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Spread of Christianity short explain
Globalization of religion
The spread of Christianity
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Between 200 B.C.E and 800 C.E., there was a large development and spread of Universal Religions. The definition of a universal religion is a religion that has these characteristics: believes in one God, promises a type of salvation or after life, and a religion that is open to all people no matter what social class, race, or gender. Two of the large universal religions, Christianity and Buddhism were spread because of Syncretism. Syncretism is the adaptation to a religion by the religious leaders so that their beliefs are close to those of the local population. Although Syncretism is arguably the most important factor for the spread of these universal religions, there were other key reasons as to why these religions spread.
Somewhere around 320 B.C.E.; Christianity began its spread to Axum. This was a very big step for Christianity as a religion because Axum was a very powerful nation. Axum had a vast trading network, which was very important in that time period. A man named Frumentius who was an advisor to the King of Axum, and a tutor for the two Princes of Axum introduced Christianity into the community. Before he introduced Christianity he traveled to Jerusalem. In Jerusalem the patriarch in Alexandria named Frumentius Bishop of Axum. After he received this title he went back to Axum and baptized the Princes. This resulted in the King of Axum deeming Christianity the official religion of Axum. Christianity spread to Axum not only because of Syncretism and Frumentius’ influence over the royal family but also other factors. One factor given by Johnson was “conversion would enhance trading relations with Constantinople and with its large, prosperous Christian community.” This was one of the motivating factors that led to Chr...
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...to bodhisattvas. Buddhism took advantage of China’s turmoil and created a larger amount of followers because of Syncretism. Translating the major beliefs of Confucianism and Daoism in to Buddhist terms was very smart because people felt that they were converting to something very similar to their local beliefs. If it were not for Syncretism, Buddhism may not be the universal religion it is 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.
From 300-600 CE The Roman Empire allowed new religions to be formed and universalized. The Religion that was associated with The Roman empire was Christianity. Christianity became the religion of Rome because of a man named Constantine who allowed Christianity to spread and flow throughout the empire create a harmony throughout the people. Constantine allowed for the Roman officials to adopt Christianity and this led to the building of the Constantinople. Christianity had basilicas which were opulent churches that were open to all which meant any person could go there allowing Christianity to be very universal. Christianity was also very appealing because the worshiped deity walked on land with the people. Christianity split and became the Roman Catholic church which consisted
It really makes sense that our religion is based on our location and what we have around us. The polytheistic religions that worship animals and inanimate objects do seem to have an overwhelming amount of such ecological subjects that they worship. The correlation in the lack of the spread of such polytheistic religions makes sense in that it typically stays within one region as opposed to spreading. That religion was centralized around what resources and factors the people have in that specific region and may not be in other areas in which the religion may attempt to spread to. His idea of this being the reason why the dominant religions tend to be monotheistic is very convincing because it seems to be supported with evidence. De Blij mentions how Mormons are going into other countries and successfully spreading that religion, whereas the religions in tropical areas have a much more difficult time in spreading their religions. From a Christian stand point, Christianity isn’t based on one specific geographical area with a certain ecology but is applicable all over the
Historically, the major religions of Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism began to spread across Eurasia and Africa from the 5th century through trade routes and conquest. As these ideas and practices traveled to new and distance places, local populations adapted and transformed many of them in ways that reflected traditional beliefs and customs, also known as syncretism. The rise of rulers, such as Sundiata in Mali helps illustrate this process of partial adaptation, or syncretism, in order to get a boost of support from the subjects of the kingdom. The actions concerning syncretism, can be explanation of the rise of kings such as Sundiata. These examples can be seen through the texts “Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali”, “Worlds together, Worlds Apart”, and “Account of a Journey to the West”.
Buddhist and Daoist elements, was on a rapid rise. One of the main advancements was in
However, this was different compared to Constantine who converted to Christianity and evangelized people to convert to Christianity as well. Constantine ruled as emperor from 306-337 A.D. and was the first Christian emperor of the time and credited
The rise of Christianity in Rome did not come easily. It came with much destruction and death. The spark of Christianity in Rome came from an appearance of Martyrs in Rome. Martyrs were people that were executed for going against the common beliefs of pagan (polytheistic) ways. (Tignor, 2011, p. 286) Because of these awful executions, Christianity is said to be based off of “the blood of martyrs.” One of their main ways of spreading Christianity was through the sharing of their writings and by 300 CE there was an exceptional amount of book production throughout Rome. (Tignor, 2011, p. 289) “Christianity operated as one among many minority religions in the Roman Empire, and on several occasions experienced widespread persecution, especially under the emperors Nero (r. 54–68), Decius (r. 249–251), and Diocletian (r. 284–305). However, the situation changed radically under the emperor Constantine (r. 306–337), who in 313 issued the Edict of Milan that made Christianity a legitimate religion in the empire.” (Melton, 2010, p. 634)
Christianity developed with Jesus of Nazareth (6 BCE- 29 CE). He was born during the reign of Augustus Caesar. He practiced Christianity from 26 CE to 29 CE. He was the Son of God and the Redeemer of all Mankind. The Romans viewed him as someone “rocking the boat” with what was already a nation of the religiously obsessed. Eventually h...
Constantine also sent letters around the Roman Empire to tell them about the empire’s conversion to Christianity. By 400 A.D., Christianity became the official religion practiced by almost all Romans. Clovis was not as dedicated as Constantine was to his conversion, and his actions did not show as much dedication as Constantine’s did. Though Constantine and Clovis’ effects were the same, their commitment to Christianity differed. Constantine went far beyond the Edict of Milan, which extended indulgence of Christians during the persecution.
Christianity took hold on the ancient world because it was spread exceptionally fast. Missionary journeys were made every set of to three years and teach people Christianity (Document F). Roman judges held trials for reported Christians, and executed them because they admitted that they were Christian. The trials were held to execute Christians so the Roman religion would continue to flourish and so Christian citizens won’t be more powerful than the government (Documents F and G). This shows that Christianity was gaining a lot of members, really fast, in comparison to the government.
In conclusion, it is important to realize that it was not one single factor which was responsible for the spread of Christianity, all these figures came together to give the perfect platform for a new religion to develop, " Never before in the history of the race had conditions been so ready for the adoption of a new faith by the majority of the peoples of so large an area" (K.S Latourette).
The Buddhist brought with them the concept of multiple gods and Buddha’s “spiritual state to provide the power for humans to make the transition into death and the afterlife successfully” (Corduan, 2012, p.410). Confucianism brought the obedience of the child to the parent into Chinese mainstream life, plus the “social stratification and codes governing dress, actions and communication” (Corduan, 2012, p.409). Taoism introduced the balance of forces in harmony in spirits in the form of yin and yang, thus creating that balance of nature and humans (Corduan, 2012). Christianity influenced Chinese life both socially and economically by introducing the concepts of “love for one’s neighbor, self-discipline, and trust” (Lu, 2014, p.2) as both essential and beneficial (Lu, 2014). All of these together with the traditional Chinese religion, give the Chinese culture it’s popular religion
The Colossian church was founded around 52-55 CE as result of Paul’s second and third missionary journeys through Asia Minor. Epaphras/Ephesus, a Gentile convert, founded
This religious study will define the social stratification of Roman Catholic policies in colonial Mexico. Religion has always played a major role in the country and this is no less true of its colonial period. Historically, Catholicism was seen as a civilizing force that contended with the indigenous religions of the indigenous population, as well as with religions imported by other, non-European newcomers. This aspect of syncretic religious values was part of the overarching authority of the Roman Catholic to stratify citizens based on racial and social values within the context of colonial governmental policies. The restric6ttions to class mobility were primarily based on racial and ideology religious values, which were controlled and regulated through the Spanish Inquisition during the colonial era. Also, an examination of the Cult of Mary will define the various forms of syncretic beliefs that were an extension of witchcraft and Aztec belief system amongst the indigenous population. In essence, this study aims to examine to what extent religion expressed the societal standing of members of colonial society, which created a stratification of society under the authority of the Roman Catholic Church in
There has been a clash between secular thought and religion since its formation of societies in the classical age. Both have made an equal effect on the culture of each empire by influencing people to change their belief on the world. Major religions have made interactions, which affected some of their ideas for what they have become now. The major religions during the classical age are Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, Jainism, Daoism, and Zoroastrianism. These religions also have similarities and differences between each other in which it has involved them to what they've become. The major empires that have affected are Persia, India, China, Greece, and Rome. These empires' culture has influenced by religion to the extent where it has changed their lifestyle. Although secular thought has made a huge impact on the world, world religion has affected history since its reemergence of empires by exchanging culture of their ideas during the classical age.
Christianity went through a lot of major Christian movements, but one movement that was important in the twentieth-century was the Ecumenical movement. The Ecumenical movement involved three of the major branches of Christianity, which are Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant. The Ecumenical movement was used to restore the unity and faith between the Christian branches and world. It also tried to mobilize Christians to confront social problems of poverty and injustice (Young). The branches of Christianity started too drifted apart and became separated over certain theological problems. Some of these issues that the branches would face was, gender roles, race and ethnicity unity, and equality. This movement was to seek and increase