Information taken from World Book Encyclopedia and other sources.
Hinduism

Founded in Indus Valley of India about 3500 BC within Dravidian Civilization. Unlike other religions, Hinduism is not founded upon the teachings of one man. It has developed gradually over thousands of years and one may find many variations across a multitude of cultures, races, and locations. It has in common with other religions a belief in divinities, afterlife, and a standard of how its followers should conduct their lives. Although there is no one sacred book that serves as the source for its doctrines, Hinduism relies on many historical writings, the oldest and most familiar of which are the vedas, or teachings. These teachings existed for centuries before being written down.

Hinduism is polytheistic (many gods) and their gods take many forms. It teaches that the soul never dies but is re-born (reincarnated), perhaps in another form (even an animal) when the body dies. The law of karma, related to to reincarnation, teaches that the actions or conduct of a person in their lives will influence how the soul will be re-born. This process will continue until the soul reaches perfection which is described as the cessation (complete absence) of desire (called Nirvana). Temples are buildings dedicated to divinities and the practitioners believe that the gods are actually present in the images contained therein.

An integral part of the religion is the traditional Indian caste system, with the following general divisions: brahmans (priestly and learned), kshatriyas (warriors and rulers), vaisyas (farmers and merchants), sudras (peasants and laborers), and panchamnas (untouchables). Hinduism is located overwhelmingly in India and Nepal today. Hindus numbered 203 million in 1900 (12.5% of world) and 747 million in 1997 (12.8% of world).

Forming the theological foundation for both Christianity and Islam, Judaism is the religion of the original Hebrew people. Probably originating from the earliest of times with Semitic semi-nomads in the Middle East, its traditions were recorded in the earliest texts of the Old Testament around 1500 BC. After the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD and following the persecuted by the Romans, the Jews dispersed throughout Europe and Asia. Jews are still widely scattered, with almost six million in North America, four million in Israel and three million in Russia.

There are three major sub-groups of Judaism: Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform. Orthodox Jews strictly observe the Jewish laws and traditions such as keeping the Sabbath and special dietary rules. Conservative Jews allow for more latitude in interpreting the old laws but still insist that no interpretation should divide Jews into opposing groups. While still observing the traditions, many conservative Jews have modified certain of the rituals. Reform Judaism believes that each generation has the right to accept, reject, or modify the traditions it has received. They place less emphasis on the ritual observances and they may, or may not, observe the dietary laws.

Faith in one God (monotheism) forms the basis of Judaism. It teaches that God created man in His own image and therefore, all men must be accorded respect. It teaches further that all of man's basic rights come from God and that no ruler may take them away. Because it is important to know God's law and to keep it, there has always been a great emphasis on scholarship, particularly the study of the scriptures. Because of this emphasis, Jewish literacy is quite high and Jews (to their credit) often are disproportionately represented in professions that require scholastic discipline.

The Balfour Declaration created the nation/state of Israel in 1948 and Jews were able to return to the land of their forefathers for the first time in almost 1900 years. OF course, the Arab people for whom that region had been home for 19 centuries were less than enthusiastic about the arrangement and so peace in the region has always been tenuous.

Founded about 525 BC by Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) near the Ganges River, it is a reformation of Hinduism. Meditated under a Bodhi tree. King Asoka converted 275 BC and dispatched missionaries. Spread also by trade caravans. Found overwhelmingly in Asia, especially Sri Lanka, Tibet, and Indochina, with relatively few in India. Combined with traditional Chinese beliefs in China and Shintoism in Japan. Suffering is caused by the desire for material goods. Belief in the sanctity of all life and importance of meditation to end the cycle of reincarnation. Numbered 127 million in 1900 (7.8% of world) and 353 million in 1997 (6.0% of world).

No man has impacted the world as has Jesus Christ (4 BC-29 AD) whose life and teachings form the basis of Christianity. The bible (both the Old and the New Testament) is about Jesus. It predicts His coming, His suffering and crucifixtion, and His resurrection and ascension. Arguably, Christianity is distinct from the "Christian religion" because true Christianity emphasises a relationship with God through Christ rather than a ritualistic observance of ceremony. (see Is Christianity a Religion on this web site for a further explanation of this concept.)

Early Christians were all devout Jews who believed that Jesus Christ was the long-awaited Messiah prophesied from their scriptures. Then Gentiles (non-Jews) believed also in Jesus even though many of them did not know of the Jewish prophecies or traditions. These became believers on the strength of the testimony of eyewitnesses to the resurrection, and the many miracles that were done in their midst. The belief was so transforming that for 2000 years, men and nations have been influenced by this itinerant carpenter from Galilee.

Christianity is monotheistic (one God) although it descibes the Diety as have three distinct persons (trinity); a difficult concept, and one which is a major obstacle for many who would otherwise embrace its teachings. The concept of the Trinity has been analogized by water, ice, and steam which are three distinct variants of the chemical H2-0: One chemical compound existing in three forms and yet having three different manifestations. (Of course, like many analogies, it is an imperfect device to explain something as big as God.) Jesus, it is taught, is one of the three "persons" of the Trinity that is God. His earthly manifestation was necessary to demonstrate, in the flesh, the nature and character of God.

The principal doctrine of Christianity is that mankind, although created in the image of God, has "fallen" into a state of sin (disobedience to God). Since God is a "JUST" God, the sin must be punished according to His law. However, since God is also a merciful God, He does not desire the death (eternal separation) of man. Thus, the apparent impossibility of reconciling these two opposite outcomes can only be affected by substitutionary atonement. That is, someone has to pay for the sin (because justice must be done) but the only one who can afford to pay is not guilty of the crime.

Additionally, the destructive effects of sin are so pervasive that mankind is bound up in involuntary servitude without realizing the extent of their addiction until they are powerless to overcome it. The penalty for sin is death but a "just" God could not permit that situation to exist so the "power" (spiritual energy?) to overcome sin must also be a "gift" from God. Faith in the promises of God causes us to accept the fact of Jesus' death (which paid the price of our sin in full) and also unleashes the spiritual power in us to overcome the sin nature.

Christianity is found in every corner of the globe. It can be found in villages and cities from Alaska to the Azores; from Paris to Polynesia; from Africa to Akron. It transcends all races, cultures, and geo-political boundaries. Fully one third of the people in the world profess faith in its teachings. It is so simple that it can be understood by a child, yet so complex that it cannot be explained by scholars. Its message has been assaulted by academics and kings, trampled and left for dead in the ravages of war, communism, and "enlightenment," yet it endures and offers hope for countless millions of people.

A more complete discussion of the doctrine of Christianity can be found elsewhere on this web site (as well as hundreds of other web sites on the Internet) but this should acquaint the reader with the substantial differences between Christianity and the religions of the world.

Founded on the Arabian Peninsula by Mohammed (570 - 632 AD). Mohammed preached that there was only one God and that he (Mohammed) was the last of the prophets. Islam borrows many precepts of Judeo-Christian theology. It is Monotheistic (believing in one God), teaches similar ethics and morals (forbids lying, cheating, stealing, adultry, and murder), and promotes honor and virtue (kindness to slaves, charity to the poor, and courage). Islam is the principle religion of the Middle East, Turkey, and Albania.

Practitioners (called Muslims) read from the Koran (Qu'ran). Practices include five prayers a day facing Mecca, a pilgrimage, almsgiving, and fasting during Ramadan. Numbered 200 million in 1900 (12.4% of world) and 1,147 million in 1997 (19.6% of world). Spread by jihad(Holy War- the only way a Muslim is guaranteed passage to the afterlife) and evangelism. Major sects are the Sunnites and the Shiites.

Not included above are Chinese folk religion, tribal and shamanist religions, Sikhs, Confucians, Baha'is, and Jains, as well as the world's atheists and non-religious population.

See The Development of Western Political Thought from Socrates to Marx.

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