The Influence of Religious Beliefs on the Formation of Historical Events and Cultural Traditions: A Comparative Analysis of World Religions

The study aimed to analyse the influence of religious traditions such as Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism on social structures and legislation in Europe and the Middle East. Comparative analysis and literature research were used to identify unique data on legal systems based on Christian and Islamic teachings. The results demonstrated that Christian legal systems, such as those in Germany and France, emphasise the protection of human rights and social justice, while Islamic systems, such as Sharia, may include stricter rules. The study also determined that the interaction of Hinduism and Buddhism in South Asia forms a common cultural identity. The issues of social hierarchy were also analysed: in Hinduism, the caste system defines social roles, while Buddhism rejects such a hierarchy, offering a more elemental approach. In addition, the adaptation of religious traditions to modern conditions, including Protestant ethics and Confucianism, has had an impact on economic and social relations, contributing to the development of trust between business partners and the creation of sustainable social structures. The practical significance of the results is that they help to better understand the role of religion in shaping social norms and legal systems, which can be used to develop effective policies aimed at improving public welfare and promoting social justice.