Growth Process of the Eastern and Western Religions - Term Paper Example

Growth Process of the Eastern and Western Religions The Eastern religions refer to the religions that have their origins in the eastern countries like India, Southeast Asia, Japan and others. On the other hand the Western religions are very closely linked with the western culture and therefore quite culturally and historically quite distinct. Apart from few distinct differences, the growth processes of these religions appear to be highly similar.Migration played an important role in the propagation of both eastern and western religions.

Originally these religions started in small groups led by a ‘Prophet’, the bringer of holy message, which eventually gained followers. These groups would then migrate to other lands, thereby influencing the people living there. As recorded in history, many a times the religions also became the apple of discord between two or more different groups and the winner would eventually enforce the religion on the people living in the conquered territory. There is however one subtle difference between the growth processes of the Eastern and western religion, that is, influence of liberty and freedom on religious movements on the western religions.

The Western religions are more influenced by different religious movements, which could take place because of a more liberal outlook as compared to the east. Movements like ‘Great Awakening’ and ‘Protestant Reformation’ created new sects of the same religion and helped gather more followers. Similarly different political event like the ‘Age of Enlightenment’, ‘American Revolution’ and ‘French Revolution’ played a greater role in the west because such events had far-reaching consequences regarding the moral and belief system of the existing religions.

Works CitedRadhakrishnan, S. Eastern Religions and Western Though. Oxford University Press, 2007. Print.Traditions, World Religions: Western. Williard Oxtoby. Oxford University Press, 2001. Print.