All across the world people have Religions. We have faith and belief in certain things, and as people, we certainly do not all believe in the same things. What some people consider to be true can be contrary to what another person thinks is true. There are many Religions in this world. They all have differences and similarities. The greatest similarity across all religions we have studied is that all religions believe in a higher being.
There
is and has never been a religion in the world that was or is completely
atheist. One way or the other, every religion believes in a higher power and
worships that higher power. The five major religions we have studied are:
Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Judaism. Islam and Christianity
are the two most popular religions of them all. There are many differences
between these two religions, but there are similarities and the most important
one is that they both believe in God and both worship God to the fullest. Islam
believes in God; they call him “Allah”. He is the creator of earth and he is
almighty. For Christianity God is the creator of heaven and earth who sent his
son Jesus Christ for us. He died on the cross, rose from the dead and ascended
into heaven. The Islam religion recognizes Jesus Christ, but not as the son of
God. Both religions have a very deep relationship to God. Islam has been known
for their extremist beliefs in what will be given to them by “Allah” in the
afterlife. For example: believing that seventy two virgins will be given in the
afterlife to those who sacrifice their current life for “Allah”. Although Islam
beliefs are a bit extreme in our eyes, it is still a God-based religion.
Judaism
is a religion that is much like Christianity. Jewish teachings are that God
exists, he is the only God, and he is eternal. Judaism focuses on the one on
one relationship with God. The teachings of Judaism are to be found in the “Torah”
(the Jewish Bible) or the more recent “Talmud”. Judaism beliefs are that God will
reward the good and punish the wicked. They believe that the messiah will come
to earth and the dead will be resurrected. Hinduism teaches that no man will
escape his destiny. Hindus believe heavily in Karma. One’s destiny will be
determined by the thoughts, words and deeds of that person. Hindus worship God
through meditation of the body and soul; a complete surrender to the almighty.
Buddhism is the one religion that stray the most away from the other religions.
Buddhists have many gods. For example: the god of wisdom, the god of healing,
and the god of purification. All of which are prayed to when needed.“Buddha” is
more of a teacher about life how one should go about it. Buddhism is seen as
advice to consider rather than rules to follow or commandments.
Though
all these religions differ in many areas, the one similarity still remains that
they all believe in a higher being.
Domenic Millan
ReplyDeleteGroup 1
Comparative Religion
I couldn’t agree more on how you wrote about this topic. I am from a very religious school and I am very familiar with this topic. Many people believe in different things. Between all the different types of rituals and religions almost all of them believe in someone higher than them. Also saying, there are people who are atheist. You did a great job trying to make sure you touched a little on each main religion. Being that I am Catholic I believe in god, but Islam people believe in there higher being Allah. I learned that Islam people believe that Allah will give something in the afterlife. I didn’t know that Judaism was so related to Christianity. Everyone has the right to choose what they believe in. Everyone also is going to have their own input on what they think is right and what they think is wrong. So people can agree or disagree. The key point I think is what you said in the first sentences, the greatest similarity across all religions we have studied is that all religions believe in a higher being. If you have a higher being, you can have someone to look up to, pray to, and just believe in. Comparative Religion is such a broad topic to write about and I believe that you did a great job on it. Whatever religion you believe in, stick by it and respect it. I enjoyed reading this essay on Comparative Religion and glad I got to learn some new things.
Domenic Millan
Group 1
Daniel Grever
ReplyDeleteGroup 3
Comparative Religion
I definitely agree that the presence of a higher being or deity is the most common similarity between all religions we have studied. Furthermore, the Islamic faith is not the only religion in which their deity grants them rewards in the afterlife. In addition to Islam, the Christian faith has rewards and punishments if the follower is unfaithful to God. For instance, if a Christian believer disobeys the Ten Commandments, they would have to ask for forgiveness or their soul would be sent to Hell instead of Heaven. Indeed, I am of Christian faith and believe in the after life and I can understand why many religions have a deity. Moreover, the presence of a deity gives followers someone to look up to in times of hardship and also give them hope for their soul after their death. However, I was unaware that the Buddhist faith was alike with the Hinduism faith wherein they both have multiple deities that they pray to, but one deity is a central figure none the less. Of course, the deity Brahman is the central figure in Hinduism and Buddha is more of a teacher, but they still provide the same hope or teachings that a religion with a single deity would. Without a doubt, many people have different opinions on religion but the presence of a higher being is the most common occurrence throughout all religions. I enjoyed this article and it showed me some interesting facts that I had overlooked.
Daniel Grever
Group 3
I must admit this was well said and also well put together. I do believe that all religions worship a higher power. The question I have is what is a higher power? Growing up we learn from church that there is this higher power named Jesus or Allah you know. I think about it like this what if we were never notified of this powereful being? How would we see life? How would it change our percetion on things? Would we act a certain way or would we be too routine to the world to realize what's really going on? I believe that everything is of God. EVerything around us is made up of God. We shouldn't have to go to a church or talk to someone to relieve us if we've done wrong because most of the time we're going to do it again you know? Religion is one of those things that will always be questions for. So who's wrong or right in this situtation?
ReplyDeleteAlre Hudson
Team 1