Comparative religion Essay

When classifying the terra firmas major religions they can slowly be split up into two groups east religions and westerly religions. The Eastern religions inhabit of Hinduism, Buddhism and Taoism. The westerly religions consist of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Al nearly completely of these religions have come around at bottom existing religious frameworks. Eastern and Western religions sh atomic number 18 many qualities while differing in many as well.Hinduism, Buddhism and Taoism are monistic, c every last(predicate) uping they see paragon in all things. The Eastern mind sees God everywhere, in all things, and sees everything as sacred. Their ultimate world is an entity and non necessarily a divinity fudge. God is not personal and not to be conception of as a br new(prenominal) or father, but as so much more. Eastern religions see wizard kind of documentaryity. They view all beings as equal in hold dear. The individual is not actually real and the separateness of humans from creation and from adept another is an illusion to be overcome. gracious nature is viewed as indwellingly ignorant and we better ourselves by being enlightened. Following dharma is the ingenuous life, which is being in concord with universal order through personal duty. In Eastern religions, enlightenment is attained within the individual. In Buddhism, it is nirvana In Hinduism, it is the yoga In Taoism, it is wu wei. Reincarnation is a central belief so some things are not that big of a deal, such as justice or injustice. They believe there is one true god and all religions speak of him. There are many paths to god.Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are monotheistic trusts, which mean they believe in one god. The Western mind considers it heresy to believe that God pervades all things, and makes a strong difference between what is sacred and what is profane. The god of Judaism, Christianity and Islam is a god of history not of nature, the world reflects him but h e isnt to be found in it. God is personal and tended to be thought of in terms of what we know, such as a father figure, etc. Western religions are dualistic, pith there are two kinds of reality, material and non-material. It is viewed as heaven and hell. Each of these occidental religions believes that humans are here to submit themselves to god. There are sharp distinctions made between humans and the rest of the natural world.The individual is the same throughout time little existence, and the separateness of humans from creation and from one anotheris real and permanent. Human nature is viewed as sinful and we become better by taking control of our sinful nature. The good life is obeying the laws of god. In Western religions, enlightenment is attained through significant people conveying gods word to the ordinary people. This occurred through the prophets Adam, Abraham, Moses, Muhammad, Jesus. There is just one chance at life, and this is in all probability why Western reli gions seem to have more emphasis on justice. They believe there is only one true god and one true religion and all non-believers will spend eternity in hell.Eastern and Western religions also share many traits. Each of the groups has come about within other religions. Buddhism grew out of Hinduism, and Christianity and Islam grew out of Judaism. Each believes there is more to reality than what we experience with our souls. Eastern and Western religions alike have specific creeds, guidelines, doctrines or orderliness. Hinduism has the Bhagavad-Gita Buddhism has the four noble true statements Christianity has the Bible Judaism has the Hebrew Bible and the Torah and Islam has the Koran. In the texts of these religions, many of the stories are moral stories meant to help us and not always factual. In these Eastern religions, they all meditate and reach a state of enlightenment. These Western religions all pray to god and have faith that god will help and have mercy on them. Each gains a better sense of self although by different means. They each teach to have compassion, love your fellow man, help those less fortunate, and live the best life you can.The most important similarities would be the thought and knowledge of existence orthogonal of our realities. Morals are also where they balance with each other. Mans destiny is viewed by both(prenominal) groups as lying in his own hands. Man can choose to enlighten himself or spell himself, or choose not to. These are the most significant views shared. This is where they share the most super C ground.The most important differences would be that eastern religions see truth in all religions and western religions see truth only in their religion. The way natural things are viewed set the groups apart significantly. Eastern religions see everything having value and western religions see only peoplehaving value and nothing else. Western religions have had prophets to speak gods word. Eastern religions say everyone can reach ultimate reality. These are the ideas that separate eastern religions and western religions so greatly.There are some common land themes in all religions. All religious beliefs deed over us to understand and categorize our world and our channelise in it. There is value in all religions that honor life and individuals potential. They are all concerned with ultimate reality, only seen from different angles. A common theme is charity. All religions emphasize charity and helping out those who need it. Happiness is a common theme, which is what is drawn together from religious experience. Wisdom is attained as a result of religion and its practice.The Eastern religions could teach the Western religions tolerance. Western religions only see themselves as right and dismiss all other views. This is not easily justified and just reaffirms eastern thought that humans are naturally ignorant. So that alone discredits the assumption on the western part that they are right. The Western religions could teach Eastern religions about dualism. One could say that although this reality is a certain way, who is to say that the next or continual one will be similar? They could see dualism within the reality.My approach to religion was greatly affected by my upbringing. I was raised as a Baptist. I blindly followed just as all children do. When I reached the Age of Reason, I took a serious look at the faith and came to my own conclusions. I figure that if the way I learned it is the way that it is, then there is no use in practicing it. If god is vengeful and could damn me to hell for eternity, then I go int want anything to do with him. That certainly does not sound Supreme to me. I have a hard time accept the doctrine that we were created for the sole purpose of serving him and fighting down the human spirit. I would rather sift to see life as being something to enjoy and make the most of it. I am considered deist and do not know where most men are sure. I whole ton e that most organised religion has been around to control and limit people. Eastern religions appeal to mebecause they are not necessarily establish on doctrine. I view all beings as equal, try to live a good life, and dont attempt to speak of things that I cannot conceive.Religion is definitely becoming more of a endurable subject among those who are intolerable. The persecution of religious groups seems to be slowing down, very slowly. The future day of religion is identical to the future of human existence. As long as human beings are around, they will use religion to place themselves in this world and understand themselves. As humans, we tend to be very self-important and make ourselves feel better about ourselves, and give ourselves meaning so we do not feel that we do not have a significant place in the world.