Presentation Type
Demonstration
Number of Presenters
1
College or University
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Department
English
Faculty Mentor
Laura Gray lgray@uark.edu
Student Level
Undergraduate student(s)
Abstract
Over a billion people follow the modern Catholic church, yet one man, Dante, greatly shaped Catholicism as society now sees it today through his writings. Religion is central to humanity, influencing thousands of people’s lives every day, but it can be changed drastically by a new perspective. How, and why, does one person, or a group of people, completely alter a religion and its values? I am examining religion through texts such as Dante’s Inferno and theological studies to catch a glimpse of how societies shape religion and beliefs. Every religion has its own rules and structures, often contradictory to each other. By exploring religion through philosophy, psychology, and even neuroscience, I have found that beliefs and morals are more than they often appear. Religion is a key component to the social concepts and inner mechanisms within each of our minds. Exploring religion’s elements can not only enhance our understanding but create a more intuitive society.
Recommended Citation
Tester, James, "Religion: How Faith and Science Unite Society" (2025). Arkansas Liberal Arts and Humanities Day. 16.
https://arch.astate.edu/humanities-day/2025/2025/16
Religion: How Faith and Science Unite Society
Over a billion people follow the modern Catholic church, yet one man, Dante, greatly shaped Catholicism as society now sees it today through his writings. Religion is central to humanity, influencing thousands of people’s lives every day, but it can be changed drastically by a new perspective. How, and why, does one person, or a group of people, completely alter a religion and its values? I am examining religion through texts such as Dante’s Inferno and theological studies to catch a glimpse of how societies shape religion and beliefs. Every religion has its own rules and structures, often contradictory to each other. By exploring religion through philosophy, psychology, and even neuroscience, I have found that beliefs and morals are more than they often appear. Religion is a key component to the social concepts and inner mechanisms within each of our minds. Exploring religion’s elements can not only enhance our understanding but create a more intuitive society.
