Motivation

Read on Brittanica.com that “although many scholars hold that monotheism is a higher form of religion and therefore must be a later development”. I felt that the way religion is being classified is to make one higher form by many scholars. I feel all religious are similar in 80% and they just differ in minor things.

I thought there will be different ways to classify religion and if we use that language something else will look higher form. In a way “decolonize” classification of religions.

Below are some other ways religions can be classified.

• Judgement Day Religion Vs Enlightenment based Religion
• Tolerant Religion Vs Accepting Religion (even Atheist are accepted)
• Dualistic Religions Vs non-Dualistic Religion
• Belief Based Vs Behaviour/Karma based Religion
• Single Source vs Multiple Source based Religion
• Fixed Religion Vs Evolving Religion
• MonoPath vs Polypath Religion
• Human-Centric vs non-Human-Centric Religion
• Ancestor-Critical vs Ancestor-Understanding Religion
• Linear Religion vs Cyclic Religion
• Self-Critical Religion vs Non-Self-Critical Religion
• Physcial Punishment Vs Correction Based Religion

Judgement Day Religion Vs Enlightenment based Religion

In Judgement Day religions, the ultimate goal of life is to go to heaven and avoid hell. Hell is the place where you get punishment/torture and heaven is the opposite. Once a person dies, they have to wait till the judgement day when God will decide where you go.

In Enlightenment based religions the ultimate goal is to rise above the materialistic world and get moksha or enlightenment. Some of these religions believe in re-birth after death but some may not. Heaven/Hell concept if present in some religion is a temporary phase. The ultimate aim is to self-improvement to get moksha or enlightenment. (Moksha means freedom from the cycle of death and rebirth)

Since all religions are mostly similar and they just differentiate based on “why” someone should be good, this can be a primary criteria for classification of religion. I say all religion are mostly similar because the how and recommended behaviour is “be a good person”.

Tolerant Religion Vs Accepting Religion

This classification is based on how the religion treats people of other religion or atheist. Since we all have to live together this can be also a good way to classify religion.

Tolerant religion are those which says “my religion is right” and “your religion is wrong”. In this case they will however “tolerate” the “wrong religion” like some adult tolerates the tantrums of other children in public place.  When in power, “tolerant religion” may result in more violence. Atheist are also treated as “wrong religion”.

Accepting religions are those which says “my religion is right” and “your religion is also right”. In these case the “others” are no different from “self” and accepted. Acceptance is going beyond tolerance. Like in love you accept the other person and go beyond tolerating. Atheists are also accepted. For eg: in Hinduism Charvaka is also respected and accepted as a “Rishi”/wise one.

Dualistic Religions Vs non-Dualistic Religion

This is a difficult concept. In dualistic religion the creator and creations are two seperate entity. So God is different from Human. Most religions are dualistic.

In non-dualistic religion the creator is part of the creation like a dancer is part of the dance they create. Advaita and qualified-Advaita of Hinduism will belong to this category. Swami Vivekanand who represented Indian hinduism at the parliament of world religion in 1893 became highly popular also follows advaita. In India, advaita preacher Adi Shankaracharya is supposed to had debates with various religious scholar and come out as winner.

Dualistic religions can be further classified as montheism, polytheism etc.

In Hinduism it is said the non-dualistic appears as dualistic. Many Hindus know about “aham brhamasi” i.e. “I am God/Brahaman”, but may not understand the full significance of it.

Belief Based Vs Behaviour/Karma based Religion

In belief based religion, you may behave as the best human being but you will not get the ultimate reward unless you believe in their religion. For example if the ultimate goal is heaven, an atheist cannot go there.

In Behaviour/Karma based religion your ultimate reward is based on on your behaviour/karma irrespective of your believes. Most religions from India have this concept or have adopted this concept. It is also called law of Karma.

Single Source vs Multiple Source based Religion

Single source religion are like science with one very great scientist. Multiple source religion are those which has many scientist contributing to it. Buddhism will be a single source religion where as Hinduism is multiple source.

Fixed Religion Vs Evolving Religion

Fixed religion are those where most of the things cannot change over time. Evolving religions are those where the core-principle like being honest remains constant but other things can change over time.

Most religions evolve over time or come up with some division, but in some cases the changes are big and very visible.

MonoPath vs Polypath Religion

In Monopath religions there is only one correct path. In Polypath religion there are multiple paths to the same goal, just like there are multiple paths to reach the same mountain peak. For example in Hinduism, Bhagvad Gita mentions one can get moksha by anyone of the following: devotion to God, doing good Karma or pursuing wisdom.

Human-Centric vs non-Human-Centric Religion

In Human centric religion, human being are the centre of creation by God. Just like it was considered, Earth was centre of universe.

In non-human centric religion humans are just one part. This can be further classified as

• Covering Human & Animals
• Covering All living beings including plants.
• Covering everything living and non-living (eg: Hindu Advaitism)

Ancestor-Critical vs Ancestor-Understanding Religion

Ancestor-Critical religion: In this case our own ancestors who were not following the religion are looked down upon and thought to be unwise/fools.

Ancestor-Understanding religion: In this case our own ancestors who were not following the religion are looked at with sympathy. Perhaps judged based on what they did and not what religion they followed.

Linear Religion vs Cyclic Religion

In Linear religion there is like origin and end. In cyclic religion it is like a cycle. Things originate-end and re-originate. Just like a circle. Many Indian religions are cyclic in nature.

Self-Critical Religion vs Non-Self-Critical Religion

Self-Critical Religion: The punishment of criticizing the religion is not harsh. One can be part of the religion and still criticize some aspects of it.

Non-Self-Critical Religion: The punishment of criticising the religion is very harsh. You can be killed or ostracised from the community.

Physcial Punishment Vs Correction Based Religion

Physical Punishment: In this kind of religion, the punishment for wrong doing is quite physical. Your hand can be cut or you can be killed for certain kinds of wrong doing.

Correction Based Religion: Religion usually focuses on correcting the wrong doing instead of punishment. It doesn’t mean there is no violence but it is usually part of correction and not punishment.

DISCLAIMER: The author is solely responsible for the views expressed in this article. The author carries the responsibility for citing and/or licensing of images utilized within the text.