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Stanford EDGE 297A - A World of Religion - an Analysis of Religious Conflict and Origin

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A World of Religion: an Analysis of Religious Conflict and Origin Part 1Danny Putnam Religious Conflict: Focus on Monotheism and the Middle EastPart 2 Chris MinakerThe History of the Christian Church in AmericaEDGE Fall 2003December 5, 2003IntroductionDeuteronomy 6:4 reads: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” Religion has been a part of human culture since the appearance of homo-sapiens. Archeological evidence shows that religious practices initiated as early as art in the history of the human experience, and it has been a continual and vital characteristic of the2human experience. Effectiveness rather than philosophical or historical demonstration hasalways been the hallmark of a successful religion. Today, the nature and practices of religions around the world vary significantly, and in many cases it is hard for people to come to agreement about what spiritual truths should be followed. Even in the same religion, there are divisions and new denominations that form out of doctrinal discrepancies. However, these discrepancies do not usually result in violent conflict. History has witnessed events such as the Holy War and the Crusades. Even Adolph Hitler, claimed religious precedence in the “purification of the Jews”. In current times, the conflict in the Middle East is often blamed on religious tension. Both Israel andPalestine argue that the land belongs to them, so the question arises, “whose promised land is it?” Also, terrorist attacks committed by Arabs are quoted in the media to be done in the name of al-Lah. The atrocities of the crusades were done in the name of Yahweh. There is much conflict between three religions which all have something in common; they are monotheistic. Why do seemingly similar religions have bloody history? Another question must be asked for each of these instances, “Is something done in the name a religion a true representation of that religion?”This paper looks to hypothesize the source and reasons behind religious conflict in the world. A historical perspective and history will be compared for each of the three Abraham religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. I am going to put my own religious beliefs in the back seat, and in no means am I trying to prove one religion’s superiority over another. I am going to look at the fundamental differences in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. I am going to look at the fundamental differences in Judaism, Christianity, andIslam. Then, as I hypothesize, it will be to see how religion has been used by political 3leaders for three purposes: economics gain, military advancement, and political power. Therefore, the fundamental differences in the theology or teachings in these religions are to blame for the violent religious conflict that has been seen throughout history. Who is God?Is there only one God, or are there many gods? This is the question that separates monotheistic and polytheistic religions. It is the same question which separated the ancient Hebrews from their neighbors, for the Hebrew nation of Israel was the only monotheistic religious followers in the area. Monotheism is the belief that there is only one God, Yahweh, and no others are to be worshiped of followed. Any other god is considered to be a false god, having no more significance or power than the piece of gold or wood that serves as a physical representation of that god. On the other hand, polytheism is the belief that there are many gods, and there is not any one god in particular that is to be worshiped over all the rest. There are other categories of religions stemming from how one perceives the concept of God. According to Henotheism “God is One”, but that God is experienced subjectivelyby each individual. There is no objective God who can be defined by any one name. Whatever “One” somebody chooses to worship is his/her “favorite God”. The idea that all religions are the same, or that they all have something in common stems from this philosophy. This thinking as very much alive today, and it leads one into the belief of Universalism. In Universalism, the word God in Deuteronomy 6:4 does not mean the numerical one God. Instead, God can not be defined in the value of numerical deities. 4This idea is not defined as anything more that there is an existence of the concept of God.Therefore, God is not defined so Universalism is open to other religions. Another form ofclassification is called Monolatry. This philosophy says that only “One” God is worshiped, so all other gods are rejected and are never to be worshiped. However, this view does not reject the existence of other Gods, but others won’t be chosen. The three religions I am studying are all monotheistic, and they all stem from the same root. Even so, each religion describes God in different ways. Judaism, as the oldest religion exalts Yahweh as the one true God. This is the God of Noah, Moses, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jesus of Nazareth was not the promised messiah, who is still to come. Christianity has the same beliefs in Yahweh as God, but the separation is founded on the belief of the identity of Jesus Christ. In Christianity, Jesus Christ is the prophesized messiah in whom salvation is found. Islam is the most recent of the Abraham religions, and it hold up al-Lah as the one and true God. Muhammad is the prophet who al-Lah came to in revelationJudaismJudaism is the oldest of the monotheistic religions. The Torah is the God inspired scripture, which includes history, laws, wisdom, and as Deuteronomy 6:4 shows descriptions of who Yahweh is. The Torah is the same as the Christian Old Testament. Yahweh is a transcendent being who intervenes in the lives of men and women. Starting with Abram, Judaism’s history is filled with moments where God given common people revelations and intervenes on “his people’s” behalf. Abram (who would later change his name to Abraham) was commanded by God:5“Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all the peoples on the earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12: 1-3God made this covenant with Abraham, and in Judaism a covenant is the strongest promise that could be made. After Abraham obeyed and left his land of Ur God led him tothe land of the Canaan, and the Lord told him that he would give the land to his


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Stanford EDGE 297A - A World of Religion - an Analysis of Religious Conflict and Origin

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