The percentage of religious funerals in the UK is over 90%, compared to the number of church attendance, which is only 6%. These statistics promote the idea that Britain could be seen as a secular country because people care little for religious beliefs while they are living, but once a family member dies they see it as better to ‘send them off’ correctly, in hope that heaven (or God) will accept them. This can also be seen as a method of emotional support in times of crises.
Secondly, new technology from recent years such as computers with Internet is promoting religion. An article from ‘The Times’ newspaper by Michael Binyon tells how a senior Buddhist leader uses a popular website to promote his identity within the faith of Buddhism. Even to the extent of an ‘e-blessing’, in which Trinlay Thaye Dorje (aka Black Hat Lama) blesses his followers, in perfect English, to the sound of bells traditionally used in Buddhism to symbolize wisdom. For many, this presentation of religion is offensive as it forgets traditions, but for the rest, becomes a useful, modern way of establishing faith.
Everyday in the news is the subject of religions such as Islam whose people are in constant battle with one another. These Muslims are often portrayed to be desperate for their countries conflict to meet and end. They receive little sympathy as 42% of the British public relate them to the war on terror that had occurred in 2003. There may be a deliberate reason in which the religion is presented as this; possibly to alert people of its actions, to warn us of how deliacte the situation is, or simply to inform us on what is happening thousends of miles from us.
Recently there has been a media hype on the subject of ‘honour killing’. This is due to the tragic murder of twenty year old Banaz Mahmod who was found in a suitcase buried in a garden in Birmingham last year. Only a week ago was her father and uncle convicted for her murder. This story relates to the idea of how religion limits the freedom of women. We live in an ‘equal society’, where men and women alike have the right to free speech and votes. Nevertheless, how far can this be applied in relation to religion? Men can be popes, bishops, priests, dukes etc, whereas women can only be vicars- the lowest of the religious hierarchy. Young Muslim men feel a sense of liberation as they do not have to cover their bodies when outside of the house, whereas the women are, by the Qur’an, made wear the Hijab as Allah told them so, “Tell your wives and daughters and the believing women to draw their outer garments around them. That is better in order that they may be known to be Muslims”
Religion as limiting the freedom of women also relates to religion dividing a society. The ex foreign secretary Jack Straw stated that the veil worn by Muslims is a "visible statement of separation and of difference". He sparked anger as he asked a woman to remove her Hijab before entering into his surgery. The Islamic Human Rights Commission said the Commons leader's request was selective discrimination. Also, Dr Abdullah of the Muslim Council of Britain said individual Muslim women could choose to remove part of their veil, nevertheless, he added, that covering hair remained "obligatory" for Muslim women. Different religions are known to bring diversity and initiate disagreements, similar to how empiricist’s conflict with every single religion in that they state that there is no God. It is undeniable that religion promotes diversity, and everyday that the subject is brought up in the news, tension is bound to start in societies.
In conclusion, religion has for centuries been seen as a way to alleviate pain and suffering. While it does this, it also obviously promotes arguments and spreads terror. Different religions are subject to discrimination, alike with the people who follow them. In the words of Mark Morrison- Reed, “The religious community is essential, for alone our vision is too narrow to see all that must be seen. Together, our vision widens and strength is renewed”.