Islam is a Western religion!

[McTeethinator]

Whoa that's a new concept for me! :)

[beckysoup61]

Whoa that's a new concept for me! :)

It's referring to Western : Christianity, Judaism, Islam

vs.

Eastern: Buddhism, Shintoism, Confucianism, Taoism.

(Correct me someone if I am wrong)

[McTeethinator]

Whoa that's a new concept for me! :)

It's referring to Western : Christianity, Judaism, Islam

vs.

Eastern: Buddhism, Shintoism, Confucianism, Taoism.

(Correct me someone if I am wrong)

Ah okay.

It seemed a bit surprising to me. :P

[MidnightBlue]

It seemed a bit surprising to me. :PJames and I were both surprised to see Christianity classified as Western, too. Orthodox Christians (like James is and I used to be) don't usually see their religion as "Western." But Western in relation to the other major religions does make sense.

[Slatka]

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all share a single inspiration and much of the same revelations from God. Western is both appropriate and inappropriate for all three, depending on which aspect of each faith, which historical era, and which geographic location we're talking about.

Abrahamic would be a more accurate classification for all three but Western in a vague sense works.

[lilithu]

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all share a single inspiration and much of the same revelations from God. Western is both appropriate and inappropriate for all three, depending on which aspect of each faith, which historical era, and which geographic location we're talking about.

Abrahamic would be a more accurate classification for all three but Western in a vague sense works.I agree completely.

Yeah, I was surprised by the "Western" label as well, especially for Islam, but as yall have pointed out, it's not entirely appropriate for Christianity or Judaism either. Except relative to Taoism.

If the mods don't like "Abrahamic," how about "Revealed"? The Abrahamic traditions all claim divine revelation from God. Whereas the Dharmic faiths and Taoism are based more on attaining wisdom via meditation and observation.

[MidnightBlue]

Well, the more I think about it, the more I can live with it. I think Sharon proposed the "Central" designation, and after I thought about it, it struck me kind of funny. We're now asked, basically, to consider the other major religions in geographic relation to the Persian culture, which is something most of us would never have done. I sure wouldn't have. I think it's good to shake things up every now and then, and look at things from a different perspective.

[James the Persian]

Well, the more I think about it, the more I can live with it. I think Sharon proposed the "Central" designation, and after I thought about it, it struck me kind of funny. We're now asked, basically, to consider the other major religions in geographic relation to the Persian culture, which is something most of us would never have done. I sure wouldn't have. I think it's good to shake things up every now and then, and look at things from a different perspective.

I agree. I'm happy leave it as it is - especially as I've been given carte blanche to argue with anyone who tries to tell me Orthodoxy is western. In the nicest possible way, of course.

James

[lilithu]

I agree. I'm happy leave it as it is - especially as I've been given carte blanche to argue with anyone who tries to tell me Orthodoxy is western. In the nicest possible way, of course.

JamesIt is Western relative to Taoism or Shintoism. :p

[James the Persian]

I agree. I'm happy leave it as it is - especially as I've been given carte blanche to argue with anyone who tries to tell me Orthodoxy is western. In the nicest possible way, of course.

JamesIt is Western relative to Taoism or Shintoism. :p
True, but in the theological sense it isn't what you'd generally consider western and, in fact, there are certain strands that, as an ex-Buddhist myself, look positively eastern (even in the sense you mean). As I said before to Booko, Orthodox Christianity seems truly Middle Eastern.

James

[Ayodhya]

What about Eastern Orthodox or the Oriental Orthodox Church? Are these the same?

[MidnightBlue]

What about Eastern Orthodox or the Oriental Orthodox Church? Are these the same?
No. They separated in the 5th Century, long before Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism. However, they're more similar in liturgy and spirituality than either is to any of the Western churches.

[Booko]

Well, the more I think about it, the more I can live with it. I think Sharon proposed the "Central" designation, and after I thought about it, it struck me kind of funny. We're now asked, basically, to consider the other major religions in geographic relation to the Persian culture, which is something most of us would never have done. I sure wouldn't have. I think it's good to shake things up every now and then, and look at things from a different perspective.

Hm...I wouldn't describe the relationship to Persian culture especially. The Parsees are in India as well.

As for Baha'is, while the religion came out of Persia, we view it as a global religion not growing out of any particular culture. Um, actually there are some safeguards in place to help keep it from being overly influenced by any particular culture.

[jamaesi]

Well, the more I think about it, the more I can live with it. I think Sharon proposed the "Central" designation, and after I thought about it, it struck me kind of funny. We're now asked, basically, to consider the other major religions in geographic relation to the Persian culture, which is something most of us would never have done. I sure wouldn't have. I think it's good to shake things up every now and then, and look at things from a different perspective.

Hm...I wouldn't describe the relationship to Persian culture especially. The Parsees are in India as well.

As for Baha'is, while the religion came out of Persia, we view it as a global religion not growing out of any particular culture. Um, actually there are some safeguards in place to help keep it from being overly influenced by any particular culture.

Could you expound more on that? That's exactly what bothers me so much about some followers and strains of Islam, the Arabification. I'm no Arab and haven't the desire to follow Arabian culture which seems to make me less of a Muslim in some eyes. Which is troublesome, considering Islam's stance on race- but I can't think of any safeguards in Islam to stop it.

[James the Persian]

What about Eastern Orthodox or the Oriental Orthodox Church? Are these the same?
No. They separated in the 5th Century, long before Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism. However, they're more similar in liturgy and spirituality than either is to any of the Western churches.

Way more similar - like practically identical. The only real difference is one of Christology and many of us maintain that that is a difference of theological language rather than theology per se. I hope, and believe that it may be possible, to see a reconciliation between us and the OOs in my life time. I can't see any possibility of a reconciliation with any other church in that time frame - well, short of a miracle at any rate.

James