Comparing Judaism, Christianity, And Islam

Currently, there are about seven billion people that occupy the world. Therefore, billions of individuals have the choice of choosing a spiritual path or not. In the world, there are many religions that a person can decide to practice; however, the top five religions that are in the world are Hinduism, Buddhism Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Religion helps to guide many people’s lives when it pertains to how they live; however, it is more than a belief system for individuals. Religion also helps people form an identity. This paper will examine the relationship between the major religions and explore the differences of each religion through examining their rituals and beliefs.
Hinduism, Buddhism Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all have different
followers; but, in some of these faiths, they seem to hold the same values. For instance, when it comes to their belief system many of them either worship one God or multiple Gods. In Hinduism, their religion has a Polytheistic belief system, meaning that their followers worship various gods. An example is the three major deities such as the Brahman, who is the god of creation, Vishnu, god of preservation, and Shiva, god of destruction and recreation that are associated with Hinduism (Molloy 95). Unlike in Judaism, Christianity, and the Islam belief system are monotheistic; meaning they recognize one God. In Islam, their God is Allah and in Christianity people worship just a God; however, Judaism acknowledges Yahweh as their God. Also, the Buddhism religion is recognized as non-theistic because their followers do not worship gods. Even though these religions have different paths and goals many of these religions share the same structure of a belief system while others do not.
Each religion an ethical perspective affiliated with their religious views. In, Hinduism, the religion believes that people go through a process of reincarnation, which is a representation of the Shiva deity. The religion believes “that everything living has its life force and that every life force when it loses one form, is reborn in another” (84). However, the religion also believes that karma can affect the way a person is reborn into another form. While, in Buddhism, the religion views reincarnation and karma the same way; however, the “Buddha rejected the notion of a soul (an unchanging spiritual reality),” but in Hinduism, they believe the soul is an essential part of reincarnation (136).
In the other religions, they have a different belief in an afterlife such as Christians believe that a person has two options: heaven or hell. Judaism and Islam take on an approach of not knowing what will happen in the afterlife. These religions also focus on what their followers should do while they are alive. Hinduism primary focus is to live a karma free life. While, Buddhism hints that individuals should follow the Noble Eightfold Path, that concentrates on ending and preventing others from suffering at their hands. Hinduism and Buddhism relate because by not harming others it can cause them to live a life of good karma.
In Judaism, it is about believing in God.
For example, God is their savior who is supposed to guide them in the word, and he is an “all-knowing, and eternal…master of the universe as its creator and judge” (314). However, other religions like Christianity and Islam have based on faith in their creator also. For instance, Christians believe that God should guide his followers through the Bible from his word (352). In Islam, the people share similarities in having faith in God's guidance; however, Muslims have to practice the five pillars: involve faith, prayer, charity, fasting and a pilgrimage to Mecca. Just like Judaism and Christianity, Islam holds the views as that “all-powerful, transcendent God who has created the universe and who controls it down to the smallest detail” is the person they look for guidance
(414).
In religions, rituals play a significant role of individual belief systems.
In Hinduism, one of their rituals is to practice meditation. Therefore, many of them engage in different types of yoga because it is a way “to help people live spiritually… moreover, for people to perfect their union with the divine because the yoga suggests roads to perfection” (90). In Hinduism, each form of yoga helps to distinguish a particular kind of duty for their faith; it is broken down into discipline about knowledge, selfless actions, devotion, posture, and spiritual energy. Also, in Buddhism, meditation is a practice ritual in the Buddhist tradition. For instance, there is a meditation that focuses on the “being fully attentive to the present moment,” which means the primary focus is on relaxing the mind to see clear (171). While, other forms are focused on breathing, using a ritual object, and taking on the identity of someone else like a deity. Even though, Hinduism and Buddhism practice meditation as a spiritual guide, both religions have a different interpretation of what is essential when practicing their
rituals. Religions such as Judaism and Islam practice a form of meditation; however, their mediation is considered as a prayer. Even though Judaism, Christianity, and Islam do not share that much in common regarding ritual with Hinduism and Buddhism their religion share a particular perspective on male circumcision. In Judaism and Islam, it is more of a requirement; whereas, in Christianity, they use baptism as their religious element. Also, in these major religions, they have an aspect of fasting for a period; however, in religions such as Islam and Judaism, there is a traditional ritual of fasting such on what they can do and cannot do during a fast. Every religion at one point has shared a common ritual. However, most of them just interpret the meaning of each differently.
Regarding religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, they each hold a different belief and practices when it comes to how they view society. For instance, Buddhism and Hinduism have a similar purpose, regarding peace and happiness, through their focus on enlightenment. In Christianity and Judaism, peace and happiness can be seen as having a God who can watch over and guide the people to the right path. Islam has the same purpose in achieving their salvation through the Five pillars. Religion can tell us many things about individuals regarding their ideologies. However, these religions contrast when discussing the rituals they follow, which can tell how deeply invested they are in their faith and spiritual identity.