Islam, Buddhism, and Christianity as world religions
The axial age shifted religious beliefs that were solely dependent on nature for security into religions that focused on individual advancement. As a result of this transition, certain religions became universal because they were open to all, appealed to every social classes, and took advantage of times of unrest and religious uncertainty in favor of conversion. Islam,
Buddhism, and Christianity accomplished global success through trade, war, elite/royal sponsorship, and missionary activity, as they possessed all three aspects of a global religion.
Merchants and monasteries attracted people on trade routes by providing shelters that offered crucial security, and were open to all. Islamic merchants also founded their own types of monasteries in the form of mosques, attracting travelers and local people to convert. These mosques also made more favorable conditions for Islamic merchants to conduct and prosper in already established, Islamic communities. Islam spread most effectively by trade on sea routes of maritime Asia and across the Sahara. Chinese ports acquired mosques, establishing foreign Islamic merchant communities that gradually attracted more Muslim merchants while
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Religions with global success allowed rulers to maintain a peaceful and unified state while conducting war. Rulers also took advantage of literate classes with minimal power such as the Buddhist and Christian clergy, willing to functions as part of the government in exchange for religious authority. New allegiances between states and countries were formed due to religious beliefs and practices. Universal religions allowed for stronger communications between states, assisting in the rate of trade, developments, and other