Cultural beliefs are the shared values, norms, and assumptions that guide the behavior and worldview of a group of people. They can influence how people perceive themselves, others, and the world around them. They can also affect how people communicate, learn, work, and cope with challenges. They are not static but can change over time and across contexts.
January 30, 2024 16 min read
Ever wonder why certain cultures hold the beliefs they do? Whether it’s religion, spiritualism, mythology, or something else, the beliefs people hold shape their cultural practices in profound ways. As an open-minded global citizen, understanding different belief systems will help you connect with people from all walks of life.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the major belief systems around the world so you can gain insight into cultural worldviews different from your own. You’ll discover how and why certain beliefs came to be, how they influence culture, and what they teach us about human nature. By learning about diverse beliefs, you’ll expand your mind and become more adept at relating to people from different backgrounds. Ready to take a whirlwind tour of cultural beliefs 101? Let’s dive in.
Cultural beliefs are the ideals, customs, and values that shape how groups of people view the world. Belief systems are organized collections of cultural beliefs that provide meaning and purpose. They incorporate views on everything from human nature to ethics to the afterlife.
Some major belief systems around the globe include:
Belief systems provide a framework for understanding life’s biggest questions. Though varied, many share common values of love, purpose, and connection to something greater than ourselves. Understanding different cultural beliefs leads to greater empathy, compassion, and peace among people around the world.
Religion plays a huge role in shaping cultural beliefs around the world. Many of the values and traditions we hold dear have been passed down through generations of faith and spiritual practice.
For Christians, the Bible provides moral guidance on how to live a good and purposeful life. Core Christian beliefs include faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and savior of humanity, the Golden Rule (“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”), and the Ten Commandments (prohibitions against lying, stealing, adultery, and so on). These beliefs have shaped Western culture and laws.
Muslims follow the teachings of the Qur’an and the prophet Muhammad. Central Islamic beliefs include faith in one God (Allah), prayer five times a day, charitable giving (zakat), fasting during Ramadan, and making a pilgrimage (hajj) to Mecca. Islamic beliefs have influenced culture and politics in the Middle East, Asia, and beyond.
Buddhists believe in reincarnation, karma, and the ultimate unity of the universe. Core values include dharma (duty and moral order), ahimsa (non-violence), and the four Purusarthas (aims of human life): kāma (pleasure), artha (wealth/prosperity), dharma (virtue/duty), and moksha (liberation). Buddhism has shaped Indian culture, arts, and social structure over the past 2000 years.
As you can see, religion often provides the moral code and value system for entire cultures. Understanding different belief systems around the world can help promote mutual understanding and bring us together, despite our differences. After all, at their core, most faiths share common principles of love, community, and leading a purposeful life.
Cultural beliefs shape how societies view appropriate and inappropriate behavior. They influence social norms, or the unwritten rules of acceptable conduct in a group. Some norms are legal and ethical, while others can promote prejudice and discrimination.
As an example, some cultures view public displays of affection as improper. In more conservative societies, holding hands or kissing in public may be frowned upon and seen as a violation of cultural norms. However, in other cultures, open affection between partners is perfectly acceptable and even encouraged.
Religious beliefs often dictate moral values and ethical codes of conduct in a culture. For instance, some religions forbid drinking or eating certain foods, like pork or beef. As a result, the social norms in those societies prohibit those behaviors and products. Violating those norms would be seen as taboo.
Cultural beliefs about gender roles and expectations also shape social norms. In patriarchal societies where men are viewed as dominant, women may face strict limitations on their behavior and occupations. They are expected to be submissive to male authority and primarily fulfill domestic roles as wives and mothers. In contrast, cultures that empower women and promote gender equality will have far fewer restrictions on women’s choices and behavior.
Social class structures are also influenced by cultural beliefs. In cultures with rigid class systems based on inherited status, social norms require people to marry and associate primarily within their own class. There are norms about appropriate occupations, education levels, and lifestyles for each class. Violating class norms threatens the entire system. In contrast, cultures that value meritocracy and social mobility have far more permeable class boundaries.
In summary, a society’s cultural beliefs and values create a system of norms that guide behavior. They shape views on morality, ethics, gender roles, social hierarchies, and appropriate conduct. Although some norms can be unjust or discriminatory, social norms also help promote order and shared expectations within a group. Understanding cultural beliefs is key to navigating social norms in any society.
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