World religions

Jesus, Mohammed, and Buddha- all of these men spawned what were to become world religions. If the numbers of their followers are added then we get more than half the world’s population. The story of the conflict of Christianity and Islam makes an interesting tale…spawned in two cities not very far from one another. The might of the followers of these two religions have clashed since the birth of Islam, and do so till now. Whether this conflict is primarily a conflict of nations or of ideology, I do not know…


"To maintain that each of these leaders is equivalent is not to argue from tolerance but from ignorance. In comparing Jesus with them, we discover a number of unique features in Jesus' life and ministry."

I read the above concerning the three subjects of my essay at a site for promoting Christianity…and I was amused…This was no doubt written by a man whose erudition far exceeds mine…It was interesting for me during the course of my research that roughly 4% of the people of the world are atheists.

Buddha is the oldest among the three. He was born roughly 600 years before Christ. And Buddhism spawned from Hinduism, whereas the other two spawned from Judaism. Buddhism had little conflict with either of the other two religions…

Religious fervor, a quality which emerges quickly and causes much damage, has many roots. Some can be traced to the current leaders of religion, and some to the originator themselves. I sometimes wonder how many Christians know when Jesus was born. Or why he is called Christ? I am in awe of the religion…and a hundred questions swarm me…what feeds a religion, I ask. The greatness of these men or the lack of greatness of their followers…for the sheep the Shepard is the lord. A metaphor so commonly used by the pious- Jesus the Shepard of men. I find it difficult to think of myself as a sheep- whether it be metaphorical or real. It also pains me that I am surrounded by people who like to think of themselves that way…There is sometimes a thin line between tradition and the perception of reality. It takes for a thing to be repeated through a few generations before someone starts believing it to be the universal truth…For example…Christmas was originally not celebrated on the 25th of December, but how many Christians will vow that Jesus was born on this day?

To claim that one is a son of god would be a truly audacious statement; that is if one was lying. The only man in history to claim that he was the son of god…it is odd though that the inmates of certain institutions feel that way today. It is well possible that their feeling that way got them where they now live…

Was there only one prophet in history to be executed? Was crucifixion a rare site in Judea under roman rule? Was there only one roaming prophet? Is it divine to walk into a city where all religious prophets are not favorites with the government and have a feeling that you are in danger? Is it divine to feel that one of your associates will betray you? Certainly wouldn’t be the first example of betrayal or paranoia?

To claim that there exists only one way….is interesting…for the lack of a better word. For almost 2 billion people to believe it…hmmm…sheep and shepards….it is odd that how we admire these men for their courage to question what is accepted. To think for themselves and to contradict what has been holy for eons…Isn’t it tragic how we try to immortalize and stagnate the perception of one individual because we cannot think for oursleves. A supermarket for religion: pick and choose, extra toppings, 10% off, ours is the best…These are marketing paradigms often used by the institution that these men begot.
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