Comparing Eastern and Western religious traditions
- Comparing Eastern and Western religious traditions
The comparison of Eastern and Western religious traditions is a topic discussed in comparative religion. It is intimately tied to the comparison of Eastern and Western philosophy. Western tradition refers to prominent faiths in Europe and the Anglosphere, generally focused on Abrahamic faiths. Eastern tradition refers to important faiths in the Sinosphere and Indosphere, usually focused on Indian and East Asian faiths. While acknowledging the distinction, critics note that the distinction is oversimplified. It is believed to force some religions into arbitrary categories. It is also criticized for overlooking some faiths, such as neopaganism and African religion. The comparison is also complicated by the growing presence of Western varieties of Oriental faiths and Eastern versions of Occidental faiths.
Western religion
Western religion usually refers to religions that are based on Abrahamic monotheism and derive from the Middle Eastern milieu including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Western religions are generally monotheistic, viewing God as a separate and transcendent being. Islam was previously considered as Eastern religion, due to its origin and prominence in the Near East, until the mid-twentieth century.
Eastern religion
Eastern religion is a group of religions originating in India, China, Japan and Southeast Asia. This including the Tao and Dharma faiths
Unclear traditions
There are a number of traditions that due to cultural exchange, archaic nature, geographical location, syncretism or novelty that do not have a clear place in this dichotomy. Many of these faiths have both Western and Eastern features. Zoroastrianism and Sikhism are examples of such faiths. Greek, Roman, Slavic, Celtic, Norse and other European polytheistic religions can be considered Western or pre-Western. However, they share a common ancestor with Hinduism. Neopaganism is a revivalist movement drawing on a wide variety of religions. Neopagans usual focus on polytheistic traditions and mythologies, particularly those of pre-Christian Europe.
Comparison of East and West
In the East,
Western faiths, both beyond the gods
References
ee also
* Religions of the world
External links
* [http://www.drury.edu/ess/eastern/eastwest.html "Using Western Philosophy to Approach Eastern Religions: An Initial List" by Charles Ess]
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