Religion_NN1 and_CC Spirituality_NN1 in_II Psychotherapy_NP1 An_AT1 Individual_JJ Psychology_NN1 Perspective_NN1 The_AT study_NN1 and_CC integration_NN1 of_IO religion_NN1 is_VBZ an_AT1 important_JJ aspect_NN1 of_IO psychology_NN1 ._. 
Religion_NN1 and_CC spirituality_NN1 are_VBR relevant_JJ to_II our_APPGE understanding_NN1 of_IO individuals_NN2 as_CSA they_PPHS2 constitute_VV0 an_AT1 important_JJ aspect_NN1 of_IO most_DAT people_NN 's_GE lives_NN2 ._. 
The_AT majority_NN1 of_IO people_NN in_II North_ND1 America_NP1 profess_VV0 a_AT1 belief_NN1 in_II a_AT1 higher_JJR power_NN1 ._. 
In_II fact_NN1 ,_, 95_MC percent_NNU of_IO adults_NN2 in_II the_AT United_NP1 States_NP1 say_VV0 they_PPHS2 believe_VV0 in_II God_NP1 ._. 
Most_DAT adults_NN2 also_RR claim_VV0 a_AT1 religious_JJ affiliation_NN1 (_( 94_MC percent_NNU )_) and_CC report_VV0 that_DD1 religion_NN1 is_VBZ very_JJ or_CC fairly_RR important_JJ in_II their_APPGE lives_NN2 (_( 85_MC percent_NNU )_) ._. 
Seventy_MC percent_NNU of_IO adults_NN2 in_II the_AT U.S._NP1 report_NN1 membership_NN1 in_II a_AT1 church_NN1 ,_, synagogue_NN1 ,_, or_CC mosque_NN1 ,_, and_CC 40_MC percent_NNU say_VV0 they_PPHS2 attend_VV0 religious_JJ services_NN2 on_II a_AT1 regular_JJ basis_NN1 (_( Gallup_NP1 and_CC Lindsay_NP1 ,_, 1999_MC )_) ._. 
Another_DD1 important_JJ factor_NN1 that_CST mental_JJ health_NN1 professionals_NN2 should_VM pay_VVI attention_NN1 to_TO is_VBZ the_AT apparent_JJ benefits_NN2 of_IO religious_JJ involvement_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 significant_JJ development_NN1 in_II the_AT field_NN1 of_IO psychology_NN1 of_IO religion_NN1 is_VBZ the_AT increase_NN1 in_II research_NN1 linking_VVG spirituality_NN1 and_CC religiosity_NN1 to_II mental_JJ health_NN1 ._. 
Many_DA2 studies_NN2 have_VH0 found_VVN positive_JJ correlations_NN2 between_II religious_JJ involvement_NN1 and_CC improved_JJ mental_JJ health_NN1 outcomes_NN2 ._. 
The_AT North_NP1 American_JJ landscape_NN1 is_VBZ host_NN1 to_II all_DB the_AT major_JJ world_NN1 religions_NN2 and_CC to_II many_DA2 smaller_JJR religious_JJ groups_NN2 ._. 
Throughout_II the_AT United_NP1 States_NP1 and_CC Canada_NP1 there_EX are_VBR approximately_RR 250_MC million_NNO Christians_NN2 ._. 
Of_IO these_DD2 ,_, there_EX are_VBR about_RG 74_MC million_NNO Roman_JJ Catholics_NN2 ,_, 95_MC million_NNO Protestants_NN2 ,_, and_CC 6_MC million_NNO Orthodox_JJ Christians_NN2 ._. 
There_EX are_VBR about_RG 40_MC million_NNO people_NN who_PNQS belong_VV0 to_II other_JJ Christian_JJ groups_NN2 ._. 
In_RR21 addition_RR22 ,_, North_ND1 America_NP1 is_VBZ home_NN1 to_II almost_RR 6_MC million_NNO Jews_NN2 ,_, over_II 1_MC1 million_NNO Hindus_NN2 ,_, 2_MC million_NNO Buddhists_NN2 ,_, and_CC 2_MC to_II 4_MC million_NNO Muslims_NN2 (_( Barrett_NP1 &;_NULL Johnson_NP1 ,_, 1998_MC ;_; Pew_NN1 ,_, 2008_MC )_) ._. 
The_AT religious_JJ diversity_NN1 within_II these_DD2 religious_JJ groups_NN2 is_VBZ also_RR significant_JJ ._. 
For_REX21 example_REX22 ,_, the_AT Yearbook_NN1 of_IO American_JJ and_CC Canadian_JJ Churches_NN2 (_( Bedell_NP1 ,_, 1997_MC )_) listed_VVD over_RG 160_MC different_JJ denominations_NN2 throughout_II North_ND1 America_NP1 ,_, most_DAT of_IO which_DDQ were_VBDR Christian_JJ ._. 
The_AT present_JJ diversity_NN1 observed_VVN in_II North_ND1 America_NP1 is_VBZ in_RR21 part_RR22 a_AT1 result_NN1 of_IO the_AT effects_NN2 of_IO higher_JJR education_NN1 ,_, media_NN ,_, world_NN1 consciousness_NN1 ,_, and_CC most_RGT important_JJ ,_, immigration_NN1 (_( Richards_NP1 &;_NULL Bergin_NP1 ,_, 2006b_FO )_) ._. 
People_NN from_II a_AT1 variety_NN1 of_IO ethnic_JJ and_CC religious_JJ backgrounds_NN2 ,_, including_II Buddhists_NN2 ,_, Muslims_NN2 ,_, and_CC Hindus_NN2 ,_, are_VBR immigrating_VVG to_II United_NP1 States_NP1 and_CC Canada_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 trend_NN1 that_CST is_VBZ very_RG likely_JJ to_TO continue_VVI ._. 
These_DD2 various_JJ religions_NN2 and_CC the_AT numerous_JJ denominations_NN2 represent_VV0 tremendous_JJ diversity_NN1 in_II31 terms_II32 of_II33 customs_NN2 ,_, cultural_JJ and_CC religious_JJ beliefs_NN2 ,_, myths_NN2 ,_, rituals_NN2 ,_, worship_NN1 ,_, and_CC healing_JJ traditions_NN2 ._. 
Developing_JJ knowledge_NN1 about_II these_DD2 religions_NN2 and_CC their_APPGE practices_NN2 is_VBZ the_AT first_MD step_NN1 in_II developing_VVG more_DAR trust_NN1 and_CC credibility_NN1 with_IW people_NN of_IO various_JJ faiths_NN2 ._. 
In_II the_AT 1960s_MC2 ,_, Mosak_NP1 and_CC Dreikurs_NP1 (_( 1977/1967_MF )_) began_VVD exploring_VVG issues_NN2 of_IO faith_NN1 and_CC the_AT meaning_NN1 of_IO life_NN1 ._. 
The_AT result_NN1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 series_NN of_IO publications_NN2 addressing_VVG the_AT five_MC life_NN1 tasks_NN2 ,_, with_IW the_AT last_MD article_NN1 addressing_VVG the_AT spiritual_JJ ._. 
In_II their_APPGE article_NN1 ,_, Mosak_NP1 and_CC Dreikurs_NP1 argued_VVD that_CST Adler_NP1 alluded_VVD to_II the_AT spiritual_JJ task_NN1 on_II several_DA2 occasions_NN2 ,_, although_CS he_PPHS1 never_RR specifically_RR mentioned_VVD it_PPH1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 argued_VVD that_CST issues_NN2 of_IO God_NP1 ,_, faith_NN1 ,_, and_CC meaning_NN1 are_VBR important_JJ to_II psychology_NN1 and_CC should_VM be_VBI considered_VVN a_AT1 life_NN1 task_NN1 that_CST each_DD1 of_IO us_PPIO2 has_VHZ to_TO contend_VVI with_IW ._. 
We_PPIS2 are_VBR all_DB faced_VVN with_IW the_AT question_NN1 of_IO whether_CSW31 or_CSW32 not_CSW33 there_EX is_VBZ a_AT1 God_NN1 ._. 
For_IF those_DD2 who_PNQS deny_VV0 the_AT existence_NN1 of_IO God_NP1 ,_, questions_NN2 about_II the_AT meaning_NN1 of_IO life_NN1 still_RR remain_VV0 ._. 
On_II the_AT other_JJ hand_NN1 ,_, people_NN of_IO faith_NN1 have_VH0 to_TO ask_VVI themselves_PPX2 what_DDQ the_AT nature_NN1 of_IO their_APPGE God_NN1 is_VBZ ._. 
Is_VBZ there_EX only_RR one_MC1 God_NN1 ?_? 
What_DDQ is_VBZ our_APPGE relationship_NN1 with_IW God_NP1 like_II ?_? 
Is_VBZ there_EX life_NN1 after_II death_NN1 ?_? 
What_DDQ is_VBZ considered_VVN sinful_JJ ?_? 
How_RRQ do_VD0 we_PPIS2 communicate_VVI with_IW God_NP1 ?_? 
Do_VD0 we_PPIS2 love_VVI God_NP1 ,_, or_CC fear_VV0 him_PPHO1 ?_? 
These_DD2 and_CC other_JJ questions_NN2 are_VBR the_AT ones_NN2 included_VVN in_II the_AT fifth_MD life_NN1 task_NN1 ._. 
In_II31 addition_II32 to_II33 being_VBG called_VVN the_AT spiritual_JJ task_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 has_VHZ also_RR been_VBN referred_VVN to_II as_II the_AT existential_JJ ,_, the_AT search_NN1 for_IF meaning_NN1 ,_, and_CC the_AT metaphysical_JJ task_NN1 ._. 
Mosak_VV0 and_CC Dreikurs_NP1 (_( 1977/1967_MF )_) discussed_VVD five_MC aspects_NN2 of_IO the_AT spiritual_JJ task_NN1 and_CC addressed_VVD the_AT various_JJ challenges_NN2 each_DD1 of_IO us_PPIO2 is_VBZ faced_VVN with_IW ._. 
The_AT first_MD aspect_NN1 of_IO the_AT spiritual_JJ task_NN1 involves_VVZ the_AT person_NN1 's_GE relationship_NN1 to_II God_NP1 ._. 
If_CS we_PPIS2 believe_VV0 there_EX is_VBZ a_AT1 God_NP1 ,_, what_DDQ is_VBZ the_AT nature_NN1 of_IO that_DD1 God_NN1 ?_? 
How_RRQ and_CC when_RRQ do_VD0 we_PPIS2 call_VVI upon_II him_PPHO1 ?_? 
Do_VD0 we_PPIS2 pray_VVI ?_? 
If_CS so_RR ,_, do_VD0 we_PPIS2 pray_VVI regularly_RR ?_? 
Is_VBZ God_NP1 someone_PN1 we_PPIS2 visit_VV0 only_RR in_II church_NN1 ?_? 
For_IF atheists_NN2 ,_, do_VD0 they_PPHS2 substitute_VVI for_IF a_AT1 belief_NN1 in_II God_NP1 ?_? 
If_CS so_RR ,_, what_DDQ do_VD0 they_PPHS2 substitute_VVI with_IW ?_? 
And_CC finally_RR ,_, how_RRQ do_VD0 we_PPIS2 relate_VVI to_II other_JJ people_NN who_PNQS may_VM or_CC may_VM not_XX agree_VVI with_IW our_APPGE beliefs_NN2 ?_? 
Are_VBR we_PPIS2 tolerant_JJ of_IO them_PPHO2 ?_? 
Do_VD0 we_PPIS2 pity_VVI them_PPHO2 ?_? 
Do_VD0 we_PPIS2 attempt_VVI to_TO convert_VVI them_PPHO2 ?_? 
All_DB of_IO these_DD2 questions_NN2 are_VBR part_NN1 of_IO what_DDQ we_PPIS2 have_VH0 to_TO contend_VVI with_IW ,_, consciously_RR or_CC unconsciously_RR ._. 
Given_VVN the_AT prevalence_NN1 of_IO religion_NN1 in_II our_APPGE culture_NN1 ,_, the_AT issue_NN1 of_IO God_NP1 is_VBZ one_PN1 we_PPIS2 frequently_RR encounter_VV0 ,_, and_CC so_RR we_PPIS2 are_VBR confronted_VVN with_IW the_AT questions_NN2 of_IO God_NP1 and_CC our_APPGE relationship_NN1 to_II him_PPHO1 ._. 
The_AT second_MD aspect_NN1 involves_VVZ what_DDQ the_AT individual_NN1 does_VDZ about_II religion_NN1 ._. 
Do_VD0 we_PPIS2 embrace_VVI religion_NN1 and_CC participate_VVI in_II religious_JJ practices_NN2 with_IW a_AT1 sense_NN1 of_IO having_VHG a_AT1 relationship_NN1 with_IW God_NP1 ,_, or_CC do_VD0 we_PPIS2 identify_VVI with_IW religion_NN1 without_IW a_AT1 significant_JJ connection_NN1 to_II God_NP1 ?_? 
Does_VDZ religion_NN1 imply_VV0 that_CST we_PPIS2 have_VH0 to_TO go_VVI to_II church_NN1 regularly_RR ?_? 
To_II what_DDQ extent_NN1 do_VD0 we_PPIS2 have_VHI to_TO be_VBI involved_JJ in_II church_NN1 activities_NN2 and_CC religious_JJ rituals_NN2 ?_? 
Does_VDZ our_APPGE religion_NN1 involve_VVI missionary_NN1 work_NN1 ?_? 
How_RRQ do_VD0 we_PPIS2 define_VVI the_AT goals_NN2 of_IO our_APPGE religion_NN1 ?_? 
Is_VBZ God_NP1 there_RL to_TO protect_VVI us_PPIO2 ,_, or_CC is_VBZ it_PPH1 our_APPGE job_NN1 to_TO serve_VVI him_PPHO1 ?_? 
The_AT third_MD aspect_NN1 of_IO the_AT spiritual_JJ task_NN1 concerns_VVZ our_APPGE perceptions_NN2 of_IO our_APPGE place_NN1 in_II the_AT universe_NN1 ._. 
Each_DD1 of_IO us_PPIO2 develops_VVZ a_AT1 theory_NN1 of_IO human_JJ nature_NN1 ,_, an_AT1 image_NN1 of_IO man_NN1 ,_, that_CST guides_NN2 us_PPIO2 toward_II a_AT1 relationship_NN1 with_IW ourselves_PPX2 and_CC others_NN2 ._. 
Are_VBR we_PPIS2 determined_VVN ,_, or_CC do_VD0 we_PPIS2 possess_VVI free_JJ will_NN1 ?_? 
Are_VBR we_PPIS2 created_VVN in_II God_NP1 's_GE image_NN1 ?_? 
Are_VBR we_PPIS2 basically_RR good_JJ ,_, basically_RR bad_JJ ,_, or_CC burdened_VVN by_II original_JJ sin_NN1 ?_? 
The_AT fourth_MD aspect_NN1 involves_VVZ questions_NN2 of_IO immortality_NN1 and_CC the_AT existence_NN1 of_IO an_AT1 afterlife_NN1 ._. 
Questions_NN2 about_II the_AT nature_NN1 of_IO our_APPGE souls_NN2 ,_, hell_NN1 ,_, damnation_NN1 ,_, and_CC salvation_NN1 become_VV0 relevant_JJ here_RL ._. 
If_CS salvation_NN1 is_VBZ possible_JJ ,_, what_DDQ is_VBZ required_VVN for_IF its_APPGE achievement_NN1 ?_? 
How_RRQ do_VD0 we_PPIS2 avoid_VVI damnation_NN1 ?_? 
What_DDQ behaviors_NN2 will_VM lead_VVI someone_PN1 to_TO be_VBI damned_VVN to_II hell_NN1 ?_? 
If_CS there_EX is_VBZ no_AT afterlife_NN1 ,_, how_RRQ do_VD0 we_PPIS2 make_VVI our_APPGE mark_NN1 on_II this_DD1 world_NN1 ?_? 
What_DDQ happens_VVZ when_RRQ we_PPIS2 die_VV0 ?_? 
Should_VM we_PPIS2 fear_VVI death_NN1 ?_? 
Finally_RR ,_, the_AT last_MD aspect_NN1 of_IO the_AT spiritual_JJ task_NN1 deals_VVZ with_IW the_AT meaning_NN1 of_IO life_NN1 ._. 
Does_VDZ life_NN1 have_VHI inherent_JJ meaning_NN1 ,_, or_CC does_VDZ it_PPH1 possess_VVI whatever_DDQV meaning_NN1 we_PPIS2 give_VV0 it_PPH1 ?_? 
This_DD1 task_NN1 overlaps_VVZ the_AT other_JJ life_NN1 tasks_NN2 ,_, such_II21 as_II22 work_NN1 ,_, love_NN1 ,_, and_CC friendship_NN1 ._. 
For_REX21 example_REX22 ,_, how_RGQ much_DA1 meaning_NN1 do_VD0 we_PPIS2 place_VVI on_II our_APPGE occupation_NN1 ,_, on_II our_APPGE relationship_NN1 with_IW friends_NN2 and_CC family_NN1 ,_, and_CC on_II our_APPGE spouses_NN2 ?_? 
For_IF Adler_NP1 ,_, life_NN1 had_VHD no_AT inherent_JJ meaning_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 believed_VVD we_PPIS2 create_VV0 our_APPGE own_DA meaning_NN1 of_IO life_NN1 ._. 
For_IF Adlerians_NN2 ,_, any_DD meaning_NN1 bestowed_VVN on_II life_NN1 that_CST moves_VVZ the_AT individual_NN1 in_II the_AT direction_NN1 of_IO connecting_VVG with_IW and_CC caring_VVG for_IF the_AT welfare_NN1 of_IO others_NN2 is_VBZ considered_VVN a_AT1 useful_JJ and_CC worthwhile_JJ interpretation_NN1 of_IO the_AT meaning_NN1 of_IO life_NN1 ._. 
Adler_NP1 believed_VVD that_CST the_AT meaning_NN1 of_IO life_NN1 was_VBDZ serving_VVG mankind_NN1 and_CC developing_VVG a_AT1 sense_NN1 of_IO community_NN1 between_II people_NN (_( Adler_NP1 1958/1931_MF )_) ._. 
Given_CS21 that_CS22 humans_NN2 are_VBR socially_RR embedded_VVN ,_, the_AT ultimate_JJ aspect_NN1 of_IO the_AT final_JJ goal_NN1 involves_VVZ finding_VVG a_AT1 place_NN1 and_CC sense_NN1 of_IO belonging_VVG in_II the_AT community_NN1 --_NN1 of_IO which_DDQ religion_NN1 plays_VVZ a_AT1 central_JJ role_NN1 ._. 
Adler_NP1 saw_VVD religion_NN1 as_CSA helping_VVG to_TO bind_VVI people_NN closely_RR to_II each_PPX221 other_PPX222 through_II worship_NN1 and_CC other_JJ religious_JJ practices_NN2 ._. 
Thus_RR ,_, religion_NN1 serves_VVZ to_II further_JJR communal_JJ life_NN1 and_CC contribute_VV0 to_II the_AT survival_NN1 of_IO the_AT individual_NN1 and_CC the_AT larger_JJR group_NN1 ._. 
Christianity_NN1 emerged_VVD as_II a_AT1 religious_JJ movement_NN1 in_II the_AT Greco-Roman_JJ area_NN1 shortly_RR after_II the_AT crucifixion_NN1 of_IO Jesus_NP1 of_IO Nazareth_NP1 around_RG 30_MC CE_NP1 ._. 
Jesus_NP1 's_GE followers_NN2 set_VV0 out_RP to_TO preach_VVI his_APPGE message_NN1 of_IO loving_VVG God_NP1 and_CC one_PN1 's_GE neighbor_NN1 ._. 
Over_II the_AT next_MD several_DA2 centuries_NNT2 ,_, Christianity_NN1 grew_VVD into_II what_DDQ is_VBZ today_RT the_AT largest_JJT religion_NN1 in_II the_AT world_NN1 ,_, with_IW nearly_RR two_MC billion_NNO followers_NN2 ._. 
Christianity_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT1 monotheistic_JJ religion_NN1 ,_, centered_VVD on_II faith_NN1 in_II one_MC1 God_NN1 ._. 
Although_CS Christians_NN2 believe_VV0 in_II the_AT Trinity_NN1 ,_, that_CST there_EX are_VBR three_MC equal_JJ persons_NN2 in_II God_NP1 --_NN1 the_AT Father_NN1 ,_, the_AT Son_NN1 ,_, and_CC the_AT Holy_JJ Spirit_NN1 --_NN1 they_PPHS2 believe_VV0 that_CST the_AT divine_JJ nature_NN1 of_IO God_NP1 is_VBZ one_PN1 ._. 
Christians_NN2 believe_VV0 that_CST God_NP1 became_VVD incarnate_JJ --_NN1 fully_RR human_JJ --_NN1 in_II Jesus_NP1 of_IO Nazareth_NP1 ._. 
The_AT story_NN1 of_IO Jesus_NP1 of_IO Nazareth_NP1 is_VBZ preserved_VVN mainly_RR in_II the_AT New_JJ Testament_NN1 of_IO the_AT Bible_NN1 ._. 
The_AT gospels_NN2 of_IO Matthew_NP1 ,_, Mark_NP1 ,_, Luke_NP1 ,_, and_CC John_NP1 tell_VV0 the_AT story_NN1 of_IO Jesus_NP1 's_GE birth_NN1 ,_, life_NN1 ,_, death_NN1 ,_, and_CC resurrection_NN1 ._. 
The_AT gospels_NN2 are_VBR intended_VVN as_II a_AT1 declaration_NN1 about_II the_AT "_" Kingdom_NN1 of_IO God_NP1 "_" and_CC about_II Jesus_NP1 as_CSA Son_NN1 of_IO God_NP1 and_CC savior_NN1 of_IO civilization_NN1 (_( Hale_NP1 ,_, 2003_MC )_) ._. 
Christians_NN2 believe_VV0 that_CST Jesus_NP1 was_VBDZ begotten_VVN by_II the_AT Holy_JJ Spirit_NN1 ,_, and_CC conceived_VVN by_II a_AT1 virgin_NN1 named_VVN Mary_NP1 ._. 
Jesus_NP1 is_VBZ believed_VVN to_TO have_VHI been_VBN born_VVN during_II the_AT reign_NN1 of_IO Herod_NP1 the_AT Great_JJ ,_, who_PNQS ruled_VVD Judea_NP1 from_II 37-4_MCMC BCE_NP1 (_( Hale_NP1 ,_, 2003_MC )_) ._. 
The_AT Bible_NN1 ,_, sometimes_RT called_VVN "_" scripture_NN1 ,_, "_" is_VBZ the_AT holiest_JJT text_NN1 in_II Christianity_NN1 ._. 
The_AT word_NN1 Bible_NN1 means_VVZ "_" book_NN1 ,_, "_" and_CC Christians_NN2 believe_VV0 it_PPH1 is_VBZ the_AT book_NN1 of_IO God_NP1 's_GE words_NN2 to_II mankind_NN1 ._. 
The_AT Bible_NN1 consists_VVZ of_IO 66_MC books_NN2 written_VVN by_II many_DA2 different_JJ authors_NN2 at_II different_JJ times_NNT2 in_II history_NN1 ._. 
However_RR ,_, Christians_NN2 believe_VV0 that_CST its_APPGE authors_NN2 were_VBDR guided_VVN by_II God_NP1 ,_, so_CS21 that_CS22 everything_PN1 they_PPHS2 wrote_VVD was_VBDZ God_NP1 's_GE will_NN1 ._. 
Judaism_NN1 ,_, Christianity_NN1 ,_, and_CC Individual_JJ Psychology_NN1 have_VH0 much_DA1 in_RR21 common_RR22 in_II31 terms_II32 of_II33 how_RRQ they_PPHS2 understand_VV0 human_JJ nature_NN1 ._. 
Because_CS Christianity_NN1 grew_VVD out_II21 of_II22 Judaism_NN1 ,_, the_AT two_MC religions_NN2 share_VV0 a_AT1 rich_JJ tradition_NN1 documented_VVN in_II the_AT Hebrew_JJ Bible_NN1 (_( the_AT Old_JJ Testament_NN1 )_) ,_, and_CC philosophical_JJ principles_NN2 such_II21 as_II22 holism_NN1 ,_, freedom_NN1 and_CC responsibility_NN1 ,_, teleology_NN1 ,_, equality_NN1 ,_, and_CC democracy_NN1 are_VBR emphasized_VVN in_II both_DB2 religions_NN2 (_( Manaster_NP1 ,_, 2004_MC )_) ._. 
However_RR ,_, Adlerians_NN2 have_VH0 written_VVN little_RR on_II the_AT issue_NN1 of_IO the_AT Jewish_JJ faith_NN1 and_CC Adler_NP1 's_GE theories_NN2 ._. 
This_DD1 may_VM be_VBI because_II21 of_II22 the_AT significant_JJ agreement_NN1 between_II Christianity_NN1 and_CC Judaism_NN1 ,_, and_CC that_CST most_DAT authors_NN2 have_VH0 chosen_VVN to_TO focus_VVI on_II Christianity_NN1 ._. 
Hinduism_NN1 is_VBZ an_AT1 exceptionally_RR diverse_JJ religion_NN1 found_VVD primarily_RR in_II India_NP1 ,_, where_RRQ about_II 80_MC percent_NNU of_IO the_AT population_NN1 is_VBZ Hindu_JJ ._. 
There_EX are_VBR hundreds_NNO2 of_IO various_JJ divisions_NN2 of_IO the_AT Hindu_JJ religion_NN1 ,_, depending_II21 on_II22 language_NN1 and_CC geography_NN1 ,_, caste_NN1 ,_, and_CC community_NN1 ._. 
These_DD2 vast_JJ differences_NN2 within_II the_AT tradition_NN1 make_VV0 it_PPH1 very_RG difficult_JJ to_TO define_VVI exactly_RR what_DDQ Hinduism_NN1 is_VBZ ._. 
With_IW a_AT1 four-thousand-year_JJ history_NN1 ,_, Hinduism_NN1 has_VHZ no_AT specific_JJ creed_NN1 or_CC teacher_NN1 that_CST is_VBZ seen_VVN as_CSA central_JJ to_II the_AT religion_NN1 ._. 
There_EX is_VBZ no_AT specific_JJ theological_JJ system_NN1 ,_, nor_CC is_VBZ there_EX a_AT1 single_JJ system_NN1 of_IO morality_NN1 ._. 
And_CC although_CS there_EX are_VBR several_DA2 holy_JJ texts_NN2 ,_, there_EX is_VBZ no_AT single_JJ holy_JJ book_NN1 similar_JJ to_II the_AT Christian_JJ Bible_NN1 or_CC the_AT Muslim_JJ Koran_NN1 ._. 
Defining_VVG Hinduism_NN1 is_VBZ no_AT easy_JJ task_NN1 ._. 
In_II fact_NN1 there_EX is_VBZ no_AT specific_JJ definition_NN1 that_CST encapsulates_VVZ the_AT diversity_NN1 found_VVN within_II the_AT religion_NN1 ._. 
One_PN1 might_VM say_VVI that_CST a_AT1 Hindu_NN1 is_VBZ someone_PN1 who_PNQS adheres_VVZ to_II or_CC worships_VVZ the_AT gods_NN2 Vishnu_NN1 or_CC Shiva_NP1 ,_, or_CC the_AT goddess_NN1 Shakti_NN1 ,_, or_CC their_APPGE incarnations_NN2 ,_, spouses_NN2 ,_, or_CC offspring_NN ._. 
But_CCB even_RR this_DD1 definition_NN1 is_VBZ not_XX sufficient_JJ to_TO describe_VVI a_AT1 religion_NN1 as_CSA complex_JJ as_CSA Hinduism_NN1 ._. 
Narayanan_NP1 (_( 2003_MC )_) points_VVZ out_RP that_DD1 regional_JJ traditions_NN2 and_CC practices_NN2 are_VBR often_RR more_RGR important_JJ to_II Hindus_NN2 than_CSN any_DD overarching_JJ Hindu_JJ concept_NN1 ._. 
Consequently_RR ,_, sometimes_RT it_PPH1 may_VM be_VBI appropriate_JJ to_TO talk_VVI about_II various_JJ Hindu_JJ customs_NN2 and_CC beliefs_NN2 and_CC at_II other_JJ times_NNT2 to_TO talk_VVI of_IO a_AT1 specific_JJ Hindu_JJ tradition_NN1 ._. 
Yet_RR despite_II these_DD2 variations_NN2 in_II practice_NN1 and_CC worship_NN1 ,_, there_EX are_VBR central_JJ tenets_NN2 that_CST unify_VV0 Hinduism_NN1 as_II a_AT1 religion_NN1 ._. 
The_AT core_NN1 belief_NN1 in_II Hinduism_NN1 is_VBZ the_AT belief_NN1 in_II Brahman_NP1 --_NN1 the_AT Supreme_JJ Being_VBG ._. 
Brahman_NN1 is_VBZ an_AT1 infinite_JJ universal_JJ life_NN1 force_NN1 that_CST can_VM not_XX be_VBI described_VVN ._. 
Suffice_VV0 to_TO say_VVI that_CST Hindus_NN2 view_VV0 Brahman_NN1 as_CSA encompassing_VVG existence_NN1 ._. 
Hindus_NN2 also_RR believe_VV0 in_II the_AT endless_JJ cycle_NN1 of_IO birth_NN1 ,_, death_NN1 ,_, and_CC rebirth_NN1 (_( samsara_NN1 )_) ,_, and_CC that_CST the_AT highest_JJT goal_NN1 for_IF any_DD individual_NN1 is_VBZ to_TO achieve_VVI liberation_NN1 of_IO the_AT soul_NN1 from_II the_AT continuous_JJ cycle_NN1 of_IO life_NN1 and_CC death_NN1 ._. 
The_AT paths_NN2 to_II liberation_NN1 are_VBR also_RR a_AT1 central_JJ tenet_NN1 of_IO Hinduism_NN1 ._. 
With_IW over_II one_MC1 billion_NNO followers_NN2 worldwide_RL ,_, Islam_NN1 is_VBZ the_AT world_NN1 's_GE fastest_JJT growing_JJ religion_NN1 ._. 
Islam_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT1 monotheistic_JJ religion_NN1 that_CST originated_VVD in_II what_DDQ is_VBZ now_RT Saudi_NP1 Arabia_NP1 and_CC later_RRR expanded_VVN along_II trade_NN1 routes_NN2 to_II Asia_NP1 and_CC Africa_NP1 ._. 
Today_RT ,_, Indonesia_NP1 is_VBZ the_AT country_NN1 with_IW the_AT most_DAT Muslims_NN2 ,_, with_IW over_RG 196_MC million_NNO (_( Lippman_NP1 ,_, 2002_MC )_) ._. 
Countries_NN2 such_II21 as_II22 Pakistan_NP1 ,_, Bangladesh_NP1 ,_, Mali_NP1 ,_, Afghanistan_NP1 ,_, Malaysia_NP1 ,_, Albania_NP1 ,_, Iran_NP1 ,_, Iraq_NP1 ,_, and_CC Syria_NP1 have_VH0 a_AT1 Muslim_JJ majority_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB Islam_NN1 is_VBZ also_RR a_AT1 growing_JJ religion_NN1 in_II North_ND1 America_NP1 ._. 
The_AT number_NN1 of_IO Muslims_NN2 in_II the_AT United_NP1 States_NP1 and_CC Canada_NP1 is_VBZ somewhat_RR uncertain_JJ ,_, but_CCB it_PPH1 appears_VVZ to_TO range_VVI between_II 4_MC million_NNO (_( Barrett_NP1 &;_NULL Johnson_NP1 ,_, 1998_MC )_) and_CC 6_MC million_NNO (_( Power_NN1 ,_, 1998_MC )_) ._. 
