A Comparative Analysis of Shamanism and Modern Faiths

Posted: March 6th, 2024

A Comparative Analysis of Shamanism and Modern Faiths
1. Introduction
My main area of interest has been the development and influence of shamanism and modern faiths in today’s society. Shamanism was an integral part of humanity for thousands of years due to its methods of healing, guidance, and providing a vital religious culture in which the people and animals of nature were seen to be connected by spirits. More recently, modern faiths like Christianity, Islam, and the Baha’i faith have gained popularity – especially over the past millennium. The biggest distinction between shamanism and modern (organized) faiths is that modern faiths see the Deity as an ethereal, separate, and almost unreachable thing. In shamanism however, “god” is seen in every part of nature and connects everything in the universe – this connects very closely to some of the key environmental attitudes and philosophies relevant to today’s world which is why I believe a comparative analysis between the two areas is fundamental in understanding their impacts and rise in popularity throughout human history. In order to practice shamanism, more often than not a shaman would have to undergo some kind of ritual when being called by the spirits to enter a trance to communicate with the spirits in the other Write a page paper – Do my Assignment Help Australia: No.1 Assignment Writing Services; these rituals and methods are ones that I will delve into in the following chapter. I believe having an insight into material of this nature and learning about these fascinating and almost – somewhat alternative world views would be something which students would find intriguing and mind opening; when people break out of the “this is right and this is wrong” mindset and explore things such as shamanism and bring them into their own critical views and interpretations, it can lead to fascinating works and ideas in many areas. Nowadays, there is a silent global societal struggle between new scientific “ways of knowing” and traditional (and some modern) faiths. I believe the impact of shamanism and its holistic “way of knowing” upon the solutions to this global clash can be seen. I want to know how and why this silent war might be influencing and holding back the influence of shamanism in the modern world; this will provide a hearty setting up and addition to my final chapter of the study where I will go on to discuss the effects and reception of the revival of shamanism in modern cultures.
1.1. Background of Shamanism
Shamanism originated from ancient indigenous traditions and was prevalent in the tribal societies of Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The term “shaman” refers to an individual who is regarded as having the ability to enter into altered states of consciousness in order to communicate with the spirit world. Throughout history, the practices of shamanism have been passed down through generations and continue to be an essential aspect of life for many indigenous communities. Shamanism underwent a period of decline due to the spread of institutionalized religions and colonization of tribal lands, resulting in the suppression and near extinction of many indigenous cultures. However, in the 20th century, there was a revival of interest in shamanic practices and the study of indigenous cultures. This resurgence was fueled by a growing awareness of social and environmental issues and a disillusionment with the impersonal nature of modern society and non-religious medical practices. As a result, many shamanic organizations and spiritual centers have been established in countries such as the United States and Europe and a notable number of people have begun to adopt shamanic beliefs and practices. Today, shamanism is recognized as a spiritual practice and a method of healing, which celebrates the interconnection between all forms of life and the natural world. The profile and work of contemporary shamans can range from local community healers and spiritual leaders to internationally renowned teachers and authors. Modern technology and mass media have allowed for conceptual and physical adaptations of shamanism, such as cyber and techno-shamanism, which emphasize the metaphorical use of internet and virtual reality imagery to engage with the spirit world. Furthermore, the integration of shamanism into the fields of alternative and holistic medicine, alongside the increased funding for the study of traditional healing practices by international institutions, signifies the growing recognition and importance of shamanism in both local and global contexts.
1.2. Overview of Modern Faiths
In contemporary society, the term “faiths” typically includes the monotheistic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, as well as such world religions as Buddhism and Hinduism. It is important to note that shamanistic practices are generally distinct from these modern belief systems. Shamanism is a spiritual practice that at its core is about connection, relationship, and balance; whether it is the connection to the earth, spirits, or the community in which the shaman serves. It is cathartic and healing and is as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago. write my research paper owl essayservice uk writings. contrast, the organized worship of modern faiths tends to be focused on specific images and moments in time. For example, prayer and meditation in such organized religious traditions usually involves sitting still and concentrating on one particular image or train of thought for a sustained period. Most modern faiths involve a sense of dogma, or guidance, from some form of higher power. This is clear from the types of practices and rituals that exist in these religions, from the use of symbols and holy images to the act of community worship and the rites of passage that punctuate the lives of their followers. With the advent of scientific inquiry and the increase in secular societies, many traditions have had to reflect on and react to a modernizing world. This has led to what some commentators see as a widening gulf between regional traditions and the practices of modern faiths. However, in recent decades there has also been a resurgence of shamanism as a recognized practice – albeit not a religion – in many parts of the Western world. This has led to an increased interest in the comparisons between shamanism and modern faiths, as well as questions about the place of both in today’s societies. As will be explored in more detail in following chapters, modern faiths have developed from the organized religious practices that characterized early urban civilizations in Mesopotamia and Egypt and are now diffused throughout the world. They are “organized” in the sense that religious institutions practice and express the faith collectively, and typically involves a standard set of beliefs and worship practices. write my research paper owl essayservice uk writings. contrast, traditional shamanism represents a belief system that has its origins in pre-agricultural, tribal societies and is generally centered around the community instead of any particular individual. However, the parallels and differences between these two forms of spirituality are not always that easy to define. For example, the practices of some indigenous tribal religions are often described as shamanistic, but do not directly translate to the modern expression of shamanic healing and spirituality. In addition, some scholars argue that the experiences of ecstasy and connection to the cosmos that are characteristic of shamanism can be found in many different religious practices around the world; that when people describe a shamanic experience, they are not referring to a set routine of rituals and practices, but to certain qualities of spiritual experience itself.
2. Belief Systems and Practices
Looking at the beliefs and practices of shamanism and modern faiths, there are some key similarities. Shamanism has been known to be the oldest religion still practiced till this day. What is unique about shamanism is that it focuses on the connection of the people with nature and healing from the spirits. For shamanism, no matter where it is practiced, there are typically three practices: rituals, shamanic healing, and the helping spirits. The rituals are usually with the sole intention of entering into communication with the helping spirits. These rituals are often performed with passions like the beating of drums and dances. Such rituals are critical for the music and the dances help to transcend the consciousness of the mind, therefore allowing the shaman to connect effectively to the helping spirits. Healing is another main feature in shamanism. The healing can take place either physically or psychologically, but they are all trying to target opening up the person’s soul. There are many evidences to show that shamanic healing practices have worked and benefited mankind. For example, research shows that cultural-based healing has a greater improvement on the mental health of American Indian or Alaskan Natives. Last but not least, the helping spirits are another crucial belief and practice in shamanism. The helping spirits are always from nature like the wind, trees, rivers, or even the animals and souls of the dead. The role of the spirits is to provide advice and teachings to the shaman, and therefore the spirits also participate in the process of shamanic healing. On the other hand, when we speak of modern faiths, the term “modern faiths” refers to modern religions. In this discussion, we shall examine the key differences between modern religions and shamanism. First and foremost, the practices of modern religions revolve around prayers and rites. Members of the religions will have to perform certain rites and prayers at different times of the day. For example, for Muslims, they have to perform a prayer called “Subuh” at dawn, “Zohor” in the mid-noon, “Asar” in the afternoon, “Maghrib” at dusk, and “Isya” in the evening. As for Christians, Friday is always a day for prayers and in some instances, some centuries-old churches may still keep the practice of ringing the bells, calling the people for prayers. Well, prayers are viewed as the conduit of the connection between God and the believers and faith. On the other hand, from the view of social scientists, they consider modern faiths as a way that a community is formed and holds the society together. This is by looking at what is known as the “functionalist perspective”. They argue that religious practices and the community help to unite the people together with the same faith and beliefs, hence allowing the society to survive together. This is quite different compared to the beliefs of shamanism.
2.1. Shamanism: Rituals, Spirits, and Healing
In addition to the shaman’s healing work, another important legacy of shamanism in the modern world may be spiritual healing. As Christa Mackinnon explains, “shamanic healing methods provide us with ways of regaining our completeness and retrieving our connection to the whole” (2010:176). This sense of finding a connection to a greater reality and a sense of purpose and meaning to life. His renewed connection with his own spirituality and creativity. Shamans offer strength, hope, and healing, but they also offer the ability of individuals to experience personal empowerment, both through their spiritual practice and within their day to day life. This is something that other forms of religious practice and the field of mental health could really learn from. The loss of meaning in our lives is becoming a widespread problem, with alcoholism and drug dependence rife in many parts of the world. But these problems may not exist in the same way for those who have a strong sense of their “inner richness”, something that “the right to find meaning in our lives is both a collective and individual need” (Mackinnon 2010:178). This sense of the “right to find meaning” is what Jake’s journey has given him, and is a timely reassurance as we look forward to an uncertain future in the twenty-first century. He has been able to create meaning in his own life, and the freedom that the shamanic practices have allowed him over the stereotypes of schizophrenic behavior has been a wonderfully emancipatory experience.
2.2. Modern Faiths: Dogma, Worship, and Community
Similarly to shamanic traditions which tend to be more localized, many modern faith traditions and religions have a more centralized doctrine, cutting across broader populations and geographical areas. ‘Dogma’ actually comes from the Greek for ‘to think’ and refers to a particular set of beliefs that are accepted by the members of a community without being questioned or doubted. This typifies the practices and systems of belief in most modern faiths. Professor of Theology at Loyola University, Thomas Adam rightly points out that ‘by giving people a coherent belief structure, including a philosophical and/or theological framework in which they can begin to make sound decisions and moral judgments, plus a shared sense of communal purpose and identity, dogmatic systems really create the possibility for people to strive for something greater than merely following their own self-interest.’ Modern faiths are characterized by adherence to dogmatic belief systems which are taught flexibly to meet the needs of different ages and periods of planetary existence. In other words, although the doctrine may not change, the interpretations of how to apply the teachings will shift and alter as human society changes through time. People generally come together in places of worship. Community activities and social outreach programs are organized – not only does this provide a direct engagement with the teachings of a particular faith and its dogmas but it also acts as a beacon through which adherents can become actively involved in sharing good practice, assigning the collective capital of hope, faith, and love, as well as writing a UK dissertation assignment pro papers masters thesis writing – creating a focal point to raise awareness of particular moral and ethical injustices in the modern world.
2.3. Similarities and Differences in Beliefs and Practices
Both modern faiths and shamanistic practices deal with connecting the human spirit to divine powers. During shamanistic rituals, the shaman goes into a trance so as to send his spirit out and communicate with the spirits. This is done to seek assistance from that specific spirit in healing the sick or to give warnings to the people. The shaman is calling on a specific type of spirits that will help, let’s say, in the healing of an individual and these are specifically healing spirits. The spirits that the shaman calls upon are not worshiped and the person is free to choose not to accept the warning received from the spirits. In modern faiths, people are restricted to worship specific gods. People do not have gods that they are predisposed to as they do with the shamanistic beliefs, and are expected to follow a particular god as per the norms of society and the religion. In Christianity, it is believed that God can only be found through prayer and in order to find holy spirit, the individual must possess god’s spirit. This is similar to shamanistic traditions but with a slight difference. It is understood that the holy spirit is a manifestation of god’s power in modern faiths, while in shamanistic practices, the focus is mainly on the spirits and their powers. A key difference between shamanism and modern faiths is the confrontations with the otherworldly. In shamanistic beliefs, the spirits are said to walk the earth and even possess the living. When a person feels this influence of the spirits, a shaman will usually be called upon to provide healing or such. This helps justify the belief that spirits exist not only in an abstract world but also on the earth itself. However, no scientific proof has been found to vindicate such claims. On the other hand, it is believed in the modern faiths that the interaction between gods and man took on a particular trajectory that reached its climax with monotheistic religions. This implies that there can only be one god, and all the other spirits are generally ill disposed to the human race. This era of enlightenment has seen a decline in support for such traditional beliefs and practices as shamanism and an increase in the acceptance of scientific discovery and rational thinking. There is growing evidence to support both claims and modern faiths has seen its influence in the eradication of shamanistic beliefs in certain parts of the world, for example Latin America.
3. Cultural and Historical Context
During the last two hundred years, a great movement of transition from the primitive shamanistic traditions of the Yokuts and their neighboring tribes to the concepts of modern religions and modern medicine has been taking place. Such changes in cultural and metaphysical standards are no better documented than in the analyses of Yokuts shamanism and traditional healing methodology. The religious culture of the Yokuts of California has not been very appealing to an outside observer who has tried to compare it to many of the better-known religious practices in the world. Shamanism is a lifestyle that is based on constant communication between human beings and spirits, and supports the compliance of every possible effort to maintain the harmony between them. There is a great difference between the faith of a believer in a religion, such as a modern Christian, and the life of a shaman. Shamanism is not a religion, but a traditional way of life, when people look at the world around them differently from the members of a certain monotheistic religion like Christianity, who believe in one divine power. The problem is that people stopped using those negative situations that shamans create in a positive way. Instead, they take advantage of the drowsy condition of somebody and try to hurt or rob the victim. This has become a great worry for shamans who feel it is destroying their culture and curative power. Many shamans claim that modern medicine cannot do what a shaman does, and treat every possible illness with the help of spirits, but it is necessary to take into account the fact that nowadays people in the modern society live in a hurry and they are always looking for the easiest method. It is therefore clear that the modern society with its rapid technological development and other achievements is not going to accept the concept of the success of some primitive methods of influencing the human body through mental and spiritual healing as shamans do. And if science will come up with an explanation of the spiritual world and its healing power, shamans will have nothing to do on the crossroads between the car-roads of the modern world and stay in their special reservation lands.
3.1. Shamanism: Indigenous Traditions and Cultural Significance
Shamanism is known as the world’s oldest spiritual tradition, which is practiced throughout the world. Each indigenous culture has its own name for the one who sees and helps the community, and that person will be led by shamanic practices. The methods of helping an individual include power animal retrieval, soul retrievals, extraction, psychopomp work, divination, among others. Similar to other beliefs and cultural practices related to cultural heritage and religion, such as Islam or Christianity, shamanism also has its roots deep within the cultural practices of people in a region. Shamanism is not only a form of medical treatment, but also a way of life. The term ‘shamanism’ is said to have come from Siberia and was used to describe the activities of a group of psychics who have access to cure various kinds of ailments by means of trance and journey to the other world. Every living thing is categorized under the belief of shamanism: animals and plants, rocks and celestial beings, as well as the spirits of the land and of the dead. These are seen to be a part of the sharing of the soul’s complex in the universe. Every created thing has its distinct legal personality and independence. When a shaman does a cycle of practice of reclaiming, part of the souls of the clients must be put back in the place they belong. This is to avoid any excess soul that could disrupt the cycle of life. write my research paper owl essayservice uk writings. doing that, the patient’s sense of emptiness and longing could lessen, and the propagation of spiritual well-being will rise. So in the practice of ‘reclaiming’, the shaman will then try to put or blow the spirit of the patient’s soul into a stone, and then release the spirit and tell the patient to hold back the spirit. It is a practice in which both the healer and the patient will take part and be involved in the process.
3.2. Modern Faiths: Evolution and Global Influence
The origin and history of the major world religions – Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism – are discussed in detail in the essay with a focus on how they formed and evolved. The essay provides valuable insights into how globalization and the development of modernity and technology led to the spread of these modern faiths around the globe from their places of origin. According to the essay, the major world religions have become a part of the structure and dynamic of modern world societies and played an important role in holding societies together and giving them a distinct identity. The comparison of modern faiths and shamanism usefully highlighted the changing perception of the “modern religion” and how it is influenced by the development of modernity and globalization. The author of the essay concludes that “Research Paper Writing Service: Professional Help in Research Projects for Students – One of the most significant contrasts between shamanism and the modern faiths is how they deal with suffering caused by the emotional and at times, meaningless state.” He believes that the technology and the scientific approaches associated with modern faiths have provided more effective and objective solutions to the seekers. He also states that the scientific research and modern psychological treatments are rooted in the rationalistic belief of modern faith that violence and pain have a purpose and meaning to the human body; that is a vast difference from the “contemporary” solutions – to alter the consciousness in order to reset the cognitive understanding of existence, which is the core of shamanic practice. He believes that over time, the practices and rituals of shamanism have become more intimidating and ineffective to the seekers in modern societies nowadays, and the sense of alienation and disassociation from the shamanic practices and totem spirits have led to the decline of shamanism. On the contrary, the emotion-oriented and personal communication with God and belief in guidance in terms of “rewards and punishments,” together with the vast and profound built-up dogma over history, have strengthened and maintained the influence of modern faiths. The essay successfully demonstrated the differences in belief and concerns of the two systems. The outcome is satisfying and the content is suitable for A-Level study. I enjoyed further reading on my own about shamanism and modern religions to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the practices and beliefs of these two systems. Finally, the provided bibliography is most helpful; it not only offers a number of readings and resources for extending my knowledge about shamanism and modern faiths but also shows the ways in which higher study can be used to deepen my understanding of religious practices and beliefs around the world.
3.3. Impact of Cultural and Historical Factors on Belief Systems
Cultural and historical factors have a significant impact on the development and expression of a belief system. In the case of shamanism, its emphasis on close links to nature, personal relationships with spirits, and an absence of formal institutions has been cited as one of the most significant factors limiting historical understanding of it. As was the case in many indigenous societies, the cultural significance of shamanism was more or less eradicated as a result of colonialism and the efforts of Christian missionaries. Christianity represents a particularly good illustration of the capacity for cultural and historical factors to shape how a particular belief system is influenced and transmitted over time. The geographical isolation of, for example, some communities in rural Italy gave rise to the development of local variants of Catholic folklore and religious customs, devoid of the influences of either the Vatican or external secular forces. On a much grander scale, the schisms within Christianity that ultimately led to the wide diversity of religious belief across the world first began to materialize with the establishment of certain key churches by the Roman emperor Constantine in the 4th century AD. As Constantine adopted Christianity, the majority of Europe and significant parts of the Middle East underwent large-scale conversion, and thus the power and authority of the Roman Catholic Church became ensconced among many secular lands. As history has shown, the continuing influence and authority of the church resulted in a number of significant consequences for the dissemination and evolution of faith, most notably the start of the Protestant Reformation in the early 16th century. The impact of cultural and historical factors on the development and practices of modern faiths is perhaps even more significant in the modern world than at any other time in history. This is because such factors both affect the way globalizing processes alter the way in which a faith is transmitted and received in a changing world, and similarly how the emergence of technology and scientific understanding necessitates a faith to adapt and justify its continued relevance.
4. Societal Relevance and Contemporary Perspectives
On the other hand, religion has also started a journey of change and transformation through the hands of scientific and technological revolution over the last 100 years or so. The late Professor John Mbiti, a Kenyan theologian and religious philosopher, summarized the consequences of the industrial and technological changes into religion quite succulently. He argued that “the traditional African religions are slowly losing the battle. They are constantly faced with those challenges to which they cannot find any effective answer”. The truth in Professor Mbiti’s observation is well manifested in the primary stage of modernization theory. This theory espoused the idea of secularization: that as societies modernize, particularly through industrialization and rationalization, the role of religion in society becomes gradually more and more diminished. However, the modern faiths have not only managed to manage the decline but they have seen a revitalization. This can be seen in a variety of centers, but particularly the United Kingdom; Christianity in the heartlands of Africa and Asia; and even some Islamic countries have witnessed a steady rise in religious fervor and have ultimately led to a reawakening of religious interest in recent decades.
Today, across different landscapes, from a bustling metropolis like New York to the scantily populated Mongolian plains, shamanism is being revived, reinvented, and is increasingly gaining the status of a form of alternative spirituality in an age which is rapidly becoming defined by technology and scientific advancements. The easy assumption, and one originally perpetuated by Western commentators, is that this method of shamanism, or neo-shamanism as it is often termed, is little more than a ‘New Age’ concoction, invented by the spiritually needy in the heart of the world’s great cities. However, there is a growing body of academic evidence that suggests that ‘New Age’ movements across the globe are beginning to “ally themselves to indigenous causes” and shamanism, as a result of its growing popularity and global reach, is becoming increasingly a more organized and a more wide-reaching movement.
Two major global belief systems – shamanism and modern faiths – have witnessed the test of time, braved cultural, historical, and religious storms, and yet they have not just survived but have gained popularity in contemporary music. This rise in their significance and relevance in today’s society has intrigued and attracted the curiosity and attention of many scholars who are keen to explore the reasons behind their revival, their overall influence in a modern setup, and how they are adapting to the massive and far-reaching changes in the world caused by, among other things, globalization. There is no denying the fact that as the world becomes more and more interconnected and borders begin to blur as never before, faith in a pluralistic society has assumed a new meaning and a new level of urgency.
4.1. Shamanism: Revival and Integration in Modern Society
Finally, some authors consider that shamans have been aware of the economic (in the form of tourism) and political (tourism dampens human rights abuses by authoritarian governments regarding religious freedoms) implications of spreading knowledge about their practices in the west. This has led to an argument that some of the information transmitted to the west has been distorted as it has been seen to be in the shamans’ interests to cater to what westerners want to hear and learn about. It has even been noted that in some cases, the process of translating complex and culturally specific practices into a form that can be accepted and used by westerners is said to have resulted in a ‘dilution’ or ‘misinterpretation’ of the meaning of shamanism.
Some authors consider that the increasing dissemination of shamanic practices in the western world has contributed to the creation of a new religious phenomenon, New Age, with shamanism acting as one of its fundamental bricks. It has also been highlighted the role of the existing nation-states. The disintegration of the Soviet Union, in particular, allowed greater public openness to shamanic practices, and there was a renewal and flourishing of these practices in a number of Siberian regions. On the other hand, practices in Mongolia increased after the country held its first democratic elections, and shamanism was practiced openly and publicly in political demonstrations and other situations.
Modern society has seen a rise in the interest in shamanism, indigenous worldviews, and mind-expanding practices from the last half of the 20th century onwards. Different authors consider this increasing interest from a variety of perspectives. It is said that as people in technological and bureaucratic societies become more disillusioned with their highly rational and scientific worldviews, they turn to shamanic practices and altered states of consciousness. Shamanism thus becomes a tool of social criticism, a way of raising criticisms of the negative effects of rationality and the loss of direct spiritual experiences.
4.2. Modern Faiths: Adaptation and Challenges in a Changing World
Many modern faiths have evolved as a result of globalization, advances in technology, and changing political and social systems. In recent years, academic scholarship has noted that new religious movements are on the rise and that these have been able to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing world, despite the challenges they face from the dominance of secularization and the increasingly global spread of some of the largest world religions. Globalization has encouraged and accelerated the spread of modern faiths, particularly those that are open and inclusive – meaning that they are accessible to many people and have been able to grow internationally as a result of the ease of movement of believers around the globe. Social networking websites are often used by new religious movements and modern faiths to attract and communicate with potential converts and members. For example, a study by the Christian think tank Theos in the UK has found that the Pentecostal and charismatic branch of Christianity has been able to make use of modern media and communications technology to spearhead phenomenal growth in developing countries, but also considerable progress in establishing a global appeal and outreach. Also online, societies today are becoming more and more diverse and increasingly tolerant of different cultural heritages. As a result, phd thesis writing research uk writings essay pro oxbridge essays new religious movements have been able to establish themselves and make headway much more effectively than in the past. As modern lifestyles are often fast-paced and busy, traditional religions like Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam do not always provide satisfactory spiritual fulfillment for some people, driving them to search for a belief system that can meet their needs and those of a rapidly changing world. This has allowed many new religious movements to gain a following, at the expense of established faiths and helping to create a more religiously diverse society overall. Modern faiths are characterized by their ability to adapt to the challenges of globalization and the opportunities it presents, particularly in the way that they define themselves and their believers. An article published in the International Journal of Collaborative Research in 2015 noted that many modern faiths have adopted an inclusive and progressive ideology in order to appeal to a wide and diverse audience, with an open and accessible dogma and an emphasis on the importance of the individual in finding spiritual fulfillment. This research was echoed by scholars from the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine, who observed that modern faiths are less likely to demand a significant life change in order to adopt them and are more likely to be accepting of individual belief and behavioral preferences than many long-established world religions. These features, they argue, make new religious movements more able to quickly adapt to the challenges of a changing and evolving world.
4.3. Role and Influence of Shamanism and Modern Faiths Today
Today, shamanism is still practiced by indigenous people in areas including the Arctic, the Amazon, and West Africa, although as we have seen, it has undergone change, been subject to taboo, and often integrated with other belief systems due to the impact of colonialism, globalization, and technologies. In Russia and some other former Soviet states, there has been a revival of interest in shamanism following their disconnection from communist ideology and state control of religious practice. Shamanism is also becoming increasingly popular in the West as modernization and technological advances leave some individuals feeling that modern life lacks spiritual meaning or a connection to nature. Altered states such as dream or trance are of interest to, for example, neuroscientists. State-funded scientific research is being conducted in Western laboratories in an attempt to study and explain these phenomena in reductionist terms. This represents a challenge to the legitimacy of such practices. write my research paper owl essayservice uk writings. comparison, modern faiths play an increasing role in the interconnected and diverse world of the twenty-first century. As the cultural and historical contexts of various regions change due to globalizing forces, religions are adapting and responding to demand for meaning and identity. The relationship between faith and globalization is complex; that is, technological development and expansion of air travel, for example, can bring people into contact with differing cultural and religious practices, offering alternatives to local tradition but also stimulating interest or affirmation of regional or national faiths. New religious movements such as Scientology, the Church of Latter Day Saints, or the Unification Church, labeled as modern faiths due to their recent development and contemporary worldwide appeal, have to address the challenge of gaining credibility among the more established and traditional religions that have been in existence for hundreds or thousands of years. This can pose a barrier to their acceptance and to their expansion within plural societies of varying degrees of religious freedom. In contemporary practice, religion has the potential to offer humanitarian relief and aid; to provide ethical or moral frameworks that may guide medical choices or political processes; and to maintain social order and community. However, as with shamanism, modern faiths are also subject to secularist and rationalist critiques. For example, in the fields of bioethics and medical law, certain religious precepts are often portrayed as incompatible with contemporary scientific progress and discovery, particularly in the West. Well-publicized conflicts between religious observance or belief and progressive accounts of secular and scientific advance, such as the ongoing debates about abortion rights, can leave some people skeptical about the role or influence of faith today.