*(865 words)
*(11 references)
According to the Oxford Dictionary Online, religion is, “A particular system of faith and worship” (Oxford Dictionary Online, 2016). In addition to this, religion can also be defined as, the belief in the supernatural, or spirits (Horton, 1960). However, according to Jeremy Gunn, the definition of religion is somewhat skewed and complex, especially in the context of international law (2003). Generally, religion can be defined as, the organized system of beliefs, the practice of faith, and the belief in a supernatural, supreme being, God, or, God’s (Merriam Webster Dictionary, 2016).
While the finite definition of religion can be somewhat complex, and slightly vary depending on whom you are speaking to, there are some commonalities when it comes to various religions and their practices. According to an article written by, Rev. Nancy Schluntz, quoting the Dali Lama, she writes that the common thread between various religions is that, “Every religion emphasizes human improvement, love, respect for others, and sharing other people's suffering. On these lines every religion has more or less the same viewpoint and the same goal” (2009).
It seems that while all world religions are centered on the belief in one more God’s they are also centered on the belief of a soul, or spirit that resides within each human being (Segal, 2006). Examples of this are, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and many indigenous, and tribal religions, including the Australian Aboriginal culture, (Segal, 2006). The Aboriginal religion is based upon religious beliefs, and practices centered on the spirit, and the afterlife (Segal, 2006).
Deeper examples of this can be found when comparing Islam and Christianity. Both religions are monotheistic, and believe in a single God (Taylor, 1998). Both religions believe in the afterlife, heaven and hell (Taylor, 1998). In addition to this, both religions believe in the power of prayer, and the unwavering dedication to their respective God (Taylor, 1998). However, the differences between Islam and Christianity lay in the expressions of faith, and in the definition of who God is (Taylor, 1998). According to the Christian King James Bible, in the book of Genesis, God is defined as “Yahweh” (King James Bible Online, 2012). In the Koran, held a sacred religion text by those who practice Islam, God is defined as, “Allah” (Taylor, 1998).
Another good example of commonalities in world religions, is by looking at the Australian Aboriginal culture. The Australian Aboriginal culture can be defined as a cultural way of living, but also as a religion, the two, are one, and the same (Berndt, 1974). The Australian aborigines believe that all beings have a spirit that live on after death (Berndt, 1974). In fact, according to the Australian Aborigines, looking a photo of an individual who has passed away, could result in the desecration of one’s spirit (Berndt, 1974).
Judaism also has similarities to Christianity, particularly when it comes to core principles relating to treating others the way you want to be treated, this is called the ‘Good Samaritan principle”, (Schluntz, 2009). In the same way, the ancient Egyptians believed in this principle (Schluntz, 2009). On an Egyptian papyrus, dated 1080-332 BCE, it is written, “that which you hate to be done to you, do not do to another” (Richard, 1992). Similar principles have been found in, the Torah, Sikhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, Unitarianism, and within the tradition of the Native American culture (Schluntz, 2009).
Many world religions have common threads and practices among them as discussed in this essay. However, the expressions and manifestations of faith between the various religions can vary (Schluntz, 2009). This may result in some critical issues when it comes to the study of religion (Gunn, 2003).
One of the critical issues relating to the academic study of religion include pinning down the definition of what religion is (Gunn, 2003). Another issue lies within the definition of God. Every religion has their own name, and, or, names, and ideas about who God is (Taylor, 1998). Some even believe in multiple Gods (Taylor, 1998). In addition to this, the manifestations of religion changes over time, and through social and cultural contexts (Engler, 2011). This can make it difficult to study religion as a whole (Engler, 2011). Because of this, the study of religion has to be looked at in context of the culture, society, and time in which it is expressed (Engler, 2011).
References
Berndt, R., (1974). Australian Aboriginal Religion, Parts 1-4. In E. Brill, Iconography Of Religions (1st ed., p. VIII). Perth: The University of Western Australia. Retrieved from https://books.google.com.au/books?hl=en&lr=&id=VegUAAAAIAAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA1&dq=the+aborigional+religion&ots=VcD-feauK8&sig=G_bhHgmzOCMxT1scBMX3zx9ZC-o#v=onepage&q=the%20aborigional%20religion&f=false
Biblehub.net,. (2012). Bible Search: yahweh. Retrieved 3 March 2016, from http://biblehub.net/search.php?q=yahweh
Engler, S., (2011). 'Religion,' 'the Secular' and the Critical Study of Religion. Studies In Religion/Sciences Religieuses, 40(4), 419-442. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0008429811420406
Gunn, T., (2003). The complexity of religion and the definition of "religion" in international law.
Horton, R.. (1960). A Definition of Religion, and its Uses. The Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland, 90(2), 201–226. http://doi.org/10.2307/2844344
Jasnow, Richard., (1992). “A Late Period Hieratic Wisdom Text: P. Brooklyn, 47.218.135, p. 95” University of Chicago Press.
Merriam-webster.com,. (2016). Definition of RELIGION. Retrieved 3 March 2016, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/religion
Oxforddictionaries.com,. (2016). religion - definition of religion in English from the Oxford dictionary. Retrieved 3 March 2016, from http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/religion
Schluntz, R., (2009). The Chaplaincy Institute: Common Threads in World Religions: The Ethic of Reciprocity. Chaplaincyinstitute.org. Retrieved 3 March 2016, from http://chaplaincyinstitute.org/library/interfaith-spirituality/common-threads-in-world-religions/
Segal, R. (2006). The Blackwell companion to the study of religion. Malden, MA: Blackwell Pub.
Taylor, M., (1998). Critical terms for religious studies. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
