Instructions: For your final paper (4 pages) you will choose two religious traditions we have covered in class, compare and contrast them, and then compare and contrast the experiences of gender and sexually variant practitioners (queer/LGBT are generally western terms).
First, you will offer an overview of each tradition. What are the origin stories of the religion? Who was its founder? What are the religion’s myths about the beginning of humanity and the world? What do these stories reveal about the tradition and how the practitioners see themselves and the world? What is important to the practitioners? What is the problem of humanity and what is the ultimate solution?
Next, compare and contrast your two chosen religions. What similarities do you see? What are the major differences?
Then, discuss what you know of the experiences of gender and sexually variant practitioners of each tradition. What are their lives like? What do they experience? Is the religion generally accepting or disapproving? How do you know? (Feel free to find alternative sources like op-eds or YouTube videos to support your ideas.) What is it about the structure, beliefs, stories, or histories of this religion that might inform the experiences of gender or sexually variant practitioners?
Finally, compare and contrast the experiences of gender and sexually variant individuals in the two religions you have chosen. How are the experiences the same? How are they different?
Conclude your paper with final thoughts summarizing your previous ideas.
Use Times New Roman, 12pt font, double space, and one-in margins.
My draft (pls try to make it my writing style, I need several citations tho):
Introduction:
Islam and Buddhism are two of the world’s major religions, having about 1.9 billion and 520 million followers respectively. Each has its own long history and global significance. Islam was founded in the 7th century CE by the prophet Muhammed in the Arabian Peninsula. It centers around the submission to the single god, Allah. All of its teachings are covered in the holy book of the Quran. Buddhism originates from the 5th century BCE when Siddartha Gautama attained enlightenment and began teaching this arduous path to others. Islam and Buddhism heavily differ from each other in both core beliefs and practices, yet find some common ground on their priority of ethical living. Through examining the origins, beliefs, and practices of Islam and Buddhism, as well as their attitudes and treatment of gender and sexuality variant practitioners, this paper will highlight challenges within these religions.
Overview of each religion:
Islam:
In Islam, Prophet Muhammed received revelations from Allah, all of which were later compiled into the holy book of the Quran. The creation story described in the Quran involves Allah creating the entire universe, including the life we now have in it. Adam and Eve, the two first humans, were placed in a garden created by him and were instructed to follow all of his commands. There are five pillars in Islam, which outline the duties Allah instructs his followers to obey. They consist of a declaration of faith, prayer, fasting during the period of Ramadan, almsgiving, and a pilgrimage to Mecca. With the pillars being said, Allah intends life on Earth to be a test. If followers live accordingly to the guidelines, they will receive eternal reward in the afterlife.
Buddhism:
Siddharta Gautama, also known as Buddha, sought a way to end suffering after observing his place in the world. Through meditation, he was able to achieve enlightenment and began his teachings of the four noble truths and the eightfold path. Unlike Islam, Buddhism does not have a creation story, it instead focuses on understanding the nature of the human condition, which includes the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Through understanding the four noble truths and the eightfold path, which both provide a guide for ethical living, followers will be free from suffering. This is because suffering is seen as a result of desire and ignorance, two qualities Buddha eliminated from himself. The path of liberation involves overcoming worldly attachments.
Compare Islam and Buddhism:
Experiences of gender and sexuality variant practitioners:
Islam:
Buddhism:
Conclusion:
