Religions have been a part of every nation’s history and tradition since the start of civilizations. They have played key roles in creating tradition and belief, even influencing the creation of suitable government and laws for people to follow. These religions try to satisfy the question of the existence of life, the idea of what is God and the concept of spirituality and human responsibility. While some of them have considered that there is only one God or a Supreme Being that watches the existence of man and the presence of life and death, they still differ in understanding the importance of life and the pure beings around life. Nonetheless, they all agreed that humans must live a fruitful and pure life so that after death, they may be able to thrive in the benefits of the afterlife whether it exists or not.
Australian Aboriginal Religions
Aborigines believed in the myth of Dreamtime, the existence of spirits that lived during the creation before the appearance of the first humans . These early spirits created the natural features of the Earth, making them the ancestors of all beings. While they took on different forms, these spirits behaved as people and left signs that they indeed exist. Although they were spirits, they still succumbed to ageing and returned to sleep. They would be reawakened at the “Dawn of time”. As these being sleep, their spirits become the sources that foster life into newborn beings and also sources for natural calamities and events. The spiritual energy of these spiritual beings then flows the same path it has used while Dreamtime, strongly seen in the physical evidences they left throughout their stay. These physical evidences are called as sacred sites. Australian Aborigines also believed that every living thing, may they be a human or a plant, and have two souls: mortal and immortal. The immortal soul is the spirit of the ancestor which returns to the sacred site of the ancestor after death. The mortal soul just passes on once the person dies. Every person, through this belief, is connected to a sacred site of their ancestors. Aborigines also believed that people have their own avatar or a totem, mostly known as Dreaming. Totems are connections between people and their ancestors and may take many different forms, usually as trees or animals. In times for food and shelter, Aborigine religion believes in practicality, knowing where to hunt and when, and how to get water in drought .
North American Religions
When America was still uncharted by the Europeans, Native Americans already had their means of tradition, laws and practices. In their case, they do not believe in a thing called religion, they give more importance to spirituality. Native American religious traditions are mostly integrated into the everyday life, from waking up to tilling the soul, and many others. With the different Native North American tribes which had been recorded throughout history, they all held different teachings and outlook in many of the world’s given questions. The Iroquois Nation in the East, for example, was noted to be similar to the Mesopotamia in terms of its organized civilization. For the Iroquois, they believed that their God is the “Great Spirit” or the “Ha-wen-ne-yu”. They believed that with the rich land and resources they have received form the environment is a means that the Great Spirit constantly watches over their tribe. It is also the Great Spirit who administers the world. The Iroquois did not see the need create a more detailed perception of their god as he is above their capacity to be known about or comprehend. They also believed in the appearances of the “Invisible Agents” or the “Ho-no-che-no-keh”, supporters of the Great Spirit to control natural forces. They also acknowledged the presence of evil or the “Ha-ne-go-ate-geh”. The red race or humans are given the choice whether or not they wish to follow the Greak Spirit or the Evil-minded. Upon the death of a person, his spirit is then judged by the Great Spirit and be punished depending on the acts he has done before his death.
For the Apache tribes of the Southwest, they did not believe in the concept of gods and goddesses. Instead, they believe in supernaturals which do not influence their day to day activities unless requested. Since the Apache were mostly nomads, they did not have religious rituals. They believed that marriage would only absorb the couple into a growing extended family. Death is also believed by the Apache as one’s ultimate rival and must not be considered a blessing. Sickness and death is also crucial for one’s survival. Since the Apache only concerned themselves mostly with survival, they believed that they should establish their own means to become friends with the supernatural forces around them. Supernaturals, according to the Apache, were eager to help humans and can be manipulated. Like other religions, the Apache had their own set of leaders or the “Shamans”, capable of healing those who are sick. Those who are considered capable of curing the most difficult diseases are often given influential positions in the tribe .
African Religions
Before Africa became a nation filled with Christians and Muslims, African religions were similar to its counterparts as they had their own concept of God. For the African religions, there is a supreme power which rules over everything. This being is also the creator, all knowing and uses many names depending on the society calling for his aid. Some examples of the names of God in Africa are Abaluiyia (Kenya), Bambuti (Congo), and Galla (Ethiopia). For these three regions, followers pray to their Supreme Deity daily to protect them from draught and starvation. Each religion in Africa also has a concept of human life, from birth to death. African religions believe that their ancestors mediate for those living in the spirit world, being honored by their descendants in the process. They also give out advice and warnings to their descendants. African religions also believe in witchcraft, an obscure art of cursing or bringing pain to the other through dark arts. Humans are also capable of communication with the divine powers through prayer and sacrifice; however, in determining the wellbeing of the individual, it would depend on the well-being of the community. Life is also celebrated in Africa, may it be for a birth of a child to the death of an elder. In the case of death, several rules are in place on how they should be buried like its similarity with ancient Egyptian religion. Death is a journey that every person would take prepared. Taboos is also common in African traditions considering that it protects their community. In one example, it is a taboo to eat a particular type of mushroom for those in the Butiko (mushroom) clan .
Egyptian Religion
The Egyptians are considered to be extremely god-fearing. Egyptians are also polytheistic when it comes to their worship as they had 2000 gods and goddesses for a particular devotion. However, two gods remained to be the center of worship: Amon-Ra and Osiris. Amon-Ra is considered as the sun god and the lord of the cosmos while Osiris is regarded as the god of the underworld. Immortality and the afterlife was one of the central beliefs in Egyptian religion as noted in the sacred text “Book of the Dead.” Egyptian religion stressed that the afterlife exists and thus Egyptians utilized most of their time preparing for the afterlife. In terms of their response to the creation, Egyptian religion has many legends regarding this period. One legend denotes that everything began with a particular ocean in the midst of darkness. A patch of dry land began to rise up and revealed the sun god Amon-Ra. He then created light and every other being in the planet. Egyptian gods are also believed to be present in temples, considering these temples their home. Upon death, Egyptian religion believes it is a transitional phase to prepare one’s soul for a new life in the afterlife. Souls are only capable of reaching their full potential in the afterlife. It is said that their belief in the afterlife and reincarnation became the main force behind the Egyptian religion funeral rites.
Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism was the first and earliest recorded monotheistic religion from Iran. The religion also has a dualistic nature as they believe that there is a good and evil. Their god Ahura Mazda, the Supreme Being, is assisted by six angel-like entitles known as the Amesha Spentas to oppose the destructive and evil spirit Angra Mainyu and its devil-like entities. This conflict between good and evil separates Zoroastrianism from other monotheistic religions since both powers are equal in power, making it dualistic. In addition to this belief, Zoroastrianism also tries to explain that the destiny of all living beings would be decided by the struggle between good and evil. Man is also a part of this struggle between good and evil as he could influence the victory of either good or evil depending on his actions and beliefs, noted on the Day of Judgment. Zoroastrianism also believes that it is a religion of individual ethical responsibility similar to Judaism. In some of the legends that Zoroastrianism also believes that once a person dies, the soul or the urvan would be given three days to meditate on the life they have left. In terms of the universe, Zoroastrianism believes that the universe would undergo three stages: creation, the present world where good and evil mix, and the final state or the renovation state .
Greek Religion
As one of the oldest civilizations recorded to have done several discoveries and teachings, Greece also presented the foundation of early religion in the European region. Greek religion is mostly known for its three characteristics: polytheism of multiple gods and goddesses, its ritualism that presents cults, festivals and time-honored rites and the religion’s regionalism. Greek religion also did not have its own sacred text, believing that it would be important to pass the lessons of religion orally. Greek religion also does not have canon, clergy, and even a center for where they could pray to their gods. Since Greece is a conglomerate of polis, various city-states have their own religion and belief. A polis would have a different God or Goddess they worship and this enabled them to have their own character. In terms on the power of the gods, Greeks believe that they come to life if they are requested. The gods and goddesses also aided in the formation of Greek society, playing key parts in all fields, from agriculture to politics. While they have the Twelve Gods they considered higher than other gods and goddesses, Greek religion also favors demi-gods and deities. Oracles are the perfect mediums to know the will of the Gods. Like other world religions, Greek religion also favors the possibility of the afterlife, as if one dies, another life would be waiting in the next cycle. Like in Egyptian religion, Greeks also believed that one’s mortal body must be buried with his worldly possessions upon death so they may carry them to the next life.
Roman Religion
Like the Greek religion, Roman religion was all about practicality and it was not based from any central belief, but from a mixture of rituals, taboos, myths and traditions that have transcended over the years. Religion was not a spiritual experience but more of a contractual relationship between man and the spirits that control life. The result of this belief eventually caused two things: the beginning of a state cult and a private concern. In terms of state cult, Roman s saw the importance of political and military ventures that could ultimately determine their fate. In terms of private concern, families oversaw rituals and prayers to ensure that they would remain protected in life. With the beginning of the first century, many turned to the mysteries presented by Greeks and the cults from the East. As a result, Romans believed in gods and goddesses influenced by the Greeks from Italy. Some deities would even be worshipped without any specific reason, forgetting who the deity covers. Romans were also known to be very superstitious, believing in omens that could bid bad luck. Peasants in the Roman Empire had their own perception over gods, superstitions and omens; they did several festivals to ensure that gods were pleased of their existence .
Hinduism (Classical and Modern)
Hinduism is noted to be one of the dominant religions in India before the entrance of Islam and Christianity. Nonetheless, it is still considered the third largest religion after both Islam and Christianity. The religion itself is divided into two periods, the classic and the modern. In Classical Hinduism, it believes in living a life that is good. It promoted four different goals: the Dharma (virtue), Artha (success), Kama (pleasure), and moksha (release). The first three goals are considered life-affirming goals for humans to attain, but this is dependent to the person’s caste. The modern form of Hinduism also follows these life goals. In terms of its belief in gods, Hinduism is a diverse form of religion that can either be monotheistic, polytheistic or even atheist. The religion also questions, through the Rig Veda, the creation and the presence of Gods. In their case, Hinduism believes that Brahman is the Supreme Being that possesses human personality. Karma is the most significant belief in Hinduism that both Classic and Modern Hinduism adheres and believes as they believe that karma would determine one’s capability to reach reincarnation and the possibility to reach moksha.
Jainism
Jainism rejects the belief that there is a Creator, noting that the universe is only a natural force. Jainism argues that “if God is perfect, why is the world and universe imperfect? Why is there suffering if it was made out of love?” In response to these questions, Jainism answers that the universe is eternal. It continues to change despite its eternal life, allowing eternal change and structure development. The universe also subjected to cycles of creation and destruction. Jainism also noted that everything is full of life and suffering. This reality is known as hylozoism. Jains also teaches two types of realities: the spirit (jiva) and the matter (ajiva). The spirit is capable of emotions and feeling while matter has no consciousness. In the concept of human life, it is also noted by Jains to be influenced by karma and reincarnation. When a human dies, his spirit can either move up to the scale or reincarnation or move down. Karma can also determine the purity of the spirit upon death. In terms of their notion of superhuman beings, Jains believe in these gods and deities. However, they believe that they are also subjected to change and Karma. For some Jains, they note that these celestial beings can help people when they are prayed for by the people. The main goal of Jainism is to reach total freedom. Once spirits are liberated from their mortal shells, they can live in the highest realm in the top of the universe.
Sikhism
Sikhism, on its end, reflects the similarity to world religions as they practice extreme or devout monotheism. They believe in the Sikh gurus, spiritual leaders who have lived in the world and preached the presence of God and his teachings. Like Jainism and Hinduism, Sikhism also believes in reincarnation and karma. Human beings are a composite of body and spirit. Since the physical world would prevent the spirit from seeking freedom. The spirit must overcome this restraint and may take many times before the spirit can finally seek freedom and absorption back to the divine. Unlike Islam, and its Hindu counterpart, Sikhism allows followers to eat meat, this is due to the belief that the animal world is created to be consumed by humans. Sikhism also reflects on the fact that God is beyond one’s personhood. He is also human like as he is capable of emotions, compassion and have a sense of justice. However, God is the primary guru for Sikhism. While the spiritual gurus are considered to be God’s mouthpiece, each person has a spirit of this God within their spirits and can easily be contacted with opening one’s heart. Religion is also seen as a social responsibility .
Conclusion
It is visible in the various world religions mentioned that they all present that it is important for humans to do morally good actions and beliefs, and to purify themselves from sin or evil. While they differed on how their purity would be defined after death, these religions pointed out that there is something fruitful upon a man’s death from the living plane. They also pointed out that there are sentient beings around each person, protecting and guiding against the forces of evil. However, one denotes that their belief in god or religion varied as some developed their concept of religion due to their situation such as the Apache tribe in North America and a mix of present religions such as Jainism and Sikhism in India. Their belief in the supernatural had also varied as some believe that they are one’s ancestors or others, spirits who aid in doing good or bad. Today, the teachings of these world religions remain in world history as some of the minor religions still practiced today.
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