Greg Albin, 1/26/11

I found the article interesting in several different ways. To begin, my background on the Eastern religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism is very limited as compared with the Western religions of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.

The views between the two separate categories had more in common than I would have thought. The Western religions all believe in one divine being, while the Eastern religions believe in several or many deities or gods. I found it intriguing that Buddhism and Confucianism have no single authoritative god or being.

The difference between the ideas and views of afterlife between the religions was interesting. I am familiar with the Christian view and somewhat of Judaism. I was also familiar with the Buddhist idea of nirvana. But, the idea of Confucianism that there is emphasis on the afterlife, only the yin and yang through interaction, seems very strange to someone who grew up with the idea that attaining life past death is an ultimate goal.

I also found it interesting to realize how Christianity and Islam are the only two main religions that really try to spread its beliefs around the world. It’s hard for me to understand what differs in these religions that make people become missionaries and want to spread their beliefs and why the other religions do not want to. I also found it fascinating how dispersed globally and diverse the followers of the religions are. An example the writer used was: Christianity exists heavily in Ireland as well as the Philippines. The hybrid religions were also interesting to read about. The fact that groups of people took ideas and beliefs from two or more different religions is unique, and in my life so far I have not witnessed any sort of hybrid religion such as the Candomblé in Brazil.

1. Why do you think Christians and Muslims try to spread their religions while Buddhists and Hindus do not do this (at least not as publicly)?

2. Do you think there are similarities in the religions, pertaining to an afterlife?