Communication, religion, and expressive culture

Communication, religion, and expressive culture like art, written works, etc. are the basic building blocks to a culture. Each individual culture has their own ways of communicating with each other. Some cultures have a broad reach over territories, while other cultures may be more remote. No matter the size of the culture, each one will have different ways to communicate, different ways to express their religion, and each culture has many different forms of expressive culture, whether they be sculpting, painting, and so on.

Communication does not just mean verbal communication. Different cultures use many different forms of communication. Different cultures may have different languages, which is a different form of communication, but different cultures also have different representations for body and sign language. Certain hand gestures or body movements may mean one thing in one culture, and something completely different in another.

Different cultures not only have different languages and different meanings for body language and hand gestures, but they also have different forms of communication. In some cultures, spoken word is the only form of communication. In more technologically advanced cultures, however, people use computers, cell phones, pagers, and beepers to communicate over long distances, where a more primitive culture may have a runner who delivers the message by mouth.

Religion is another major component that helps define a culture. Different cultures practice different religions for the most part. Some share religions, but are differ in their practices. Different cultures feel that their religion may be more correct or is the "right way" compared to other surrounding religions. Different cultures also put more weight into religion, while others are not as active.

There are some religions that are more dominant than others. Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, and Hinduism are some of the major religions. They have a wide reach and each has a pretty heavy following in their respective geographical locations. Each of these major religions, as well as many smaller religions, have codes of conduct and moral codes. Religion is just as powerful of a tool as communication. Wars have been waged because of religious beliefs.

There are many different forms of expressive culture. Paintings, drama, sculptures, sports games, etc. are all different forms of expressive culture. Each culture determines the kind of expressive work that comes out of it. A more physically fit culture may put more weight in the sporting forms of expressive culture, while a more intellectually based culture may put more weight in the literature aspect of expressive culture.

Many cultures display their forms of expressive culture in the public eye. There are art galleries, there are staged plays, there are sporting events, there are book signings/reading, and so on. Not only are forms of expressive culture placed on formal display, some forms of expression are placed on bodies. Tattoos as well as make-up and costumes are also different forms of expressive culture.

Communication, religion, and expressive culture are all very important aspects to any given culture. Different cultures have different forms of each, and are practiced according to the importance stressed upon each within that culture.