mission (religion)

Click a letter for the index

Or search the encyclopaedia:

 

 

Go

 

Organized attempt to spread a religion. Throughout its history, Christianity has been the most assertive of missionary religions. Islam also has a history of militant missionizing, and the original Islamic conquests initiated by Muhammad justified the use of a holy war, jihad, as a means to bring God's revelation to unbelievers. Buddhism also engaged on missionary work, though more peacefully, both historically and recently. Missionary activity in the developing world has frequently been criticized for its disruptive effects on indigenous peoples and their traditional social, political, and cultural systems.

In developmental terms, the transition from tribal religions to the great world religions can be traced to a missionary movement – for example within Mithraism, which emerged in the ancient Near East even before the beginning of the Christian era.

During the 20th century, sects such as the Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses proselytized regularly and systematically, while Islam found ready converts in the Black Muslim movement of the USA, and became the second religion in Europe.

Blue is the colour of the People's United Party. Sub umbra floreo, ‘I flourish in the shade’, is the national motto. Effective date: late 1980s. >>