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Understanding Others
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are monotheistic faiths
practiced by about half of the world’s population. Monotheism refers
to the belief in one God. The faiths are often called western religions
to distinguish them from the eastern religions practiced primarily in
Asia. Believers in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are found on every
populated continent, but tend to be concentrated in North and South America,
Europe, Australia, Western Asia and North Africa. Christianity and Islam
are growing influences in sub-Saharan Africa, often replacing While western religions are centered on the belief in one God, many believers of eastern religions seek to find enlightenment by looking within themselves. Hinduism and Buddhism are popular faiths in India, Southeast Asia, and Japan. Shinto is the traditional religion of many Japanese people, but the practice of Shintoism has declined since Japan’s defeat in World War II. Since becoming a communist nation in 1949, China has discouraged religion. Many people in China practice the teachings of Confucius. Confucius was not a religious leader, but he was a wise man who was concerned with how people treated one another. Taoism is another philosophy centered in China. Indigenous religions are practiced throughout the world, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Indigenous faiths are often animistic. Animism is the belief that natural objects, natural phenomena, and the universe itself possess souls or consciousness. This is similar to the traditional beliefs of the Native Americans in North and South America. People are often mistreated for their beliefs. In the last
century as many as six million Jews were murdered in the Holocaust. Religious
conflicts persist in Ireland, the Middle East and in many other parts
of the world. The attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on
September 11, 2001 are likely the result of religious conflicts. By understanding
one another, we can hope to develop tolerance and respect for all people. |
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We
study different religious faiths in order to understand other people.
Many people have strong religious convictions, and it would be impossible
to understand them without first understanding their beliefs.
indigenous faiths.