A Shift of Religion: Daoism and Islam

Paper Summary:

The paper relates that throughout history, religion has played an important part in the development of society. The paper determines the differences between the Daoism and the Islamic faith to understand how Islam gained popularity and significant growth during the post-Classical period, easily outpacing the previously popular Daoism faith of the Classical period. The paper presents the hypothesis that the changes in society drove the need to migrate to another faith with different beliefs. The paper defines Daoism and Islam and concludes that the shift from Daoism to Islam as the popular faith can be attributed to society's need for guidance and structure. Islam offered them the shelter of regimentation and rules that may have provided comfort in an emerging society.

Outline:
Purpose of Study
Opening Statement
Hypothesis
Findings
Islam
The Shift
Recommendations
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Before one can determine what caused the change from Daoism to Islam as a predominate religion of the time one should have a grasp on the two faiths, their similarities and their differences.
Daoism is a worldwide organized religion that unlike others does not follow one leader or prophet. It also does not have a central or single message that it wants its followers to believe or adhere to. While Christianity and Catholics have Jesus, and the Jewish have God Daoism is not about one person or one philosophy or belief."

Sample of Sources Used:

• A Short History of Daoism Queen's University, Canada http://www.daoiststudies.org/begin.php
• How Islam Influenced Science by Macksood Aftab Managing Editor of The Islamic Herald http://www.ais.org/~bsb/Herald/Previous/95/science.html
• Basic Beliefs of Islam http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/cultural/religion/islam/beliefs.html
• Origins of Daoism http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761555647/Daoism.html
• The Beliefs and Practices of Daoism http://mcel.pacificu.edu/as/students/jharris/DInfo.html

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