Religiion_Essay

Demonstrate how Christianity and Islam guide the individual in achieving inner peace (CHRISTIANITY) Christianity guides the individual in achieving inner peace through the most fundamental principles of its doctrine. Christians believe that inner peace is obtained by being in a close relationship with God and trusting in him. This involves accepting the gift of love from God and accepting that grace is given and not earned. Christianity teaches God lives in the hearts of his people, all are made in his image and likeness, therefore Peace lies within. The bible states “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13). Christianity seeks to bring adherents to recognition; all who love God will gain peace, by living a life modelled after Jesus Christ. Essentially, faith in God instils within the adherent a sense of security and meaning conductive to the development of peace. The Christian tradition indicates the primary way of focusing inner peace and improving efforts at peacemaking is by returning to the Gospels and the sacred writings of Christianity. By reflecting on the teachings from the Bible, particularly the New Testament, ones relationship with God will be developed in a way in which they will recognise God’s power, and reflection upon living a Christian life. In addition to this, it renews the Christian’s knowledge and understanding of Jesus as the model peacemaker. Throughout the New Testament, Jesus’ teachings are echoed by recalling his words and actions: “Peace I live with you, my peace I give to you” (John 14:27). The individual is guided toward inner peace through the Bible, which facilitates greater familiarity with the nature of God and acts as a source of practical, ethical and spiritual guidance. Furthermore, Christianity provides guidance through many forms of personal prayer using such means as church attendance, reading from the bible and various forms of meditation and contemplation. Centering prayer provides guidance for the Christian to go to their ‘inner’ peace and there encounter God. This sustains the adherent in everyday life and contributes to a sense of peace and wellbeing and is a useful vehicle through which inner calm and spiritual strength are developed. In being thankful and expressing gratitude to God, believers experience inner peace. The World Community for Christian Meditation proclaims: “Meditation and prayer is a practice that can bring peace, not only to individual meditators, but also to the new world.” A significant means in which Christianity guides adherents to find inner peace is through concepts of forgiveness. Jesus of Nazareth taught his disciples to pray: “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us” (Matthew 6:12). Through the death of Jesus, forgiveness is available to the repentant sinner, allowing them to have peace with God which is the very foundation of ‘inner peace’. Failure to forgive others leads to stored anger and resentment. The Protestant tradition places the emphasis on each person having the responsibility of speaking directly with God, who will grant absolution. It is the acceptance of the gift from God of forgiveness or wrongdoing which is the obtaining of inner peace for the Christian. (ISLAM) In Islam, the concept of peace is two-fold. Firstly, to be at peace with Allah and then, secondly, to be at peace with oneself and with the rest of the world. In Islam the concept of peace is closely related to the idea of complete submission to God’s will which is primarily achieved by adherence to a prescribed set of guidelines for living. “In remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction” (Qur’an 13:28). Acceptance of the will of Allah not only removes the fear and anxiety about the future, but concentrating on God can protect humanity from being overwhelmed by all aspects of life such as greed and fear which destroy inner peace. Jihad is central to this life of submission. Greater Jihad is the concept relating to the ongoing struggle to make oneself and one’s community ‘perfectly’ Muslim. It embodies peace on a personal level, working through the individual and their role in the community. Moreover, Inner peace is only possible when the Five Pillars are lived in faithful obedience to God’s will. Obligatory prayers, known as Salat, remind Muslims of Allah’s closeness to them. The Qur’an states: “Perform the prayer for my remembrance.” (Qur’an 20:40). Attention is drawn repeatedly to Allah, marginalizing earthly distraction in order to devote more fully to the divine. Sawm or fasting, reminds participants of those who do not have enough to eat or difficulty living. In being reminded on these things, Muslims are reminded to place too much importance on material goods. They are reminded to place their trust in God for provision of food, which can help them to achieve inner peace. Hajj involves the spiritual, mental and physical journey from one’s normal place of living to Makkah and in the midst of a million pilgrims, the individual experiences the inner peace of the Ummah. The study of the Qur’an and Hadith equips adherents with necessary theological understanding for a meaningful life of submission which consequently brings inner peace. Private study in original Arabic leads to discovery of teachings as well as a further increased understanding about the religion. The Qur’an states “You will be granted a heart endowed by your sustainer with inner peace” (2:248). This strongly suggests that Allah is the bestower of peace. The Qur’an also indicates peace to be a form of reward, “Peace be upon you because you have persevered!” (Qur’an 13:24). Furthermore, attendance to the mosque provides a network of fellow Muslims, who encourage the adherent in their ongoing devotion. Collective worship emphasises’ one’s place within the Ummah and therefore brings a comforting sense of belonging and encourages sustained commitment to Allah in all aspects of life, especially in the struggle of Greater Jihad. At the same time, community and family play an important role in the consolidation and maintenance of faith and the inner peace which emanates from it. All in all, the religious traditions of Christianity and Islam present several means in guiding the individual to achieve inner peace. It is through the belief systems, actions and thoughts of these religious traditions, that those individual adherents can learn how to achieve inner peace.