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Throughout the history of civilization, there has always been a certain mysticism about what really happens to a newly departed soul. In each of the major religions of the world, there is a certain idea about what happens to the soul after death. Not all religions have the same beliefs about life after death; some do not even think it exists. In order to clarify what happens to a newly departed soul, it will be necessary to develop a basic understanding of the major religions of the world, how these religions came into existence, the practice of worshiping a supreme being, and the idea of life after death.
All religions came into existence in different ways. Christianity developed at around the death of Jesus, Which was 33 A.D. Under the Christian idea, which Jesus first started to preach, God created man. The first man who was created was Adam. The only reason that we don't use Neanderthals, the early cave dwellers, as a way to identify our first man is that they were not able to talk back to their Creator, worship him, and choose among alternative ideologies (Eerdmans' Handbook 31).
Buddhism was founded about 500 B.C. or shortly afterwards. The teacher who founded it was Buddha. The tradition is that he was shocked into seeking the meaning of life by the sight of a leper, an old man and a corpse (Eerdmans' Handbook 43). He practiced austerities for many years until he achieved the illumination he was seeking. Buddha was said to be an atheist, or at least have abandoned the usual worships of gods (Eerdmans' Handbook 44).
Judaism dates back to ancient Israel, when they toyed with the notion of characterizing their Lord as a lord among many lords. The names of their God that they used were Elohim (the mighty one), Yahweh (he was, he is, he will be), or Adhonay (the Lord) (Eerdmans' Handbook 33).
The earliest account of Hinduism dates back to 1500 B.C. when men and women sacrificed animals as a normal way of approaching God or the gods. The earliest literature of this account was written in the Vedas. The Vedas were then used as hymns that the priests chanted as the sacrificed smoke ascended to the gods (Eerdmans' Handbook 32).
The Islam religion is directly related to the early Semites of Babylonia, Assyria, Syria, and Phoenicia. Their idea of God was to nationalize him into a tribal deity. For example, he was the one who helped the nation in war. This can be seen a thousand years later when Muhammad proclaimed that Allah was the Supreme Being. Allah was known as the conquering Arab tribal god (Eerdmans' Handbook 33).
Many religions have a different supreme being whom they worship. People under the Christian religion believe that there is one God; they believe he created the universe. Christianity also teaches that God sent Jesus into the world as his chosen servant to help fulfill religious duties. Many Christians view Jesus as the type of person who is interested in flowers, animals, and children, not one who is interested in a harsh world of reality (Young 3).
Buddhism rejects all the ideas of a supreme being or of a soul or self that is a reflection of the Divine (Haskins 39). Instead, they believe in Siddhartha Gautama, otherwise known as Buddha. Buddha believed the cause of all unhappiness is desire. The lust for power, success, money, sex, comfort and other bodily pleasures causes the ills of life. Buddha said it was not necessary to stop doing the necessities of life, but don't have a passion in doing them. Buddha denied love for self so that practical love for others was lost (Eerdmans' Handbook 44).
Judaism also teaches that there is one God. Jews believe that God wants people to do what is just and merciful. Judaism teaches that a person serves God by studying scriptures and also by practicing what the scriptures teach (Ariel 11). Judaism views God as a man who is above all living things (Ariel 12). Jews believe that God created all living things in his image and with his own characteristics (Ariel 16).
Despite a biased evaluation that Hinduism attracts the less instructed members of their community, it is apparent that Hinduism has a very great influence (Stevenson 131). Under Hinduism they worshiped many gods. Some worshiped gods that presented powers in nature, such as the rain and sun gods. Hindus also worshiped some gods in the form of animals. The most sacred animal that is worshiped is the cow. They also worship monkeys, snakes, and many other animals (Rinpoche 196).
The Islamic religion also teaches that there is only one God, Allah, and that Muhammad was God's messenger (Cassels 183). Muslims believe that God is just and merciful and that God wishes people to repent and purify themselves so that they can be in paradise after death. Allah sent prophets to teach people their duty to God and humanity (Haneef 51).
Many religions also have a different idea about life after death. Christianity teaches that all people are destined to die once, and then face judgment (Young 119). Those who were good Christians go directly to heaven. Those who were bad go to hell (Life Beyond Death 124). The Christian religion teaches that heaven will be filled with life, beauty, and joy. In heaven, there will be no death, mourning, crying, or pain. Instead, heaven will be a place of friendship where Jesus will drink wine with his disciples. All who are in heaven will be bathed in the light of the presence of God, and there will be glorious music sung in the worship of God (Young 126). Christianity strongly discourages people from attempting to get in touch with deceased loved ones by doing s'ances. Christians believe they may lead to a road of heartaches. Christianity encourages people to commit their loved ones to God and to trust in ...
The voyage across the Atlantic was a long and sometimes very dangerous journey. The puritans were set to make a migration to a land were they could practice their religious beliefs in peace. Their migration to this 'New England' had a major impact on their religions future. In the beginning of the new colony the hardships they suffered only brou...
We are not able to physically see Him or touch Him, but He exists all around us. Webster Dictionary defines the word believe as to have confidence in the truth. I have confidence in G-d's existence. They hold this belief because everyone needs hope. The purpose of religion is to give someone hope, a purpose in life. Life would be extremely bleak if...
The Holy Trinity by Masaccio was done approximately 1428. It is a superb example of Masaccio's use of space and perspective. It consists of two levels of unequal height. Christ is represented on the top half, in a coffered, barrel-vaulted chapel. On one side of him is the Virgin Mary, and on the other, St. John. Christ himself is supported by...
A heresy which arose in the fourth century, and denied the Divinity of Jesus Christ. DOCTRINE First among the doctrinal disputes which troubled Christians after Constantine had recognized the Church in A.D. 313, and the parent of many more during some three centuries, occupies a large place in ecclesiastical history. It is not a modern form of un...
There is one very important word that relates to all of us in today's readings. This word I would like to talk about is discrimination. It is included in each of today's readings. When we think of this word we may think of it's negative meaning which is treating people differently because of their sex or race. *(see below)http://wordnetweb.princeto...
Roman Catholicism refers both to a church (or, more accurately, a college of churches that together constitute the universal Catholic Church and to a tradition'(Macmillan 576). is the oldest church and has existed since the time of Jesus. has been in existence for nearly 2,000 years. The Catholic Church is also the most popular church, 'there...
is a complicated subject. While the norms and values of Japanese culture are very closely linked to religion, few consider themselves religious. This however, does not mean that the Japanese culture is full of deviant behavior. In fact most people conform to those religion related norms and values. There are many different religions that find...
? Is Judaism composed of many 'small religions' or one underlying religion? Judaism or Judaisms? It has been argued that Judaism can be seen not only as a single religion, but as a group of similar religions. It has also been pointed-out that through all the trials and tribulations that Judaism has suffered through, that there have been common...
As the year 1000A.D. was approaching the strength of Christianity in Western Europe was growing along with its population. The newly reformed and organized Church began to gain great power. A new Europe was being born with the Catholic Church as a force in every area of life. In Christian beliefs, the savior, Jesus Christ was to return to earth...
is a well known religion in the world. The perishes usually come together for worship on Sat. and Sundays for what they call Mass. It is always done the same way in every Catholic church. Mass last about 45 minutes and then all depart from the church and return tot he daily schedules. The church is always open for perishners to come in to confessi...
Religious differences was the most important in shaping world history as it divided european countries, led to revolutionary movements, and influenced exploration. Religion was the way of life for most people in the 1500?s as the church overshadowed government, married people, and set up institutions like orphanages. The protestant reformation w...
In Jewish tradition and history, Pesach or Passover is one of the festivals noted for its diversity and many meanings. It is a festival that commemorates the emancipation of the Jewish slaves from Egypt. The name Pesach comes from the fact that the houses of the Israelites were 'passed over' during the plague that killed the first born sons of Eg...
is one of the three major branches of Christianity, which "stands in today's society as one of the communities created by the apostles of Jesus in the region of the eastern Mediterranean, and which spread by missionary activity throughout Eastern Europe" (Meyendorff 5).The word orthodox comes from Greek, meaning right-believing. currently the orth...
"It is finished!" John 19:30. What Christ is referring to here is the accomplished salvation of the people. What that means is that when we are saved, we do not have to put out burnt saccrifices up to Him. It is no longer needed because Christ died for us, which took away the iniquities of our sin. He did this out of great love for us. This is exem...
