For example, I live in Thailand. Thai Buddhism has healthy mixtures of Hinduism and animism. Until about 100 or so years ago, Thais never used the Western word "God" because Buddha isn't considered God in the Western sense. However, they sometimes now use them interchangeably because Christian missionaries said "Your Buddha is like our God."
In much the same way, it seems Christianity got the idea of the trinity from Hinduism and the prayer beads from Buddhism. The virgin birth stories and the idea of a demigod (God's offspring from human female) all predate Christianity by thousands of years.
2007-01-09 22:30:11 · 16 answers · asked by Brendan G 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes, religions evolve.
What you're talking about there is more cross fertilization in religious ideas, but the ideas themselves can evolve, following the laws of natural selection.
Look up "meme theory".
2007-01-09 22:48:47 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes, religion has evolved over the years. Polytheism has changed into monotheism for most people in the western world. Many people have developed a more open approach to their beliefs, especially outside the United States.
I find it very unfortunate, though, that you see Buddhism being influenced by Christian missionaries. Buddhism to me is unique in that it has been more a philosophy on living than a religion with a god. Buddha is NOT god and true Buddhists do not think he is divine in the same way Christians think Jesus is god. People in the United States are very ignorant of other religions and their beliefs and practices.
2007-01-09 22:57:51 · answer #2 · answered by sngcanary 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why might want to you're attempting this? You do comprehend that maximum human beings that study and settle for evolution are also religious, precise? Evolution isn't an "atheist" element. it isn't the different of religion, or a alternative for faith. purely a small minority of non secular human beings really oppose evolution and the practise of it - they basically take position to be very loud and fanatical about it. Evolution has information to help it. it would want to be stupid to not "believe" in it, because it does, basically, exist.
2016-12-02 02:07:20 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When cultures mix, religions mix. The Celtic cross has a circle behind it because it represents the sun - early Celts were sun worshippers. A lot of Christian beliefs come from other religions, although a lot of Christians might deny that. Good point!
2007-01-09 22:37:04 · answer #4 · answered by Paul H 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I believe many here are contributing to the evolution and revolution of religion. As the song says, "...our generation will make it right..." I think these changes are closely tied in to the evolution of language...what was once beyond words is now spoken so eloquently. Also, the religious concepts themselves have been evolving, in our minds and in our discussions.
2007-01-09 23:37:43 · answer #5 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Of course. Religions are built on pre-existing belief and change to suit the current state of society.
If religions didn't evolve/adapt, we'd be stuck in the Dark Ages and science would still be classed as heresy.
2007-01-09 23:04:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
For the Muslim there is no need for separation between religion and science. It is understood from the Quran, revealed over 1,400 years ago, that there is both; "Creation" and "Evolution." And in both instances, it is only Allah who is "Able to do all things." In fact, it was the Muslim scientists, more than 1,000 years ago, who set the stage for the adancement of learning, technology and disciplines in science that we know today.
Allah has explained how He created everythng in the universe and brought all life out of water. He created humans from earth (not monkeys) and there is no need to attempt fabrications of "links" to the animal world in Islam.
2007-01-10 00:30:15 · answer #7 · answered by BeHappy 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think what you are refering to is something Baha'i's call "progressive Revelation". I'm not sure it's religion that evolves, though. True, the Revelation grows more potent as ages pass, but that's due to the evolution of humanity and our ability to handle a weightier Message. Jesus Christ made it very clear that He had more knowledge to share, but humanity was not able to bear it in that age. However, since Christ, Mohammed, The Bab and Baha'u'llah have come in progression (about every 500 -1000 years) and given humanity a Message according to the maturity of the age in which They lived.
“Know thou assuredly that the essence of all the Prophets of God is one and the same. Their unity is absolute. God, the Creator, saith: There is no distinction whatsoever among the Bearers of My Message. They all have but one purpose; their secret is the same secret. To prefer one in honor to another, to exalt certain ones above the rest, is in no wise to be permitted. Every true Prophet hath regarded His Message as fundamentally the same as the Revelation of every other Prophet gone before Him. …
The measure of the revelation of the Prophets of God in this world, however, must differ. Each and every one of them hath been the Bearer of a distinct Message, and hath been commissioned to reveal Himself through specific acts. It is for this reason that they appear to vary in their greatness. …
… God’s purpose in sending His Prophets unto men is twofold. The first is to liberate the children of men from the darkness of ignorance, and guide them to the light of true understanding. The second is to ensure the peace and tranquility of mankind, and provide all the means by which they can be established. …” -Baha'u'llah
2007-01-10 00:02:08 · answer #8 · answered by Linell 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Religions evolve/develop with time. That is very clear when learning history and even just observing them in your lifetime.
2007-01-09 22:35:44 · answer #9 · answered by undir 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Without a doubt, religion evolves.
2007-01-09 22:36:09 · answer #10 · answered by Weird Darryl 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋