Final answer:
Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity qualify as World Religions because they are monotheistic, have spread globally, and originated during the post-classical period.
Step-by-step explanation:
Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity all qualify as World Religions for several reasons:
- They are monotheistic, meaning they believe in the existence of only one God. In Christianity and Islam, this monotheistic belief is central, while in Buddhism, the focus is more on achieving enlightenment and breaking free from the cycle of rebirth.
- These religions have spread far beyond their civilizations of origin. Christianity, for example, has followers in every part of the world, and Islam is practiced by millions of people across continents. Buddhism has spread throughout Asia and is now practiced in various other parts of the world.
- Although they originate during different time periods, these religions all emerged during the post-classical period. Christianity began in the 1st century CE, Islam in the 7th century CE, and Buddhism in the 5th century BCE.
It is important to note that these religions are not classified as mystery cults. Mystery cults are a separate category of religious practices that involve secret rites and rituals, which is not a defining characteristic of Buddhism, Islam, or Christianity.
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