A CONTRAST ON ISLAM, JUDAISM AND NATIVE RELIGION
INTRODUCTION
Three of the oldest religions are Islam, Judaism and the Native American Religion. These three are not just a religion to most people but their way of living and the essence of their personality.
For many years, these religions have thrived and continue to exist because of faithful followers whose faith is unwavering to their beliefs.
In this study, these religions will be contrasted with each other with each other in terms of creed, culture and community. After this study we would be able to understand how they are different from each other and why.
NATIVE RELIGION
During the time of European Contact, all the small indigenous cultures in North America developed a coherent religious system that involved cosmologies – creation myths, transmitted orally from one generation to the next, which purported to explain how those native religious societies had come into being. ( 2008)
The most native people worshiped an all-powerful, all-knowing creator which is also called as the “Master Spirit” that is, at the same time, assumed in a variety of forms and genders. These people also venerated a lesser supernatural god who creates disaster, suffering and death. ( 2008)
Moreover, these ancient people believe in the immortality of human soul, after death, which has perfection and abundance of all good things. ( 2008)
Like most ancient cultures, the Native Americans believe of supernatural entities to control the world. Each tribe has its own set of religious rituals and beliefs, which they are devoted to follow. (2008)
Most of them thought that the gods will be pleased by sacrifices and offers of valuable items in exchange for assistance and graces. Successful hunt, victory in war and bounty harvests are their most often prayers in exchange of their offers and sacrifices. ( 2008)
The believers call upon shamans, priests, priestesses, whom they believe can transcend into an entity with supernatural powers. They have uncommon abilities including prediction of dreams, ability to predict the future, control the weather and other supernatural practices. ( 2008)
The Native American Religion has the only creed which is accepted by the American Government because it is the only creed that prays for all Americans. The Native American Religion is by nature, nationalistic since it prays for the good of whole America. It aims to unite the people and extend the families and live with love, truth and perseverance. ( 2008)
Native religion is the first group of people who had value system. There were four commandments in this religion, which is believed to be the commandment of the Great Spirits. Those are 1. respect mother Earth 2. respect the great spirit 3. respect our fellowman and woman 4. respect for individual freedom.
JUDAISM
According to the Jewish Tradition, the history of Judaism begun with the covenant between God and Abraham, a patriarch and progenitor of Jewish people. Judaism is also one of the oldest religious traditions. (, 2007)
Judaism didn’t have an official creed since they emphasized on acts rather than of words. However, they have a number of creeds created. All of them talk about one ever-powerful and ever-living God.
Judaism has no symbolic books and no articles of faith. Swearing or worshipping symbols are strictly prohibited by this religion. Prayers should be directed to God alone. There are no other God aside from the creator. was the first to conceive the idea of merging the religion like all other sciences. The religion became a monotheistic one, with one God as the source of all.
The Jewish Religion has three core foundations. First, they believe in the existence of God. Second, they believe in the existence of revelation from God and lastly, they believe that there are corresponding rewards and punishments in disobedience and obedience of God. Judaism also believes in resurrection of the death, or a life after death.
Religious liberals and historians believe that the ancient Israelites celebrate the three ancient harvest festivals of the and modified these festivals into Jewish Festivals of .
or the feast of is celebrated every 15th of Tishri, which is very similar to Thanksgiving. This was considered as the most important Jewish Festival. or Festival of weeks recalls God’s revelation of the laws to the people. This is celebrated every 6th of the Sivan. The is celebrated every 15th day of Nissan. This celebration recalls the exodus or the freedom of Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Jews normally celebrate this at home with a holiday meal. ( 2008)
Men and women have separate roles in the culture of Judaism. Men were given higher roles because while women is limited. In biblical times, or during the evolution of Judaism, polygamy is allowed. Abraham and Jacob are two good examples. (, 2007)
ISLAM
The Islamic Religion is at the same time, monotheistic. It worships only one God who is known in the name of “Allah.” The messenger of Allah said that being Islam is to testify that there is no God but Allah and Mohammad is the messenger of Allah. ( 2008)
The Islam Religion is one of the fastest growing religion in the world. Islam believes and upholds fairness and justice. Islam believes that “if anyone harms other people, God will also harm him, and if anyone shows hostility to others, God will show hostility to him.” ( 1625) Islam has a holy book which is called Quran that holds their doctrines and beliefs as a religion. According to the Quran those who follow the Jewish scriptures and Christians, and all those who believe in God and the last day and the work of righteousness; shall have their reward from the Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. ( 2 : 62)
Islam was born in Arabia-peninsula, now Saudi Arabia during the seventh century. Islam, likewise has a separate treatment for women. Women in Islamic Religion are given roles and rights but are limited and not equal to men. Islam culture is also polygamous. Men are allowed to have a number of wives as long as he is capable of sustaining their needs and their family’s needs. (, 2008)
DISCUSSION
The three religions were all ancient in nature. The only difference is that Native American Religion is polytheist, which involves many Gods while Islam and Judaism are monotheists. They only knew one God. Apart from that, Islam and Judaism were founded by a specific person. Moses for Judaism and Mohammed for Islam. However, native religion doesn’t have any specific founder nor a messenger to credit the spread of religion to. Native religion started with group of people who sought for assistance in their daily challenges.
Aside from the fact that Islam and Judaism were both founded by specific individual, they are also by nature polygamous, and paternal. Since Islam is in many ways similar to Judaism, let’s look at the core difference of the two. The real difference between the two religions is belief. Judaism is based on a historical event that is considered divine. That is the revelation of Torrah, or the commandments of God to Moses. However, Islam is based on a prophetic claim of a single individual who was Mohammed. ( 2008)
Moreover, almost the whole concept of Judaism was derived from history. The most important feasts and holidays that Judaism celebrates constitute of a particular event in the past such as the liberation of slavery from Egypt. Islam, as mentioned, is prophetic in nature, which convinced many followers.
The origin of Native religion is, on the other hand, neither prophetic nor historical. It is solely cultural since a group of people agreed to have one belief and make it a religion.
Native religion is also the only one among the three that mentioned and gave weight to nature. Islam and Judaism focus more on the deeds or actions of an individual.
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