Western religions
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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| + | "[[Western religions]] are typified by [[hardship]] and [[austerity]] stemming from a [[harsh]] [[desert]] [[climate]], while [[Eastern religions]] are characterized by [[abundance]] of [[low-hanging fruit]] in [[lush]] forests and [[valley]]s." --J. W. Geerinck | ||
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| + | [[Image:Tommaso.Laureti.Triumph.of.Christianity.jpg|right|thumb|200px|''"Triumph of Christianity"'' by [[Tommaso Laureti]] ([[1530]]-[[1602]]), ceiling painting in the [[Sala di Constantino]], [[Vatican City|Vatican Palace]]. Images like this one celebrate the destruction of ancient [[Paganism|pagan]] culture and the victory of Christianity.]] | ||
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| + | The term '''Western religion''' refers to [[religion]]s that originated within [[Western culture]], and are thus which historically, culturally, and theologically distinct from the [[Eastern religion]]s. The contrast between Western and Eastern religions largely pertains to the distinction between [[monotheism]] and [[polytheism]], respectively, and the term [[Abrahamic religion]] is often used in lieu of using the [[East and West]] terminology. | ||
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| + | Western culture itself was significantly developed through the emergence of [[Christianity]] as it was introduced in the [[Roman Empire]] in the late 4th century and evolved in the course of the European [[Middle Ages]], and the term "[[Christendom]]" largely indicates this intertwined history. Western Christianity was significantly influenced by [[Hellenistic religion]] (notably [[Platonism]] and [[Gnosticism]]) as well as the [[Roman imperial cult]]. Western Christianity is based on [[Roman Catholicism]] ([[Latin Rite]]), as opposed to [[Eastern Orthodoxy]], from which it was divided by the [[Great Schism]] of the 11th century, and further includes all [[Protestantism|Protestant traditions]] splitting off Roman Catholicism from the 16th century. | ||
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| + | Since the 19th century, Western religious practice has diversified into numerous [[new religious movement]]s, including [[Occultism]], [[Spiritism]] and diverse forms of [[Neopaganism]]. | ||
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| + | ==Antiquity== | ||
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| + | "The West" as a culture or civilization historically evolved out of Greco-Roman [[Classical Antiquity]]. These cultures had [[polytheistic]] religions, viz. [[Greek polytheism]] and [[Roman polytheism]]. "Eastern" influences on these religions are evident from earliest times, the [[Orientalizing period]] at the very beginning of Greek antiquity. | ||
| - | [[Heath Ledger]] @[[30]] | + | During [[Hellenistic period|Hellenism]] and the [[Roman empire]] period, "Eastern" (Oriental) religions exerted a considerable influence on "Western" religion, giving rise to [[Persia]]n influenced traditions like [[Gnosticism]] and [[Mithraism]], as well as [[Ancient Egypt|Egyptian]] and "[[Chaldea]]n" influence on [[Greco-Roman mysteries|mystery religion]]s ([[Orphism]]), [[astrology]] and [[Magic in the Greco-Roman world|magic]]. [[Early Christianity]] itself is a further example of Orientalizing influence on the later Roman empire. |
| - | [[Heath Ledger @30]] | + | |
| - | '''Heath Andrew Ledger''' (4 April 1979–22 January 2008) was an [[Australian actor]] who [[27 Club|died young]] by committing [[suicide]]. He was only 28. | + | During the same period, inherited traditions of native [[Roman polytheism|Roman religion]] were marginalized or overlaid by ''[[interpretatio graeca]]'', and the [[Roman imperial cult]] evolved into a [[civil religion]] which involved state ritual rather than religious faith or experience. [[Celtic religion|Celtic]] and [[Germanic polytheism|Germanic]] religion was described by [[Roman ethnography]] as primitive, but at the same time as pure or unspoiled compared to the urban decadence of Rome. |
| - | People [[immortal|do not die]] in [[jahsonic's canon|this universe]]. Did [[James Dean]] die? Or [[Death of Marilyn Monroe|Marilyn Monroe]]? They have become part of [[Western mythology]]. Watch the [[unusual Western]] ''[[Brokeback Mountain]]'' ([[2005]]). It is a [[WCC]]. | + | ==Western Christianity== |
| - | <hr> | + | :''[[Western Christianity]]'' |
| - | [[Red heads suffer more pain]] | + | |
| - | People with [[red hair]] are more sensitive to pain and consequently need more anaesthetic during operations than other patients, according to new research. --15 October 2002 by Will Knight | + | Western Christianity is based on [[Roman Catholicism]] ([[Latin Rite]]), as opposed to [[Eastern Orthodoxy]], from which it was divided by the [[Great Schism]] of the 11th century. |
| + | Western Christianity itself was divided by the [[Protestant Reformation]] in the 16th century, and pronouncedly "Western" forms of Christianity include [[Puritan]]ism and [[Evangelicalism]], movements resulting from the various "[[Great Awakening]]s" in the 18th to 20th century [[Anglosphere]] and popularly practiced in the [[USA]]. | ||
| + | ==Renaissance magic== | ||
| + | :''[[Renaissance magic]], [[Western esotericism]], [[alchemy]]'' | ||
| - | Pain may be experienced differently depending on [[genotype]]; as an example individuals with [[red hair]] may be more susceptible to pain caused by heat, but redheads with a non-functional [[melanocortin 1 receptor|melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R)]] gene are less sensitive to pain from [[electric shock]]. | + | ==Secularization== |
| + | :''[[Secularism]], [[Freedom of religion]], [[History of atheism]]'' | ||
| + | Following the [[religious war]]s of the 16th to 17th centuries, the [[Age of Enlightenment]] of the 18th century paved the way for a detachment of society and politics from religious questions. Inspired by the [[American Revolution]], the [[French Revolution]] brought the ideal of [[secularization]] and a [[laicist]] state granting [[freedom of religion]] to Europe. After the turmoils of the [[Napoleonic Wars]], this development caught hold in other parts of Europe, by means of the [[German Mediatisation]] and the [[separation of church and state]] in numerous European constitutions drawn up after the [[revolutions of 1848]]. | ||
| - | <hr> | + | ==New religious movements== |
| + | :''[[New religious movement]], [[Occultism]], [[New Age]], [[Neopaganism]]'' | ||
| + | The principle of religious freedom introduced in Western society in the early 19th century facilitated the emergence of numerous [[new religious movement]]s. Early examples were derived from western [[occultism]] and the tradition of [[secret societies]] such as the [[Freemasons]], but from the later 19th century, influence of [[Eastern religions]], notably [[Buddhism]] and [[Hinduism]] played an increasing role. | ||
| + | From the mid 20th century, Eastern and Western spiritual traditions were increasingly [[syncretism|syncretized]] in the various movements associated with the [[New Age]] and [[Neopagan]] countercultures. | ||
| - | <hr> | + | ==Religion in the Western world today== |
| - | [[Meta element]] | + | The "[[Western world]]" taken as consisting of Europe, North America and Australia-New Zealand remains predominantly Christian: 78.5% in the USA (2002), 77% in Canada (2001), close to 80% in Europe (includes [[Eastern Orthodoxy]] in Eastern Europe, not properly part of "Western religion", 32.4% of Europeans are Roman Catholic, 16.2% are Protestant) and 64% in Australia (2006). |
| - | <hr> | + | |
| - | [[Hallucination Generation]] | + | |
| - | <hr> | + | |
| - | [[Hugh Masekela]] @70 | + | |
| + | The second largest religions in all these regions are smaller by at least an order of magnitude, [[Islam in Europe]] with about 4%, [[Islam in Canada]] with about 2%, [[Judaism in the United States]] with about 1.7%, | ||
| + | and [[Islam in Australia]] with about 1.7%. | ||
| - | '''Hugh Masekela''' ([[April 4]], [[1939]]) is a [[South African music]]ian known for such songs as "[[Grazing in the Grass]]" and the discotheque hit "[[Don't Go Lose It Baby]]". He was married to [[Miriam Makeba]][http://jahsonic.wordpress.com/2008/11/11/rip-miriam-makeba/] from [[1964]] to [[1966]]. | + | Most non-Christians in the Western world are [[irreligious]], 30% in Australia, 18% in Europe, 16.1% in the USA and 16% in Canada. This is a reflection of the tradition of [[secular humanism]] which culminated in the 18th century "[[Age of Enlightenment]]" and which allowed the great progress in [[science and technology]] which accompanied the "[[European miracle]]". |
| - | He was one of several [[African music]]ians to [[Cultural appropriation in western music of the 1960s|introduce African music in the west in the 1960s]] which has been a major factor in the shaping [[Western popular music]]. | + | There remains a minority of the order of 5% of the population in the Western world which adheres to non-Western religions, mostly due to recent [[immigration]], but to some extent also due to [[proselytization]], notably conversion to various sects of [[Buddhism]] and [[Hinduism]] in the context of the [[New Age]] movement in the later part of the 20th century. |
| - | Always a musical chameleon, Masekela has been classified as [[Afrobeat]], [[jazz fusion]], [[jazz funk]], [[soul jazz]]; he even produced an album with [[drum machine]]s, appropriately titled ''[[Techno Bush]]''. | + | ==See also== |
| + | * [[Eastern religions]] | ||
| + | * [[Hellenistic Judaism]] | ||
| + | * [[Platonism]] | ||
| + | * [[Western culture]] | ||
| + | * [[Religion in Europe]] | ||
| + | * [[Religion in the United States]] | ||
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Current revision
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"Western religions are typified by hardship and austerity stemming from a harsh desert climate, while Eastern religions are characterized by abundance of low-hanging fruit in lush forests and valleys." --J. W. Geerinck |
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The term Western religion refers to religions that originated within Western culture, and are thus which historically, culturally, and theologically distinct from the Eastern religions. The contrast between Western and Eastern religions largely pertains to the distinction between monotheism and polytheism, respectively, and the term Abrahamic religion is often used in lieu of using the East and West terminology.
Western culture itself was significantly developed through the emergence of Christianity as it was introduced in the Roman Empire in the late 4th century and evolved in the course of the European Middle Ages, and the term "Christendom" largely indicates this intertwined history. Western Christianity was significantly influenced by Hellenistic religion (notably Platonism and Gnosticism) as well as the Roman imperial cult. Western Christianity is based on Roman Catholicism (Latin Rite), as opposed to Eastern Orthodoxy, from which it was divided by the Great Schism of the 11th century, and further includes all Protestant traditions splitting off Roman Catholicism from the 16th century.
Since the 19th century, Western religious practice has diversified into numerous new religious movements, including Occultism, Spiritism and diverse forms of Neopaganism.
Contents |
Antiquity
"The West" as a culture or civilization historically evolved out of Greco-Roman Classical Antiquity. These cultures had polytheistic religions, viz. Greek polytheism and Roman polytheism. "Eastern" influences on these religions are evident from earliest times, the Orientalizing period at the very beginning of Greek antiquity.
During Hellenism and the Roman empire period, "Eastern" (Oriental) religions exerted a considerable influence on "Western" religion, giving rise to Persian influenced traditions like Gnosticism and Mithraism, as well as Egyptian and "Chaldean" influence on mystery religions (Orphism), astrology and magic. Early Christianity itself is a further example of Orientalizing influence on the later Roman empire.
During the same period, inherited traditions of native Roman religion were marginalized or overlaid by interpretatio graeca, and the Roman imperial cult evolved into a civil religion which involved state ritual rather than religious faith or experience. Celtic and Germanic religion was described by Roman ethnography as primitive, but at the same time as pure or unspoiled compared to the urban decadence of Rome.
Western Christianity
Western Christianity is based on Roman Catholicism (Latin Rite), as opposed to Eastern Orthodoxy, from which it was divided by the Great Schism of the 11th century. Western Christianity itself was divided by the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, and pronouncedly "Western" forms of Christianity include Puritanism and Evangelicalism, movements resulting from the various "Great Awakenings" in the 18th to 20th century Anglosphere and popularly practiced in the USA.
Renaissance magic
Secularization
Following the religious wars of the 16th to 17th centuries, the Age of Enlightenment of the 18th century paved the way for a detachment of society and politics from religious questions. Inspired by the American Revolution, the French Revolution brought the ideal of secularization and a laicist state granting freedom of religion to Europe. After the turmoils of the Napoleonic Wars, this development caught hold in other parts of Europe, by means of the German Mediatisation and the separation of church and state in numerous European constitutions drawn up after the revolutions of 1848.
New religious movements
The principle of religious freedom introduced in Western society in the early 19th century facilitated the emergence of numerous new religious movements. Early examples were derived from western occultism and the tradition of secret societies such as the Freemasons, but from the later 19th century, influence of Eastern religions, notably Buddhism and Hinduism played an increasing role. From the mid 20th century, Eastern and Western spiritual traditions were increasingly syncretized in the various movements associated with the New Age and Neopagan countercultures.
Religion in the Western world today
The "Western world" taken as consisting of Europe, North America and Australia-New Zealand remains predominantly Christian: 78.5% in the USA (2002), 77% in Canada (2001), close to 80% in Europe (includes Eastern Orthodoxy in Eastern Europe, not properly part of "Western religion", 32.4% of Europeans are Roman Catholic, 16.2% are Protestant) and 64% in Australia (2006).
The second largest religions in all these regions are smaller by at least an order of magnitude, Islam in Europe with about 4%, Islam in Canada with about 2%, Judaism in the United States with about 1.7%, and Islam in Australia with about 1.7%.
Most non-Christians in the Western world are irreligious, 30% in Australia, 18% in Europe, 16.1% in the USA and 16% in Canada. This is a reflection of the tradition of secular humanism which culminated in the 18th century "Age of Enlightenment" and which allowed the great progress in science and technology which accompanied the "European miracle".
There remains a minority of the order of 5% of the population in the Western world which adheres to non-Western religions, mostly due to recent immigration, but to some extent also due to proselytization, notably conversion to various sects of Buddhism and Hinduism in the context of the New Age movement in the later part of the 20th century.
See also
- Eastern religions
- Hellenistic Judaism
- Platonism
- Western culture
- Religion in Europe
- Religion in the United States
