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Religions: Eastern and Western—Towards an Asian Understanding of Religion

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Problematizing Religious Freedom

Part of the book series: Studies in Global Justice ((JUST,volume 9))

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Abstract

Just as the category of world religions can be subdivided into missionary and non-missionary religions, it can also be subdivided into Eastern and Western religions. According to this classification, the Western religions are Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (collectively known as the Abrahamic traditions) and the Eastern religions comprise the religions of India and the Far East. This chapter highlights the claim that the Eastern religions possess a distinct concept of religion which acknowledges the possibility of multiple religious belonging, while the Western religions insist on exclusive religious identity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Religious Studies, McGill University, University Street 3520, H3A 2A7, Montreal, Québec, Canada

    Prof. Arvind Sharma

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  1. Prof. Arvind Sharma
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Correspondence to Arvind Sharma .

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Sharma, A. (2012). Religions: Eastern and Western—Towards an Asian Understanding of Religion. In: Problematizing Religious Freedom. Studies in Global Justice, vol 9. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-8993-9_11

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