Some aspects of religious belief have explicit benefits;
these do not justify the truth of religions but do offer explanations of why
religion evolved.
- Provide explanatory structure to the universe so that we feel we can control it (plausible but not true)
- Make people feel better about life (actively religious people are happier)
- Provide a moral code and social order (help community building)
- Provide a community and group membership (help community building)
Religious intolerance is common and pervades all societies. Fundamentalism is not new nor restricted to specific religions, and also occurs in political parties. Humans, like all primates, tend to form groups and to prefer members of their own group. In every society change takes place at an uneven rate; some groups embrace change, others are disturbed by it. Fundamentalism occurs when a group feels it is losing power; rigid physical and mental disciplines are intended to 'strengthen' the group. Fundamentalist movements tend to be led by key charismatic individuals, whose role is to call the faithfull to action.
Theology (critical study of concepts of God and of the nature of religious ideas) is not important in any religion, except in Christianity. Other religions have no orthodoxy, no complicated creeds to which everyone must subscribe and no infallible pronouncements but instead are based on orthopraxy (right practice).
Theology (critical study of concepts of God and of the nature of religious ideas) is not important in any religion, except in Christianity. Other religions have no orthodoxy, no complicated creeds to which everyone must subscribe and no infallible pronouncements but instead are based on orthopraxy (right practice).
Judaism: Judaism is an ancient monotheistic religion, with the Torah as its foundational text (part of the larger text known as the Tanakh or Hebrew Bible), and supplemental oral tradition represented by later texts such as the Midrash and the Talmud. Christianity and Islam both grew out of Judaism.
Christianity: An Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ as presented in the New Testament. Creeds set out the basic beliefs of Christians, who also accept the Ten Commandments of Judaism. There are now a number of different branches, the main ones being Catholicism, Protestantism and Orthodox.
Jesus was brought up in the Jewish faith (Judaism) and could have been one of the disciples of leading Pharisee Rabbi Hillel. Hillel taught a Golden Rule: 'Do not do unto others that which you would not have done to you'. Jesus altered this into a positive statement 'Do unto others that which you would have them do unto you'. However, it takes more discipline to refrain from harming others and is easier to be a do-gooder and project your needs and desires onto other people.
Jesus was brought up in the Jewish faith (Judaism) and could have been one of the disciples of leading Pharisee Rabbi Hillel. Hillel taught a Golden Rule: 'Do not do unto others that which you would not have done to you'. Jesus altered this into a positive statement 'Do unto others that which you would have them do unto you'. However, it takes more discipline to refrain from harming others and is easier to be a do-gooder and project your needs and desires onto other people.
Hinduism: Despite having over 50 gods, with a
supreme trinity of Siva, Brahma and Vishnu, there is a belief in a single,
omnipotent deity. The gods represent individual aspects of ‘god’ and people
choose which to pray to (e.g. a young girl would relate more easily to the
goddess Lakshmi). One of their festivals is Diwali. The Hindu mystic Ramakrisha set out 3 fundamental
attitudes: personal humility, respect for other sentient creatures, and a sense
of reverence (for God).
Sikhism: Monotheistic breakaway from Hinduism.
Founded by Guru Nanuk in 16Th C. There are three visual emblems:
small symbolic sword, bangle, uncut hair in turban – but today these are less
universally observed. Priesthood of the laity; women and men have equal status when
performing rites. Meetings are an essentially communal activity and food is
always provided and consumed after the service.
Islam: A monotheistic and Abrahamic religion set out in the Qur'an, a religious text thought by its followers to be the actual word of God (Allāh), and, for the vast majority of them, by the teachings and example (the sunnah, composed of accounts called hadith) of Muhammad (c. 570–8 June 632 CE), considered by most of them to be the last prophet of God. Doctrinaire
and prescriptive; theological certainty and strict obligations. There is no creed but Muslims are required to perform prostrate prayer at specified times each day, fasting at Ramadan, hajj pilgrimage and giving alms.Various sources including:
Karen Armstrong: The Spiral Staircase. Harper Perennial, 2005.
Robert Winston: The Story of God. Bantam Press, 2005.
Wikipedia entries
