A Comparison: Religious Values in America and Oman

There are many different religions in the world of all kinds. Some believe in God, and some worship other gods. All feel strongly about their personal beliefs. Over the years, some radical religions have started major wars. These groups believe that their religion is worth killing others or dying for proudly. Each of the followers, have held their religious values and morals in high regard. Many societies have been built on a certain religious culture and some are mixed with religious cultures.

Roots of Religion

Faith of our Fathers

Someone, who interpreted the bible differently or did not believe in the Bible at all, created some religions. Religious has existed for many centuries and is fluent in history. However, not everyone believed the same way and this caused many new religions to be born. Each religion has been passed down over the generations, along with basic values and morals. Several churches have been built, to accommodate the growing religions. Today, there are several types of churches in each city.

Learning to Change

Many types of religions started from humble beginnings and grew to become a dominate force in many countries. Many faithful followers can be found in every country, nation, city, or state. However, many religions have changed over the years and branched out in several different groups. Many followers began changing their beliefs or starting new churches to teach their religious values. The changes brought disharmony among the followers and caused many to second guess what they were taught.

Rebuilding the Faith

As time passed, many followers began seeking the one "true" religion to follow. Instead, many faithful members gained more questions than answers. Many churches began trying to answer these questions and rebuilding the faith that was lost. Unfortunately, society suffered when morals became lost and values were challenged. Some followers found the religions that matched their cultural beliefs and rituals. In time, many societies have learned to tolerate the difference among the followers.

Religion in United States

Religious Freedom

Settlers, who believed separately than the British, "founded the United States" (Library of Congress, 1998). They sought out a place, where they can worship anyway they believe, instead of being forced to follow a certain religion. Many of America's forefather's believed in God and they wanted to worship in their own way. In addition, they believed that everyone should be free to choose their own religion. Before long, many other religious cultures found their way to the New World and they started their own churches. In 1776, the followers decide to build a government that was based on religious freedom (Library of Congress, 1998).

Loving the Neighbor

Followers of a certain religions developed many neighborhoods. After awhile, Catholics, Baptist, Methodist, and many more religious sects began living together. Each community has built local churches for their followers to freely worship in. Over the years, the United States government has worked hard, to keep peace among the major religions. However, this hasn't been an easy, for them to accomplish.

Faith in America

Many families in America attend churches or a religious institution or see it on television. Faith in America is strong and has been revived by the September 11, 2001 terror attacks. Most government officials make the faith, morals, and value part of their campaign. Not everyone in America believes in God, so freedom of religion plays a huge part of the society (Religious Tolerance, 2006). America was built on faith and values they right to believe anyway the want . In every state, you will find many different places of worship.

Religion in Oman

Government Led Society

The entire country of Oman used to be about three miles of paved road with poor families. The country is in the middle of progress and being ruled by Kaboo ibn Said (Jandt, F, 2004). The British Commonwealth was also helping the country grow. Many of the country's population were predominately Islamic and hard working. Now, there are some Hindu temples and churches that have been built in Oman (LexicOrient, 2006).

Private Society

The country's leader Kaboo is trying to wean the country off neighborly support. Also, he is trying to start his own justice system and his own country's commonwealth. Kaboo is Islamic and believes all life is intelligent, but they have many choices. Arab Muslims believe women are equal (Jandt, F., 2004) and they are allowing a woman to be an ambassador for his country. The country is becoming a bustling economy, with a touch of western culture mixed in.

Future of Oman

Oman is more tolerant of other countries and their religious beliefs; even though the countries predominate religion is Islam. However, those who observe Christmas are punished severely in the Muslim court system. Oman is growing politically and economically with each passing year. Therefore, many credit Kaboo, for modernizing the country (Landen R., 2006), which ends up boosting its economy. The justice system and the government officials; will change over time into a growing political presence in the Middle East.

Conclusion

Each country is different in many ways, yet I they both want to worship freely. They will go to political and personal extremes, in order to worship their one true "Entity". After weighing their options and cost, both countries believed that they could be more than a few miles of roads. Some people have actually given their lives, for this freedom to remain. Even the right, not to believe is important to these countries. So far, both countries are learning to reach their goals; one day at a time.

References:

Jandt, F. (2004) An Introduction to Intercultural Communication 4^th edition,Ch 10, p.244
Sage publications
ISBN 0-7619-2847-2

LexicOrient (2006) Oman: Religions and People
Retrieved online on February 20, 2007
http://lexicorient.com/e.o/oman_4.htm

Landen, R. (2006) Oman
Retrieved online on February 20, 2007
http://www.cvc.org/christmas/oman/

Library of Congress (1998) Religion and the Founding of the American Republic
Retrieved online on February 20, 2007
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/religion/

Religious Tolerance.org (2006) The U.S. Government and Individual Freedom in the U.S.
Retrieved online on February 20, 2007
http://www.religioustolerance.org/govt_con.htm