I was challenged by a professor to look and listen for religion (paying attention to Protestant Christianity) during one whole day. This is the result:

Religion is something that is seen and heard every day. Many great authors have tried to define religion and acknowledge what it really is. John Hinnells and Robert Orsi have both tried to create a definition for religion in the larger sense of the word while authors like Carl Ernst and Michael Satlow have searched for the more narrow and specific definition. Asking Hinnells to define religion may not be the right path to take. Hinnells would suggest that the word is too broad and perhaps culture would better suit (Hinnells 7). Orsi would also struggle with the definition saying that the word dates back to the early battles between Protestant and Catholic viewpoints. Orsi would also suggest that religion is the study of politics and politics the study of history leaving religion to mean history (Orsi 178). Carl W. Ernst would not be so quick to use the word at all either. Ernst states that the word religion is never stated in the Bible. He also continues by saying it may be derived from the Latin term relegere meaning to read again. There is no theological definition for the word religion (Ernst 39). When one opens their eyes to look and hear religion they need to consider all of Hinnell’s, Orsi’s and Ernst’s ideas to make a definition that allows them to listen and look for culture, politics, and history.

The fact is that no matter how one defines religion, it is everywhere and always present. If we were to stop for one day and specifically listen and look for religion, you would be astonished. Religion in the form of Protestant Christianity is always existing; it is seen and heard on our college campuses, in our cafeterias, on the television and radio, and on all forms of social media. Protestant Christianity is heard on The College of Wooster campus, like many, every hour. The bells that ring from the bell tower are a clear indication that Christianity is present.The origin of the idea comes from Protestants proclaiming the sovereignty of God. The bells ringing not only represent the time, but also the presence of God (Weiner 2). This is an example of how religion is being regulated. Those that understand what the bells define can acknowledge the being of God, those that do not wish to acknowledge the being of God can simply use the bells to keep the time of day. This should keep everyone happy.

When defining religion in the manner that John Hinnells chooses we can be exposed to a variety of religion’s actions in effect. As seen in Michael L. Satlow’s book Creating Judaism being Jewish has many aspects that entail it. One of the main focuses being the argument of Judaism being a religion or culture. The aspects of the religion can be seen in college and work-place cafeterias. Orthodox Jews that follow strict Kashrut and maintain a kosher lifestyle can be seen on campus and in these food service areas. Following Kashrut is very important to most Orthodox Jews. This is a key way they can support what they believe (Satlow 29). This is something that can only be noticed if it is looked for. This is a key element because is it not regulated by laws or practiced in a formal setting. This is the way someone is choosing to live their life based on their religion and is available every day. This should not affect a non-religious person in anyway.

Television, radio and social media love to attack religion. The coverage and stereotypes of terrorist attacks, music being blasted over the speakers, and angry bored Facebook users who complain about red coffee cups are in the lives of Americans every day. The approach news host take when covering stories can subconsciously be stereotypical and disrespectful to religions. Islamic views are depicted negatively by Americans. This leads some people to ponder the thought of why religion would even be considered in a terrorist attack, but these are the same people would not think twice about protesting the color change of a Starbucks Coffee cup (remember that?). These are the citizens of America that still listen to Christmas carols on the radio and sing alone while walking in a department store but do not understand the origins or what they are supporting. Carl Ernst and Isaac Weiner would both agree this is an important topic that effects all people on Earth. With Muslims being stereotyped by American societies, how can a Muslim practice their religion in America? How can people of non-Christian faiths feel safe here? The news has negatively represented all religions. The outburst from the coffee cup event has shown how a few members of a religion can negatively represent the entire religion. This is covering modern American’s cell phone and television screens every day. This is not religion.

Religion can inform the cultural values, assumptions, social norms, and laws we witnesses every day. The decisions one makes and the thoughts one thinks are all as a result of religion. Generally moral ideas and decisions come from the culture and surroundings one was raised. Someone raised Catholic may have different values and social norms than someone that is or was raised Presbyterian. This relates to laws seeing how the constitution does not say anything in regards same-sex marriage, the idea is completely religiously related. Someone that is Catholic may be against any idea of the thought, but someone raised Presbyterian could be more open to the idea, or not, we don't know. Just because your religion is called something does not confine you to all of it's "rules". Whether consciously or not, every action one takes is a product of religion. This applies for everyone regardless of religion or beliefs. Even people that clam to have no religious affiliation still are affected.

Politics and religion are very closely related and will always impact humans. The small and large aspects of political parties and the decisions they make are all produced by religion. Subsequently this touches every American. Republicans typically have their ideas about gay marriage and abortion. Democrats tend to also have views on gay rights and the ideas of abortion. These ideas are based off of the morals of the candidate. The morals are based off their religious affiliation or lack thereof. This would be enforced by their belief in the Bible and what their thoughts on certain human rights would be. This effects everyone every day. Politics are everywhere and alter our decisions while bringing religion along with.

Protestant Christianity is leaving its mark everywhere all the time. The sound (or noise) that is heard on campuses, the cup that coffee comes in, and the way people make most decisions is all a product of religion. During just one day alone a person can count numerous influences and experiences with religion, but sometimes it may involve stopping in your busy self-conceded life to see what is actually occurring around you. The obvious experiences with religion also tend to be the smallest of issues ie. coffee cups. The bigger problems and complaints about religion sometimes should not be any concern of religion at all. So many Americans are blind to true religion. When one opens their eyes to look and hear religion they need to consider all of Hinnell’s, Orsi’s and Ernst’s ideas to make a definition that allows them to listen and look for culture, politics, and history, and then truly religion can be seen and understood.

So I challenge you: Whether religious or not, take one day and look and listen for any signs of religion, you will be surprised