They can further be classified in two categories: western and eastern religions. This classification is majorly due to historical development (Lectures, p. 41). Western religions comprise of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism whereas eastern religions consist of Buddhism and Hinduism. These religions have been in existence since the pre - 1500 and as such there certain facts synonymous to these religions. These facts are to a great extent similarities or common features of these religions. This is so despite the variance in the individual beliefs and teachings of each of the religions.
One key fact is that all these religions have various sub groups, arising mainly due to the interpretation of the beliefs and practices. Though at the inception they were practiced by one group, with time sub groups emerged. The emergence is also attributable to the growth in the number of believers, where in some instances people with different cultures became believers of the religion. In such cases, the new converts invariably modified the religion to be compatible with their culture. Additionally, as the society changed some believers changed with it whereas some held on to the old practices; this also precipitated emergence of sub groups.
Buddhism for instance has various sub groups (also referred to as sects) but the main ones are Theravada and Mahayana (Fernandez-Armesto, p. 226). These two sects differ mainly on how emancipation from the cycle of samsara should be achieved (British Broadcasting Corporation website, 2013). Christianity perhaps has the most sub groups of the religions, which may be attributable to the number of Christian believers. Three main categories are the Catholics, the Orthodox, and the Protestants (Lectures, p. 42). Each of these categories also has numerous sub groups. The main sub groups in Islam are the Sunni and Shi’a. Interestingly, this division is mainly attributable to historical leadership issues i.e., the succession of Prophet Muhammad (British Broadcasting Corporation website, 2013). Judaism also has various sub divisions. These sub divisions are largely attributable to manner of practice of the beliefs.
Another fact is that religion today plays a lesser role as compared to the era of their inception or in the traditional society. The advent of modernism, especially science and technology precipitated the diminished role. Unlike in the traditional society where answers to everything were sought from religion, today this role is played by science and technology (Lectures, p. 40). For instance, majority of religious believers today seek medical advice or treatment as soon as illness occurs, sometimes even without involving any aspect of religion, like praying about the illness. This is unlike the traditional society where religion took the center stage through prayers and sacrifices.
With the exception of religious fundamentalists, contemporarily religion provides answers to things that modernism cannot either explain or explain sufficiently. Thus for instance using the foregoing example, if the particular illness is beyond the knowledge and skill of the medical practitioner, then the person will invariably turn to religion. Accordingly, it is safe to say that religion nowadays plays a second fiddle to modernism (Lectures, p. 40).
Another key fact is that all the major religions are intricately intertwined with culture; sometimes it is even hard to separate a belief based on culture and another based on religion. This bond perhaps elucidates why religion is very personal to many people as being intertwined with culture it represents their way of life. The bond further explains how these religions have changed to adapt to changes in the society. This is because culture is dynamic, changing over time, with people modifying practices or adopting new ones (Fernandez-Armesto, p. 152). In many instances, the change in culture occurs concomitantly with religion.
Indeed history is replete with examples of such changes. For instance, during the early stages of political development, many of these religions changed with the changing political practices or ideals (Fernandez-Armesto, p. 219). The ability to change or at least adapt to the changing times partly explains how the religions have been able to survive to date, with the number of believers they have; many with varying cultures.
Another fact is that these religions are more similar than different, and only differ on few but fundamental aspects. The similarities are majorly because most of the religions share a common heritage, in terms of culture and history (Lectures, p. 41). In fact some of the major religions developed from other major preceding religions. For instance, Christianity developed from Judaism. Both these religions trace their roots to the Patriarch Abraham (British Broadcasting Corporation website, 2013). Similarly, Islam also developed from Judaism and Christianity (Fernandez-Armesto, p. 225). Muslims too trace their roots to the Patriarch Abraham. The common difference however is the status of Jesus. Judaism and Islam regard him as a prophet, whereas Christianity considers him as the son of God, and the Messiah.
Buddhism also developed from a preceding religion; Hinduism (Lectures, p. 43). Indeed to a large extent both religions are considered conceptually similar (British Broadcasting Corporation website, 2013). In fact from a simplistic point of view, one can correctly say that Buddhism is a form of less strict Hinduism. From the foregoing we can say that religions of a particular area or with common heritages tend to be very similar. This similarity is also on the broader level of religion such as the belief in a supernatural being or beings and the belief in good and evil.
Another fact is that all these religions have had, and continue to have political angles or aspects. In deed at some point of their development, they relied on politics to survive or expand (Fernandez-Armesto, p. 219). Initially, religion influenced politics, and at some point political leaders relied on religious patronage to rule. However, with changing times religion took a reprised role in relation to political power. This diminished role in politics is similar to secondary role alluded to in the foregoing part. Nonetheless, even today the religions play some role in politics.
The extent of the role however varies from religion to religion. For instance, in most Christian countries, there is separation of the state and the church. This differs however in Islamic countries, where it is sometimes difficult to draw the line between religion and state. In countries where there are several of the major religions, the religion’s influence in politics is proportional to the number of citizens who practice it. On such basis it would seem that religion too like politics, also depends on numbers.
References
British Broadcasting Corporation website. (2013). Religions. Retrieved from
http://www.British Broadcasting Corporation website.co.uk/religion/religions/
Fernandez-Armesto, F. (2010). The World: A History (Combined Volume). NJ: Pearson. Print.
Hepp, J. (2013). Historical Foundations of the Modern World. PA: Wilkes University. Print.
