VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE
Reflective Essay
ERH 211X Comparative Religions
Andrew Gazzillo
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Reflecting upon my Comparative Religions class I realized I took hold of much more
than simply syllabi related materials. The class introduced Islam, Christianity, Buddhism,
Hinduism, and Judaism and directly compared the differences of each faith when contrasted to
one another. However, simply understanding the facts of a particular religion does not lead to a
full appreciation of the culture. Mr. Bailey challenged me to become not just a student of culture
but an anthropologist, analyzing the impact of culture and ask the “why?” question to the
function of religion beyond its foundations within the culture of civilizations.
Anthropology is defined as the study of humans; their interactions, behaviors, and most
importantly culture to include religion. Before this class I was completely unaware of the
meaning of anthropology and how it could be applied outside of the class. Our class discussions
and lectures would begin with our own understanding of the religion to establish a basis built
upon what we already know. Upon gathering our foundation our professor, Mr. Bailey, would
share his own experiences and provide the class with facts that make up the religion, its origins,
and traditions. However it was after this introduction and lesson from the instructor where we
received the challenge to explore further. The class would not just discover the religion itself, but
also the significance of its impact within cultural traditions. One exercise we performed in class
was an analysis of clothing websites and how even in the 21st century traditionalism has evolved
within certain religions, and held its ground in others. It amazed me how something we hardly
notice today like clothing continues to defy culture and how civilizations have modernized. For
example, Islamic culture is extremely modernized in countries like Morocco, but in other
theocratic countries like Iran women are still subject to traditional full dress, black burqas.
Another method of learning was through the presentations. Cadets had the flexibility to cover
virtually any topic within the religion. I was too quick to assume this would lead to extremely
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broad presentations worth little value. However, I was happily misled. Our professor challenged
us to dig up the unusual, and we did. I became familiar with Hindu temples and gods, Buddhist
monks, Christian prophets, and Islamic worship. The tiniest details, whether it was a ceremony
along the Ganges, or a modern/classical hijab, are all essential pieces culture, and the vast
amount of which is made up of religion.
My newly found appreciation for anthropology and the observance of culture through
religion was put to use much quicker than I could have anticipated. On a trip to Washington
D.C. just this past February I began to notice things that would never have occurred to me before
this class. At the hotel my group was staying at there was a Pakistani wedding reception during
our stay. Normally I would have minded my own business but the nature of their ceremony drew
to me. I was so captivated by the traditional music, the colors, and dance, and the clothing of this
occasion. Before this Comparative Religions class, I would never have wondered why the bride
wore green. I would never have taken notice to the western suits and hairstyles of the men from a
country drowning in tradition. I would never have previously possessed the nerve to ask one of
their elders about the symbolism behind the colors, and dress. I would have never cared about
their culture. However, our professors challenge to keep us asking questions, and simple
curiosity led me to having an interesting cross-cultural conversation with gentlemen from
seeming worlds apart.
The class also led me down a path of internal observation. Not only was I taking notice of
other cultures, but I found myself detecting elements of my own culture and religion that I had
not considered previously. Take for example the Crucifix I wear around my neck every day. No
statement in the Bible or within any Catholic doctrine states I have to wear a symbol of my
beliefs. When people see someone like me wearing a symbol like this, they immediately jump to
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conclusions about an individual’s or my own culture. They will determine I am some
denomination of Christian, go to church, pray, and plenty of other stereotypes. Who would have
thought the amount of culture being spread from one human being to another? One exercise we
performed in class was a session of meditation. The goal of this session was to take advantage of
silence within a peaceful atmosphere to internalize your thoughts. I specifically remember
utilizing this experience to internalize my relationship with my own beliefs. With all the hassles
of the surrounding world, I truly appreciated the lesson of this class to slow down, stop, and
reflect upon your beliefs and relationship with God or whomever you worship.
Looking back upon this past semester I have opened my eyes to culture in a manner I had
never expected. I would have never believed at the start of the semester that I would have the
nerve to approach Muslims from Pakistan as a military cadet of the United States. The guilt felt
for having such tunnel vision and closed mindedness haunts me. This is a class that should be
studied by all future officers. I did not view the Islamic population as anything but the enemy
until this class. I never questioned my own faith and history before this semester. Every person
on planet Earth is still a human. They breathe like me, laugh like me, and have values just as I
do. A grade is but a letter on a report card, but the understanding of different religions and
culture through the undertaking of an anthropologic initiative will mold my experiences with
others forever.