Nonverbal communication and culture. Identity, stereotypes and prejudices, страница 30

Like so many world views that are a complete way of life, Islam is taught from infancy. In fact, the first sentence chanted in the ear of a Muslim infant is "La ilaha ilia 'llah" (There is no god but God). Islam as a philosophy stresses (1) a feeling of dependency on God; (2) the fear of God's punishment on earth as well as the hereafter; and (3) a deep-seated respect for tradition and for the past.

The Five Pillars of Islam. Muslims follow the Five Pillars of Islam. They outline specific patterns for worship as well as detailed prescriptions for social conduct, to bring remembrance of God into every aspect of daily life and practical ethics into the fabric of society. Here are the Five Pillars of Islam:

Repetition of the creed, "There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah." The first part of this pronouncement expresses the primary principle of monotheism, and the second element reinforces the Muslim belief in Muhammad, thus validating the Koran. These words are heard everywhere in the Muslim world.

Prayer, which is a central ritual, performed five times a day: on rising, at noon, in the midafternoon, after sunset, and before retiring. The prayer ritual is very structured: one must face Mecca, recite a prescribed prayer, and be prostrate, with the head to the ground. These prayers can be offered in a mosque, at home or work, or even in a public place. When observing someone in prayer, you should "avoid staring at, walk ing in front of, or interrupting" the person.

Almsgiving (charity), which began as a voluntary activity and has become codified. Muslims are required to give about 2.5 percent of their incomes to support Muslims in need and the Islamic faith. There is, like so much of religious ritual, a deeper meaning behind the act of almsgiving. Schneider and Silverman offer part of the rationale for almsgiving when they write: "Consideration for the needy is part of Islam's traditional emphasis on equality. In the mosque, all are equal; there are no preferred pews for the rich or influential—all kneel together.

Fasting, a tradition observed during the holy month of Ramadan, which is the ninth      month of the Islamic lunar calendar. During this period, Muslims do not eat, drink,      or smoke between sunrise and sunset. The act of fasting is believed to serve a number of purposes. First, it eliminates bodily impurities and initiates a new spiritual awakening. Second, the purpose of fasting is to experience hunger and deprivation and to perform an act of self-discipline, humility, and faith.

5. Pilgrimage. Once in a lifetime every Muslim, if financially able, is to make a pilgrimage to Mecca as evidence of his or her devotion to Allah. The trip involves a series of highly symbolic rituals designed to bring each Muslim closer to Allah.

From the Western perspective, the Islamic tradition is difficult to understand: It touches all aspects of life, emphasizes fatalism, is religiocentric, and in many areas limits the individual's freedom of choice.

4. Hinduism

With over 1 billion followers Hinduism is perhaps the most difficult of all religious orientations for the Westerner to understand. The Hindu religion is extremely ancient, very complicated, and more than a little exotic to Western eyes. One of the central reasons Westerners have trouble with Hinduism is as follows: Western religions begin with a notion that One—One God, One Book, One Son, One Church, One Nation under God—is better than many. The Hindu could not see it that way. For so multiplex a world, the more gods the better! How could any one god account for so varied a creation?

Background. As we have already noted, from the Western perspective, Hinduism is difficult to grasp and explain because it is so unlike Western religions. Hinduism has developed over about four thousand years. At the heart is the following assertion: Hinduism regards the multiplicity of gods and goddesses in its pantheon as manifestations of the one divine spirit, Brahman. The summary of this important concept of Brahman is as follows: Brahman is the ultimate level of reality, a philosophical absolute, serenely blissful, beyond all ethical or metaphysical limitations. The basic Hindu view of God involves infinite being, infinite consciousness and infinite bliss (happiness).