World Religions - Assignment Example

Teacher World Religions: Final Exam Essays Item # 3 Discuss the influence of Zoroastrian eschatology on later eschatological claims made by the monotheisms. To respond to this important issue, it is important to first understand the foundation of Zoroastrianism, particularly as it related to the development of other monotheistic faiths over time. To begin, Zoroastrianism is an ancient religion, largely centered in the modern day region of Iran, that adhered to a monotheistic sense of religious philosophy. The religion is still practiced today by between 145,000 and 2.6 million people, depending on who you asked, believers worldwide. Because this religious tradition and belief runs counter to Islam, however, many in the Middle Eastern regions of the world are hesitant to openly proclaim their faith due to risk of persecution. The influence of Zoroastrian eschatology philosophy on the region as a whole, however, cannot be denied. At the very least, it laid the foundation for belief in monotheism that would later take hold in the Islamic faith, now practiced by more than a billion people worldwide. The philosophy of Zoroastrianism primarily arose in the easter part of what was once the Persian Empire, which is now the based of the Islamic faith. This system of belief stemmed from an individual named Zoroaster, who was a renowned religious philosopher during that time period. He basically sought to simplify the existing Iranian belief in many gods by breaking it down into the two opposing forces of Spenta Mainyu, which means progressive mentality, and Angra Mainyu, which means destructive mentality. Upon doing so, Zoroaster created one central god, to form the basis for monotheism, labeling this one God as Ahura Mazda, or Illuminating Wisdom. This God was above all other gods and was designed to shine light on human civilization and bring people together under once central system of faith and religion. Under the philosophy of Zoroastrianism, the creator God is all good, and no evils can come from him. Evil, however, does exist in the world and is out to destroy Ahura Mazda, or God. One key distinction here, that is different from other major monotheisms, is the fact Ahura Mazda is not immanent throughout the world, but rather his works become evident to making based on the actions of various hosts that He has placed throughout the earth. This, again, differs from later monotheistic beliefs that have God as being all knowing and present everywhere. The reality is, however, that these faiths are influenced by earlier traditions and belief systems, such as Zoroastrianism. We can see, for example, many parallels between Islam and the early Iranian philosophy in the adherents are devoted to one true god, but they might worship him differently. Zoroastrianism, at points throughout history, actually served as the national or state religion for many of the Iranian people for centuries. This means that the belief structure of monotheism transcended generations, and that the people were ready for the message of Muhammad when that day came. It is true that the decline of the Sassanid beginning in the 7th century saw with it the diminished influence of Zoroastriansim, in deference to the growing influence of Islam. Also, it needs to be mentioned that Judaism by this time had become the other dominant monotheistic religion present in many region of the world, and Christianity as well had begun to flourish. Each of these religious faiths took components of philosophies, such as Zoroastrianism, in terms of adhering to the belief in one true God. Dating back to the days of the Old Testament, the world was largely of a belief that there were many gods, all created under the construct and guidance of the Creator himself. The Iranian philosophy slowly chipped away at this ideal, making way from the major monotheistic belief systems that pervade the world today, claiming billions of followers. It bears mentioning that Zoroastrians believe that there is one universal and transcendent supreme God that acts as a “Wise Lord” over all the earth. Within this, the faith has developed two separate and distinct components of God, as being the ‘being’ and ‘Mind’. This is similar to the Christian concept of the Trinity, where the belief in God is spread amongst a devotion, in equal measure, to a devotion to the God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Interestingly enough, however, Islam and Judaism make no such distinction. In this regard, Zoroaster and the writers of the Bible had similar concepts of one supreme being, with two or three different personality subsets to guide His work on work in the here after. Similar to other monotheism, Zoroastrians also believe that active participation in the faith entails living a life that is balanced with good deeds in order to ensure happiness comes to believers, and that chaos and evil is kept at bay. In essence, monotheism believes that all good come from God, and that evil comes from man. As such, believers must work to be good, please God, and then blessings will flow. To make this known, God reveals himself in different ways in all monotheistic religious belief structures, which has largely been the source of religious conflict through the ages. While Zoroastrianism has not gained a strong foothold outside of Iran, it did make its way into other areas of the world, such as India, and to a lesser extent the United States. It is largely considered to be a divergent belief that morphs ancient teachings and tradition with modern day religious fervor. The reality is, however, that this philosophy existed long before Christianity and Islam, and that the former two contain important components of Monotheism that have attracted countless believers throughout the ages. In essence, most religious beliefs throughout time have built upon one another and have created the cultural differences, by and large, that we see taking place throughout the globe today (Verlag 2008). Item # 6 Specify and discuss the Five Pillars of Islam. Do these principles, either individually or jointly, mark out Islam as being relevantly different from Judaism on the one hand, and Christianity, on the other? The major religions of the world certainly provide believers with a set of commandments that they are expected to adhere to in order to receive blessings in this life, and rewards in the hereafter. On this account, Islam, Christianity, and Judaism are similar to one another. In the former, we have the Five Pillars of Islam and faithful adherents observe and practice through the course of their lifespan. The latter two have commandments to follow from the Old Testament, and admonitions made by Jesus in the New Testament, in the case of Christianity. As such, it is important to understand the unique differences and similarities between the three major monotheistic religions of the world in this regard, beginning with a discussion of the Five Pillars of Islam. Similar to the Jewish and Christian accounts of the Ten Commandment, the Five Pillars of Islam comprise the foundation of the entire Islamic faith. The Pillars begin with an open expression and belief in the Oneness of God, and the reality that Mohammad is His chosen prophet. This pillar is a direct pillar to the commandment issued to Jews and Christians that believers shall have no other gods before Him. Some would say, however, that this leaves open to interpretation that there can be other gods in the life of the Jewish and Christian believer, but they must be careful not to elevate those gods above the one true God. While some would argue that point, the reality is that the first pillar of Islam expressly states that there is only One God. It goes further than the 10 Commandments by stating the claim that Mohammad is the prophet of God, while not such claim about Jesus is made in the Ten Commandments. The Second Pillar of Islam involves the establishment of daily prayers, which is set at five per day. This is meant to be a direct conversation between the Muslim believer and Allah (God). Islam differs somewhat from other monotheistic interpretations of Christianity or Judaism in that there is no intermediary, such as a Rabbi or Priest, between the worshipper and God. In addition, the Ten Commandments does not specify a required component of prayer, even though the Old Testament does address the issue via various prophets, such as Daniel. Throughout the Christian and Jewish traditions, however, prayer is not always seen as a directly line of communication between all worshippers and God. In many situations, God only communicates directly to certain people, such as his chosen messengers or prophets. Muslims do prescribe to pray according to a set pattern, or rhythm, by instituting time to pray throughout the day beginning at dawn, and then mid-day, late afternoon, sunset, and night fall. In addition, a unique component to Islam is that prayers during the prescribed times must be said in Arabic, as this is the language of God as revealed to Muhammad. Prayers said privately on one’s own time, however, can be said in any language. The Third Pillar of Islam is also fundamentally different from Commandments in Judaism and Christianity. There are financial obligations placed upon Muslims whereby they are expected to support one another as a community of believers. Muslims believe and confess that everything belongs to God, and that he simply entrusts earthly wealth to believers. While there is no prescribed amount that Muslims must give to charity or to help those in need, each Muslim believer is expected to calculate their own wealth and then give back accordingly. The wealthier the individual or institution, the higher a percentage of wealth they are to give away. This can be reflected in the reality that many of the mosques around the world are financed, to some degree, by the country of Saudi Arabia, who is by the far the wealthiest of the Islamic nations in the world. Christians and Jews are taught to give ten percent of their income to religious causes, or back to God, but this is not necessarily commanded of them. In actuality, however, this particular pillar is probably the one that is most line with both Jewish and Christian teachings in that it is an almost universally accepted truth. Under the Fourth Pillar of Islam, believers are asked to fast during the day for one month every year at a prescribed time. This form of fasting has fundamental believers not eating, drinking, or having sexual relations between dawn and sunset every day for the month of Ramadan. Naturally, some Muslims do better with this Pillar than others. Also, there are allowances made for children, the elderly, and those who are sick to be excused from fasting during the month. Again, fasting is also talked about in the Christian and Jewish faiths, as Jesus and Moses are recorded separately as fasting for many days and nights in the wilderness, but this is not commanded by stretch of the imagination. In fact, fasting is largely seen as a practice reserved for ultra-religious leader, or those who have specifically been asked to do so by God himself for one reason or another. The final pillar of Islam is unique to the Muslim, and it involves taking a pilgrimage, known as the Hajj, to Mecca at least once in a lifetime for this who are physically and financially able to do so. There are currently an estimated two million people who make the Hajj every year, which beings in the 12th month of the Islamic year, which does different each year. Meccas is the holiest of places of Muslims and it is believed that by making this pilgrimage that Muslims will become closer to God, as this is the birthplace of Muhammad. Christians and Jews do not have such a holy place recorded in their doctrine, nor do they require adherents to make a trip to any on particular place in order to express their devotion to God (Noakes 72). Works Cited Noakes, Greg. “Islam”. The Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, 10.3 (2011): 72. Verlag, Chronik. “The Chronicle of World History”. (2008): United States: Konecky and Konecky. Read More