In every thriving civilization there is one thing they all have in common, belief systems.

With out belief systems people would do what ever they want freely without knowing the bad or the good. The whole civilization would be filled with hate towards each other. There would be no chance, or trust. Every one would be roaming the streets with no where to go. This is why a belief system is key to keeping a civilization in control. By saying belief system I do not mean that a ruler should make every one in a civilization believe in one god but more along the lines of morals and values. Morals and values are what keeps a civilization smoothly running. Morals and values will help people stay on the right track and know the difference between good and bad. There are several religions in the world that will keep a civilization successful. Some of the most common world religions are Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and Confucianism. In order to further understand the importance of a belief system on society, and their influence on their followers, acknowledge the moral dilemma below: Roger Smith, a skillful swimmer, is out for a leisurely stroll. During the course of his walk he passes by a deserted pier from which a teenage boy who apparently cannot swim has fallen into the water. The boy is screaming desperately for help. Smith recognizes that there is absolutely no danger to himself if he jumps in to save the boy; he could easily succeed if he tried. Nevertheless, he chooses to ignore the boy's cries. "Why should I inconvenience myself for this kid," Smith says to himself, and passes on. If Roger Smith were Hindu, Roger Smith would have saved the boy due to karma. Karma is the belief in which if you do good in your life, you will be rewarded in your next life and be reincarnated as something better in your after life. If one does evil in their life they will be chastised in their next life and will be reincarnated as something worse. Because Roger Smith is seeing the boy drowning he is obligated to save the boy since Roger can swim and he has nothing to attend to. By saving the boy, Roger Smith will be rewarded in his next life. Hindu beliefs also consist of Dharma. For instance, to follow ones dharma means to perform ones duties and so to live as one (Frey 148). As a person I think it is their duty to save the boy without hesitation. In conclusion, if Roger Smith practiced Hinduism he would have saved the boy. If Roger Smith were Buddhist, He would have saved the boy without a doubt. There are several teachings in the eightfold path that would have lead Roger Smith to save the boy. For instance, one of the teachings in the eightfold path is Right purpose. Right purpose means to live a life of selflessness, love, and nonviolence (Frey 159). This teaching applies to the situation because if Roger would have chosen not to save the boy that would show selfishness because Roger had no where to be and he had a perfect ability to swim. If Roger did not save the boy that would be selfish which is the opposite of selflessness witch is one of the definitions for Right purpose. Another teaching in the eightfold path is Right effort. Right effort consists of promoting good actions and preventing evil actions. By saving the boy, Roger Smith would have displayed good actions. In conclusion, Roger Smith would have saved the drowning boy due to several Buddhist teachings.

If Roger Smith practiced Confucianism, you could argue both ways if he would have saved the boy or not. Although you could argue both ways, I still think he would have saved the boy due to a variety of reasons. One of the reasons Roger Smith should have saved the boy is because of the five basic relationships. One of the relationships states a friend and friend. This means that it is their duty to look out for each other, in this case Roger Smith would have saved the boy. But you can also argue that he would have not saved the boy. For instance, All people must respect and obey those above them. In particular they must respect their elders. In return, those with authorities, such as rulers fathers, husbands, and older siblings must set a good example (Frey 208). Roger Smith could have been mad at the boy because he was not respecting his elders by drowning and inconveniencing him, but Roger Smith should also set a good example. In conclusion, Roger Smith had the choice to save the boy due to multiple Confucianism teachings, although as a person I think it is his obligation to save the drowning boy. Religion is a very important factor to keeping a civilization strong and keeping the people believing. It does not matter what religion you follow or even if you dont follow a religion. All religions have one thing in common, morals and values. Morals and values are what let you know between good and bad. All religions in the world have a set of concrete morals and values that people live by. Without morals and values people would be wondering the streets carelessly doing whatever they want, whenever they want. This is why morals and values are crucial to people. Morals and values should be taught at a young age and should stick with them forever. Morals and values are what every person needs to abide by.