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COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF WORLD RELIGIONS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

The world’s many religious persuasions of humanity are presented through Comparative analysis of world religions. A study of religion that focuses on describing the religions at their face value and not to harshly criticize or evaluate them. That is, there exists more than one religion to compare. The contemporary is an age of science and technology embodied in modernism. Science and religion are important to many for which, Albert Einstein is quoted to have observed that, ‘science without religion is lame and religion without science is blind’ (1990).

The phenomenon religion, has many attacks especially in the modern times. For instance, the German classical scholar, philosopher, and critic of culture, Friedrich Nietzche (1844-1900) is thought of as one of the most influential of all modern thinkers. His observation that “God is dead,” remains outstanding in religious reflections. Probably for the thought that, almost every religion of the world has God at the centre, although conceived and portrayed differently as the case may be.   Omoregbe (2014:25) maintains that, ‘the concept of God is central to religion’. From the field of Neuro-theology it is also posited that God, the hub at which religion revolves, is in the human brain. Some scientists so seek the biological basis of spirituality. There is a serious effort probably to conclude that God is all in human head:

What all the new research shares is a passion for uncovering the neurological underpinnings of spiritual and mystical experiences for discovering, in short, what happens in our brains when we sense that we have encountered a reality different from – and, in some crucial sense, higher than, the reality of everyday experience (Newsweek, May 14, 2001).

Onunwa (2012:2) opines fervently, ‘I come from a country where religions are no longer relevant in public affairs or have been made redundant, yet the society is moving’. Outlining the dysfunctional roles of religion to include, ‘lack of personal thought, fixed perspective, lack of power, religions rule with fear, tampered women’s right and operating on principles of deceit’. He emphasizes:  

There is corruption all over the world, including United States of America, United Kingdom, Russia, the entire Europe, yet I do not think they are using  Religion to combat the crimes of Drugs, money Laundering, Political Grafts, Economic and political frauds, Racism, anti-social behaviour, terrorism and other related crimes. Cuba is one of the best run Third World Countries with excellent free medical policies, yet it is not known as a country with strong religious faith (12).

In the same vein, Segal (1994) argues for, ‘an analysis of religion in secular rather than religious terms.

Statement of the Problem

The origin, function, meaning, and even truth of religion are subject to reductionism’. Not minding religious arguments and debates, the world has record of atheism, polytheism and agnosticism. To say the least, Smart (1984) recalls that, ‘in the western countries there has been a considerable growth in agnosticism in the last hundred years. And this could be said to have its focus in an ethic which centres on human welfare, while rejecting the supernatural’.

Nonetheless, Poole (1990) recalls the thought of one-time director general of Britain’s Meteorological office, John Houghton avidly in support of religion. ‘Science is dealing with things that are given. Attitudes of awe, wonder and humility before the facts are essential, if human is to be in harmony with both the environment and the creator’. So ‘to the sphere of religion belongs the faith that the regulations valid for the world of existence are rational, that it is comprehensible to reason. I cannot conceive of a genuine scientist without that profound faith (religion)’, Professor Einstein vouches. This thesis upholds that the more the attacks the stronger the phenomenon. Therefore, having advanced some of the attacks, here comes the all-important inquiry, what is religion?

Aim:

The aim of comparative analysis of world religions as conceived by this study, is to show that all religions are basically one in various forms. Religious differences are basically on cultural expressions and religious intolerance is based also on cultural intolerance.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

Specific objectives include:

- Explain the goals of religion in man life.

- Acknowledge the cause for many religions of the world.

- Explain what comparative religion all about.

- Imbibe the mechanism for studying religion.

Significance of the Study

This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.

Scope of the Study

This study is on the comparative analysis of world religions

Limitations of the study

Financial constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint: The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

Definition of Terms

Religion: This is usually defined as a social-cultural system of designated behaviors and practices, morals, beliefs, worldviews, texts, sanctified places, prophecies, ethics, or organizations, that generally relates humanity to supernatural, transcendental, and spiritual elements; however, there is no scholarly consensus over what precisely constitutes a religion.