Creation & Redemption in Western Traditions

(Originally written April 11, 2007 in Book 15)

Chapter 5 - Creation & Redemption

The need for redemption in Christianity did not arise from phenomenal existence (existence as material and finite being).

In some religions though redemption is needed precisely because we have a phenomenal existence.

Phenomenal existence implies a creation, but not all religions have a specific doctrine of creation where a god or gods created phenomenal existence.

No religion has a concept of redemption that is identical to Christianity's.

The Created Order: What went wrong and what went right:

There are two ways of viewing creation:
1) Creation as positive work
2) Creation as unfortunate work

In cases where creation is viewed as an unfortunate work, redemption is merely an escape from phenomenal existence (Eastern Tradition).

In cases where creation is viewed as a positive work, redemption deals with how phenomenal existence became defective (Western Tradition).

Western traditions view creation as good and pure phenomenal existence as good.

Islam has no original sin. All children are born innocent. Sin enters a person through volition.

As humans have left Allah by will so they can return to Allah by will.

In Judaism creation and phenomenal existence is good. There is no specific mechanism for salvation. There is no concept of Original Sin.

In Judaism, Jews must maintain all 613 commandments of the Torah as a witness to God for Gentiles.

Gentiles are not held to the strict standards of Judaism because they are not the chosen people.

In Zoroastrianism, one must aid God (Ahura Mazda) and repudiate Satan (Angro Mainyu or Ahriman).

Salvation depends purely on what a person does in response to Ahura Mazda.

In the end, the final prophet will come (Saoshyant) and the world will be engulfed as molten metal. The good will enjoy the experience, but the evil will be in immense pain. All will come out pristinely pure though.

Good physical existence was created by Ahura Mazda. Bad physical existence was created by Ahriman. Creation is not evil in this sense.

In summation, Western Religions teach creation is good by nature and that evil emerged via volitional misuse.