World Religions: Christianity and Hinduism

Christianity

• Humanity was separated from God through sin, but salvation is possible through Jesus Christ's sacrifice.
• Belief in the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
• Angels were created by God with specific roles, including archangels like Michael and Gabriel.
• Other angels include cherubim, seraphim, thrones, and guardian angels assigned to humans.
• Salvation is achieved through Jesus' sacrifice, offering grace and communion with God, emphasizing faith and repentance.
• The Bible (Old and New Testaments) is the scripture. Old Testament covers history and law, and New Testament covers the life and teachings of Jesus.
• Afterlife is eternal life in Heaven or Hell, based on faith and deeds.

Hinduism

• A diverse collection of religious traditions without a single founder or unified doctrine.
• Over 1.25 billion adherents, primarily in India.
• Reincarnation: The soul is reborn in different forms after death.
• Karma: Actions determine one's destiny.
• Dharma: Righteous duty aligned with cosmic order.
• Samsara: The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.
• Moksha: Liberation from samsara, the ultimate spiritual goal.
• Polytheistic, with a pantheon including Brahma (creator), Vishnu (preserver), and Shiva (destroyer).
• Figures like Mahatma Gandhi emphasized non-violence.
• Practices like yoga and meditation are globally popular.
• Scriptures include Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and Ramayana.
• Afterlife involves reincarnation until moksha is achieved.

Buddhism

• Founded by Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) in the 5th century BCE.
• Four Noble Truths: Suffering exists, has a cause, can end, and there is a path to end it.
• Eightfold Path: Right view, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration.
• Rejects the idea of a creator god, focusing on personal effort for enlightenment.
• Tripitaka (Pali Canon) and Mahayana Sutras are the scriptures.
• Rebirth until nirvana (end of suffering) is achieved.

Judaism

• One of the oldest monotheistic religions, founded over 3,500 years ago.
• Key events: Exodus from Egypt, giving of the Ten Commandments.
• Monotheistic, with God as the creator and omnipotent ruler.
• Central prayer: Shema ("Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One").
• A future temporal leader (Messiah) to restore the Kingdom of David.
• Jews reject Jesus as the Messiah.
• The Torah guides life and ethics, and the Talmud offers commentary.
• Hebrew Bible (Tanakh), including Torah, Prophets (Nevi'im), and Writings (Ketuvim) are the scriptures.
• Focus on ethical living and awaiting the Messiah.
• Afterlife focuses on ethical living and awaiting the Messiah.

Islam

• Monotheistic; Allah is the sole God, with Muhammad as his prophet.
• Pride and rebellion are humanity's failings; submission to Allah (Islam) is the virtue.
• Five Pillars: Shahada (faith), Salat (prayer), Zakat (charity), Sawm (fasting), Hajj (pilgrimage).
• Salvation is based on faith, good deeds, and submission to Allah's will.
• Tauba (repentance) can redeem sinners.
• The Quran (holy book) and Hadith (prophet's sayings) are the scriptures.
• Souls are judged on the Day of Judgment and sent to Paradise or Hell.