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Rise of christianity and islam: similarities and differences
Similarities and differences between religions
Rise of christianity and islam: similarities and differences
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Religion can be a personal experience and the field of theology offers many thoughts as you study it. Religious studies explore different views. To me, religious studies allow a person to be nonbiased and look at it without forming opinions. Religious studies present facts. The world is surrounded by many religious, Christianity and Islam being the larger ones. Although there are many different religions with different ways to worship, the thought process seems to be that we all have common goals. We all are seeking the ultimate peace, a final destination, just taking alternative paths. We all have a god, a book of reason, rituals, symbols, prophets, saviors and a protocol of service to follow. Prothero refers to Huston Smith and his beliefs …show more content…
It is obvious we have differences mentioned above. The question is if these differences are extreme enough to sever us and we no longer have the ability to communicate in a respectable manner. It goes without saying that there will be differences, anyone can see that. But what is being assumed is that there are some common grounds as well. Each religion is seeking peace and harmony and trying to promote world peace. Each religions teaches us to love thy neighbor and forgive each other. Even skeptics will have to acknowledge the differences as well as the similarities. The illustration Prothero uses is, we all start at the bottom of the mountain but we all are seeking to reach the peak of the mountain, just taking a different road to get there (Prothero, 12). No matter what religion we believe in, we are human. There is no such thing as life without problems. Our approaches to solving them may differ. Because of these differences it is understandable that conflicts may arise. Problems can arise if we try to push our religion on others who chose to worship differently. With all these apparent differences the obvious question might be if we are so different how can be one and the …show more content…
We must embrace our own individual beliefs and views because they do affect how we view others beliefs and views. Tradition and history of religion can be traced back to the arrival of the Puritans and the age of enlightenment (Portier, 45). In American culture, religion defines them and is implicated in all parts of life. Religion is said to be a political and economic movement and have influences in political decisions and movements. Even in the 1960’s segregation era, religion played a role in ending that (Portier, 20). Privatization shaped religious history. Americans experience the right to religious freedom. The belief allows church and state separation. This separates religion from our daily lives. Separation of shared daily life and emphasizes the individuals control over their religious practice and beliefs. Americans in the United States have the freedom to choose to worship in a manner they chose. They possess religious freedom which is not available everywhere in the world. It is hoped or believed that because of this freedom, it allows them to look at other religions in a different
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.
New brands of distinctly American Christianity began developing early in the country’s history. Before the revolution, George Whitefield set the stage for American religious movements. The most important factor that helped launch these movements was the American Revolution. The country was ripe with conversation and action on a new understanding of freedom. The revolution “expanded the circle of people who considered themselves capable of thinking for themselves about issues of … equality, sovereignty, and representation” (6). The country was beginning to move toward an understanding of strength lying in the common people, and the people’s ability to make their own personal decisions on issues of leadership and authority. There was a common belief that class structure was the major societal problem. The revolution created the an open environment that pushed equality of the individual, allowing political and religious beliefs to flourish and grow without being held in check by authoritarian leaders.
With sounds of youthful laughter, conversations about the students’ weekends, and the shuffling of college ruled paper; students file into their classrooms and find their seats on a typical Monday morning. As the announcements travel throughout the school’s intercoms, the usual “Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance” becomes no longer usual but rather puzzling to some students. “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, indivisible, with liberty, and justice for all.” Confusion passes through some of the student’s minds. With the reoccurrence of “God” in the backdrop of American life, the relationship between church and state has become of little to no matter for American citizens just as it has with American students. While congress makes no law respecting an establishment of religion, the term “freedom of religion” presents itself to no longer be the definition of “free”, while also having its effects on debates today. According to Burt Rieff, in Conflicting Rights and Religious Liberty, “Parents, school officials, politicians, and religious leaders entered the battle over defining the relationship between church and state, transforming constitutional issues into political, religious, and cultural debates” (Rieff). Throughout the 20th century, many have forgotten the meaning of religion and what its effects are on the people of today. With the nonconformist society in today’s culture, religion has placed itself in a category of insignificance. With the many controversies of the world, religion is at a stand still, and is proven to not be as important as it was in the past. Though the United States government is based on separation of church and state, the gover...
As James Madison, the fourth President of the United States said, “The religion of every man must be left to the conviction and conscience of every man, and it is right of every man to exercise it as they may dictate” (Haynes, C...
Throughout our history there has been an ongoing argument between religion and government. Should religion play a part in the government, schools and other social compasses or should it be separated? Some believe that religion should be a part of the government while others believe that there should be a distinct separation. Some believe that religions should be able to influence the workings of the government and attempt to elect their own politicians. I believe the opposite. I believe that religion should have no influence on the way our government approves laws, elects officials or conducts their business. Throughout this essay I will give reasons and references as to why I agree with the separation of government and religion.
To open this discussion, I would like to start with the civil liberty of freedom of religion. This liberty was identified in my original Constitution essay through the mentioning of the separation of church and state clause. The reason for my including of this liberty, and my stressing of its importance, is that I feel that the government interprets this liberty in a one sided fashion because of the incorrect interpretation of the already in place separation of church and state clause. I also include it because I believe that recently the attacks upon religion have metastasized and tha...
“In thinking about religion, it is easy to be confused about what it is.” (Smart, 1992) To combat this, Smart uses seven dimensions to define common characteristics of religion. Much of what will be explored will fit his dimensions. The practical and ritual dimension can been seen in all three religions through worship and rituals and patterns of behaviour. The latter are those acts that help the believer develop spiritual awareness or ethical insight, such as yoga or meditation in Buddhism and Hinduism. The experiential and emotional dimension of religion explains that religion feeds on human emotions and key events from history to illustrate this is, the enlightenment of the Buddha, or the visions of Muhammad. A person will not follow something without meaning or emotion driving it. The narrative or mythic dimension of religion refers to the use of story telling in religion. Typically, all faiths use stories to illustrate their beliefs or events in history, whether they might be of things to come, or like in this essay, stories of the Buddha, or Muhammad. The use of story telling is important as the stories are often based on accounts of history or documents that have been found. Story telling can enhance the believers faith and are often integrated into rituals. The doctrinal and philosophical dimension of religion talks about the importance of the holy books/ doctrines. Since the doctrines typically have an account of the leaders life, and the leaders are usually educated, believers read the doctrines to gain an insight into the leaders life; and thus strive to become more like them or abide by their teachings. The ethical and legal
Viewing the textbook there are many approaches to the word “religion”. The basic meaning of religion is “The belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.” According to Stephen Prothero he states “That those who preach the oneness of religion are being disrespectful of the profound, and in his view irreconcilable, differences between religious traditions. This is somewhat correct. We do look at traditions and religious acts the same way. We feel as if you act upon a tradition of faith then it could appear as a religious act. The descriptive approach that the textbook mentions is that our faith would be more understood and token seriously if we as humans knew the differences between the two. We also
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
What is the true meaning of religion in modern day? A lot of people these days claim different religions and have different ways of practicing them. Religion can be a touchy subject when brought into a conversation because of other people’s opinions. So what can someone do to keep an open mind instead of arguing? Listen to their point of view and try to understand it. America was originally called ‘the melting pot’ for a reason. This paper will explore what religion is and why it is so important.
... time on taking these aspects away. Moral decline and persecution of religious practices are evident and growing in our society. When did American culture become so bitter towards the concept our country is based upon? Has the concept of God really led to turmoil and destruction? The answers to these questions may go unanswered, but the facts remain the same: Our society has taken the first amendment and Thomas Jefferson’s letter to the Danbury Baptist Association and interpreted it to mean that God has no place in our country’s make up. However, our political system suggests otherwise with examples such as the Pledge of Allegiance, Presidential Speeches, and currency.
It is believed that America was a country founded on religious principles, however as the country aged, the concept of separation of church and state was created. This notion was meant to prevent religious ideas and practices from infiltrating the government. Although many people today accept separation of church and state as normal and effective since its implementation, the truth is the U.S. government has still had an influence in society’s perception of religion. In the nation’s history, the Government has controlled and encouraged certain religious beliefs in many explicit, yet subtle, ways. For example, the Government has had a large hand in monitoring religious beliefs in the army; the effects of this can be seen in the case of the four chaplains stamp. In addition, during the consensus era, the U.S. felt pressured by the circumstances in other countries to encourage good morals in the form of religion. Furthermore, the government manipulated religion to create unity within the country and to instil nationalism into Americans. Although the nation’s government claims to be independent from religion, America’s history illustrates how the government has used religion to shape the country.
...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.
What is religion? My opinion, it is the individual’s source of essential security and purpose. A belief in God or Higher Power to provide insight and conscious to humanity. Religion is the reference book to our existence and purpose on earth. In the book of Genesis, also known as, beginnings, we are told that Word was with God and the Word was God. God created man in his image male and female. God’s plan for mankind in essence was for fellowship and worship. I am a born-again Christian of the Baptist faith and The Holy Bible is my instructional guide/doctrine trusted to provide principle and guidance in life. The Word teaches me how to pray, love and forgive. How to grow in faith, worship, and treatment my neighbor. The Word provide teaching on wisdom and understanding; the ways of man
My idea of religion is an object, person, deity, or thing that is valuable to a single person or groups of people. These groups or individual find ways to celebrate, worship, or sacrifice for the significance of whatever it is to them. According to an editorial by William Swatos (Jr. Editor). The definition of religion, created by scholars, can be organized in these four approaches. The substantive, functional, verstehende , and formal approach. The first approach includes scholars such as E.B. Tylor, who had the first definition of religion to represent the substantive approach. Substantive approach is more about “prevent categorizing primitive religions” (Swatos.) The Functional approach has scholars that represent more of what religions do. One of the many scholars who represented this approach is Emile Durkheim. His definition is “beliefs and practices that unite into a single moral community called a Church all those who adhere to them” (Swatos). The next approach is Verstehende approach. Steven Runciman is a historian and scholar that represents this approach. Runciman criticized, “ both substantive and functional definitions by pointing out that social actors decide such matters as whether there is a sacred-profane divide or an empirical-nonempirical distinction in their world, and that, moreover, any two members of a society might disagree.”(Swatos) The last approach is Formal and the founder of the definition of this category is Georg Simmel. His representation of Religion is, “”the religious state of the soul produces no logically necessary, pre-determined content" and "no content possesses in itself the logical necessity to become religion" (Simmel 1984 [1903]: