Arguably,
religions are cultures because the creeds of religion dictate and direct behaviors. Easily
perceptible are the effects of the Muslim religion upon those who practice it as women wear
hijabs or burgas which cover their heads and faces,
along with abayas, which cover their dress. All Muslims pray five times a
day, facing Mecca; then, in the fall they observe Ramadan and fast. Never do they eat pork as it
is perceived as unclean.
Christians, too, have certain practices which affect
their social lives. They, too, observe holy days and Roman Catholics also have a period of
fasting, although modified, during the Lenten season of six weeks before Easter. With charity as
the greatest virtue, Christians are taught to do good works and to treat others with
consideration.
For Jews, there are many practices and customs especially for
the Orthodox Jews. One branch of the Orthodox, Hasidic Judaism, which promotes mysticism, the
revelation of "the ancient esoteric tradition of the Koran." In Hasidic culture, women
must have their arms covered, their hair covered (a wig can be worn), and the men wear a certain
style of hat and have their hair and whiskers in a certain style. Passover is an important
celebration of freedom and during this time, Jews eat an unleavened bread called
matzah.
Certainly, there is a long, running history of antipathy among
religious groups, and historically more people have been killed in the name of God than for any
other reason. The Crusades in which the Catholic Church first held as its objective to take back
the Holy Lands, later extended to re-claiming Spain from the Moors, parts of eastern Europe, and
the Mediterranean islands. The Crusades lasted over 700 years and virtually destroyed Arabic
culture, which was more advanced than the Christian culture at the time. (e.g. Monks copied the
Bible over Arab writings). After the Crusades, the Catholic Church held great wealth and power
in political, commercial, and social matters. It was strongly involved in the discovery of the
New World as another area for the spread of Christianity.
Nowadays, the
Christian world is often threatened by Sunni and Shi'a extremist terrorism, and Israel is
threatened by Arabic enemies. Indubitably,today's "War on Terrorism" traces its roots
to the Crusades and religious history, differences, and antipathy. In American society,
"political correctness" now directs religious tolerance in the hopes that all faiths
can live harmoniously.
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