Karl Marx, one commented that "religion is the opium of
the people". Do you agree with him? In the case Umuofia, do you think
their native religion stunts their development? Is the "new" religion
seen as a way of bringing development to Umuofia?
Apart from religion, superstitions play an important part in
the Ibo culture. Do you have your own sets of superstitions which you find
difficult to discard?
The following points can help you as you write your
reflective post on the role of religion and superstition in the novel and in
your life:
- · Analyze how superstitions and religions play in the life described in the novel.
- · Do superstitious beliefs and religion affect the development of a country? How?
- · How do one's beliefs affect the nation in terms of politics and culture?
Karl Marx said that religion is the opium of the people. Is
that true? For me, its question me back. Opium is a kind of drug that actually
an extraction of a plant called poppy. And this kind of drug can be used in a
good way, for example, in the industry of medicine, this powerful juices help
people to reduce pain and sleep. But in the wrong way, people can use it to get
‘high’ and addicted to it. So, its questioned me back whether Marx said state
that ‘religion is a good thing for people’ or ‘religion is a bad thing for
people’. For me, religion is a good thing for people but culture sometime can
be a bad thing for people. Religion and culture is not the same. Religion is
the belief in the existence of god or gods ad activities that are connected to
worship them. While culture is simply customs, beliefs and way of life that are
not connected to the god.
I believe that the native religion able to stunts their
development. With the gender differences mind set and the people-killing taboo,
of course the society won't develop. And Christianity is what I believe, the savior
of the people at that particular time. With the changes they brought in, people
will live in harmony where blood spilling is no longer allowed and women can
also help men in planting yam. Besides, in Christian, no one will be neglected
or outcasted, twins are allowed to live and sick people can die peacefully on
their bed, not in the forest.
For me, my religions and my culture did not offer any sets
of superstitions which I find difficult to discard. And I am happy to live with
it. Superstitions and religions play important roles in the life that described
in the novel probably because people at that time is not exposed to the media
mass compare with us today. Media mass able to act as agent that fuels us to do
things without the limitation of religions and culture.
No comments:
Post a Comment