Something about religion, offensive to none

[nutnutwin]

I find it really wierd, that Judaism should be ranked as one of the most influential religion, rather than Shintosim, as Jews only claim 13 million population of the world, while Japanese take up more than 160 million, and 44% of them still believe in Shintoism.

I would also make it clear that I am by no means Japanese. I am Chinese.

I don't think Shintoism should be taken so lightly, considering the economic and cultural influence Japan has on the whole world.

Also, Judaism, as quite a parochial religion, are taken up only by the Jews themselves... How can this be a world religion?

Anyway, I mean no offense

 

[Racing Green]

because there are lots of jews living all over the world?

 

[MrPaladin]

I've never heard of Shintoism.... therefore Judaism would be more influencing to me because I have at least heard of it...

 

[Brighteye]

Maybe because Jews have played a key role in world history, whereas Shintoism is the religion of a culture that was isolated from the rest of the world for much of history.

 

[nutnutwin]

I can never convert to Judaism... Also it's said that Jewish girls never marry an outsider?

So the spread of Judaism means some of the Jewish people are driven there, as what happened in history?

I find this quite ridiculous...

 

[Brighteye]

Jewish girls do marry outsiders. I know a Roman Catholic who has a Jewish wife.

 

[Crighton]

to the best of my knowledge you can convert to Judaism, as an aside I started playin games with the Modern and Future starts so I could hone some late game strategies, out of 13 games so far I have founded Judaism every single time.

 

[5cats]

Judaism has been around a lot longer, was involved directly with dozens of other important cultures (like Egypt, Rome, more recently Germany, Islam) AND was the foundation for Christianity, which has billions of followers.

Japan had Korea and China to influence, and draw influences from, but was largely isolated until quite recently (civ4 time-wise).

However, Judaism should be founded first, by simply switching Polytheism with Monotheism on the tech tree. Firaxis, are you listening!!!

 

[Lord Gideon]

Also, think how many oriental religions there already are. Taoism and Confucianism are Chinese, while Budhism and Hinduism are both indian. Why have 5 religions from one relatively small area of the world, and have just two religions from somewhere else? I'd replace Confucianism with Shintoism, as Confucianism isn't a religion.

 

[Junichiro]

Also, think how many oriental religions there already are. Taoism and Confucianism are Chinese, while Budhism and Hinduism are both indian. Why have 5 religions from one relatively small area of the world, and have just two religions from somewhere else? I'd replace Confucianism with Shintoism, as Confucianism isn't a religion.

Though then the connection between the tech (Code of Laws) and religion (Shintoism) wouldn't really make sense...not to mention that historically it should come earlier, around the time of Polytheism/Hinduism. I don't know if there are any good religions coming around that CoL era. Confucianism feels like a compromise to game mechanics. The other option would naturally be emperor worship of ancient Rome (and Japan, and Egypt, and whatelse). Then the religion could be switched to Monarchy civ (CoL tech is rather powerful by itself so I don't think it would need an added religion to it).

To original question, effect of Shintoism is limited to relatively small area and culture, but since major influence of Judaism comes from the fact that it gave birth to Christianity and Islam, it is not completely satisfactory choice either (and Hinduism is considered an older religion than Judaism, so no need for swapping). Then again, what options do we have? Zoroastrism never really became a powerful religion...

 

[Yzen Danek]

Well, to be technical, all Christians are also Jews, since Christianity is an extension of Judaism, not an independently-developed religion.

The Old Testament? Pure Judaism.

Judaism is also the original organized monotheistic religion, which was an important milestone in the development of modern religion.

 

[MosquitoE]

"All Christians are also Jews.." ?

Where do you get this information from?
I don't know any Christians that consider themselves Jewish. And I don't think Jews consider Christians as Jews.
So how are you defining it?

 

[BLOODYBATTLEBRA]

Well, to be technical, all Christians are also Jews, since Christianity is an extension of Judaism, not an independently-developed religion.

The Old Testament? Pure Judaism.

Judaism is also the original organized monotheistic religion, which was an important milestone in the development of modern religion.

Look up Zoroastrianism.

Then seach for a comparitive study of Zoroastianism and Judaism


Judaism was not the first monotheistic religion.

 

[Black Waltz]

That is like saying that all Catholics are Protestant. Something that will get you severely glassed in Glasgow city centre.

 

[SilentDemon]

I've never heard of Shintoism.... therefore Judaism would be more influencing to me because I have at least heard of it...

It's somewhat odd you have never heard of Shintoism... Just goes to show how underexposed most people are to other parts of the world..

 

[SilentDemon]

Judaism has been around a lot longer, was involved directly with dozens of other important cultures (like Egypt, Rome, more recently Germany, Islam) AND was the foundation for Christianity, which has billions of followers.

Japan had Korea and China to influence, and draw influences from, but was largely isolated until quite recently (civ4 time-wise).

However, Judaism should be founded first, by simply switching Polytheism with Monotheism on the tech tree. Firaxis, are you listening!!!

Christianity, does not have "billions" of followers, it ranks in the high hundreds of millions however.

 

[SilentDemon]

Also, think how many oriental religions there already are. Taoism and Confucianism are Chinese, while Budhism and Hinduism are both indian. Why have 5 religions from one relatively small area of the world, and have just two religions from somewhere else? I'd replace Confucianism with Shintoism, as Confucianism isn't a religion.

"Why have 5 religions from one relatively small area of the world..." It could be because between India and China alone there is estimated to be well over 2 billion of the worlds estimated 7 billion in population... That small area of the world you mean?

To respond to the original poster, yes Shintoism should be included in the game.

 

[Black Waltz]

I think the point that we have two Asian religeons already is a fair one. We also must address the rather Westerncentric view of Firaxis. Obviously their main target audience is a Western one. Who will have heard more about Judaism then many will have heard of Shintoism.

 

[SilentDemon]

Well, to be technical, all Christians are also Jews, since Christianity is an extension of Judaism, not an independently-developed religion.

The Old Testament? Pure Judaism.

Judaism is also the original organized monotheistic religion, which was an important milestone in the development of modern religion.

Actually even by your logic christians are still not jews. You think your argument is one of those "all weasles are wobbles" and all "wobbles are wizzles" so "all wizzles must be weasles" but it isn't. When you change the underlying principle in the wizzle, it would no longer be a weasle anymore. Similarly so to your comparrison. However you would be correct in saying they have the similar common origin and principles.

 

[MrCynical]

Christianity, does not have "billions" of followers, it ranks in the high hundreds of millions however.

Actually according to wikipedia there are 2.1 billion Christians of assorted denominations.

As for why not Shintoism, it is not even as widespread as Judaism. There are only 4 million following Shintoism to 14 million Jews. There are several more widespread religions like SIkhism that they could choose.