Eastern and western religions are used as an ethical basis for societies and individual believers to adhere to. In understanding this ethical influence of religions, it is essential to understand the fundamental views of time and the afterlife according to each religious tradition. In the following pages, I will analyze and compare the Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, and Christian teachings of afterlife, time, and the effects of these teachings on religion-based ethics.
Hinduism, founded by Aryans in the Indo-Gangetic plain, is the oldest and largest existing religion. Hindus believe in an eternal soul, or atman, which reincarnates indefinitely until it understands the Ultimate reality or achieves moksha, the release from tiresome reincarnation (Heidt …show more content…
His followers preached his word and Simon Peter, one of his disciples, formed the first Christian Church. After a lot of disagreements and political struggles, Christianity branched off into several divisions. (Heidt 61-62) Most of moral tradition comes directly from the New Testament and the Jesus’s words and actions. Christians believe that G-d and man are one in Jesus, and so Jesus is G-d himself, and so the model to live one's life. Christians believe in a G-d-given human dignity, regardless of background or social class, and all deserve love and respect. This comes from the Jewish belief that He created all man in His likeness and all are His children. Unlike eastern religions, Christians value one life that is full of meaning and value. (Heidt 64) Christians also believe in a close relationship with G-d, as he embodied in Christ and can relate to Christian lives. There is a belief that He gifted humans with free-will and conscience to act morally or immorally. Christians also believe in a “common good” in which the community is devoted to the divine as well as the individual. “Christians have an obligation to build communities and societies that benefit all members of that society, and to order society so that all people in that society may flourish [...] In many cases, the needs of others supersede one’s own needs, and Christians are called upon to sacrifice for the good of others, to contribute to the common good of society. ” (Heidt 66) Jesus of Nazareth especially preached love, justice, and peace. He challenged his followers to love their enemies and persecutors. Like Hinduism, Christians believe in a sort of divinity in all. In Matthew 25:35-40, Jesus says “...whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me”. This is a driving force for Christian social teaching, compassion and justice. Above all,
Hinduism, founded by Aryans in the Indo-Gangetic plain, is the oldest and largest existing religion. Hindus believe in an eternal soul, or atman, which reincarnates indefinitely until it understands the Ultimate reality or achieves moksha, the release from tiresome reincarnation (Heidt …show more content…
His followers preached his word and Simon Peter, one of his disciples, formed the first Christian Church. After a lot of disagreements and political struggles, Christianity branched off into several divisions. (Heidt 61-62) Most of moral tradition comes directly from the New Testament and the Jesus’s words and actions. Christians believe that G-d and man are one in Jesus, and so Jesus is G-d himself, and so the model to live one's life. Christians believe in a G-d-given human dignity, regardless of background or social class, and all deserve love and respect. This comes from the Jewish belief that He created all man in His likeness and all are His children. Unlike eastern religions, Christians value one life that is full of meaning and value. (Heidt 64) Christians also believe in a close relationship with G-d, as he embodied in Christ and can relate to Christian lives. There is a belief that He gifted humans with free-will and conscience to act morally or immorally. Christians also believe in a “common good” in which the community is devoted to the divine as well as the individual. “Christians have an obligation to build communities and societies that benefit all members of that society, and to order society so that all people in that society may flourish [...] In many cases, the needs of others supersede one’s own needs, and Christians are called upon to sacrifice for the good of others, to contribute to the common good of society. ” (Heidt 66) Jesus of Nazareth especially preached love, justice, and peace. He challenged his followers to love their enemies and persecutors. Like Hinduism, Christians believe in a sort of divinity in all. In Matthew 25:35-40, Jesus says “...whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me”. This is a driving force for Christian social teaching, compassion and justice. Above all,