The Journey Is Necessary

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can live your life right according to your experiences and your life.

I found Nishitani’s point of view more appealing because it is very individual. Geertz’s and Nishitani’s view differ in many ways. Geertz has a system of the way religion works while Nishitani is free and open with his definition. Geertz defines religion based on its utility, and Nishitani does not. Geertz studied different cultures and examined what religion does in those cultures while Nishitani studied why religion is necessary and what religion means as an individual. This is why I came to think that Nishitani’s view is better. It is compelling to people of today. We have a lot of people in this world with liberal values such as same-sex marriage and abortion. Equality and freedom and happiness are the main things we are all looking for and looking at religion not for its utility but for what it can lead you to is appealing to many. You do not have to practice a religion or have faith; Nishitani’s definition allows you to live your life and to ultimately find yourself and your purpose, and I do not think anyone wants to not find those things.

Essentially Geertz’s definition is useless because symbols are in every aspect of life, they do not have to be the focus of religion. For example, language can be used to pass on messages and meaning just like symbols do, but language is not one by itself. Any language can be used to construct a metaphor or construct symbols, but it is not one by itself. Symbolizing is not the only way to construct a meaning of something and most definitely are not the center of religion. Geertz’s says that humans need these symbols of religion as a guide to understand the world but why? There are other systems one can use or follow as a guide for life, like using morals. One can come up with basic morals to which they would follow as they live their life which can be as simple as “Peace, Love, and Happiness.”

You could be thinking that both definitions bring the same feeling comfort and positivity. You are right, but symbols are not just in religion. Symbols are everywhere and could be used for anything. Nishitani’s approach of defining religion could be the next step to understanding life and one’s purpose. Once that happens one can find comfort even in hard times just like people do with symbols according to Geertz.