Week9 Xinyu Yang

week9
ASA189
Xinyu Yang

In fact, some of my friends believe that science and spirituality are the opposite. In particular, as mentioned in our previous courses, modern education lacks spiritual courses. Citing Einstein's article "Science and Religion": "Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind." There are many scientific research results that are consistent with religious cognition and do not conflict. Even I have heard a point: “Science itself is a religion, but a religion that can solve real problems well.” In my opinion, religion is different from spirituality. Religion has established rules, but spirituality is a personal sentiment. This is very private and difficult to share.
In "New Age Commodification and Appropriation of Spirituality," the author refers to "Globalization", "New Age vs. Neo-paganism." Especially for the commodification of religion, the controversy is inevitable. Not only for Western religions but also in Shaolin Temple in China, the huge amount of tickets and merchandise income each year has caused some people's dissatisfaction. Many times religion advocates the belief in the sacred nature of the mysterious power beyond nature, the reverence for the unknown and the yearning for the supernatural power. In the modern capitalist-oriented economic development, led to the combination of religious activities and commercialization. Is this the reason that leads to the elimination of religious supernatural powers? Whether this is the main reason for the decline of Western religion？