism, and Eastern Orthodoxy, each with distinct beliefs and practices. This diversity is
also evident in Islam, where Sunni and Shia Muslims have varying practices and beliefs. Thus,
religious diversity exists within cultures, even among adherents of the same religion. One must
recognize this diversity and avoid generalizations when discussing religion as a cultural identity.
Attitudes Toward Religion as an Expression of Cultural Identity
In a diverse world, attitudes towards religion range from respect and tolerance to skepticism and
hostility. A positive attitude acknowledges and appreciates the cultural significance of religion,
recognizing it as a valuable aspect of identity for individuals and communities. It promotes
dialogue, understanding, and empathy, fostering social harmony. Respect for religious diversity
is crucial in cultivating a multicultural society where people from different faith backgrounds can
coexist peacefully.
Regrettably, negative attitudes toward religion can lead to stereotyping and prejudice. People
may develop biased views based on misconceptions or distorted representations. For instance,
Islamophobia has become a concerning issue in various parts of the world, where the actions of a
few individuals are wrongly attributed to an entire religion. Such prejudices hinder the
understanding and appreciation of religion as a cultural identity and contribute to societal
divisions.
In some societies, a growing emphasis on secularism and individualism has led to a
disconnection from religious traditions and practices. While secularism promotes the separation
of religious institutions from the state, it does not imply the dismissal of religion’s cultural
significance. Therefore disregarding religion as a vital component of cultural identity may lead to
a loss of cultural heritage and a weakened sense of belonging for certain communities.
Recognizing the diversity within religious groups is crucial for promoting understanding and
avoiding stereotypes. Assuming homogeneity can lead to oversimplifications and
misunderstandings about religious traditions and those who follow them. It is essential to engage
in open and respectful dialogue with members of different religious communities to gain a more
nuanced and accurate understanding of their beliefs and practices.
Religion can be a central part of one’s identity. The word religion comes from a Latin word that
means “to tie or bind together.” Modern dictionaries define religion as “an organized system of
beliefs and rituals centering on a supernatural being or beings.” To belong to a religion often
means more than sharing its beliefs and participating in its rituals; it also means being part of a
community and, sometimes, a culture.
The world’s religions are similar in many ways; scholar Stephen Prothero refers to these
similarities as “family resemblances.” All religions include rituals, scriptures, and sacred days
and gathering places. Each religion gives its followers instructions for how human beings should
act toward one another.
* In addition, three of the world’s religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—share a common
origin: all three trace their beginnings to the biblical figure of Abraham.
There is incredible diversity within each religion in terms of how members define their
connections to it. For some, a religion’s theological beliefs and rituals of worship are central to
their lives. Others are more drawn to a religion’s community and culture than to its beliefs and
rituals. Many even feel part of a religion’s culture but choose not to participate in its rituals at all.
Some people feel free to choose a religion for themselves, or to reject religion entirely as a part
of their identity. Others feel that they have been born and raised in a particular religion and are
unwilling or unable to change it. Some governments grant privileges to one religion and not to
others, while other governments protect citizens’ freedom to follow any religion without
privilege or penalty.
Different people have different experiences with their religion. In the following reflections,
teenagers share parts of their religious experiences. While each belongs to a particular religion,
each one’s experience does not fully represent that religion as a whole.
Rebecca, then age 17, explains the influence that her religion, Judaism, has on her life:
In the Bible, in the Torah, there are 613 commandments. They involve everything from how you
treat other people, to Jewish holidays and how we observe them, and the Sabbath, which is every
week, and how we observe that. It’s like a guide how to live.
There are also a lot of dietary laws. The dietary laws say we can only eat certain kinds of meat
that are killed and prepared in a certain way. We can’t eat meat at nonkosher restaurants. My
parents like to remind me of this funny story. One time when I was two, we were driving past a
Burger King. I saw the sign, and I yelled out, “That sign says Burger King. No burgers for
Jewish people.” I picked up on those observances. It was always something that was part of me. I
recognized that it was important.
We set the Sabbath aside as a day of rest because God rested on the seventh day after creating
the world. Because of this, there are lots of rules for things you can and can’t do . . . It’s
supposed to be a day of rest—you’re not supposed to do any type of work, or watch television,
use the computer, use electricity, any of that stuff . . . For me it’s very spiritual. It really
separates the day out from the rest of the week.
Does religion shape culture, or does culture shape religion?
Some say that, like movies, religion shapes the culture and in turn gets shaped by the culture.
Other voices say: Religion is tied to culture. Religion and culture are entangled. Both can
infiltrate our lives. Both religion and culture surround social behavior and affect our value
system. Religion assists us in our pursuit of happiness. As children, many are pushed into one
belief system or the other, with child having no choice. Most of us claim our religion to be the
only true religion, but truth may not be the factor when we adopted it. Geography also impacts
one’s alignment to a particular religion or culture.
Lord Krishna points out in the ancient Bhagavad-Gita: "Purity, honesty, continence and
nonviolence are the disciplines of the body. Offering soothing words; speaking truly, kindly and
helpfully; and studying the scriptures are the disciplines of speech. Calmness, gentleness, silence,
self-restraint, and purity are the disciplines of the mind."
We asked our panel: Does religion shape culture, or does culture shape religion?
Faith should shape culture
Bryan Smith, lead pastor, Summit Christian Church, Sparks
If religion is a manmade construct, then it is formed and shaped by culture. The prevalent culture
of the day will have a strong influence in shaping the focus, intent and requirements of any given
religion. This view is broken and places emphasis on man creating God.
However, when God initiates what relationship and worship of Him looks like faith moves from
impotent religion into deep and abiding life change and hope. This has the potential to shape
culture by applying God’s ways to culture. Since God’s ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:9),
we should allow Him to shape our culture. Unfortunately though, since Genesis 3, we have run
the other way. The result is the blind leading the blind as culture is shaped by our broken desires
and longings that are counter to God’s desires. Repentance is needed as we allow God to shape
our culture.
Both are the case
Kenneth G. Lucey, philosophy/religion professor emeritus, University of Nevada
The question posed turns on the intended use of the word "or." Logicians generally recognize
two distinct senses of the use of the word "or," between alternatives (namely the exclusive sense
and inclusive sense). The exclusive "or"*applies when both alternatives cannot be true (for
example, asking whether a number is odd or even.) The inclusive "or" leaves open the possibility
that both alternatives apply. For example, asking whether someone plays basketball or tennis
leaves open the notion that the athlete might play both.
Regarding the question posed, I believe it would be correct to say both alternatives hold. When a
new religion such as Mormonism or Scientology gets formed, it certainly can have an impact
upon our culture. But also, we surely all would agree that human cultures have been generally
shaped by their traditional religions. In fact, some cultures are indistinguishable from their
dominant religions.
Religion shapes culture
Religion shapes culture, but as people deviate from the teachings of the religion, culture starts to
influence people’s behavior. Islam, for example, came to the Arab Peninsula and completely
changed its culture. Arabs were so fanatic about their tribes. They used to fight for years over
insignificant disputes. Fathers used to bury their daughters alive out of shame. Men used to
marry unlimited number of wives. Islam came and changed that culture*—*pride has become
only for religion; brotherhood got manifested among the people; and respect for women and their
rights was established. After hundreds of years, and as Muslims move away from the teachings
of Islam, culture started to sway the society. For example, for a long time, women in Saudi
Arabia were not allowed to drive, which has nothing to do with Islam. It was simply a Saudi
cultural norm and that is why it got changed.
Religion and culture speak to each other
Culture is a kind of language. Culture and religion shape and speak to each other, negatively,
positively, or something in between.
In a universal religion like Christianity, one challenge is discerning if teachings, behaviors*or
rituals may differ. What is universal or timeless, and what can be changed depending on the
culture?
This issue is seen when St Paul began to evangelize Gentiles, and it has continued ever since.
For example, when Christianity encounters a culture where polygamy is the norm, can a person
be a polygamist and also a good Christian? Or, should people be allowed to charge interest on a
loan, even if the Bible says it is wrong? Do all priests have to wear white on important feast days
such as Christmas if white is the color of death in a culture? The examples are numerous, but the
conversation won’t end until culture comes to an end.
The chicken or the egg
Buddhism is a religion that has lived happily in many diverse cultures. All along the ancient Silk
Road, from the westmost monastic temple in the Sinai Peninsula to the East in Siberia,
Buddhism as a spiritual system of understanding has seen support and expression. The secret to
Buddhism’s ability to live within many cultures is its ability to assimilate local cultural norms
while retaining the essence of the Dharma. That ability comes from our Middle Way approach.
The essential qualities of a religion must be stable for it to withstand the large and small tweaks
of cultural assimilation. This has not been a smooth road. Buddhism has been banned as
counterculture in India (Mughals), China (Mao), and Japan (Meiji) at various times, but it
remained in small pockets or “underground” until the time to re-blossom was at hand. Perhaps
the essence is Religion, the outer form is Culture.
Culture and religion are compatible
For the most part, neither does religion shape culture nor culture shape religion. Religions often
maintain congregations in many different countries each with their distinct cultures. The
exception is when a religion seeks to dictate many aspects of its members lives and not just their
religious tenets.
When Joseph Smith was asked by a minister of another faith how he was able to get so many
people to willingly follow the religious principles being taught, his reply was, “We teach them
correct principles and they govern themselves.” Through missionary work, people all over the
world have accepted the invitation to follow the Savior and enjoy the happiness available
through abiding the laws and ordinances of His gospel. Yet Samoans are still Samoan, Russians
still Russian etc. We are all children of the same God and savoring our rich cultures, we will
ultimately come to a unity of faith*(Ephesians 4:13-14).
Religion is fundamental
One can find examples that demonstrate both processes: Religion influencing culture and culture,
in turn, influencing religion. Ultimately it comes to determining which of the two came first on
the world scene and which can be seen as a primary factor in the history of humanity’s
development.
In general, the scriptures of each religion are considered by its adherents to form the fundamental
basis, the foundation for that religion. These scriptures are usually considered to be divinely
inspired or to be the realizations of divinely inspired persons. All further customs, habits, and
instincts of the adherents of any religion, in other words, everything that goes to make up the
culture of the adherents of each religion is built upon that scriptural or religious basis. In that
sense, it is religion that ultimately must be considered to be the origin of the culture of humanity.
Influence flows in both directions
Religion and culture are intertwined and each influences the other. Religion shapes culture
because people who subscribe to religion participate in the enactment of the culture in which
they live; they do not exist in a vacuum. Likewise, because religions and religious communities
operate within a given culture, culture shapes religious beliefs and practices.
One example of culture being influenced by religion is the civil rights movement which
dramatically impacted American culture. The movement was born out of African American
churches in the South, and this religious origin was critically important to MLK and other
leaders.
Blue laws, which still exist in parts of the U.S. and limit business and retail operations on
Sundays, are another example of religion shaping culture. Sunday becoming secularized and no
longer being kept as the set-aside Sabbath day it once was (and the subsequent disappearing of
blue laws) exemplifies culture impacting religion.
Tapestry
Religion and culture*are an inseparable tapestry. Historically, religion was a major contributor to
culture. For example, in the Middle Ages, religion dictated where to live and*work, who to marry
and even what to wear. Religion dictated the socio-political hierarchy and defined justice.
Now, religion is less of a driving force. It’s merely one thread in the tapestry of culture. From
liberal to Conservative Judaism, popular culture has exerted substantial outside pressure to be
dynamic and to change to stay relevant. For instance, as secular women find equality, women in
the religious world are strengthen to also seek it.
Today, we can seek out various cultures, which may or may not be informed by religion.
However, that is not true for all groups. Extremely orthodox Jews have generally become more
insular to avoid their concession to modernity. Theirs is a unique cultural tapestry completely
shaped by religion. *
Three examples of religious influence
Religion often shapes culture. For example, throughout much of the ancient world, the well-off
weren’t expected to help the poor, and their gods too had no interest in helping the needy. The
sense of communal obligation*that we sometimes enjoy today*was first introduced into the world
by Jews, then adopted by Christians out of a belief that God has a special concern for the poor.
Similarly, the ancients practiced medicine, but Christianity would eventually transform that
practice by infusing into it the virtues of charity and philanthropy. This resulted in the
development of hospitals, named for the virtue of "hospitality." Finally, the university can trace
its origins to Christianity. It originated in monastic settings that expressed a Christian
understanding of things and from belief in the God who created everything with purpose and
order, and that people are made to grow in and participate in his life.
They are mostly shaped by each other
Culture consists of a person’s outlooks, values, attitudes*and customs, whereas religion is a belief
system and worldview that provides behavioral guidance and also a spirituality that gives
meaning to one’s life. It is difficult to totally explicate culture from religion because beliefs and
practices are imbedded within culture.
Specific religious rituals (example: fasting, daily prayers) that can be found within culture unite
believers in a religion and separate them from nonbelievers. Yet two individuals may live in the
same culture and apply differing religious practices. Interestingly, recent studies have shown that
affiliation with a particular religion actually helps predict specific patterns of cultural traits.
Culture and religion are also connected because a culture is usually an expression of the faith(s)
which inform it. For example, a culture mainly animated by a religious belief in the worthy
attributes of righteousness, truth, and justice, should ideally strive for such ideals.
