Question
FINAL PAPER: World View Chart Writing Assignment
1.Select ONE (1) category from the completed World View Chart. Provide a rationale for choosing this category. What is compelling about this category? Why is it important in the study of religion?
2.Describe the selected content and explain the significance of the selected category across all of the religions studied. Show in what ways the category is significant for each religion.
3.Give an example of how you have noticed this category in your life, town or country. What impact does this category have in the everyday lives of people who practice religion in your area? (You do not have to give examples of all the religions in your area, just one you have noticed besides any you practice). For example, in Cincinnati, Ohio we have Hindu, Greek Orthodox, Catholic festivals in the summer. So if my category were “Festivals and Celebrations” I could use those events as my example.
Sample paper
World View Chart Writing Assignment
Introduction
The human being has varied needs ranging from emotional, political to spiritual needs. Spiritual needs can only be satisfied through religion where individuals recognize the existence and presence of a superior being than themselves. There may exist so many theories about religion but something standouts for sure that God is the creator of the universe and everything in it. Religion consists of the aspects that show the relationship that exists between man and God. Irrespective of the religion an individual may belong to, they recognize God if not gods as the initiator and the creator of a man with him only he enters into a special conscious relationship known as the religion (McCleary, 2007). Moreover, religion makes individual believe in and worship a superhuman or rather unexplainable force controlling a lot of power that makes both good and bad thing happen to people. This essay seeks to examine and provide a detailed explanation of how various and different religions view salvation.
Question 1
Through the engagement in religious matters, every religion recognizes the presence of a superior being despite these religions believing in different gods. From the ancient days, people have recognized sin as the source of punishment that individuals receive from God. As a matter of fact, all religions believe that the only way to appease this superior being is by accepting salvation. However, each religion has its definition of salvation and thus, they all have different views and opinions about salvation (Tiessen, 2009). The primary reason for choosing this category is because it applies to all religions and it is something that happens every single day and gaining and having appropriate information and knowledge about salvation and how it applies, an individual can avoid punishments from God and have a chance to confess their sins.
Question 2
Different people may have different opinions in regard to salvation but most of the individuals believe that salvation is a one-time experience usually associated with some kind of sinner’s prayer repenting and asking for forgiveness. Others believe that salvation is the attempt by persons to obtain and achieve a balance between maintaining and trying not to lose something. According to Christianity, every single individual is born in sin and needs salvation. Moreover, Christian believes that the only way for one to attain salvation is through accepting Jesus Christ in their lives and walking in the righteousness and through the guidelines provided by the Bible. On the other hand, Islam believes that no an individual can get salvation by virtue of their belief or deeds, but rather they depend on the Mercy of God which gives them salvation (Froese, 2007). However, to them, this repentance should not be used by an individual to sin further. In addition, to Hindus, salvation means escaping the cycle of life and rebirth and entering a state of completeness. Although Hinduism hosts several denominations which have a different path to salvation, they all aim at restoring a good relationship between individuals and God. For one to be considered as saved in Buddhism, that individual has to reach Nirvana which is a transcendental, blissful, spiritual state of nothingness where one is qualified to become a Buddha.
Related: Biblical Worldview Essay
On the other hand, Jews have the notion that they do not need and require that kind of salvation needed by other religions especially Christianity because they are not doomed or damned at birth. Judaism considers the concept of salvation as a national aspect rather than a personal aspect, unlike Christianity. According to Jainism, views salvation as the process of removing al karmas from an individual soul thus makes him assert everlasting happiness. As per this religion, through individual effort, people are capable of getting rid of their own karmas. To Taoism, salvation is not a necessity and individuals can do without it and there is nothing that individual needs to be saved from (Knitter, 2014). According to them, belief in salvation leads to belief in damnation. Sikhism is a monotheistic religion in Pakistan. According to this religion, those who meditate on God attain salvation because to them the cycle of birth and death is eliminated.
Question 3
In Christianity repentance is not an option for one to be saved and attain salvation. Moreover, they believe the only way to be saved it is by accepting Jesus Christ into their lives. As a result, this religion holds ester celebration where all Christians celebrate the death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As a matter of fact, Christians believe that Jesus sided for their sins and when he resurrected he had washed away their sins and the only way to get to heaven is to believe in him. This is the main reason behind why Christian calendar, the ester holiday is very important and to some, they fast during these days to share the sufferings that Jesus had to go through to grant them salvation (Kärkkäinen, 2009). To students, they have to observe all the processes and procedures put in place to achieve salvation such as repenting now and then and engaging in deeds that appease the almighty to ensure that they are close to God. Thus, the concept of salvation helps to keep in check behaviors of most Christian’s students included.
Works Cited
Froese, P. &. (2007). God in America: Why theology is not simply the concern of philosophers. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 46(4), , 465-481.
Kärkkäinen, V. M. (2009). An Introduction to the Theology of Religions: Biblical, Historical & Contemporary Perspectives. . InterVarsity Press.
Knitter, P. F. (2014). Introducing theologies of religion. Orbis Books.
McCleary, R. M. (2007). Salvation, damnation, and economic incentives. Journal of Contemporary Religion, 22(1), , 49-74.
Tiessen, T. L. (2009). Who can be saved?: reassessing salvation in Christ and world religions. . InterVarsity Press.
