The Invention Of World Religions - 853 Words

Tomoko Masuzawa’s literary work, The Invention of World Religions, provides a meticulous analysis of how the term â€Å"world religions† is categorized and used in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Masuzawa addresses how the categorization of world religions has changed throughout history and how different elements of each religion, such as texts, origin, and ability to expand have shaped the classification of that religion by scholars. By using the works of well-established scholars, she is able to provide an accurate account of how the perception and analysis of these religious occurred in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Institutions within the public domain, such as universities and hospitals, can then shape interaction with their specific audiences to abide by the practices of these world religions in order to connect with the public in a culturally competent manner. Masuzawa analyzes the different characteristics of a religion that have influenced its placement in the national or universal religion categories. In order to be identified as a world religion, criteria such as â€Å"the naming of an extraordinary yet historically genuine person as the founder and initiator or the tradition (Masuzawa, 132)† had to be met. This criterion fits all of the religions that achieved the status of a world religion by the twentieth century other than Hinduism and Shinto (Masuzawa, 133). Another principle was the â€Å"recognition of certain texts that could be claimed to hold aShow MoreRelatedGutenberg Invention Of The Printing Press1366 Words   |  6 Pages Many people may wonder what was one invention that really made an impact? Some say electricity or medication some might even say technology. One invention that altered the world was Gutenberg’s invention the printing press. The printing press has made a huge impact back in the 1450s. 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