Chapter 4: Culture and Religion

CHAPTER 4 

         Hello everyone! For this week's blog, we will be focusing on Chapter 4 which discusses the Culture and Religion in EuroAsia/ North Africa. The Chapter begins with a map of time which starts at 800 B.C.E were the Upanishads composed. The timeline then undergoes the emergence of a series of religions such as Buddhism, Confucianism, and Christianity. The timeline ends at around the 4th century wherein Christianity becomes the state religion of the Roman Empire, Armenia, and Axum. 

         As one of the first civilizations, China was able to establish a religion named Confucianism. The religion focused on Confucius' beliefs and the idea that it is the solution to disorder. During the time, Confucianism was not the only emerging belief though. Legalism is a practical philosophy which are laws which were believed to be able to maintain public order. Another religion which emerged at the Chinese Civilization is Daoism. Daoism is a Chinese philosophy based on the writings of Lao Tzu, an ancient Chinese philosopher, and writer. Confucianism and Daoism had many commonalities, but also differences. Daoism focused on belief in nature and dealing with life in a natural manner while Confucianism, is based on human conduct and is seen as more of a philosophy rather than a religion. 

          The Chapter gives us a glimpse of Cultural traditions in India. In China, the beliefs were more philosophical but in India, they relied heavily on the divine and all things spiritual. The religion known as Hinduism was the prevalent religion in India, and still is. Hinduism shaped Indian civilization and gave India cultural development and distinctive quality.

           Another religion which emerged in Southern Asia is Buddhism. Unlike Hinduism, Buddhism had a founder who was known as Siddhartha Gautama who was a prince from a small north Indian state. 

Buddhism is currently known as the fourth largest religion in the whole world. The beliefs in this religion were the basic teachings of Buddha which are the Three Universal Truths, The four noble truths, and The Noble Eightfold Path. 

          In the Middle East, religions were more Monotheistic. This means the belief of only one god. The first religion which emerged is known as Zoroastrianism. This religion is presently one of the oldest practiced religions. It does not conform to accepted beliefs or standards. The Second religion in the Middle East in Judaism. Judaism is an ethnic religion which is practiced by the Jews and is believed to be the expression of the covenant of which Yahweh established. 

          The last civilization discussed in the Chapter is the Cultural tradition and Religion of Classical Greece. In Greece, they believed in multiple gods. These are the gods we are familiar with in Greek Mythology. There was also the presence of Philosophical beliefs. This was known as the Ancient Greek Philosophy and the famous Philosophers named Socrates, Plato and Aristotle were present in this time. 

         500 years after the birth of these religions, A young carpenter during the Roman Empire began a brief three- year career of teaching and miracle-working before being executed by local authorities. His miracles and teachings were the birth of Christianity. The transformation of Christianity from a small Jewish sect to a world of religion began with Saint Paul, who was an early convert whose missionary journeys included non- jews.