Religions and Leisure

We must be cautious against lifting pieces of religions out of their cultural context. An interpretation of any religion and the meanings it portrays for leisure is much more complex than it may appear on the surface. Knowing something about what people from different religions believe about living, however, may help us understand some aspects of leisure better.

Western Religions Judaism began almost 5,000 years ago in Israel strong emphasis on family and the study of religious text believe that God created the world and that it is full of meaning taking care of the environment is valued, but people are perceived to be at the top of the hierarchy belief that people should enjoy life’s goodness at the same time augment the joy by sharing it with God dietary customs are important Work has sacred meaning, but leisure is valuable for meditation and self-expression

Christianity began almost 2,000 years ago believe in the resurrection of Christ’s earthly body historically value work as a way to survive not for materialism operates out of love having a sense of right action for whatever they do in their leisure

Islam means peace that comes when one’s life is surrendered to God believe that being a slave to Allah is to be free from other kinds of slavery like greed, society or personal status came through the prophet Muhammad sacred text is the Koran the charge to followers is to practice good and prohibit evil says little about leisure, but does encourage people to do what is good for them focuses on the enjoyment within life through worship and sharing with others

Eastern Religions Hinduism reflects the development of Indian culture over centuries believe in one supreme being, but that divinity exists in many forms, including Gods and Goddesses Believe in the sanctity of life and that God may take many forms in a variety of ways, including as an animal encourages 3 principles: sacrifice, giving and penance believe that God and nature are on in the same believe that people are wholly responsible for his or her present condition and will have the future that he or she is creating (Karma) Play, leisure, pleasure and relaxation are interrelated and necessary for healthy living

Confucianism is a philosophy, religion and way of life for many Chinese, Korean and Japanese people named after the teacher Confucius which is a blend of common sense and practical wisdom notion of the universe as constantly changing, unfolding and filling with vital force or power called chi People are seen as inherently good and the concern is for social harmony Leisure is important as it contributes to chi and to social harmony Suggests that the good of man or woman always tries to become better in all that he or she does in both work and leisure

Taoism has different approaches ranging from religious to philosophical Tao (Tao refers to “path” or “way” is viewed sometimes as more of a philosophy than an organized religion value simplicity and spontaneity in anything undertaken, including leisure view leisure as a natural part of living Emphasizes action in harmony with nature with implications with what we do during leisure Tai chi chuan – example of a leisure activity that is believed to draw chi from the cosmos and dislodge blocked energy flows

Buddhism means to become enlightened or to become awakened the Buddhist law of Karma states that today’s thoughts, words and deeds shape the experiences of the future what an individual does to take care of themselves will have a long term effect on happiness and the quality of life as well as an immediate effect base their ethics on: morality, meditation and wisdom these ethics are based on self restraint Believe that if people really understand life and understand themselves nothing would be a problem Leisure and recreation might be viewed as a means and an end for self understanding