Universalizing vs. Ethnic Religions

Demands a basic understanding of the religious doctrine or Faith before becoming a member

Universalizing

Open to any culture or ethnicity who is willing to accept the doctrine and beliefs of the religion.

Universalizing

Traditionally has a founder

Universalizing

appeals to a large range of people and is spread through contagious diffusion (missionary)

Universalizing

are proselytic faiths that actively seeks converts. one of the fundamental goals is to gain more followers (missionary)

Universalizing

religious holidays tend to revolve around important dates of the religions founder such as their birth and death.

Universalizing

thinks about salvation as an individual goal. stresses an afterlife

Universalizing

Christianity, Islam, Budhism

Universalizing Examples

Do not have a fundamental goal to seek converts. Though some will allow for conversion, usually through marriage.

Ethnic

Does not have their roots to a particular founder

Ethnic

Is tied closely to a particular culture antithetic heritages it is part of an identity, not simply a belief system. Includes indigenous (native) religions

Ethnic

It is near impossible to reject ones religion since it is part of their identity from birth. To reject the religion would be to reject elements of the cultural identity. Are involuntary in practice.

Ethnic

Thinks about salvation for the group, not solely for the individual. Does not stress an afterlife

Ethnic

members are usually welcomed into the religion at birth

Ethnic

Judaism, Shintoism, Hinduism, small tribal religions

Ethnic examples