For Westerners, a good starter...

[Jordan Robert Wilson]

I am from the UK, and am an atheist. However, I do wish to research religions as a point of philosophical and historical interest, and wish to start with one that is, due to my western background, popular in the west. Therefore, i choose to start with the Abrahamic religions. Which should I start with? Should I start with Judaism through Christianity through to Islam, as that is the chronological order? Or is chronology irrelevant, and should just choose?
Thanks to those who answer.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

One would think if you wish to research religions as a point of philosophical and historical interest you would consider historical context relevent.

 

[Jordan Robert Wilson]

I said chronology, which is the order which they came. You don't have to research the thing that came first to know about the thing that came after. Can't you be a little more helpful than attempting to debate semantics with me?

 

[Otherright]

I am from the UK, and am an atheist. However, I do wish to research religions as a point of philosophical and historical interest, and wish to start with one that is, due to my western background, popular in the west. Therefore, i choose to start with the Abrahamic religions. Which should I start with? Should I start with Judaism through Christianity through to Islam, as that is the chronological order? Or is chronology irrelevant, and should just choose?
Thanks to those who answer.

If chronology is a factor, you should start with Judaism. If it were a factor and you didn't care which branch you started with, I'd tell you to start with Hinduism, as it is by far the oldest major religion still in continuous practice. It can give you some insight to the beliefs of ancient man that really show you how the history of religion psychologically develops.

 

[bain-druie]

I would think that chronology is essential if you want to get any real idea of the bigger picture. Christianity and Islam have evolved to such an extent as to be in many ways unrecognizable as descendants of Judaism, yet that's where the roots are. If you want to understand the whys and wherefores (philosophy) of growth, the sensible choice is to begin at the roots.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

I said chronology, which is the order which they came. You don't have to research the thing that came first to know about the thing that came after. Can't you be a little more helpful than attempting to debate semantics with me?

I am debating nothing with you, and you said, in part, "historical interest."

 

[earlwooters]

Start with El. El is the oldest God in middle eastern/caananite history. Most of the Gods in middle eastern history are either forms of El or offspring of El. My avatar is a 5300 year old representation of El, found on the handle of a flintstone ceremonial knife.

 

[Tarheeler]

I'd suggest chronological order, particularly if you're looking for the philosophical/historical aspects. It's interesting to watch ideas and beliefs evolve over time and see how sects, whether they are successful or not, can influence the parent religion.

 

[Jordan Robert Wilson]

I suppose the logical thing to do would be to start with Judaism then. Thanks.

 

[doppelganger]

I think an understanding of Christianity and Greek philosophy are a better starting point because they - more than Judaism, Baha'i, Islam and other Abrahamic offshoots - color the language and thought of the western world. If you have a genuinely academic interest in understanding these religions, the first thing you need to do is become as thoroughly aware as you can manage of the role the religions play in shaping the way you think about things - including thinking about these religions themselves.

 

[bain-druie]

I think an understanding of Christianity and Greek philosophy are a better starting point because they - more than Judaism, Baha'i, Islam and other Abrahamic offshoots - color the language and thought of the western world. If you have a genuinely academic interest in understanding these religions, the first thing you need to do is become as thoroughly aware as you can manage of the role the religions play in shaping the way you think about things - including thinking about these religions themselves.

Judaism is not an offshoot of Abrahamic religion and culture; it's the root. It's difficult to understand Christianity without first understanding Judaism, at least to some rudimentary extent.

But I do agree that Greek thought was the seminal influence of all Western civilization; Rome conquered Greece militarily, but Greece conquered Rome - and thereby the whole Western world - philosophically. Greco-Roman culture and Judaic history were sort of the twin pillars of the early church, as I understand it.

 

[doppelganger]

Well obviously . . . I didn't word that well. "Other offshoots" was a reference to Baha'i and Islam. Greek philosophy plays as big a role in Christianity as Judaism -- Perhaps even a bigger role. It also percolates through western science, political science, ethics, art, history, etc.

 

[Desert Snake]

I am from the UK, and am an atheist. However, I do wish to research religions as a point of philosophical and historical interest, and wish to start with one that is, due to my western background, popular in the west. Therefore, i choose to start with the Abrahamic religions. Which should I start with? Should I start with Judaism through Christianity through to Islam, as that is the chronological order? Or is chronology irrelevant, and should just choose?
Thanks to those who answer.

You should start with Christianity, then Judaism, then Islam. Or better yet all at once.

 

[Flankerl]

Greek philosophy plays as big a role in Christianity as Judaism -- Perhaps even a bigger role..

Uh where exactly in judaism?

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Greek philosophy plays as big a role in Christianity as Judaism -- Perhaps even a bigger role..

Uh where exactly in judaism?

One can read the quote as, either, "as in Judaism" or "as does Judaism." In my opinion, both resulting sentences are true.

 

[*Deleted*]

I'd start with Judaism, but knowing there are many religions before it. Still, I'd start with Judaism (with a focus on what Judaism borrowed, reversed, etc., from Sumerian and Akkadian religions when Abraham et al migrated from that area to the fertile crescent. They took the stories of old with them---all cultures do that.
Then, since Jesus was a Jew, born a Jew and died a Jew, I'd go to Christianity, but I'd focus also on how Judaism(s) were influenced by Cyrus, Alexander the Great, Zoroastrianism, etc.
Then to Islam...which in influenced by both Judaism and Christianity.