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Universalizing Religions

Definition

Universalizing religions are those that seek followers all over the world and aren't tied to one location or group of people.

Analogy

Imagine universalizing religions as global franchises like McDonald's. They aim for worldwide reach and acceptance regardless of geographical boundaries or cultural differences.

Related terms

Ethnic Religion: These are religions associated with a specific ethnic group and generally unique to it. They're like local restaurants that cater specifically to local tastes and traditions.

Religious Syncretism: This is when two or more religious belief systems become combined into a new system. It’s kind of like creating a fusion cuisine from two distinct culinary traditions.

Monotheism/Polytheism: Monotheism refers to belief in one god while polytheism refers to belief in multiple gods. These terms describe whether a religion has one "CEO" (monotheism) or many "executives" (polytheism).