Huston Smith’s analogy of people of different religions climbing up the same mountain in a contrasting way is exactly how I view the different religions of the world. I think Smith is saying that they are very different but in the end all religions are the same when we have climbed the mountain (of life). I think Stephen Prothero thought it was not ethically responsible because it seems like Smith doesn’t speak on the differences of the religions but he does. The climb up the mountain is unfamiliar for all religions because each person walks their way of life in their own individual way based on their religion but in the end they are the same in walking the mountain and getting to the top (dying).
Prothero believes that the sentiment of the climbing of the mountain is people believing that in the end the difference in religions is trivial. I don’t think Smith is saying this, he mentions the complete different journey on the mountain but in death everyone is the same no matter who they die as. I do believe
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I think that although each religion is so foreign in relation to one another even in regards to the smaller divisions in the religion that in the end the final goal is the same. The final goal of everyone in every religion is to get what they want in the end once they die whether it be to stop repeating life or to get to Heaven, whatever it is every human person involved in a religion wants an end result that they find the most satisfying. So do I think every world religion is climbing the same mountaintop in reference to the same goal? No, I don’t believe ever religion wants the same thing in the end, but they do hope for something once they die, whatever it may be they take different journeys to get there, hoping to reach the goal they set out for in the beginning of the
As the world becomes increasingly more interconnected, differences among the many religions prove to be obstacles to the global society. In an effort to overcome these obstacles, religious authorities propose the essential sameness of all religions (that all religions point towards the same goal); however, this hypothesis oversimplifies all religions to an arbitrary base. On the other hand, Stephen Prothero’s, the author of God Is Not One, proposal for the acknowledgment of the differences preserves the multidimensional aspects of religions. By rejecting the hypothesis of a basic and similar structure of religion, Prothero allows for them to exist as complete entities; however, Prothero also creates false barriers that over differentiate religions.
...s story: do not let Earthly ideas of salvation through the religion blind self-judgment and acceptance of earthly lives and inevitable death.
Ideas of community and diversity of people are similar for Smith and Winthrop, but their emphasis on religion and relationships with enemies greatly differ. In other words, both authors feel a need for togetherness among various groups of people in order to start a successful life in America. But while Winthrop places more emphasis on God, Smith places more emphasis on having power over the enemy. This makes their views of man completely different when it comes to how religion has affected our lives and how we act toward one another. Like Winthrop, I believe that God is the basis of our life, and He has shown us the way to lead a productive life by loving our enemies. Without religion, America would not have become the civilized country that it is today.
What do we do when we face so many religions? The fact that there are so many religions is what causes doubt in people and brings the question as to why they should believe in one religion over another. It is apparent that the innumerable religions of the world are diverse. Theists believe that there is one personal God. On the other hand, Hindus believe in many gods, agonistics hold no judgments on religion and do not believe in god or disbelieve in god and atheists deny any God exists. Just by evaluating the variances in beliefs it is observable to distinguish the difference. Thus, any religion that makes an allegation that it has to be the only true religion must be considered as false. John Hicks wants to say that religious pluralism is the better option compared to exclusivism. Religious pluralism is the idea that all the great religions in the world lead to God. John Hick’s religious pluralism argument attempts to do a couple of things. Hick’s believed that each major religion has a different interpretation of same ultimate reality, of the ...
Religion plays a major role in the day to day lives of the early settlers in America. So much so, that early colonial writers use it as a form of literary persuasion. John Smith and William Bradford were two such writers.
...ive of the afterlife. Both religions have an ultimate goal that religious believes must follow in order to obtain a utopian world. Yet, to reach these goals, Christianity and Buddhism vary as they both explore different concepts that must be understood and achieved before reaching a utopian world.
There is not phenomenon can prove that religious represents all, because the god is not one. Prothero pointed out that even though all religious are fundamentally the same, they still have some small differences. Different religious have different tenets, however they represent all meaning of life. Philosopher always did some meaningful things to show religious, and they have referred some tendencies to separate them to seven ““dimensions” of religious: the ritual, narrative, experiential, institutional, ethical, doctrinal, and material dimensions.” (Prothero, Stephen, God is not one: The Eight Rival Religions the Run the World. New York: Harper-Collins, 2010. P13). Although human beings have different religious, they still looking for same purposes and same goals in their
All over the world, there are many people who believe in something or someone of a higher power. There are about five billion people who believe in a higher power (Tiemann 526). There are six world religions that have followers all around the world. The six world religions are Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. Many of these religions are monotheistic, which is the belief of only one god or one higher power. There are also polytheistic believers, which is the belief in many or more than one god. These six world religions have a lot in common and they also have their differences that make their certain religion or belief special to them.
In conclusion, the process of growth and expansion for both Eastern and Western religions has been a great journey. As mentioned before Eastern religions expanded in a very peaceful manner, while the growth and expansion of the Western religions was more violent. They both went through many changes and adaptions which included some blending of cultures and beliefs. In some cases the result was a new religion. In the end, both religions had to go through as process of great growth and expansion to become the World religions of today.
The implementation of this new ethical paradigm allowed for Abrahamic societies to link their belief in God to common social values and responsibilities (Stark, 2001). The approach which Judaism, Christianity and Islam each take toward these common social values and responsibilities displays which values are held highest in each religion. Despite differences in each religion’s approach, common themes exist. The role of justice and forgiveness in each religion displays a common belief that man’s nature is to stray from God’s justice, but that man can ultimately connect with the divine through the contemplation and understanding of what is good and right.
Throughout history it is evident that many religions have been tried, tested, and, for some, radically changed. Many religions have gone through periods of time in which the way they were run or enforced underwent changes in practice and leadership. In many cases disagreements and differing outlooks among members of certain religions were to blame for these changes. Christianity and Islam are two examples of religions that have experienced changes over the course of their existence. While these religions seem to have little in common at first glance, both have strikingly similar pasts that consist of radical splits due to disagreements among members of the Christian and Islamic churches, resulting in new branches within each religion.
Every religion has its own goal, and their own path and believe to reach their goals, however there are also many similarities in believes. Although the followers of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam may see things differently, they all fundamentally hold the same values and codes. To Islam, the Prophet Mohammad’s teaching is a complete and final revelation. On the other hand, according to the bible, Christianity believes that Jesus Christ is the true lord and savior will grant you the access to heaven in the afterlife. Judaism is founded by Abraham, and it is the base from which both of the other two religions sprung. Even though the three religions differ in many areas and on many aspects, they also agree on the monotheistic, the belief in ‘One True God.’ Those religions have many similarities and a number of significant differences about God, role of women, prayer, and salvation.
The purpose of both Islam and Christianity is to reach Heaven after death, by believing in God (or Allah), living virtuous lives and performing good deeds (Robinson, 2002).
Although many religions have different sects; which, may share different ideas just like in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It is evident that these religions believe in one god. The teaching and traditions of each religion make each religion unique in its own way.
...three monotheistic religions are different in terms of their teachings the word of God and the virtues that one must live their lives in; their similarities binds them together in the aspect of teaching the true nature of life and how it must be lived. Their differences separate them from one another but if one looks closely, they are not so different. The similarities and differences would also enable each believer to understand what the other religion is stating and easily understand what makes them different. Knowing all these facts would allow one to keep in mind their reservations regarding a particular issue if debating with someone who believe s in another religion. This would also help one another to co-exist and respect those who believe in another religion and not cause any strife with them just because of varying beliefs over their selected religion.