The US constitution by design celebrates religious tolerance and freedom. A type of freedom which many religious practioners in various parts of the world have only imagined to be a mirage. With the emergence of International terrorism, Americans seemed to have rethought their stance on how much they can tolerate the enemies of democracy and freedom. Freedom that their ancestors struggled so hard and for so long to establish, and in many cases paying the ultimate price for the sake of posterity.
The attack on the World Trade Center on that fateful morning of September 11, 2001 sent a shock wave through the nerves of the American public. The resentment and bitterness towards Islam resonated throughout the US, reaching even the most remote of American outposts. Americans compared the attack to Pearl Harbor and many young people began preparing for an enduring war against enemies of freedom. Just months in office, President George W. Bush was caught in a diplomatic and literal war to bring Al-Quaeda to justice, leading to the invasion of Afghanistan and most recently Iraq. Al-Qaeda remains a threat to the American people both at home and overseas and while it is imperative to stamp out international terrorism on the human soil, it is also pertinent for people all over the world to endeavor to understand some fundamental elements and even the similarities in various global religions. Americans seem to have lack-lustre attitude towards other religions but an understanding of other religions would probably enlighten us on why people pursue causes that others deem evil.
Militancy for some muslims is a way of life. Osama Bin Laden's Al- Qaeda network is a typical example. While the majority of the world may call them terrorists, they regard themselves as soldiers of God. To Al-Qaeda, the unbelievers in Islam are infidels and by declaring a Jihad (Holy War) against the west and their allies, the infidels are humiliated.
Looking at World religions from a global perspective, it is striking to note that despite the differences, there remains conspicious similarities among said religions. At this juncture, let us look at major World religions, similarities and the implication of culture in the practice of religion.
One can define religion in the context of his or her own needs, understanding, insight, experiences and culture. However, there is a general notion that religion is an individuals's particular wordview, a general understanding of the world and the individuals place in the universe. Religion is an idea of using different dimensions to actualize who one thinks he or she is deep within themselves. Knowing one's true nature and giving meaning to that nature is what a person can come to relate to. Religion is a way of life that presents a true scenario for the real self, helping one become who he or she truly is in relation to the human society and reality.
Religion has been part of every culture throughout the world because religion gives content to culture and culture gives form to religion. Religion has been a central phenomenon in human cultures in which stories, myths, rituals, symbols, artistic and literary expressions, intellectual models, ethical prescriptions and interpretation of the sacred have created, sustained, reformed communities and entire cultures, giving those cultures visions of meaning and purpose on the individual, communal, cultural and universal levels.
Cultures have at the same time given religions an existential social framework in which the religious ideas, practices and paradigms are embodied. In other words, culture is the language that religions must use in order to formulate and communicate their content. As mentioned earlier, there are fundamental relationships and contrasts between world religions but in this writing, greater emphsis will be laid on Islam, Christianity and Judaism.
Unlike Christianity, there is very little sacramentalism in Islam. The Christian by and large finds the focus of his or her religious life in the sacraments, however widely and diversely they may be interpreted. There is nothing in Islam corresponding to this aspect of the Christian ritual dimention. Judaism doesn't ascribe to sacramentalism.
Muslims do not believe in the trinity of God, rather they believe in exclusive monotheism - there is no God but God. Christians are monotheistic but at the same time believe in the existence of the trinity-God the father, God the son and God the Holy Spirit. Judaism, like Islam believe in the existence of one spreme being. Judaism doesn't ascribe to the Christian belief that Jesus Christ is the savior. Islam recognizes Jesus (Isah) as a Holy prophet like Mohammed and Moses and all the past Holy prophets.
Political dimension of Islam sets it apart to a greater extent from the other great religions of Christianity and Judaism. consistently through Muslim history, there has been a concern both for the shaping of the community through the law and for the sucess of the community as an institution in the world.
Christianity and Judaism have affirmed certain independence belonging to the people through the operation of their free will. But Islam, with the exception of the Mutazila school and some Suffis has been powerfully committed to a sense of humans' utter dependence on Allah (God). Whereas Judaism was confined, by and large, to people of a particular nation, or those who claimed descent from that nation (Israel), Islam and Christianity broke the bounds of nationhood in creating an international religious community.
Unlike Islam and Christianity, Judaism is concerned with the religious survival of the "chosen people". It is life in this world, rather than in the next that formed the focus of Hebrew concerns. To the Hebrews, Messiah is a kind of divine being, a mortal who will bring about the establishment of the kingdom of God, a kingdom on earth and not in heaven. While Islam doesn't ascribe to Messiahship, it believes that Mohammed was the last of all the prophets of God and has come and gone.
Christians on their own, belief that the Messiah is Jesus Christ and that he had come, gone and would be back on the last day, the day of judgement. These three religions are also distinct in their sacred books. While the sacred book of Islam is the Holy Qur'an, that of Judaism is the Holy Tora and the Christian Holy book is the Holy
Bible.
Inspite of all the differences, there are fundamental similarities which Islam, Judaism and Christianity share. For instance, the three religions share the concept of hell and heaven and each forewarns that a last judgement will come when each person will be judged for his or her deeds on earth. The three religions trace the origin of man to Adam and recognize the fatherhood of Abraham. Muslims share with the Jews and Christians a view that each of the religions has its origin from the monotheism of Abraham.
The three religions, no doubt, preach the supremacy of God, justice, moral holiness, resurrection and final judgement among others. Islam, Judaism and Christianity share mystical traditions. Mysticism is concerned with the nature of reality, the individual's struggle to attain a clear vision of reality, and the transformation of consciousness that accompanies such vision. This reality is indeed God. The three religions believe in angelic existence, life after death, miraculous creation of Adam and Eve and that God is all knowing. Undoubtedly, Islam, Christianity and Judaism have the same historical root. This explains their similarities in many beliefs and values.
No matter the religion that one embraces, ethical ideals and fundamental moral principles should not be relegated to the background. Despite the emergence of terrorism, it is imperative to note that man has throughout history used culture to shape religion and used religion to give content to culture. Religious tolerance, understanding and appreciation can no doubt help bring about world
peace.
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