Religions, by nature, were created to bring a group of likeminded people together, to help explain phenomenon’s that occurred in the world. This idea made sense in the time of their creations, except they failed to properly explain the phenomenon of basic human nature. Humans are incapable of peace in the long term, and ideas that were meant to unite, result in vast divisions. This is clearly evident in the historical events that Judaism, Christianity, and Islam created. The goals of the three ancient monotheist religions were clear and concise, to create a union with God and enjoy eternal life in the next world. Judaism, Islam, and Christianity all have followers that have devoted themselves to this idea, and yet the only certain outcome of
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Not unlike Christianity and Judaism, Islam had a figurehead who guiding the thinking of the early Muslim faith. This leader was Muhammad, and he set out to spread Islam across Arabia and to convert the mainly tribal and pagan Bedouin’s, to Islam. He and the Caliphs, Muslim civil leaders, did so through vast military conquests that extended from Africa, to Western Europe. However, it goes without saying that like most of the ancient monotheist religions, Islam experience great turmoil on its path to greatness. Being an evangelical religion often meant to the followers of Islam that they needed to convert people by force, and this was often the case. Through its conquest, Islam was able to spread so rapidly because it was especially attractive to the “down and out” crowd. This conquest, however, creates conflicts when Islamic leaders assume control of the holy city of Jerusalem. This city has great significance to both the Christian and Jewish people. Consequently the Christians began the Crusades which ravaged through the land and still have a lasting impact on the region. Perhaps the most influential examples of disunity in Islam is the split between Shi’a and Sunni Muslims. This conflict roots back to the death of Muhammad, and who should have control over the caliphates. Sunni’s believe that the rulers of the caliphates should remain in the family, …show more content…
This topic has very current relevance, as currently 54% of the world’s population believes in one of these religions. As one can see in the problems that much of the world faces today, religions don’t always cooperate as much as we need them to. ISIS, Fatah, Hamas, Al Qaeda are all examples of religious terrorist groups operating right now in the Middle East. Radicalism isn’t exclusive to underdeveloped regions though. Plenty of religious terrorist groups have taken foot in developed nations such as the Ku Klux Klan, Weather Underground Organization, and the Baader-Meinhof Group in Germany. Upon further examination, it becomes clear that these conflicts are not to be thought of as if they are historical events that will never occur again, as they still have real world applications to the disunity that monotheistic religions have caused over the
Not unlike Christianity and Judaism, Islam had a figurehead who guiding the thinking of the early Muslim faith. This leader was Muhammad, and he set out to spread Islam across Arabia and to convert the mainly tribal and pagan Bedouin’s, to Islam. He and the Caliphs, Muslim civil leaders, did so through vast military conquests that extended from Africa, to Western Europe. However, it goes without saying that like most of the ancient monotheist religions, Islam experience great turmoil on its path to greatness. Being an evangelical religion often meant to the followers of Islam that they needed to convert people by force, and this was often the case. Through its conquest, Islam was able to spread so rapidly because it was especially attractive to the “down and out” crowd. This conquest, however, creates conflicts when Islamic leaders assume control of the holy city of Jerusalem. This city has great significance to both the Christian and Jewish people. Consequently the Christians began the Crusades which ravaged through the land and still have a lasting impact on the region. Perhaps the most influential examples of disunity in Islam is the split between Shi’a and Sunni Muslims. This conflict roots back to the death of Muhammad, and who should have control over the caliphates. Sunni’s believe that the rulers of the caliphates should remain in the family, …show more content…
This topic has very current relevance, as currently 54% of the world’s population believes in one of these religions. As one can see in the problems that much of the world faces today, religions don’t always cooperate as much as we need them to. ISIS, Fatah, Hamas, Al Qaeda are all examples of religious terrorist groups operating right now in the Middle East. Radicalism isn’t exclusive to underdeveloped regions though. Plenty of religious terrorist groups have taken foot in developed nations such as the Ku Klux Klan, Weather Underground Organization, and the Baader-Meinhof Group in Germany. Upon further examination, it becomes clear that these conflicts are not to be thought of as if they are historical events that will never occur again, as they still have real world applications to the disunity that monotheistic religions have caused over the