As humans, change is very hard for us. We tend to stick in our comfort zones, and do things that are familiar to us. In the first millennium, at the time universal religions spread, humans were the same way. This is why, although, the political support of powerful figures played an important role in the spread of Mahayana Buddhism during the first millennium, the primary factor that helped Mahayana Buddhism spread, specifically in China, was syncretism, the idea of adapting and assimilating one’s faith towards another. Likewise, although the socio-economic appeal of converting to Islam played an important role in the spread of Islam in the first millennium, the primary factors that helped Islam spread were syncretism, the idea of adapting one’s faith towards another, and Islamization, the process of surrounding oneself in the culture of Islam and slowly adapting to it.
One factor in the spread of Islam was the socio-economic incentives of converting. Although, the Arab army rapidly conquered vast lands, the conversion to Islam in these areas happened more slowly. Muslims were tolerant of diversity and did not want to force their religion on people. However, immediately social and economic benefits began to encourage some under the Arab army’s rule to convert. Muslims didn’t have to pay taxes. “Probably some non-believers, given the choice of paying taxes or converting to Islam, submitted to Allah” . By converting, one could enhance his business, and political standing in the community. Arabic was also the language of trade and commerce so it was beneficial to assimilate to the culture. All of these incentives happened almost immediately after the Arab army concurred lands. However, by 750 C.E, less then ten percent of people, in ...
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...nomic incentives played important roles in the spread of Mahayana Buddhism and Islam, syncretism, the idea of adapting and assimilating one’s faith towards another, played a primary role in both the spread of Mahayana Buddhism and Islam. In our modern society, many of our celebrations and gatherings also use the concept of syncretism. Christmas, as celebrated by European tradition, arose from pagan Yule holidays. Easter also as celebrated by European tradition incorporates spring fertility rites. In addition, the holiday of Halloween exemplifies the syncretism of Christianity and Paganism. Throughout history, and to this day, syncretism has played a huge role in the spread and development of ideas. Therefore, it is fair to say that syncretism was the primary factor in the spread of universal religions during the first millennium, and still affects us today.
Christianity and Buddhism are only two examples of universal religions that expanded through Syncretism. Although Syncretism is a very powerful tool, it will not succeed on its own. Factors like political alliance and positive motivators of the religion are very important for a large amount of people to commit to converting. In a universal religion, Syncretism along with other key factors were very important in the expansion of universal religions during this time period.
Religion reinforces the beliefs of individuals within a society. Additionally, religion has played a vital role in society since it influenced the way they lived and the rituals they may or may not have practiced. Different regions of the world during ancient times held a distinct set of beliefs, each based on different or similar principals. Deriving from the polytheistic set of beliefs, monotheism came in place of many Gods, holding just one god accountable for the creation and the existence of mankind. Christianity and Buddhism share similarities and differences, but most importantly the impact that each has on the culture is what is mostly referred to.
We see in the mid-7th century the Muslim Invasions conquering Cathage, Alexandria, and Spain. By the Muslims increasing their empire, this led to a spread not only people, but also Islam. The Sunnah encourages Muslims to trade and make money to support themselves, such
Although there are many religious in history, Islam is one of the quickest spreading in the Middle East. According to Document A, cultural diffusion helped advance the religion of Islam. For example, the city of Mecca was the center of trade, which meant there were many trade routes connected to Mecca. Some trade routes travelled farther away, like to India or China and Islam's culture and religion grew from all the trading. Document B explains that Islam spread so quickly because the laws from their God appealed to many. In other words, the laws of the Muslim community were fair, wanted people to be kind not evil, told followers their property would not be stolen or destroyed and also promised them afterlife in paradise. People that were not
Why and how did Islam spread so quickly? I will give three reasons to answer this question. One answer is because of the large trading happening, two is that muslims are protected by Islam, three is because of the religion Muhammad created was attractive to people.
After reading The Next Christendom by Philip Jenkins I found that this book reminded me of a memorable passage from the movie Apollo Thirteen: a military man in the tense Houston control shares with a political figure his forewarning that the tragedy before will be the catastrophic moment for the space program Mission control flight chief Gene Kranz overhears their conversation and addresses it: 'With all due respect, gentleman, I believe this will be our finest hour.' This summarizes the book quiet well as the apparent demise of the western church (when the day comes) is forecasting on its fate over against the perceived adversaries of secularism and post-modernism. Jenkins reminds us that when view through a wide-screen lens so to speak, the inherent threat often yields to a broad outlook of opportunity, painting a clear picture of the future of Christianity in colors unaccustomed to American thinking, outlining the characteristics of the fast growing Christian churches that are outside of Western Europe and US. Jenkins also shows the possibility of conflicts between Christianity and other major religions (such as Islam or Hinduism). Speculating what affects this will have on established churches of having a Christian majority outside the west. The basic premise of this book I think is simply: the heart of Christendom has moved from the northern hemisphere to the southern hemisphere, what is surprising about this premise is that the northern hemisphere did not see the move, and still deny that it is moving.
Because of Islam’s holy book, The Qur’an revolved a lot around the sacred language, Arabic, which was very beneficial for trade. Since the text in The Qur’an was in Arabic, it helped spread language, religion and culture when people traded it (Outside Source: Spread of Islam Background Reading Packet). This helped spread Islam because a lot of people read it, they may have thought of the same way and told themselves that they should become and adherent (Adherent: “Sticking to” or “ Having Faith in”) to Islam (Doc
Islam continued to spread by making the idea of being a Muslim sound great. The Muslim Empire didn’t force any Muslims to pay taxes(Doc 1). The idea of changing religions made a lot of sense money wise. The change to Islam was not a large difference, pray more, and eat a little less during sun up. The idea of going to paradise after your death seemed Marvelous (Doc 2). It also gave you an idea about fighting for the Muslim Army, if you died, you would be taken to Heaven with Allah and his Apostle. To some
As the Eastern religions grew and expanded throughout history, their beliefs and cultures began to mix and blend with others. This created tolerance and acceptance between religions. A great example of this is Hinduism because, it accepts any belief that has a different philosophy on how to reach salvation, as long as it does not divert from the core beliefs. In addition...
Religion is intertwined with culture, economics, politics, and modern social relationships on every dimension. Whether you attend a cathedral, a synagogue, or a mosque, habitually, intermittently, or abstain entirely, you simply cannot escape religion.
Through the ages of time, religion has both unified and divided civilizations often bringing extreme human casualty, in the case of division, or creating interesting new cultures. The Axial Age stood out because during this time there was radical change, the creation of religious traditions, but the most impressive part is that this movement took place in different areas geographically. During this era the rise of Hinduism, Taoism, Buddhism, Confucianism became extremely influential. All unique in their own way, these religions agreed on several characteristics, they believed that having strong, positive ethics and morals was essential.
Religious syncretism is a blending of two or more religious beliefs or practices into a new system, or the merging into a new religious tradition of beliefs from different traditions. This can occur for many reasons, but happens quite frequently in areas where multiple religions exist nearby to each other and are active in the culture. When a culture is conquered, the conquerors bring their religious beliefs with them, but do not succeed in entirely wiping out the old beliefs or practices as they are too engrained. Certain religious followers see syncretism as a betrayal of their pure truth. They feel by adding an incompatible belief ruins and changes the original concept and practice of the original religion, thus rendering it no longer true.
Islam is a major world religion. Its origin can be traced back to 610 CE in Arabia. The basis of this religion is the revelations to the prophet Mohammad. Dissatisfied with his life, he traveled to deserts, hills, and the wilderness surrounding Mecca, where he lived, to meditate and reflect. He became a new man through his revelations, which many of his followers believe Allah transmitted to him through his angel Gabriel. Islam was originally an Arab religion, but many different beliefs and practices were added to it, making it extremely popular and aiding in its rapid spread. This new religion spread to many different areas surrounding Arabia, both under Mohammad and after his death. The Muslim Empire grew to encompass Spain and the Eastern Roman Empire as well Persia and Africa. Many different practices and methods were used to spread Islam. The religion itself was appealing to, in addition to the inhabitants of Arabia, other people in the surrounding areas because of its distinct religious beliefs and practices, such as the five pillars, as well as the humility and prayerfulness of the Islamic people. They fought cruel, vicious wars with their enemies. Many different things motivated the warriors to expand, but above all, the riches they would gain from the people of the Fertile Crescent encouraged them to expand.
“Islam: A Worldwide Religion and its Impact in Southeast Asia.” N.p., n.d. Web. 29 March 2014.
It has been an outstanding five weeks. This was the course that I've been waiting to take since I started Capella back in April of 2004. Finally after weeks of reading World Religions by Huston Smith, I have developed an understanding of some of the world's religions. I can never be an expert in this field, and I don't want to, but at least I have an idea where these religions originated and have a general concept of the beliefs behind each religion. Each of the religions we covered have one thing in common that stick out, and that is promoting peace and harmony.