22 Comparison study of religions

 

Particulars 1. Ethnic / Main Origins       Christianity Palestine to the West  Broke away from Judaism   Buddhism India to the East  Broke away from Hinduism   Islam Arabians  Largely influenced by Judaism and Christianity Hinduism Indians  Ancient Indian beliefs Judaism Jews (Hebrews)  Initiated by Abraham who was himself a Brahmin 2. Definition Followers of Christ’s teachings Religion of those seeking to be reawakened spiritually (merged with Taoism and Confucianism in China and with Shintoism in in Japan) Submission to the will of Allah Complicated combination of religious beliefs and social customs prevalent in Indian society Religious beliefs of the Jewish people 3. Character Building and Righteous Living Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Existence of God Yes Yes – But beyond man’s present capacity to comprehend Yes Yes – Many minor gods Yes 5. Existence of the Spirit / Soul Yes Yes Yes Yes No, not particularly 6. Spirit World – Heaven / Hell Yes Yes – Nirvanas Yes Yes – Nirvanas Yes for some not for most 7. Reincarnation Resurrection is Reincarnation Yes No Yes No for most Yes for some branches 8. Karma Yes – We reap what we sow  No – Christ paid for all our sins Yes Yes Yes No, no compensation and no retribution 9. Progression Yes – You must be perfect Yes No Yes No 10. Salvation/ Freedom Yes Yes Yes Yes No 11. Main Proponents / Exponents Jesus, Angels, Apostles, Saints, Prophets Buddha(s), Masters, Adepts Muhammad Avatars, Gurus, Masters Abraham, Moses and the Prophets 12. Source Documents / Teachings Bible, Traditions, Catechism for Catholics  Buddhist Scriptures, 4 Noble Truths, Noble Eightfold Path Qur’an, Sunna Vedas (2500 BC) Old Testament 13. Basic Teachings / Beliefs Love God and love your neighbor as yourself, Golden Rule A “Middle Way” through one’s recognition of the 4 Noble Truths and his following the Noble Eightfold Path, Reverse Golden Rule Mutual help, furtherance of good and the suppression of evil, Emphasis on equality and brotherhood, The Five Pillars   Salvation through 1) devotional service, 2) accumulation of knowledge or 3) accumulation of good karma, Emphasis on self-realization   Fatherhood of God, Oneness of all creation, All men equal brothers, Virtuous living, Ten Commandments, Messianic era on Earth 14. Inception Dates   30 – 100 600 BC 570 – 632 2500 BC 2000 BC 15. Very rough estimate of number of followers 2100M 900M 1600M 950M 14M