Introduction
Religions have existed for thousands of years, and several major belief systems coexist in the modern world. However, the primal religions that existed before the appearance of modern faiths remain. Primal religions were widespread before modern civilizations came into being and are distinguished by their touch with nature (Abdulla, 2018).
While Christianity and Islam have millions of followers across the globe, this fact only reveals that they are more suitable for the majority of the population. It is vital to acknowledge that there are people with whom these faiths do not fit, which makes primary religions equally important as they perform their specific tasks successfully. This essay will discuss why historical religions are not superior to primal ones.
Historical Religions Superior to Primal Religions
Primal religions are modest and less developed, yet this does not imply their inferiority, as they achieve the purpose they are designed for and continue to serve their followers. Typically, these faiths are closely connected to specific geographic regions and are nearly inseparable from local cultures (Smith, 2008). However, they suit their role as guidance providers just as well as major religions. Despite being more naturalistic and oriented toward personal experiences rather than a set of written rules, for their foundation, indigenous faiths strive to explain concepts similar to those of world religions (Smith, 2008). The reason behind their perceived inferiority lies in the lack of significant representation among the population,
Indigenous religions present a similar value to their followers as major faiths do globally. They possess distinct traditions, rituals, and festivities that make them stand on the same level as world religions (Smith, 2008). These aspects have been formed under circumstances similar to those of Christianity, Islam, or Buddhism.
Both types of spiritual systems explain similar concepts, such as death, the meaning of existence, and understanding the unknown (Chidester, 2018). Indeed, tribal faiths may not reveal themselves through sacred texts or similar media, yet they do possess oral traditions that they use for indoctrination. Its questionable efficiency makes them less popular, although it does not impact those who follow primal faiths.
The belief in the superiority of a particular religion leads to conflicts. Religions of minorities can be disregarded in politics, people’s heritage may be denied its importance, and locals can lose their rights merely due to their culture (Abdulla, 2018). It is unethical to make some religions stand out among others in a reality that is filled with a multitude of worldviews. Consequently, the role of faiths in the modern world led some theologians to believe that the term ‘world religion’ does not reflect the complexity of the existing belief systems (Chidester, 2018). Tribal faiths require similar protection under the concept of freedom of self-expression.
Conclusion
In conclusion, primal religions may be less complex than historical ones, yet they remain relevant in the modern world for many people across the globe. It would be invalidating to call these belief systems inferior, as they function similarly to Christianity and Islam, albeit having fewer followers and little to no written texts. Tribal faiths rely on different means of conveying their teachings and may differ vastly in how they shape one’s worldviews, yet they build upon similar concepts as major religions do. The notion of superiority among faiths is detrimental to the rights of minorities to express themselves through their unique culture and heritage.
References
Abdulla, M. R. (2018). Culture, religion, and freedom of religion or belief. The Review of Faith & International Affairs, 16(4), 102–115.
Chidester, D. (2018). World religions in the world. Journal for the Study of Religion, 31(1).
Smith, H. (2009). The world’s religions: Our great wisdom traditions (2nd ed.). HarperCollins.