Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-01-30
For the Democrat.
THE TEN GREAT RELIGIONS.

THE TEN GREAT RELIGIONS.
II we assume that races of men existed
on Earth before the birth Of Adam, We
may infer that various systems Of relig-
ions have been instituted, aourished for
q season, then discarded or supplanted
by some Of the great religions, since the
historic period Of the human family.
There have been ten important systems
adopted as a guide to mankind, viz:
Judaism, Brahmanism, Buddhism, EgyP-
tan, Grecian, Chinese, Scandinavian,
Zoroaster, Mohammedanism and Chris
tianity. Most all these religions were
founded on the idea Of supreme intelli-
gent Creator, and contained rules to
make man better and happier in this
world and the world to come.
Judaism is one of the most ancient
religions and may properly date back to
the days of Abraham, nearly two thous-
and wears before the Christian Era. The
Jews were of the Semitic race, which
comprised the Babylonians, PhGcians,
Hebrews, Arabs and Carthagenians.
The former believed in one God, Jeho-
yah. while the latter nations believed in
one Supreme Being, and also subordinate
Deities emanating from the first great
Creator. As Judaism is so well under
stood by every intelligent reader of the
Bible, it is unnecessary to enumerate the
tenets of that peculiar people. 1t is re-
corded that Christ foresaw the calamiiies
about to fall upon the nation, and act
ually wept over Jerusalem, the ill fated
city. More than one million persisted by
the Romans, under Titus; the city was
destroyed, and the nation literally over
thrown. They have been dispersed
among the nations Of the earth, and have
suffered all the fendish prosecutions and
agonizing tortues which political and re-
ligious malignity could alone invent. At
various times from the 18th to the 10th
centuries, thousands Of families compris-
ins defenceless women and children
were banished from their homes to seek
an asylum in some inhospitable cline,
while other thousands were sold into
slavery or miserably persisted in faggots
ignited by the hand Of savage e1ecu-
toner.
These calamities have been regarded
"a a retribution for the crucifxion Of our
Lord. If we admit the great plan OF
salvation could not have been consumma-
ted without his death upon the cross,
those who were instrumental in the work,
by the "determinate council and FORE
! knowledge of God" certainly could not
be responsible, BY any great law, either
human or divine. That all the evils
which infest the life Of mankind, have
their source and origin among themsel-
yes it is there they must look for the
proper remedy where alone it can be
found.
The religious duties enjoined upon the
children of Israel are written in the Jew
ish Scriptures. Most Of the precepts are
, founded on the eternal principle of JUS
tice. Yet there are other laws in justi-
fication of slavery. wars of determination,
the killing of wife for idolatry, by her
husband, which at the present day, seem
repugnant to the humane feelings Of ev-
ery Christian heart The bad passages
together with the record Of many doubt
full supernatural events, have furnished
fruitful theme for skeptics to argue
against the truth Of Christianity and rev.
Citations. Theologians who undertake to
defend them as emanating from God Of
, love and justice, fail to confute infideli-
, ity. but detract the merciful attributes oil
our benevolent Creator.
f Perhaps the leaders Of the Jewish
armies in their frequent wars with othel
: nations, taught an ignorant soldiery they
3 were required by Divine command, tc