Christianity, the largest religion in the world, is based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. They believe in one God that created the universe and that God send his son Jesus into the world to save His people. This is the same God that followers of Judaism worship. The sacred book of Christianity is the Bible. Christians believe that they can be delivered from sin through their belief in Jesus. If they turn from their sinful ways, they will be forgiven and receive eternal life in Heaven. The Bible teaches that God’s Son, Jesus, was sacrificed on a cross in order to save the people of the world. He was resurrected three days later on Easter Sunday. Christian’s also celebrate Christmas as Jesus’ birthday.
Islam, the second largest religion of the world, is rapidly growing. Islam is predicted to be the largest religion by the mid 21st century. The word “Islam” means submission to the Will of God. Followers of Islam are called Muslims. Muslims believe in one indivisible God called Allah. They do not believe that God had a son that was crucified as do the Christians. When a child of the Islamic religion reaches puberty an account of their deeds is opened in Paradise. When a person dies, their eventual destination depends on the balance of their good and bad deeds. The holy book of Islam is the Qur’an. Muslims believe its words to be those of Allah himself. Muslims pray five times daily while facing the holy city of Mecca. If they are economically and physically able they are to make at least one pilgrimage to Mecca in their lifetime.
Hinduism is one of the oldest and the third largest religions of the world. Hindus believe in many gods but recognize one supreme spirit called Brahman. The goal of the Hindus is to someday join with Brahman. Until then believers are in a continuous process of reincarnation. At death, the Hindus deeds, or karma, will determine what they will be in the next life. A believer that lived a life of good deeds would be reborn at a higher level. Hinduism has many sacred books, the oldest being a series called the Vedas. Boys of the Hinduism religion go through a “second birth.” This ritual consists of eating a last meal with their mothers before becoming a man. After this ceremony they are expected to eat with the men and take on more responsibilities. The daily ritual of puja is performed to keep Hindus aware of their family gods. A picture or small statue is placed in a sacred corner of the home in which the believer worships on a daily basis.
Buddhism was founded by a teacher named Prince Siddhartha Gautama. To his followers he was known as the Buddha, or the Enlightened One. The sacred teaching and writing of the Buddhism religion is called the Triptaka. The Buddhists believe in the continuous cycle of death and birth. Like the Hindus, the Buddhists believe that karma determines their positions in the next life. As long as a person remains in this cycle he or she can not be free of pain and suffering. This cycle can’t be broken until the desire for worldly things is completely gone. Once that has been done the people are passed into place of eternal bliss, perfect peace and happiness. This state of mind is also known as nirvana. While they do not believe in a god or the existence of a human soul they have faith in Buddha and his teachings. The practice of meditation is essential to nearly all Buddhists. While in the state of meditation Buddhists also chant mantras, which are sacred sounds that are believed to possess supernatural powers. Mantras are often used for protection against evil and misfortune.
These five religions are many obvious differences of course; but they share certain elements too. They all believe in a power beyond the individual, have a goal of a life after death, a code of conduct and use of religious acts and ceremonies.
