Overview
Over the next four weeks, we will be comparing the different religions. Your textbook points out that when we first look at other religions, we often compare them to our own religious preunderstanding. A better way to compare religions is by categories. The textbook provides six categories on p. 10, but The Big Religion Chart from Religion Facts gives much greater detail. You may have to go to multiple sources to fully compare religions.For simplicity let’s use the six categories listed below. Not all religions will fit these categories. For example, a category of “God” might have a variety of terms used for “God” such as deity, gods and goddesses, Spirit, or spirits, but other religions such as Buddhism and Confucianism may also have no gods at all.For this activity, you will compare indigenous religions with Hinduism using the categories listed here. The list here includes examples.
- Founder/venerated ancestor: Buddha, Moses, Muhammad but also a king as in Shinto.
- God/Deities/Spirit: these created the world and are venerated/revered/worshiped or are sought out for wisdom or unity.
- Sacred texts/stories: think Bible or the Vedas; myths of the people—are these stories written down or passed down orally?
- Salvation/enlightenment/afterlife: this is what the adept hopes to achieve in his/her religious quest/life.
- Ethical systems: 10 Commandments, lists of virtues, Eightfold Path.
- Rituals: prayers, going to worship, reading scripture, meditation, acts of benevolence, holy days.
Instructions
For the activity this week, we will compare Hinduism and indigenous religions (for indigenous religions see Van Voorst, Ch. 2).Complete the supplied comparison chart, Comparing Diverse Religious Perspectives 1 [DOCX], including a conclusion of your results and observations concerning Hinduism and indigenous religions.
- Compare specific details from both religions, including relevant and specific comments.
- Write a conclusion addressing your comparisons of the two religions in each of the six categories, including specific details.
- Use two credible sources to support your writing. Choose sources that are credible, relevant, and appropriate. Cite each source listed on your source page at least one time within your assignment. For help with research, writing, and citation, access the library or review the library guides.
This course requires the use of Strayer Writing Standards. For assistance and information, please refer to the Strayer Writing Standards link in the left-hand menu of your course. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.The specific course learning outcome associated with this assignment is:
- Compare diverse religious perspectives.
