Religious and Racial Discrimination

Religion: Buddhism

Buddhists differ from other religions in that they rely more on self-discipline than faith like Christianity. Buddhism is more of a philosophical approach than other forms of religion. Buddhism comes from the teachings of the Buddha. They reject the idea that God is a person but more of an impersonal force. Most Buddhists have similar views as other Christian religions. They believe their faith leads to eternal life. Buddhists have studied the teachings of the Buddha much as people from Christian religions follow the bible. They do also pray as other Christian religions do.

Buddhists have influenced our Western culture in that we have adopted their religion into movies, music, television shows and other products such as food or drink. Some people practice Buddhism indirectly in the form of medicine. Buddhists use meditation as a way to calm, relax and heal the mind and body. In the 1960’s immigrants from Asia learned that our Western culture was interested in Eastern religions. During this time the “hippies” figured that Buddhism was better than using drugs, and wanted to promote peace and harmony.

People in America are not widely discriminated against like some other religions are. During the 1950’s in Vietnam were discriminated against by their own government. When the United States backed Ngo Dinh Diem and he became head of the new nation of South Vietnam. Once appointed Catholics were placed in office, even though their religion was the minority. They ended up revolting against these new measures.

After reading more information about Buddhism although they are a religion they believe a mixture of different ideals. They do not pray to God, but to a higher being that they believe controls their path in life. Generally they are non-violent unless they are being discriminated against.

Racial/Ethnic group: African-Americans.

African-Americans much like the Europeans came here to escape their own countries. African-Americans were sold...