Sanchez,+Juan+Gabriel

__**Schisms**__
Are schisms the result of different interpretations of religious texts, or are they born of more basic, less idealistic desires?
 * __Research Question__**

__**Introduction**__ Schisms emerge throughout the history of every major religion and for a wide variety of reasons. They are vital to understanding not only religion, but the dynamics of human groups. Often, different interpretations of texts contribute to the schisms, but even within this principle, an underlying cause exists. Specifically, people's interpretations depend on their culture or their values. If a culture values strict hierarchies within the family unit, then that culture's interpretation of religious scripture and ideas will take on a very strict attitude. This text will interpret and analyze a variety of sources, including sacred texts and religious histories, to first describe various religious schisms and interpretations, and to then show how these differences in interpretation might develop. (You'll want to say a little more about your organization - what specifically will you cover in the body of the paper as you compare and contrast the religions?)


 * __Interpretation and Analysis__**

//Christianity// The Bible seems to endorse violence in many places. For example, it exhorts its followers to stone to death anyone who curses the Israelite/Christian God: "Then the Lord said to Moses: 'Take the blasphemer outside the camp. All those who heard him are to lay their hands on his head, and the entire assembly is to stone him. Say to the Israelites: If anyone curses his God, he will be held responsible.'" Clearly, this was written in a different time. In addition, it is unclear whether or not people at that time actually believed this text literally. Just because it is anachronistic does not mean that even in its own era it was interpreted as the absolute will of God. Still, some people likely did and possibly still do take these words literally, which hints at at least one reason for the development of schisms. Quite simply, different people interpret sacred texts differently, and if the issue is serious enough, such as here in cases of life and death, then people would likely be all to willing to break apart into different groups.

Furthermore, I don't believe that most modern people would agree with this quote. As the time passes, people change, and their relationships with religions change. In America, we debate even the morality of the death penalty, and religious leaders such as Catholic clergy often defend murderers on death row. They would never agree with the idea that a person should be put to death for blasphemy, whatever the Bible might say. And yet they speak for the largest religion in the world. One piece of text can lead to myriad interpretations. Different interpretations can lead to disagreements. Disagreements have the potential to break apart groups. Finally, different interpretations can also lead to abuses of the religious text for a variety of purposes. These abuses can also lead to the dissolution of religious bonds that might otherwise hold people together.

//Hinduism// Hinduism includes sects and schisms, with very loose connections. Many of the groups have different interpretations of the same gods and ideas. For example, Hindus view Krishna in many different ways - some, "worship him as a nurturer, as Pashupati, the lord of all creators who shelters and nurtures all who follow him. Still others worship one of his fierce forms, such as Bhairava. His devotees, however, see through this and venerate him as a powerful protector... Each of these, in turns, has numerous sub traditions... And in still other groups within the Vaishnava tradition, Krishna is the wise counselor and guide." There is no clear answer on how such disparate schisms developed, despite the many similarities in the overall narrative. All that is clear is that they evolved this way over thousands of years. Perhaps the reason lies with the core principles themselves, which still exist in some form for most Hindus.

One article claims hints at the reason for so many small-level schisms: "Shaktism... may be linked to the [|Indus Valley civilization], which placed particular emphasis on female figures." This reference is one of the few that might explain why people have different interpretations. Essentially, the culture seems to have developed first, and the religions second. The religion was then filtered through the various regional cultures that people throughout India have developed over several thousand years. In the case of Shaktism, it descends from the Indus Valley civilization. Other religious subgroups may have descended from other cultures.

//Compare and Contrast// Hinduism is similar to Christianity in that separate cultures seem to interpret the same religion in many different ways. Either that, or the religion has changed over time, and since it exists throughout diverse lands, the interpretations of the religions have likely also changed. (you'll need to flesh this out some more).

(you will also need two more paragraphs that compare and contrast these two religions with your third religion)

Students, this section is a little more self-explanatory - you should be able to do it on your own AFTER you've completed the other sections. Still, please let me know if you have questions.
 * __Final thoughts/reflections__**

[] http://www.patheos.com/Library/Hinduism/Origins/Beginnings.html
 * Quotes** (not an official bibliography!)