In a discussion here on R&S about a legal case in New York City in which a crèche (nativity scene) was not allowed to be included alongside menorahs, a crescent and star, and Christmas trees in a public display, it was suggested that Judaism and Islam are more than religions, that they have distinctive foods, clothing, and "cultures ingrained in years and years of devotion."
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070221165257AAabVvV&r=w
My question is, can Christianity be considered a culture in the same way that Judaism and Islam are in this context? For that matter, should Islam be considered a culture in the same way that Judaism is?
I'm just trying to think through this legal issue. I appreciate your help in steering me to the truth.
2007-02-21 15:32:40 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Islam has certain religious practices like Christianity, but there is no definitive culture beyond living a "good Muslim life" aka no swearing, dating, random sex, drugs etc.
Just to note: Muslims belive that Mary was a virgin and the birth scene of Jesus, but we don't believe in the trinity or God being the father of Jesus-there was no father to us.
Also the crescent and the moon are not really Islamic symbols. Jews had the star of David, Christians the cross but Muslims just used arabic calligraphy and green to represent their flags, if that. The symbol became associated with Islam with the ottoman empire and turkish culture.
In the end; Christianity is a culture, but it is so engrained into American society that we don't believe this is true (why do we have sunday off, why is God mentioned in the pledge, what is the obsession with Christmas and Easter).
But neither Christianity nor (especially) Islam be comparable to Judaism. Their religion is extremely tribal and not a prostelyzing faith (they see it as the religion for the children of Israel). Don't forget "secular jews" too!
2007-02-21 16:27:00 · answer #1 · answered by aliasasim 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I doubt that Christianity can be considered a culture in the sense that Judaism and Islam might be since Christians are too diverse a population, most with ethnic cultural roots which are somewhat separate from their religious identities, many of those roots having definite ties to ancient pagan pasts, while Jews and Muslims seem more closely linked to cultures which are inseparable from their religions; they tend to define their lives through their religions with prescribed dietary laws and prohibitions which are practiced in all areas of their activities, whereas Christians, even devout ones, interact with and in societies which are generally secular, more prominently in North and South America, Europe, Australia, and western Asia. Re: your previous question, however, the reasoning behind the ruling there seems to me to be a bit convoluted: the Menorah and Star & Crescent are, in my opinion, religious symbols in the identical sense that a Creche would be...
2007-02-22 08:23:30 · answer #2 · answered by Lynci 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
>>My question is, can Christianity be considered a culture in the same way that Judaism and Islam are in this context?<<
Yes, I think so. For example, my mother is agnostic, her mother is atheist, and they both LOVE Christmas. When I was a teen, my mother excitedly brought home three of the ugliest Wise Men you could possibly imagine. They had absolutely no religious meaning for her; they were just part of western gentile culture as far as she was concerned.
2007-02-21 15:57:51 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you grow up steeped in Christianity, it can be a culture too. For example, in devoutly Catholic families, Catholicism is a culture. Some people pray the Rosary every day, read the Bible every day, observe Feast days, attend Mass every week, attend Bible studies, and attend church socials. These are so many things that are part of some people's lives, it becomes part of their personal Catholic culture. Not all Catholics are like this, but some are.
2007-02-21 15:40:15 · answer #4 · answered by Dolores G. Llamas 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Although I can't answer the political aspect of this question, I can say that these monotheistic beliefs tend to engender a lifestyle, which some might define as a "culture." So...they can be both religions and cultures at the same time.
2007-02-21 15:39:10 · answer #5 · answered by chdoctor 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
mhm. id agre with lynci. their's way too many people and sects of christianity. putting that aside, they dont have daily rituals to keep them following the religion. i mean the religious are religious, they'res no denying that, but in the case of islam, since i am muslim, i knwow that every acion we take as muslims is guided by what w follow. judiasim can eb considered the same. since chritianity is not exactly the same thing as it was b4, u cant really consider it a way of life since its been changed and not everything in a christian's daily life is guided by their belief. i like the question btw.
2007-02-22 10:48:24 · answer #6 · answered by byakugun_22 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Christianity is a religion, but the way you must the think of it is as a lifestyle. Live by Christ and you will ascend into his Kingdom. May God Bless You.
2007-02-21 15:38:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
i think the followers' culture are referred as their religion, for eg: those men who beats their wives and disrespect them were said as their religion teachings...
islam, judaism, christianity, buddhism are religions
2007-02-21 15:41:01 · answer #8 · answered by farina m 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Christianity is a relationship with God.
Islam is submission to a moon god Allah.
Judaism is the same as Christianity but they have not yet excepted their messiah.
2007-02-21 17:29:32 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋