»
Discussion
»
Philosophy 101
»
Surprised
| Philosophy 101 |
|
Surprised |
|
|
Huan Yi Member Ascendant
since 2004-10-12
Posts 6688Waukegan 
|
. “True or False: The Major religions are essentially alike Answer: False . . . I do not believe we are witnessing a “clash of civilizations” between Christianity and Islam. But it is a fantasy to imagine that the world’s two largest faiths are in any meaningful sense the same, or that interfaith dialogue between Christians and Muslims will magically close the divide between them.” The above is from an article in the July 9th issue of Newsweek magazine, (where I was surprised to see it), by Stephen Prothero who is the chair of Boston University’s Department of Religion. He begins it by outlining the growth of the myth since the 1960’s that all differences between religions are more apparent than real. I have heard that mantra throughout most of my adult life though my own readings support my skepticism. He goes on to say, (in what after all was a brief article), that we must understand those differences as religion plays a major role, (with the notable exception of Europe; though I think that will change), in the politics of the world. . |
||
| © Copyright 2007 John Pawlik - All Rights Reserved | |||
Stephanos
since 2000-07-31
Posts 3618Statesboro, GA, USA |
Ravi Zacharias once said that it is popular belief to say that all religions are superficially different and fundamentally the same. But as you study and consider particular claims, you find that they are fundamentally different and superficially the same. Of course I think some common threads can be found there, like the desire for "oneness" with God, a yearning for spiritual peace, and a consciousness that there is a spiritual "battle" of sorts on planet Earth. In that sense, the questions might be related (as our common existential and moral dilemma); But the answers are very different. Stephen |
||
|
Ron
Administrator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-05-19
Posts 8669Michigan, US |
I couldn't say. My intimacy with multiple religions is sorely limited, so any conclusions would necessarily be superficial ones. Here's what I do know, though. Regardless of religion, regardless of culture, regardless of language or skin color, people are all pretty much the same. We're all just too damn good at finding the otherwise minor differences. |
||
|
Essorant Member Elite
since 2002-08-10
Posts 4769Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada |
I think all religions have both some fundamental and some superficial similarities, and some fundamental and some superficial differences. |
||
|
Huan Yi Member Ascendant
since 2004-10-12
Posts 6688Waukegan |
. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabula_rasa . |
||
|
icebox Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 4383in the shadows |
I am not a believer in either religion, but it has seemed obvious to me that there are fundamental and irreconcilable differences between them, from origin to the present day. |
||
|
Essorant Member Elite
since 2002-08-10
Posts 4769Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada |
"irreconcilable" I will not say that. |
||
|
Drauntz Member Elite
since 2007-03-16
Posts 2905Los Angeles California |
what is the difference between God and Cow in human eyes? no difference. One gives food of soul, one gives milk. we need both to live. Some people in Indian make it simple, I think that they are very smart people. One thing supplied all need. A poet after dreaming that cow jumped over the moon, might have to think where the moon come from. here is the difference. |
||
|
|
⇧ top of page ⇧ |
|
| All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format. | ||
