Similarities Between Mormonism And Rastafarians

Two of these denominations were the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the African Methodist Episcopal. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - commonly known as Mormons was founded by Joseph Smith; he was inspired to create a new church faction by the revivals he experienced in the western area of New York called the "Burned Over District-" implying it had been "scorched" by so many revivals. Although not regarded as a splinter off from an existing Protestant denomination but a restoration of primitive Christianity having distinctive post-biblical doctrines, the Mormon Church is now a flourishing, worldwide denomination. On the other hand, during the revivals, Baptists and Methodists converted large numbers of blacks. However, because of the mistreatment they received from their fellow believers, under the leadership of Richard Allen, the black population broke away from the Methodist church while creating their own denomination; the African Methodist Episcopal.10 Both churches mentioned above, having developed and sprouted out other denominations over the years, still stand even today.

The Rastafari movement is a positive movement that promotes peace amongst all, self-respect, self -awareness, and respect for others.

African and Native American religions both share the polytheistic trait, meaning that both worship multiple god, goddesses, ancestors and other deities. The African and Native American religions share more common traits than they have differences. A common belief is that the High God is the creator whom is not used or appealed to on a regular use. Hopfe states that “The High God is appealed to rarely, perhaps only in an extreme emergency called upon on rare occasions or emergencies, and is seldom mentioned in religious conversation” (Hopfe pg 30). This pretty much goes for both religions when it comes to the High God. Another similar trait would be how these two religions High God is not always the same among the many different diverse groups

There are may religions in the world, but through out the different religions there are many crossovers and similarities. Mattie Stepanek said “It doesn't matter how you pray. Just pray. All religions are beautiful and they all have one common belief. There's something bigger and greater than us that can give us and take from us life. It is better than the here and now”. Religion itself means “a belief in and worship of a greater power” (dictionary.com). By people believing in any kind of religion, it means that similarities can start there. With so many religions having similarities, it might be hard to distinguish from certain religions from another. Religions like of African and Native Americans might not at first seem alike, but as you look deeper into their religions and see they have similarities. These similarities are attributed as beliefs, rituals, and history. Their growths and struggles might not have happened at the same time, but both religions are still celebrated today.

The definition of religion is, “a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects” (“Religion”). Many of the world religions at first glance appear to be very similar. However, on closer examination, the differences in the religions are made clear. For example, Mormonism is often described as a branch of Christianity because both religions have Jesus as a central figure. Despite this misconception, Mormonism and Christianity have major differences in their historical backgrounds, key writings, definitions of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, beliefs about salvation and what happens after death, among other

The writings, known as the Book of Mormon, describe how some Israelites traveled to the Americas to become the indigenous tribes (Gutjahr 7). The books and Joseph’s teachings laid out a faith that seemed radically different than any other. But Mormonism shares roots with other religions; it began as a form of Trinitarian Christianity. Like Christianity, it builds on Judaism; Mormonism also connects with the Jewish history as the Book of Mormon describes the families of a lost tribe of Israel. Like Protestantism, Mormonism can be considered a reformed version of Christianity. Mormonism, in fact, has much in common with Islam—both have Abrahamic roots and a modern prophet and sacred text. Mormon ideas may seem radical in some areas, but are Christian in many fundamental aspects. Mormons believe in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, although they see them as separate beings. They accept the Old and New Testament as the work of God, and believe in many Christian ideas such as sin, divine revelation, and God’s eventual return. The main difference, then, is simply that Mormonism is newer than other religions, and thus assumed to be invalid. As Noah Feldman summarizes, “Antiquity

Christianity and Rastafarianism are both rooted in Judaism and draw from the Hebrew sacred scriptures. Rastafarianism evolved as a reaction to the Christianity that was imposed upon African-American slaves and their descendents. There are several other aspects in which these two religions are similar, the purpose of this paper is to explore some of those similarities.

Compare/Contrast Native American and African Religion Native American and African religions originated on two continents separated by the vast Atlantic Ocean. These basic religions share many similar practices despite the miles between them. Existence of a High God, belief in the afterlife, and the existence of ancestors are three characteristics Native American and African religions share; however, these religions have their own unique beliefs regarding each one. Both Native American and African religions believe the world was created by one High God. While Native Americans share this belief, they do not believe the High God concerns himself with daily life events.

As the story goes, in the early 19th Century, a young Joseph Smith received a series of visions including a visit from the angel Moroni. The angel Moroni directed Smith to a set of golden plates inscribed with a history of an ancient Judeo-Christian civilization in North America. This history is known now as the Book of Mormon and set Smith's religion apart from other Christians. Violence broke out between the Mormons and the non-Mormons when Smith led his people to the prophesied City of Zion, in Independence, Missouri, sometimes called "New Jerusalem". When they arrived in Jackson County, the Mormons already had preconceived notions that the non-Mormons were their enemies, because it was revealed in Doctrine and Covenants, another Mormon

The Mormon religion is very unique in many of its doctrine. While technically a Protestant faith, the Mormons generally share more doctrine with the Catholics. Because of its unique nature, I will be analyzing the Mormon faith, its history, organization, and doctrine, in comparison with the beliefs held by both Catholics and Protestants.

I believe that the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Mormons theologies; that Jesus was either created (Jehovah’s Witnesses) or that Jesus was born by a father and a mother (Mormons) are good examples why it is so important to read text in the context of the surrounding scriptures. Colossians 1:15, reads: “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature”. (KJV) The Greek word for “image” is Eikon which means a “prototype” (the original form from which it is drawn). (Spiros Zodhiates 1991, p.1475) When you look in a mirror you see an image (Eikon) of yourself in the mirror. In the same way if the invisible Father God looked into the mirror, and you could see his Image, you would see Jesus a direct image of the original form.

Islam and Mormonism Islam and Mormonism are two monotheistic religions whose origins go back to Abraham, but were founded within the last 1500 years. There are many similarities between the religions, and of course, many differences. The Qur’an is the sacred text of Islam. Muslims believe that Muhammad, at twenty-three years of age, received revelation from God over the next twenty-three years through the angel Gabriel.

Throughout the world, there are thousands and thousands of world religions. Each of these world religion is unique and distant from one another, however, there are various religions that have similar aspects to each other since people creating new religions that are a modified version of an old religion. In Mormonism and Buddhism, both religions have differences and similarities to one another such as their beliefs, practices, and wedding ritual.

It’s incredible how two religions can be so different yet so similar. Whether it be the various branches of Christianity, the Chinese religions, or even Judaism and Islam, they have so much in common when you work down to the roots of the religions. For starters, I will be comparing Islam and Baha’i.

Rastafari is, before it is anything else, a way of life. It offers approaches and answers to real problems black people face in daily living; it promotes spiritual resilience in the face of oppressive poverty and underdevelopment. It produces art, music and cultural forms, which can be universally recognized and appreciated. More important, Rastafari provides a positive self-image, an alternative to people who need and cannot find or accept one elsewhere. Even with its black foundation and orientation, Rastafarianism is open to anyone, of any race, who chooses to discover and is able to accept it.