FREE Religions Essay (original) (raw)

Two of the three major monotheistic religions today are Judaism and Christianity. Upon taking a closer look at these western religions one can't help but notice a common thread running through all three. The ideas of "one omniscient God" (hence monotheism) and "final judgment", resulting in spending an eternity in heaven or hell, are ever present. How do these largely practiced belief systems have so much in common? Who is responsible for creating the basic ideology of millions of believers today? The answer to these questions may lie in a man who lived nearly twenty-six hundred to possibly three and a half thousand years ago. Zoroastrians are the followers of the Achaemenian prophet or priest Zarathustra (or Zoroaster as the Greeks called him). (For clarification, I will use present day Iran in place of the Achaemenian Empire). Due to invasions of Iran and the destruction of their libraries, there are no sources to pinpoint the time frame of Zoroaster's life. According to documents that survived the eradications, Zoroaster ".flourished 258 before Alexander." Alexander the Great sacked the Iranian capitol in 330 BC, dating the prophet's birth circa 628 BC, while some scholars estimate his life around 1400 BC. Where Zoroaster was born and lived is almost as uncertain as when he lived. Arab scripts state that ".Zaratusht arose from Ragh." which researchers have concluded as Rhages, or present day Tehran Iran. The area in which he lived had an economy based on "animal husbandry". Nomads who frequently raided those people were viewed by Zoroaster as of order and called them "followers of the lie". So begins the basis of Zoroaster's theology. To understand the overwhelming effect Zoroastrianism had on the people of the ancient Middle East, one must take a look at their belief system. Iran, as well as the entire Middle East, was a land where many pagan gods and goddesses were being "born". During the time of Zoroaster, Mithra was one prominent religion practiced by the Iranians.

1. Primal Religions

The book "The World Religion's" by Huston Smith, delves into primal religions and try's to explain the values and sacred aspects of indigenous religions and people. In doing so he was able to compare the views and ideas with modern religions, or as he called them "historical religions", and gave an accurate representation of the people who followed the earliest religions of man. ... When studying primal religions the first thing that is apparent in their difference to modern religion is that primal religions are orally transmitted. ... Not everything is conflicting about primal r...

2. The Theology of Religion

Some form of religion is something every culture has in common. Although we all share the general idea of religion, our religious beliefs differ drastically. ... The problem arises in analyzing and explaining religion from an unbiased point of view. ... Aside from utilizing inter-religious dialogue, as Catholic it is important to consider the Catholic Theology of Religion when opening our minds to the idea of other religions. ... The Theology of Religion aims to look through the ideals and beliefs of other religions for implications of Christian relevance and to give concrete Christian definit...

3. Comparing Religion and Science

First of all, in order to carefully examine the relationship between science and religion, we have to explain what science and religion really are. ... Of course, both science and religion have their own weaknesses. For instance, many religions require their worshippers to believe and devote without questioning and valid evidence; religions lack the ability to prove the existence of the God. ... However, model possess a different attitude toward religion and science. ... Otherwise, either religion or science should be modified or eliminated....

4. Power and Religion - Dr. Faustus

In the end, the play illustrates how Faustus was led to his own doom by his own hubris and because he chose power over religion. As Scene 1 opens, Faustus' opening soliloquy essentially announces to the world that all the worldly types of knowledge, including the study of religion and theology, are not worthy of Faustus' time. ... Religion was there to save him but personal hubris took salvation away....

5. Brief Overview of World Religions

What is the right religion? What is true religion? ... Primal Religion My definition of Primal religion is that, it's a religion practiced by an indigenous people or culture. ... No historical religion, not even Judaism and Shinto, is embedded in place to the extent that tribal religions are. ... For those who worship it as a religion, they would call it Daojiao, meaning the religion of Tao. ...

6. The Unseen Relationship Between Schizophrenia And Religion

The Unseen Relationship Between Schizophrenia and Religion The nature of schizophrenia, and other forms of psychosis, is still a largely debated topic. ... The experiencing of the Divine, can also be termed "being in the presence of God" or being in the presence of the Holy Spirit (as would be termed in Western Religion). ... The relationship between religion and schizophrenia (or mysticism and psychosis) is a complicated one. ...

7. Common Grounds of Religion and Sex

Religion and Sex Religion plays a powerful role in regulating sexuality and influencing how we view experience sex. Identify a topic related to religion and sex (examples include but are not limited to: celibacy, virginity, sex as sinful, Adam and Eve, procreation, birth control, abortion, etc.). ... One of the most debated topics about sexuality and religion today aside from abortion is virginity. ... It is in my opinion that most of those who save themselves for marriage are those who follow their religion and stand by what is said in the Bible that a person should save themselves for marria...

8. Language Norms In A Multiethnic Society: Singapore

Language in Religion In Singapore today there is a wide array of religions that are practiced by its citizens. Almost all of the world religions are represented in Singapore -- Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism and Taoism. ... However there are some religions that must be conducted in a specific language that coincides with that denomination, for example Islamic religion must be practiced in Malay. However many people who practice other religions tend to have no problem attending services in their preferred language. ... In religion, at home or in school citizens of Singapore use m...

9. World Religions and Spiritual

We have cast down other belief systems and have been conditioned to think that our religion is the one true religion. ... One of the most talked about and most important issues in World History and all over the world, is religion: not just religion, but the unreal concept of a world religion. ... In discussing religion the questions of, "What is the right religion?... However all of these religions are faith based religions. ... Unlike other religions avoid theology C. ...

10. Womens Gender Roles In Japanese Religious Traditions

Japan is a country without a truly native religion. ... The article in their book dealt with one of the new religions traditions in Japan that was founded by a woman. ... The final two books I chose to work with, Women, Religion and Sexuality by Jeanne Becher and Women and World Religions by Denise Lardner both dealt with the sexuality and religious roles that women played in the Shinto and Buddhist traditions respectively. ... These taboos are what give men the opportunity to control most of the religion. ... Buddhism is, unlike Shinto, a religion that requires ...

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