Controversy: World Religious Traditions

The topic of what exactly constitutes a World Religion is one mired in controversy due to the label being a typology which divides religious traditions into categories that some criticize as being non-inclusive of traditions that do not meet the established criteria--mislabeling them as something other than a religion. The World Religions category generally includes the traditions of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism; though some like to to include Sikhism, Zoroastrianism, and the Chinese traditions (Confucianism, Daoism) in their lists. The reason for their inclusion has to do with how the model of the category is fundamentally structured: it conceptualizes religious ideas and practices as being configured by a series of …show more content…
For example, Christianity is: (a) dominated and revolves around the fundamental core belief in monotheism, reliance on God as the creator and ultimate determining factor of all things, and trinitarianism; (b) the central role of the crucifixion and death of of Christ; (c) the existence of the soul; (d) a concept of original sin and mankind's sinful nature (some sects); (e) the eschatological focus and nature of the faith; (f) the role of grace and God’s ability to interfere and interact with the world; and (g) the ultimate aim of growing closer to God and a purpose of serving others. In contrast, Buddhism: (a) is orientated towards non-theism, with a general lack of emphasis of a creator god or deities in general; (b) a belief in a continuing repetitive cycle of death and rebirth called samsara; (c) a perception of this world as being a part of a false reality that causes one to be self-centered or seek attachment; (d) a general emphasis on detachment from all things, including the notion of one having a soul (anatman); (e) the belief in a divine law which states one's current or actions made in another life play an integral role in influencing future consequences, circumstances, and fortune (karma); (f) the doctrine of interdependent origination which states all things depend on other things to come into existence; and (g) an ultimate aim of reaching a state known as nirvana: an extinguishing or cessation of desire and