Download Kanyon Grantham December 6, 2009 World religions take home 3

Kanyon Grantham
December 6, 2009
World religions take home 3
PART ONE: SHORT ANSWERS
Sharia Law: Sharia comes from the Arabic word meaning ‘the source’, “Islamically, it is used to
refer to the matters of religion that God has legislated for His servants” (BBC par 1). Sharia
guides everyday Muslim life, from daily routines to family and religious obligations. The original
founding date actually came after the death of Muhammad and has become increasingly more
popular as time carries on. The sharia law is a cultivated from a myriad of different sources,
including the Qur’an and the Hadith (sayings and conducts of the prophet). According to the
BBC website, “Many people, including Muslims, misunderstand Sharia. It's often associated
with the amputation of limbs, death by stoning, lashes and other medieval punishment.”
However, the larger part of Islamic followers believe the Sharia law in fact “nurtures humanity”
Muhammad: Was born into the leading tribe of Mecca, the Koreish, in 570 A.D. According to
Houston Smith, “his early life was cradled in tragedy” (pg 224). His father passed just days after
his birth, and his mother when he was six. He was left to his grandfather; who raised the child
until he was eight, after, his uncle took Muhammad. Known as “pure hearted” (pg 224) he was
very well liked in his circle His first marriage was to a wealthy widow 15 years his senior, this
would be the first of many marriages. he spent fifteen years preparing, and then he began his
ministry. According to the BBC website, “he was a deeply spiritual man who spent a great deal
of time in meditation, The traditional story of the Qur'an tells how one night in 610 he was
meditating in a cave on the mountain when he was visited by the angel Jibreel who ordered
him to recite.” From this point on Muhammad’s life belonged to God, and he would live to
share his word. Although Muhammad had many followers, he also had many against him. It is
important to note that Muhammad believed that to the Lord all people were created equal. To
the Meccan leaders this was nothing short of blasphemy and they resorted to physical
retaliation to express to Muhammad and his followers their dissatisfaction.
Ramadan: Or the month of the Qur’an is known this way because it is said to be the night that
the Qur’an was discovered by Muhammad. According to the BBC website, “Muslims believe
that their good actions bring a greater reward during this month than at any other time of year,
because this month has been blessed by Allah.” They understand this as the perfect time to do
good, because the devils have been chained to hell. The majority of Muslims attempt to rid
themselves of bad habits during this month, and they abstain from things such as eating from
dusk to dawn, tobacco, and sex. Although it is important to understand the many sacrifices
made my Muslims during this time of year, perhaps the most widely known understanding of
Ramadan, and the most readily observed is the concept of fasting. Muslims do this throughout
the year, but Ramadan is the only time where fasting is completely mandatory. The abstention
from eating is practiced from sun up to sun down. Muslims will generally eat a large meal early
in the morning, and then late in the evening. Frequent if not nightly visits are taken to Mosques
for the Taraweeh prayers (long night prayers). During the standing sections of the prayers the
Qur’an is read. The Qur’an is broken down into 30 sections. One section is read each night, to
line up with the 30 days of Ramadan.
PART THREE: ESSAY
Arguably two of the most different religions conceptually are that of Islam and Taoism.
The Islamic religion, native to Arab countries all over the Middle East shares a many ideas which
differ greatly from Taoism, which makes its home in the Eastern part of Asia in China. It is very
interesting to see the different influences each religion has had on its area, as well as the
popularity of the religion. However, even in the most different of things there are common
ideas and similarities that can be found in these religions.
Taoism, is a complicated religion, founded by a man whose main goal was to deliver a
society from the constant tyranny and warfare of his time. Taoism encompasses many
concepts, beliefs, and practices perhaps the most important concept being that Tao is the first
cause of the universe; the force which flows through all life. Like its Islamic counterpart,
Taoism encourages its followers to be selfless, non materialistic individuals, People should
develop virtue and seek compassion, moderation and humility. The hope of any religion is to
live a good, decent life, one where giving is the importance, and putting others before yourself
is a way of life. The most important concept of Taoism is that Tao is the first cause of the
universe; the force which flows through all life, “the norm, the rhythm, the driving power in all
nature, the ordering principle behind all life” (Smith pg 198). In Islam, they have similar views
about God. For a Muslim there is no deity worthy of praise except Allah.
The differences between Taoism and Islam are more clearly seen in the way a Taoist and
an Islamic follower would live their daily lives. As mentioned before, the most important aspect
is to live a good life, but for a Muslim, a good life is achieved with a little help from many rules
and regulations. A Taoist takes a bit more of a passive attitude, they believe the world should
go unobstructed, and that what is supposed to happen, will happen no matter how much you
try to avoid or discourage it (Wu Wei). This is by far one of the more relaxed religions. Where
as in the Islamic belief system a Muslim’s everyday life centers on their religion, they live their
life to make a pilgrimage to Mecca, they fast, pray five times a day, live under the rule of the
Sharia law. Muslims have great fear, and reverence for the concept of an afterlife. Their main
goal is to end in heaven. The concept of hell is gruesome, and therefore leaves a Muslim
petrified. Where as in Taoism a concept of an afterlife doesn’t really exist. For most Taoists,
it’s a non-issue.
I grew up Baptist, and therefore have a firm, untouchable belief in a higher being, but as
I have gotten older, my faith in the church doesn’t seem to be as strong. My feeling is a strict
set of rules which are left to open interpretation are causing our societies demise. God
demanded kindness, and tolerance, a nonjudgmental society which accepted outsiders. After
continuous disappointments over the hypocrisy of the church, and its followers I have realized
what I want, and that is to help and be kind to as many humans as I possibly can, because that’s
what God willed. For me the Taoist view of life seems more meaningful. This is not to say I
agree with every aspect of their belief, but Lao Tzu was fixated with an equality amongst
people. It is interesting to view their opinions on an afterlife, because I do believe there is a
God, and ultimately a place for his followers in heaven. The Taoist view made me question
mine a bit, because it seems to me that these people were more concerned with doing good on
earth, but with little to no incentive, . “Because he has nothing to prove, people can trust his
words” (Tao Te Ching). They yield no hidden agenda, they’re kind because they want to be, not
because they have to be.