Contemporary Issues in Western Religions - Literature review Example

Contemporary Issues in Western Religions Contemporary Issues Faced by Islamic Traditions Islam is one of the world’s major religions having followers in all races, nations and colors. The term Islam is Arabic in nature and means ‘peace’ and ‘submission’ that is, the followers can be at peace by submitting to Allah their thoughts, their acts and their hearts and souls (The Message of Islam 2012). The followers of Islam are called Muslims. Islam is based on monotheism, like Christianity and Judaism, and Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be upon Him) is believed to be the last prophet. The concept of worship in Islam is that every act can be considered an act of worshipping if it does done the way Allah has commanded His believers to. Apart from that, there are also five pillars of Islam, which are compulsory for every Muslim. These are ‘Kalima Tayyaba’ the authentication of faith, five prayers a day, fasting, Almsgiving or Zakaat, and pilgrimage called Hajj (once in a lifetime). As contrary to what is portrayed, Islam is not an extremist religion. It does not teach the followers to submit themselves completely either to the religion or to the worldly affairs, but to take a middle road between them and take care of their worldly matters in accordance to the religion. Islam, Judaism and Christianity are called Abrahamic religions. Islam is theologically and historically connected to other Monotheist religions Judaism and Christianity. To Muslims, Jews and Christians are ‘People of The Book’ and are respected for it. Belief in Injil (The Gospel of Jesus) is very important to Muslims, and Jewish history is taught in Islam as its own (ReligionFacts, 2012). But still Muslims believe that Jews and Christians have incorrect beliefs based on incomplete revelations. Jews believe that Islam and Christianity are wrongly interpreted extended forms of Judaism. Christians consider Judaism as a religion with partial revelation but consider Islam to be a false religion. Islam and Christianity were originated in the same geographical location, in the Middle East. Islam was founded in 622 CE in Arabia and Christianity in 33 CE in Palestine. Even though both Islam and Christianity believe in monotheism, Christian’s belief is slightly different. They believe in Trinity Monotheism which divides God into three sanctified persons and Jesus as the son of God. Muslims however believe that Jesus’ birth was a miracle and Mary was a Virgin yet they do not believe that Jesus is the son of God and that is considered as a Shirk in Islam. In spite of this both believe in one God. The other spiritual entities in Islam and Christianity are angels and demons (and Jinns in Muslims). The humans who preach their respective religions are called prophets in Islam and Saints in Christianity. Regarding Jesus Muslims believe that he is a true prophet of God and his teachings were misinterpret, Jesus did not die but his spirit got lifted to the heavens and that he will be come again but can not be resurrected as he did not die In the first place. Christians believe that Jesus died when he was being crucified and then rose from the dead after three days and after resurrection and is believed to come back on the Day of Judgment. Holy revelations were through prophets and compiled into the Holy Quran in Islam and into the Holy Bible in Christianity. According to Islam, humans have the ability to do bad as well as good whereas in Christianity it is believed that man tends to be attracted by evil by nature. In Islam escape from hell is achieved by doing good actions and having true beliefs as well as by maintaining and upholding the Five Pillars of Islam. In Christianity salvation can be achieved by having true beliefs, and through performing sacraments. Wrongdoers will go to eternal hell and good people will go an eternal heaven in both Islam and Christianity. Islam and Judaism are also similar in theology and history. Like Islam, Judaism follows strict monotheism and believes in one God and believes in angels and demons (Bulkeley, 2009, p.55). However unlike Islam, in Judaism, Jesus is not considered a true prophet and Jews believe him to be of a normal birth and death by crucifixion. The do no believe in resurrection or second coming of Jesus. Their Holy revelations were through Prophets and are recorded in their Holy Bible. They believe humans to have impulses of equal strength- either good or bad deeds or strong beliefs as a means of salvation. Jews as compared to Muslims have different beliefs regarding afterlife. Some believe that there is no afterlife whatsoever. Those who do believe in afterlife believe that the good people will go to heaven and the bad ones will either be reincarnated in the afterlife or suffer in eternal Gehenna. Islam has its own customs and traditions which distinguish it from the other religions. Some of the many traditions followed by Muslims are starting every good deed in the name of Allah and before eating or drinking as well. Eating and drinking with the right hand and drinking while sitting. All Muslims globally greet each other and non-Muslims as well by saying ‘Assalaam `alaikum’ and the reply to that is ‘Wa `alaikum Assalaam’, recitation of Adhaan in the right ear of a child soon after his birth by his father or grandfather, removal of pubic hair and circumcision, clipping nails and trimming moustache, being physically clean at all times by keeping nose and mouth clean, washing after excretion (called Istanja), refraining from sexual contact when a woman is menstruating, taking a shower and cleansing the body after menstruation (Jaspert, 2006, p.77). However, Islam is facing a lot of issues both within the religions and with Judaism and Christianity as well. The most important issue being faced by the Muslims in modern times is misunderstanding of their religion Islam by the rest of the world and especially by Americans after the September 11 incident (Neusner, 2009, p.144). Some extremist Muslims with their irrational behavior have made most of the Americans scared of Muslims. Islam does not teach violence or promotes harming non-Muslims in any way. The message of Islam is pure and peace. Christians generally regard Muslims as a threat- political, economic and theological as well. Although for centuries Muslims have been living together with Christians in harmony, some incidents of discord have also taken place. Likewise, the Muslims have stereotyped the Christians to be conspiring against them in association with the western powers. As both Islam and Christianity are religions who are constantly gaining followers, they are constantly calling people to their respective religions. Yet in their excitement to bring more people towards their respective religions, they forget to maintain their respect for the other religion doing the same. Muslims have always been on good terms with Jews and both of these followers respect the other mutually. However in the modern times, the relationship has started to strain over the state of Israel issue. From the Jews’ point of view, the thing dividing Muslims from Jews are two major issues. One being Muslims not accepting Jews ruling over the State of Israel because they consider that piece of land as their own because they were once te rulers and owners of that land (Dar al Islam) (Edwards, 1999, p.207). And secondly, Muslims are adamant that based on their theology, they are now the followers of God’s favorite most religion and Jews are not because of their disobedience. Jewish scholars believe that this belief in Muslims has also arisen due to them taking over Israel and is based politically not theologically. Muslims are the target of stereotyping and people around the world do not wish to be friends with them and keep their distance. They are guilty until proven innocent and guilty even after that. In the United States of America, if any mishap occurs, people naturally look at Muslims accusingly. The recent activities of terrorists and the misinterpretation being widely broadcasted by the media is decreasing the chances of Muslims being able to clear their name up and tell everyone about the true essence of Islam. References: "Comparison Chart: Islam, Judaism and Christianity - ReligionFacts." Religion, World Religions, Comparative Religion - Just the facts on the worlds religions.. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2012. Read More