Religion and Theology

Across religions and cultures, sacrifice in various forms and methods can be seen. It takes the form of offerings, fasting, rituals and even human sacrifice. This essay shall provide examples of the sacrifices that was made and are presently being made in Christianity, Islam and Buddhism. Furthermore, it shall cite passages which explain why the sacrifices have to be made.

Sacrifice in Christianity
Sacrifice has been a recurring theme in Christianity during the Bible times and even long after it. Thus, the cross is a very appropriate symbol of the religion. Examples of such acts of sacrifice cited in the Bible are Mark 1241-44 talked about a widow who gave two mites to the treasury which was all she had Philippians 33-8 spoke of the sacrifice of Paul, Saul of Tarsus, in order to follow Christ Genesis 221-12 cited the story of Abraham who was willing to sacrifice his own son in order to follow God who told him, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. Jesus himself made the ultimate sacrifice of life when he was crucified and when he retreated in the desert for forty days where he fasted and prayed.

To Christians nowadays, the cross is a symbol of love and sacrifice. Primarily, it symbolizes Gods love for his people because it was by the cross that he made the ultimate sacrifice embodied in the passage For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 316) It is also a symbol of Jesus Christs triumph after his sacrifice. In Colossians 215, it was said that, Having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them.

The cross is the best known religious symbol of Christianity. However, it has not always been this way. In fact, it was regarded as a symbol of persecution and execution because it was used as a form of capital punishment until Constantine removed it after the Roman Empire was converted to Christianity in memory and honor of Jesus Christs sacrifice.

Even today, sacrifice is a very important facet in Christianity. Fasting is very much practiced especially during the Holy Week when Christians commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Sacrifice in Islam
Sacrifice is also an important theme in Islam. In fact, they have a Festival of Sacrifice also known as Eid al-Adha which lasts for three days and which is celebrated after the annual pilgrimage of Mecca called Hajj. This is actually celebrated in memory of the trials and triumphs of Abraham. The Quran describes Abraham Surely Abraham was an example, obedient to Allah, by nature upright, and he was not of the polytheists. He was grateful for Our bounties. We chose him and guided him unto a right path. We gave him good in this world, and in the next he will most surely be among the righteous. (Quran 16120-121)

During this festival, the Muslims slaughter an animal which may be a camel, goat or sheep whose meat is mostly given away to others which symbolizes the willingness of giving up things we hold dear in order to follow the commands of Allah just like Abraham.

Sacrifice in Buddhism
Sacrifice holds significance in Buddhism. Buddha, like Jesus, also made some sacrifices. Siddhartas sacrifice of leaving his life as a prince and his palace including his family to live as a homeless beggar was made in order to find a solution to the spiritual problems of the human life. He was also tempted by Mara with his daughters, tried to scare him with demons and storms. He was able to resist these temptations and achieved nirvana.

Sacrifice is a common theme in Christianity, Islam and Buddhism. The motivation for sacrifice is to perpetuate, intensify, or reestablish a connection between the human and the divine. It is often intended to gain the favor of the god or to placate divine wrath. The term has come to be applied specifically to blood sacrifice, which entails the death or destruction of the thing sacrificed. The sacrifice of fruits, flowers, or crops (bloodless sacrifice) is more often referred to as an offering. In whatever form or method, sacrifice is linked to being saved, purification, divinity, evangelization, sainthood and others. Sacrifice is not just related to religion, it can also be cultural. The meaning apparently may be uniform across cultures and even across time.