With the notable exception of one who was born in a manger, a disproportionate number of founders of major religions had anything but humble beginnings.
The founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha, was a prince in what is now Nepal, who abandoned opulent wealth, not to mention a wife and baby, to wander as a holy man.
Similarly, Lao-tze, the founder of Taoism, was said to have also been a prince who also lived in a nearby principality during exactly the same time.
And Islam’s Muhammad was raised by relatives in a nomadic desert tribe after his parents died.
But in his 20s he married a rich widow, allowing him the luxury of pursuing his spiritual quests, unhindered by the burdens of want.
Related Posts
-
Why Are Cucumbers Cool and Are They Really Twenty Degrees Cooler Than Their Surroundings?
Twenty degrees, eh? Well, let's just see about that. (We'll assume that we're dealing with Fahrenheit cucumbers, rather than Celsius.) If cucumbers are always twenty degrees cooler than their surroundings, let's put a…
-
What Does the Expression “Eat Humble Pie” Mean and Where Did the Phrase Come From?
"Humble pie" is an Americanization of the original English expression "umble pie," a staple in the diet of very poor people during the eleventh century. After bringing down a deer, only the men…
-
Which Are the Most Widely Practiced Religions In the World and How Many Christians Are there In the World?
The top three religions in the world are Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism. Together, about half the world's people follow the beliefs and teachings of these religions. Islam is the fastest growing of the…
-
What Religions Are Practiced In Africa and What Is the Most Popular Religion Practiced In Africa?
About one fourth of all Africans practice local, traditional religions, of which there are several hundred. In northern Africa, most people practice Islam, followed by Christianity. About 130 million Africans are Christians. About…
-
What religions were rivals of Catholicism in Spain during the Spanish Inquisition?
From 711 until 1492, parts of Spain had been ruled by Moors from North Africa, who were Muslims, or believers in Islam. Many Jews lived in Spain as well. In 1492, the same…
