Comparing The Five Major World Religions Copyright © 2002 Glenna R. Shaw and FTC Publishing All Rights Reserved

Compare Major World Religions Compare and contrast the tenets of the five major world religions Monotheism: Judaism Christianity Islam Nontheism Buddhism Polytheism Hinduism Theo means

Monotheism Monotheism is the belief in only one God. Judaism Christianity Islam

Judaism JUDAISM is a religion of just one people: the Jews. JUDAISM was the first to teach belief in only one God. Two other important religions developed from Judaism: Christianity Islam

Judaism Jews think that God will send a Messiah (a deliverer) to unite them and lead them in His way. Christians believe that Jesus was the Messiah. The Jewish people do not agree; they anticipate His arrival in the future. Judaism teaches that death is not the end and that there is a world to come.

Judaism The Jewish house of worship is called a synagogue. Rabbis (spiritual leaders) conduct services, act as interpreters of Jewish laws, and deliver sermons. Today there are over 18 million followers of Judaism scattered throughout the world. A large number of those people live in the Jewish nation of Israel. Over six million live in the United States.

Judaism The "Torah," the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, is the most important Jewish scripture. It contains the basic laws of Judaism. These laws are called the Ten Commandments. The Torah describes God’s covenant, or special agreement, with Abraham, the founder of the Jewish religion.

Jewish Philosophy God is one and unique God is the creator God is lawgiver God is personal God is judge We have the obligation to worship The Torah is God's law The Messiah will come.

Jewish Holidays Passover: This holiday commemorates (a ceremony that shows respect) the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. Often coincides with Easter. Celebrated with a dinner called seder (pronounced SAY-der).

Jewish Holidays Rosh Hashanah – Jewish New Year Falls between Labor Day and Columbus Day Time for reflection (like American New Years)

Map of Judaism in the US

Monotheism - Continued

Christianity Christianity started about 2000 years ago. The central point of Christian belief is that God, the Father, entered into human history as the Son, Jesus of Nazareth, and arose as the Holy Spirit. 

Christianity The early Hebrews who eventually developed into the Jewish religion became the foundation of Christianity. Jesus, or the Messiah, was a Jewish boy who disagreed with some of the Jewish principles of his day began to profess a new way of thinking. This eventually led to the beginning of the Christian religion.

Christian Philosophy God is the Creator of the universe. There is one God, Who is Three  Persons-      Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus is both fully man and fully God.  He was born of the Virgin Mary, crucified, resurrected from the dead, and ascended to the Father.

Christian Philosophy The Bible is the Holy Book. All believers are promised life everlasting. The leader of Christianity was Jesus, and the followers were his 12 disciples.

Christian Holidays Today Christians around the world celebrate: Jesus’ birth at Christmas His resurrection at Easter

Where is Christianity prevalent?

Leading Church Bodies, US

Monotheism continued

Islam ISLAM is the name given to the religion preached by the prophet Muhammad in the 600s A. D. Islam started in the area known as Palestine in the year 600AD. It has about 850 million followers, most of them in the region around the Mediterranean Sea.

Islam The holy book of Islam is the “Qur’an” (Koran). Muslims believe its words to be those of Allah himself, spoken to Muhammad by an angel. Allah, is the name for God. People who believe these ideas are called Muslims.

Islam Muslims pray five times daily in their mosques (churches). While praying, they face the holy city of Mecca (in Saudi-Arabia) and sometimes kneel with faces to the ground. All Muslims are required to make a pilgrimage (trip to a sacred place) to Mecca at least once in their lifetime.

Muslim Philosophy Muslims learn that life on earth is a period of testing and preparation for the life to come. Angels record good and bad deeds. People should behave themselves and help others, trusting in Allah's justice and mercy for their reward.

Muslim Holidays Ramadan occurs in the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. It marks the month when, according to Muslim belief, Muhammad received the verses of the Qur’an sent by God. It is a month of fasting from sunrise to sunset. Ramadan is a time for prayer and charitable acts.

Muslim Holidays The end of Ramadan is a joyous occasion known as ‘Id al-Fitr, which lasts three days. During this celebration there are special feasts, gift-giving, and prayers. This celebration is an opportunity for Muslims to gather in joy and remember those less fortunate than they are.

Map of Islam in the United States

The absence of a belief in a personal god(s). Nontheism

Buddhism Founding person of Buddhism is Guatama, the Buddha The Dalai Lama is a Buddhist monk who remains the leader of the Tibetans. Buddhism is a major religion in China, Japan, India, and Tibet.

Buddhism Buddhism is the world's oldest universal religion and it is the second fastest growing religion.    

The Major Philosophy of Buddhism Love: without conditions Compassion: or feeling at one with the person who is suffering Sympathetic Joy: Celebrate the happiness of others, and do not resent their good fortune. Impartiality: Treat everyone equally, and do not use others for personal gain or to win approval.

The Major Philosophy of Buddhism Buddhism states that existence is a continuing cycle of death and rebirth called reincarnation. Each person's position in life is determined by his or her behavior in the previous life. This is known as their "karma" (also a Hindu belief).

Buddhist Holidays Buddhist New Year: The Buddhist New Year is observed on various days, depending on specific Buddhist sects, as well as where in the world you are located. For example, if you are in Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka or Thailand, the new year is celebrated three days following the first full moon within the month of April.

Buddhist Holidays Vesak (Buddha Day): Serving as one of the most important festivals in Buddhist culture, Vesak is observed on the day of the first full moon in May. This is when all Buddhists pay their respects to the birth, enlightenment, as well as death of the Buddha.

Polytheism Belief in more than one god. Hinduism Egyptian mythology Greek mythology Roman mythology Polytheism

Hinduism HINDUISM is one of the world's oldest religions. Over 2/3's of the world's Hindus live in India; large numbers reside in Africa also. Hindus believe in many gods, numbering into the millions. They recognize one supreme spirit called Brahman ("the Absolute.")

Hinduism Hinduism has many sacred books, the oldest being a series called the "Vedhas”. Traditional Hindu society was divided into groups of four classes (or varnas). This was known as the "caste system."

Hindu Philosophy The goal of Hindus is to someday join with Brahman. Until that union takes place, believers are in a continuous process of rebirth called "reincarnation."

Hindu Philosophy At death, the Hindu's deeds (karma) determine what the next life will be. Followers work to break this cycle--birth, death, re-birth-- (referred to by writers as the "Wheel of Life") and gain release. The Hindu's soul then merges with Brahman in a condition of spiritual perfection (moksha).

Hindu Holiday Diwali (The Festival of Lights) Marks the beginning of the New Year, which is the 15th day of the Hindu month of October. The celebration lasts five days, and each day has its own significance.