Ian West

 Universal Religions: Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism. Name: Date: Class: The term “universal religion” has various definitions according to various scholars. This essay establishes various definitions of universal religion and shows how universality allows for the diffusion of ideas while also providing for the clashing of cultures. According to Tignor, universal religion is a faith system not tied to specific locations but any geographical location.1 Tignor further emphasizes that religion was open to everyone in the world: dignitaries, kings, commoners, and slaves. Tignor also found that there are three religions accepted universally, that is Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism.2 A universal religion is also defined as one that many people follow; it has belief systems that the universal population finds attractive. Universal religions adopt new members and welcome everyone ready to adopt their belief systems; they consist of people from different ethnic backgrounds and not tied to one location (The Albert Team, 2020).3 Universal religions came into existence in Eurasia as early as 600 C.E. Christianity originated from Judaism and is naturally monotheistic. It is the largest universalizing religion with approximately two billion adherents. The three main branches of Christianity are Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestants;Christian followers applied Jesus Christ's teachings of showing love to God and one another. Christianity was spread to the Mediterranean basin and Southwest Asia by missionaries who used the silk roads to travel.4 Islam originated from Mecca, modern-day Saudi Arabia during Prophet Muhammad’s life. It is the second-largest universal religion with over one and a half billion adherents. The two branches of Islam are Sunni and Shiite while the six main beliefs are: belief in the oneness of God, belief in angels of God, belief in books of God, belief in prophets of God, belief in the day of judgment, and belief in the divine decree:5 Islam considers an individual as the center of Gravity as one is responsible for the elimination of immorality and the promotion of morality in society. According to Laluddini, Islam is a universal religion without discrimination and views all humans as brothers based on one God (Allah).6 1 Buddhism emanated from the teachings of Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, who came up with the reason for suffering in life. Buddhism adherents amount to about three hundred and fifty million. The ultimate aim was to reach Nirvana. The main teaching is that the purpose of life and achieving Nirvana was to end suffering. Buddhists believe in reincarnation through completing the Buddhist dharma: four noble truths and the noble eightfold path.7 Buddhism is established in all of East and Southeast Asia. The three universal religions emerged at different times, with Christianity being the first, followed by Islam and lastly Buddhism. 8 Universal religion does not discriminate against anyone regardless of their background, gender, age, class, or race; it seeks followers from all over the world thus welcoming people from diverse races. The three religions are universal in that they promote qualities of peace, unity, and oneness across different societies in the world. They also welcome people from all walks of life; this shows the aspect of universality: Universal religions share some similarities; for instance, both Christianity and Buddhism emerge from ancient religions; Christianity originated from Judaism while Buddhism originated from Hinduism. Both Christianity and Buddhism were spread by merchants and missionaries along trade routes. Christianity and Islam also share some similarities. For instance, Islam begins with Abraham like Christianity. Moses and Jesus are mentioned in the Quran used by Muslims and also mentioned in the Bible which is used by the Christians. All three religions gained more popularity outside their region of origin. It is also clear that there is a universal approach to morality across all three universal religions.9 Universal religions were free from cultural and border restrictions and therefore evolved and spread into various societies in the world; societies were able to incorporate their cultures while also creating new ideologies.10 Tignor further insists that universal religions are significant since they allow people from different geographical locations to convene in a commonplace; connections are made during activities such as prayers. The connections created during such convictions not only enable the religion to continue but also creates room for economic, judicial, and political philosophies.11 All three universal religions promote the aspect of universality. Out of the scholarly works reviewed, none alienated Christianity, Islam, or Buddhism from universal religions classification. 2Notably, universal religions have been fundamental in the diffusion of ideas despite their contribution to the clashing of cultures.12 Starting with the diffusion of ideas, there exists an argument among scholars that empires affected the world positively by allowing the intermixing of different people from various religions and ethics. For instance, Islam is said to have borrowed basic practices from Hinduism. This has enabled amicable sharing of ideas among people whose faiths are polytheistic.13 Interaction of various faiths have led to the gaining of new ideas and knowledge among people of different religions. Also, there has been the adoption of the spirit of egalitarianism. Moreover, a unified faith has been created through borders interactions in the religious systems.14 Religions universality acknowledges one supernatural being which is worshipped in each religion. For instance, in Christianity, God is the supernatural being who is worshipped by every Christian and is answerable to the people’s fortunes and misfortunes. 15 For Islam, Muslims believe in Allah from whom they receive divine revelations. Moreover, Buddhism focuses on the personal commitment of individual adherents. Universal religions have been blamed for the clashing of cultures despite their pivotal role in the consolidation of ideas among different societies in the world. For instance, through the urge to know more about certain religious practices, persons get overwhelmed in other religions' practices.16 Knowledge about other religions can make some believers do a replica of some of the methodologies which go against their initial practices and beliefs. Through such practices, cultural clashes might take place. In summary, according to Tignor, 17 universal religion has been referred to as a faith system not tied to specific locations but any geographical location. It consists of three denominations, that is Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism. These religions are unified such that they welcome all people and allows for the diffusion of ideas through various inter-religion interactions.18 Leadership and doctrinal worshipping of a supernatural being have been enhanced through interactions across the borders. However, amidst connections and communication of ideas, cultures tend to clash leading to failure in the protection of traditions of the society. 3 Bibliography Gräb Wilhelm, “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights: A Confessional Basis of a Universal Religion.” Gräb and Charbonnier, 39-52, 2015. Lalludin Hayatullah, “Conception of Society and Its Characteristics from an Islamic Perspective.” International Journal of Islamic Thought ISSN- Vol. 6: (Dec.) 2014. Schilderman Hans, “Defining Religion A Humanities Perspective.” Journal of Empirical Theology 27 (1), 176-198, 2014. “The Basics to Islam” sites.udel.edu › msadelaware › six-m...Six Major Beliefs In Islam | The Basics to Islam - WordPress at UD. Tignor et Al., “Worlds Together, Worlds Apart: Volume 2.” WW Norton & Company, 2017. Tignor Robert L, “Race and Empire: Eugenics in Colonial Kenya.” The International Journal of African Historical Studies 46 (1), 162, 2013. The Albert Team, “Universalizing Religion” Last Updated On: June 1, 2020.