Question

"Historical"

Religions Importantly, Smith claims that Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are each “historical” religions, in a way that Hinduism and Buddhism are not. What does he have in mind by “historical” if the idea is supposed to distinguish the Eastern and Western Religious traditions?

Answer 1

The monotheism religions of Judaism,Islam and Christianity are deeply rooted in context of history,they give much importance to historical events and the followers try to find answers for their life situations from these these historical events of their monotheistic religion. Life is described as historical events in these religions and how the supreme power has helped their people has been described similarly the devotees find that they too will be led by the supreme power as in the past. The books of these three religion illustrates the events of past history where there God has intervened and led the people, similarly,it assures to the followers that they too will be led by their faithful God

The polytheistic religions of East considers history as illusion and seeks to find answers from deep within, to look beyond the sphere of human life.The past of their religion is not sequential, it's here and there compared to monotheism religions.

Thus monotheistic religions of West are "historical"when compared to polythiestic religions of East