Major Religions Research Articles

SPIRITUALITY, RELIGIOSITY AND HAPPINESS: IDENTIFYING THE NEXUS

Using data from 52 countries in Wave 5 of the World Value Survey conducted during 2004 and 2008, we test two alternative approaches in spirituality measures. The first is based on the more traditional understanding that spirituality is associated with meanings, God, prayers/meditation and formal religions. The second is based on the common spiritual teachings of all the major religions that are summarized by the LIFE (Love, Insight or Wisdom, Fortitude and Engagement) framework proposed by Ho, LS (2014). Psychology and Economics of Happiness: Love, Life and Positive Living. Oxford: Routledge. It was found that this alternative approach, which focuses on the spiritual teachings rather than theology, offers better explanatory power for Total Life Satisfaction (TLS). An interesting finding is that under this specification the coefficient on meaning turned negative, suggesting that those whose lives are weak in Love, Insight, Fortitude and Engagement have yet to find meaning and are less happy. Through a series of stepwise regressions, we conclude that more spiritual people are indeed happier (H1); that religious people indeed tend to be happier mainly because religious people tend to be more spiritual (H2); that the essence of spirituality and meaning lies in Love, Insight, Fortitude and Engagement (H3). These virtues are all grounded on transcending the narrow self and on a “reverence for Life” as propounded by Schweitzer. Finally, religious attendance does promote happiness. The effect is small but stable and statistically significant. It may have to do with the social network this offers (H4).

The intersections of indigenous religion, Christianity, and Islam in mathematical symmetry

Pupils have always presented their mathematical thought through their religions. However, teachers gloss over these relationships. In this study, I explored the philosophy behind religious intersections among Indigenous, Christian, and Islamic pupils interacting in one class. Standing on narrative phenomenological design, mathematics representations, practices, and applications were the three congruences developed by the principle of saturation from the pupils’ lived experiences. I also formed focus group discussions that comprised a class of 40 pupils. I made 10 groups, and each group was composed of 10 participants that cut across the three religions. The responses were recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed. The results showed that the three religions shared many similar mathematical thoughts. However, one, three, four, five, and ten featured more than the other numbers. This implies that the philosophy of religious values in mathematical practice must anchor on the three objects permeating all three major religions.Pupils have always presented their mathematical thought through their religions. However, teachers gloss over these relationships. In this study, I explored the philosophy behind religious intersections among Indigenous, Christian, and Islamic pupils interacting in one class. Standing on narrative phenomenological design, mathematics representations, practices, and applications were the three congruences developed by the principle of saturation from the pupils’ lived experiences. I also formed focus group discussions that comprised a class of 40 pupils. I made 10 groups, and each group was composed of 10 participants that cut across the three religions. The responses were recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed. The results showed that the three religions shared many similar mathematical thoughts. However, one, three, four, five, and ten featured more than the other numbers. This implies that the philosophy of religious values in mathematical practice must anchor on the three objects permeating all three major religions.

CHRISTIAN-MUSLIM PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE: A SINE QUA NON FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

The thrust of this work is on the necessity of peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims to enhance and strengthen sustainable development in Nigeria. Christianity and Islam are the two major and decisive religions in Nigeria. Deplorably, the two religions that should teach and promote love, tolerance, and unity as enshrined in both the Bible and al-Qur’an, have been subtlety used as an indicator of political and social identity in a way that rouse conflicts over resources, land, political and economic power. This has led to the upsurge in religious intolerance and bigotry, unbridled and aggressive action of the fundamentalists, wrong religious orientations, mindless selfishness among some religious leaders, and low level of religious literacy among some adherents, which is currently posing a crucial threat to sustainable development in Nigeria. Therefore, this study critically examines the interplay of peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims through dialogue for the transformation and sustainable development of Nigeria. The study employed a descriptive research method, purely based on written sources comprised of books, journals, and websites. The study, among other things, revealed that peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims is crucial for the economic, political, and social development of Nigeria. It was discovered that through dialogue, the intolerance and conflict situation in Nigeria can be transformed into a culture of peace characterized by respect, trust, liberty, tolerance, equality, and brotherliness that will foster sustainable development. The study, therefore, concluded with the recommendation that since religious isolation and bigotry are not conducive to sustainable progress and development, individual and religious institutions should embrace and proclaim dialogue reflecting brotherhood, peace, solidarity, unity, and love, which will play a vital role in shaping and establishing a better prosperous future for the nation.

Both religious and secular ethics to achieve both happiness and health: Panel data results based on a dynamic theoretical model.

This paper evaluates the direct and indirect impacts (and their interactions) of individual and social ethics from (primary, secondary, tertiary) education and religion (Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism) on health and happiness in alternative religious contexts (majority and minority religions) and for alternative education policies (gross enrolment and per-student expenditure). It also specifies the time lag for the short-run indirect impact (and its size) of happiness on health and the long-run equilibria of both happiness and health. The statistical results show that there is no religious or secular ethics with beneficial impacts on both happiness and health at both the individual and social levels. Next, education policies have similar impacts on both happiness and health in all religious contexts, while most religious ethics have larger beneficial impacts on health and happiness if coupled with social and individual education policies, respectively. Combined statistical and analytical results show that the largest short-run indirect impact of happiness on health occurs after 4 years, where 1 out of 10 points of happiness produces approximately 3 additional years of healthy life expectancy at birth. Next, the long-run equilibria of both happiness and health are globally stable and are achieved after 8 years through oscillation dynamics.

Pilgrimage Insights from Major World Religions

Pilgrimage Insights from Major World Religions

Harmoni Beragama Dan Pencegahan Konflik: Perspektif Moderasi Menurut Al-Qur’an Dan Alkitab

In the era of globalization which accelerates encounters between cultures and religions, the challenge of maintaining religious harmony is increasingly urgent. Religious conflicts arising from differences in beliefs can pose a serious threat to the peace and stability of society. Therefore, this research aims to explore the concept of religious harmony and analyze the role of moderation from the perspective of the Koran and the Bible in preventing religious conflict. Through a comparative approach to the Koran and the Bible, this research considers the views of moderation contained therein as a guide for peaceful coexistence. By understanding the values of religious moderation, it is hoped that it will be possible to formulate concrete strategies to promote inter-religious harmony and prevent conflict. The research method involves analyzing the texts of the Koran and the Bible with a qualitative approach. This research will analyze the texts of the Koran and the Bible to identify the values of moderation which can be the basis for religious harmony. It is hoped that the results of this research will provide a deeper understanding of the contribution of moderation in major religions such as Islam and Christianity to religious harmony and conflict prevention. Thus, it is hoped that this research can make a positive contribution in building a harmonious and peaceful society amidst religious diversity.

뉴에이지 운동의 기원과 할리우드 영화의 상호 영향

The New Age Movement (NAM) emerged in Western society in the 1970s as a decentered religious and spiritual social phenomenon. Although New Age Movement ideas are inspired by the world's major religions (Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Taoism), they are particularly influenced by Western occultism, Eastern religions, and neo-paganism, and have developed widely. The broad inclusiveness of the New Age movement's ideas made it more accessible to the general public, and it spawned a variety of literary works. Hollywood movies in the 1970s can be seen in most of the works of the New Age Movement, and the subject matter of the movies can also be widely extended because of the New Culture Movement. Examining the relationship between the New Age Movement and Hollywood movies makes it easier to understand the reasons for the rapid growth of the movie industry in different time periods.

Interreligious Views on the Integration of Artificial Intelligence and Indigenous Knowledge for Environmental Preservation

This paper employs a qualitative narrative analysis to explore interreligious perspectives on integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Indigenous Knowledge (IK) to address environmental challenges. It delves into the viewpoints of three major world religions – Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism – highlighting their distinct yet complementary stances. Christianity, grounded in the principle of stewardship, emphasizes humanity’s divine-given duty to care for the Earth. Within this framework, AI is seen as a promising tool to enhance environmental knowledge, sustainable practices, and conservation. Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ lays down principles, stressing the interconnectedness of creation, that can guide AI integration. In Islam, the concept of “Khalifa” signifies human stewardship of the Earth. Though opinions on AI vary, there are those who view it as a means to improve environmental knowledge and resource management. Islamic teachings encourage seeking wisdom from diverse sources, including indigenous knowledge. While recognizing AI’s potential for ecological understanding, Buddhism raises concerns about excessive reliance on AI-generated information. Emphasizing interconnectedness, compassion, and mindfulness, it encourages a balanced approach where AI complements personal connections and mindfulness in experiencing nature. In summary, these religions appear to recognize AI’s potential while emphasizing ethical, cultural, and spiritual aspects. This interplay fosters holistic and sustainable environmental preservation, where technology and Indigenous Knowledge coexist. It invites further collaboration to ensure that technological advancements align with ethical and environmental values, promoting a just, equitable, and harmonious coexistence with our planet. Keywords: interreligious perspectives, artificial intelligence (AI), indigenous knowledge (IK), environmental challenges

Unveiling Magnetic Charisma of Islam: A Multifaceted Exploration into the Allure and Impact of Muslim Culture and Society

This article unveils the magnetic charisma of Islam, offering a multifaceted exploration into the allure and impact of Muslim culture and society. It begins by providing a brief overview of Islam as a major world religion, its historical roots, and its contributions during the Golden Age of Islam. The article delves into the pillars of Islamic culture, highlighting the significance of faith, spirituality, and the Five Pillars of Islam, as well as the joyous celebrations and festivals that shape Muslim culture. It further examines the diversity within Muslim society, including its global reach across continents and the rich tapestry of customs, traditions, and cuisines that define different Muslim cultures. The article emphasizes the role of Muslim women, their diverse roles, and their contributions to education, activism, and positive change in their communities and beyond. Challenges and opportunities for Muslim culture are addressed, including the impact of modernization, globalization, and Islamophobia. Despite these challenges, the article underscores the resilience of Islamic culture, its ability to preserve identity while adapting to changing times, and its positive influence on interfaith understanding and cooperation.

Women's Economic Empowerment and Inheritance Rights across Major Global Religions: A Comparative Exploration

Women make up more than the total population of the world. These women were neglected in all societies. The history of this woman's acquisition of wealth is a history of extreme brutality. In different religions of the world women's share of inheritance is provided differently. In certain scenarios, men may receive a larger share, while in others; women may be entitled to more. However, in essence, there is no inherent inequality. Allah has created both men and women, and He is omniscient and all-wise. He has ordained what is beneficial for each. A comparative discussion of how the inheritance of women is provided in the major scriptures of the world is attempted in the discussion article; and the confusions created by the so-called women progressives about the inheritance of women in Islam have been adequately answered.

Isolating the Roles of Religion, Ethnicity, and Political Ideology in Mass Atrocities, 1800–2020

Religion, ethnicity, and political ideology all lend themselves to the perpetration of mass atrocities by creating a sense of identity that sets up an Us/Them dichotomy. Atrocities are modelled here as arising from the motive of acquiring territory but augmented by other-regarding preferences that capture the role of identity. My empirical results using data for the period 1800–2020 confirm that all these identity-driven motivators are associated with mass atrocities, with religion being more powerful than ethnicity. Monotheistic religions (with the strong exception of Judaism) are seen to be associated with more mass atrocity deaths than (polytheistic) Hinduism, lending partial credibility to Hume’s (1757/2010) view on the intolerance of monotheism. While democracies are associated with fewer mass atrocities than autocracies, Christian liberal democracies are not. My statistical analysis rejects the popular presumption that Islam is more violent than Christianity. In fact, in the post-World War II (WWII) era, among the major religions Christianity has been associated with the most mass atrocity deaths. The results also show that mass deaths were higher in atrocities that took place in settler colonies, especially in the post-WWII period of decolonisation. Using mass atrocities as the metric of violence, the correlations found in the empirical work of this paper offer many new and surprising findings.

How secular and religiously free are Europe’s “secular” states?

This study uses data from the Religion and State (RAS) project to examine the extent to which 43 European states are, in fact, secular and religiously free. I find that these European states engage in substantial levels of support for religion, regulation, restriction, and control (RRC) of the majority religion, and government-based discrimination (GRD) against religious minorities. This is true of both countries in Europe with official religions and those which declare separation of religion and state (SRAS) in their constitutions. This demonstrates a distinctly European pattern of state-religion relations that is influenced in no small part by anti-religious forms of secularism.

Art-Historical Analysis of Selected Sacred Sufi Paintings in Kano, Nigeria

‘Iconoclasm’, which may simply be defined as the destruction of artworks as a result of hatred towards them is a common phenomenon in all the three major Abrahamic desert religions; Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Because Islam frowns at representational art, especially sculptures in the round, many Muslim artists pursue and develop their creativity in the elegant Arabic calligraphic embellishments used to adorn the walls of mosques, palaces and the covers of Islamic books. However, despite the growing nature of iconoclasm amongst mainstream Muslims, the Sufis see no harm in visually and artistically representing their saints and hermits as a way to honour them and seek their barakah (blessings). It is on this basis that this paper examines selected sacred Sufi paintings of Kano, Nigeria. Relying heavily on oral interviews and written sources this paper traces the historical development of sacred Sufi paintings in Kano, Nigeria, focusing largely on the art historical appreciation and contextualization of such paintings. The paper also found out that despite the importance of sacred Sufi paintings in the reconstruction of history, they receive little or no scholarly attention. 

The Israel-Palestine Sovereignty Struggle: A Historical Review Based On Territorial Claims

The land of Palestine is holy land for the three major religions, namely Islam, Christianity and Judaism. Israel and Palestine are countries that claim that this land is their territory, so this has sparked a prolonged conflict between the two. This research aims to provide an overview of the history of territorial claims in the Israeli-Palestinian region, territorial claims based on an Israeli-Palestinian perspective, and efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Researchers use the historical method with a qualitative approach, which has stages of heuristics, criticism, interpretation and historiography. The research results concluded that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a complex problem. The involvement of religious, political and historical dimensions in it can influence a person's views and understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian territorial claims. Through this research, it can be seen that the importance of good diplomacy and mediation can encourage the creation of commitment and trust in each other, thereby creating a sense of tolerance which can be used as the key to fair sovereignty for both parties.
 Keywords: Israel, Palestine, Islam, Judaism

KARNAVAL SATANIC BRAZIL DALAM PEMIKIRAN AQIDAH IBNU QAYYIM AL-JAWZIYYAH

Carnival is an event that is held at a certain time and can be both large and small scale. Carnival can be considered sacred if it is related to belief and can be considered as a tradition of a region with the aim of preserving culture. In the research being studied is a carnival with a satanic theme and held in Brazil. Satanic is a devil worshiping sect. In Brazil, there are very few people who adhere to satanic because the majority religion in Brazil is Catholicism. There are two main issues that will be studied, first is the satanic carnival in the perspective of the thought of the aqidah of Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah, and second is the response to how we respond to the satanic carnival that occurred in Brazil. The event drew a lot of negative criticism from the general public because after the carnival a disaster occurred which almost destroyed several cities in Brazil. However, there are not many who criticize the side of the carnival, such as the reason for the carnival being held and why there is a parade with a satanic theme. The researcher uses an analysis of the aqidah of Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah in the translation of his book Mawaridul Aman Al-Muntaqa min Ighatsatul Lahfan min Masyayidisy Syaithan (Heart Management: Paralyzing the Weapons of Satan. In this study using a qualitative method with a descriptive approach which is a type of research with the process of obtaining data is as it is. The researcher presents data obtained from the results of literature and document studies. By analyzing the data by processing it so that conclusions can be presented. The conclusion in this study is that there are two views, namely cultural elements and Islamic aqeedah. According to cultural elements, if indeed If it contains unifying values ​​such as harmony and harmony, respect for this culture is needed. However, when viewed from the perspective of Islamic aqeedah, satanic festivals can be classified as damaging aqidah if there is an element of shirk in them, such as worship of the devil.

Religion and Alternative Dispute Resolution: A Critical Assessment of Land Dispute Resolution in Akataka-Ekpa-Omaka and Omege-Echara Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

This paper examined the impact of religion on alternative dispute resolution such as negotiation, meditation and conciliation on land conflict between Akataka-Ekpa-Omaka and Omege-Echara, Ikwo. The broad objective of the paper is to examine the impact of religion on the Land Dispute Resolution between Akataka-Ekpa-Omaka and Omege-Echara, Ikwo. The paper adopted survey and documentary methods in gathering data. The descriptive analytical technique tools such as tables, simple percentages, histograms, charts and content analysis data were used for data analysis. The theoretical framework used is human needs theory. The paper revealed that there is incompatibility of religious fanatics between traditional religion practice of the area and Christians belief which hinders the efforts to resolve the land dispute. The paper recommended setting up a special committee to harmonize the relationship between the two major religions as gateway to peace building in the area. There is also need to legislates at local level and specify various punishments for offenders of religious bigotry to encourage peace and harmony in the area.

REVISITING FAITH-BASED DIPLOMACY’S EFFECTIVENESS: EASTERN EUROPEAN ORTHODOX CHURCH IN THE 2022 RUSSO-UKRAINIAN CONFLICT

This paper aims to address the possible role of the Eastern European Orthodox Church as an alternative channel to ensure fruitful negotiations to end the Russo-Ukrainian war that has still ongoing since 2022. As the majority religion in Russia, Ukraine, and Eastern Europe as a whole, the Orthodox branch of Christianity has a transnational influence on its followers, including prominent political figures in the aforementioned territories. Utilizing qualitative research methods, this paper is written to provide arguments about whether the Orthodox Church, with its immense presence in the belligerents’ spiritual beliefs, will be able to be employed as a channel to end the Russo-Ukrainian war. In this paper, analysis is conducted through the usage of J. W. McDonald’s “The Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy” (2012) journal article about multi-track diplomacy and D. Johnston’s Faith-Based Diplomacy: Trumping Realpolitik (2003) book about faith-based diplomacy to gauge the Orthodox Church’s potential as a channel of diplomacy between Russia and Ukraine. This paper finds that overall, the Orthodox Church fails to fulfil the criteria that Johnston (2003) posits; one of the most fatal is the organization’s inability to reconcile the belligerents’ deep historical wounds. Due to the Orthodox Church's traditional role that has always been closely tied to the Russian government, its capability to build an acceptable negotiation channel is severely impeded.

"Hinduism's Path to Global Peace: Insights from Ancient Texts and Ethical Commandments

God has made different religions to suit different aspirations, times and countries...one can reach God if one follows any of the paths with wholehearted devotion- Ramakrishna, A Hindu mystic Peace has been a long-cherished dream since times immemorial, however, its significance and scope in the cutting edge world has expanded many-overlap. The word Peace having no settled upon single definition has been clarified by a few, as quietness or calm, independence from unsettling influence or struggle, nonappearance or suspension of war, a condition of security or request, and a compromise after difficulty, and so on. It could anyway be best comprehended and increased in value by the nonattendance of the antonyms like war, strife, agitation, savagery, psychological warfare, devastation and so on Religion is integral to the presence of pretty much every general public and has been characterized as "a bunch of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of life and the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a supernatural agency”. All major religions of Humanity have consistently endorsed calm and urged people for universal brotherhood. Though Ahimsa or peacefulness shapes a cardinal standard of practically all Aryan religions like Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism; the Semitic religions; the Judaism, Christianity, and Islam that share the essential ideas of Monotheism, Prophets and Life after death; depict harmony and compromise among intra and inter-religious groups as carrying great rewards in the hereafter. Religions normally join a code of morals that worry about the conduct of the individual, yet men don’t always live up to the standards they profess.This paper tries to analyze the quintessential uniqueness and new insights of peace in sacred texts of the world’s oldest religion-- Hinduism, its ethical commandments for peace and war as well as the ways and means of achieving this goal

INTERNALIZATION OF ISLAMIC VALUES IN AN URBAN MUSLIM SOCIETY: A CASE STUDY OF DIGITAL LEARNING AT MUHAMMADIYAH UNIVERSITIES IN YOGYAKARTA

As the majority religion, Islam in Indonesia is not directly proportional to Islamic values which should be displayed in the form of daily behaviour. Therefore, internalizing Islamic values, especially in the learning process in higher education, is of paramount important. Internalization of Islamic values is an aspect that is often overlooked in learning discussions, particularly in online learning. The issues raised in online learning discussions are more about methods and approaches in the learning process and very rarely to touch on the value aspect. In the context of Muhammadiyah higher education (PTM), instilling Islamic values as the core of its character education is a challenge for lecturers and students. In particular, those who live in urban areas which are full of challenges. This study explores challenges in internalizing Islamic values in digital learning at Muhammadiyah affiliated universities. Class observations and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 lecturers at three Muhammadiyah affiliated universities in Yogyakarta to garner an understanding of the internalization process and the challenges faced in this process. Data analysis was carried out using thematic analysis from Braun and Clarke. This study delineates that the process of internalizing Islamic values in the universities was still limited to the level of transformation and value transactions and has not yet touched on trans-internalization of values. This is because there are four main challenges faced, namely technical, pedagogical, psychological and semantic challenges. The implications and factors related to these four challenges are discussed in more depth in this paper.

Religious Moderation in Constantinople in the Resolution of Political Conflicts in the 14th Century

The Islamic conquest of Constantinople in the 14th century is a captivating historical episode in history that continues to intrigue historians. It stands out due to the involvement of two major world religions - Islam and Christianity. Furthermore, this conquest marked the end of the Roman civilization. One notable aspect of this conquest was the harmonious relationship between Muslims and Christians, which persisted before and after the event. This study aims to explore the implementation of religious moderation in Constantinople to resolve political conflicts. Adopting a historical methodology, the research collects data through extensive documentation and literature studies, employing a socio-political approach. The findings highlight that religious moderation played a crucial role in conflict resolution during the 14th century in Constantinople. The concept of religious moderation was not only applied before the conquest, but also after it. Before the conquest, the value of moderation was demonstrated through peaceful negotiations between the Islamic kingdom and the Catholic prelate in Rome. Several treaties were agreed upon, emphasizing the importance of faith and peaceful dialogue over resorting to military confrontation. Following the conquest, Sultan Muhammad al-Fatih exemplified religious moderation by engaging in negotiations with the inhabitants of Hagia Sophia. They agreed an agreement allowing Christians to continue practicing their faith despite being under Islamic rule. Additionally, al-Fatih displayed respectful treatment towards the prelate and Christian warlords, further exemplifying the value of moderation. The findings of this study shed light on the significance of religious moderation in resolving conflicts and offer a fascinating insight into the history of Constantinople during this period