Spread of Religion - Term Paper Example

Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam are well spread and established religions in the world. There are a number of factors that helped these religions to achieve this great acceptability and fame. Though these three are very different in character there are certain common features that helped it's wider and successful spreading worldwide. One of the major factors is that of the role of missionaries and pilgrims. All of the three depended heavily on the services of missionaries. The imaginative use of relics was another factor. Even though all of them established new ways of worshipping, they made use of the previously existing culture and traditions.
Spread of Buddhism
The spread of Buddhism was very fast and wider in Asia whereas it took time to reach the western world. But reaching there could capture the attention of the western people. It was done mainly by western scholars, works of philosophers, writers, and artists. Besides the arrival of the Asian immigrants to North America, Australia, and Europe who followed Buddhism accelerated the spread of this religion. Buddhist ideals had a greater impact on the western people, especially the ‘come and see for yourself’ attitude was so attractive for them. Further, it did not demand to believe in anything, instead, it exhorted people to follow Buddha’s advice of testing ideas first. Though Buddhism influenced the west in a variety of manners, its attitude of peace, mindfulness, and concern for every living soul attracted a number of groups in the west. Though a bit late, Buddhist ideas spread in America in the nineteenth century and some of the universities even initiated to teach Buddhist texts (Buddhist studies). People were attracted to this religion because of many good teaching and ideologies. Say for, the ideas as the cycle of life and death, cause and effect retribution, and the ecological viewpoint that the people and nature are one were much attractive to the people. People were aware of ethnic qualities like generosity, kindness, pureness, simplicity, and affability. All these helped this religion to spread worldwide for around a thousand years (Raj & Morpeth 103).
Spread of Islam
Islam is an early spread religion in the world and this early spread has been used by the followers of this religion as evidence for its divine origin. There are variant concepts regarding the rapid spread of Islam and one among them is that it is because of the eloquence and conviction of Prophet Mohammed. A historical analysis proves that there are mainly four reasons for the rapid spread of Islam that may not be accepted by Islam follows. One is Muhammad was able to breed rage in his followers. He exhorted his followers to kill the Jews reluctant to follow Islam ideals. The second is the patently false prophecy. As the people were impressed by Muhammad’s oratory power, they were misled by his false prophecies. The third is boundless greed. Muhammad offered an alluring guarantee to one who join with him in the struggle. He assured him paradise if he is killed as Allah stated and if he survives he would get rewards. The fourth reason was the fear of death. It is clear that the personality, conviction, and eloquence of Muhammad had a great influence on the followers of Islam. When Muhammad turned to violence and oppression there were a large number of conversions to Islam. So the death of fear compelled many to accept Islam religion. But it cannot be neglected that Muhammad could convert many because of his convictions, acts of kindness, charitable deeds, and dedication to prayer (Wood). When talking about the attractive features of the Islam religion, politics and missionary work have been major factors. For example, the jihad system got wider acceptance during the oppressive years of apartheid in South Africa. It was a struggle against the oppressive regime that attracted many black people in Africa. Besides many Muslim organizations undertook missionary activities among the African community and that paved the way for the adoption of this religion (Prozesky & Gruchy 157).
Spread of Christianity
Christianity is the leading religion in the world today. It emerged as a leading religion in the Roman Empire. There are a lot of reasons behind the spread and acceptance of this religion. First of all the teaching of Jesus Christ was brilliant and thus it attracted many to turn towards it. One of the important Christian ideologies is that of its concept of equality in the afterlife. There are a number of prophecies in the holy book of the bible concerned about the spread of Christianity worldwide. As written in the bible the apostles worked hard to reach the teachings of Jesus to the common people and in this task, they were guided and supported by the Holy Spirit. It is certain that the main reason for the spread of Christianity was the work of the Holy Spirit. There are some who believe that Christianity came from Judaism and was considered as one of the Jewish denominations (suscopts.org.). Christianity is a religion that could attract millions of people with its specific features. 
Moreover, there were territorial factors as well which accelerated the spread of each religion. Above all the three contained values beneficial for the people and it enabled them to become much near to the god almighty. Read More