World Religions Overview

The belief that everything encompasses God and God is virtually present everywhere.

The belief that souls will be reborn again.

Quiet focused thinking, often used in spiritual practices.

A religion that believes in one god.

A person who is believed to be sent by God to deliver a message.

A savior or deliverer, especially of a religious group.

The holy book of Judaism, regarded as the sacred word of God.

A holy city revered by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Christianity is a monotheistic religion that believes in one God in three persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit.

Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God, the Jewish messiah, and the savior of the world. They believe he was both fully God and fully human.

The Bible is the sacred text of Christianity. It is divided into two parts: the Old Testament and the New Testament.

The Old Testament, also known as the Hebrew Bible, contains the history, laws, and wisdom of the ancient Israelites.

The New Testament contains the teachings of Jesus and his earliest followers, including the Gospels and the letters of the apostles.

The Catholic Church is the original form of Christianity, while the Greek Orthodox Church split from the Catholic Church in 1054.

Protestantism emerged in the 1500s as a result of the Protestant Reformation, led by Martin Luther.

Judaism is the religion of the Hebrews and is rooted in the Middle East.

Christians do not believe that Muhammad is a prophet, unlike Muslims. They believe that Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophecies about the messiah in the Hebrew Bible.

The holy book of Judaism is called the Torah, which contains the first five books of the Hebrew Bible.

The belief that people are responsible for their own happiness and sorrow, and their actions have consequences that carry over into future lives.

A state of perfect peace and enlightenment, achieved through understanding and overcoming suffering.

The belief that the soul is reborn into a new life after death. This cycle continues until enlightenment is reached.

The supreme being in Hinduism, believed to manifest in three forms: Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver), and Shiva (the destroyer).

A place of worship for Hindus, often elaborately decorated and dedicated to specific deities.

Yahweh is the Hebrew name for God, as used in the Bible.

The Hebrew Bible, also known as the Tanakh, is a collection of 39 books containing the history, laws, and wisdom of the ancient Israelites. The entire Bible is composed of three parts: the Torah (Law), Nevi'im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings).

The Talmud is a vast body of Jewish civil and ceremonial law, customs, and culture.

Judaism emphasizes the importance of one God and the covenant between God and the Israelites. This covenant signifies a special relationship between God and the chosen people, with specific blessings given only to them.

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are all monotheistic religions, meaning they believe in the existence of one God.

Reform Judaism emerged in the 19th century, seeking to modernize Jewish traditions and practices to better align with Western culture. They believe that traditional laws should be adapted to modern society and incorporate modern technology.

Orthodox Judaism, dating back to the 18th century, maintains the belief that both the written Torah and the oral Torah (interpretations and traditions) represent the word of God. They strive to adhere closely to traditional practices.

Conservative Judaism emerged in the 19th century as a middle ground between Orthodox and Reform Judaism. They aim to preserve traditional elements while allowing for some modernization.

The Quran is the central religious text of Islam, believed to be the direct word of God revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. It comprises many verses that are arranged into chapters known as surahs.

The Hadith are collections of sayings and actions by the Prophet Muhammad, serving as a guide for Islamic life and law. They interpret the Quran and offer guidance for Muslims.

Muslims believe Jesus was a messenger of God (prophet), but not the son of God or a messiah. They see Jesus as a crucial figure but do not believe in his divinity.

A collection of traditions, sayings, and practices attributed to the Prophet Muhammad, providing guidance for Muslims alongside the Quran.

A branch of Islam that believes Ali, Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, was the rightful successor to the Prophet, making him the first caliph.

A branch of Islam that denies the need for Muhammad's blood relative to be the leader, accepting the caliphs before Ali as legitimate.

The teachings of Buddha, focusing on self-examination, improvement, and the understanding of the nature of reality. It's considered a way of life rather than a strict religion.

The Four Noble Truths are fundamental teachings in Buddhism that describe the nature of suffering, its cause, its cessation, and the path to achieve cessation.

An eight-step path in Buddhism, leading to enlightenment and the end of suffering by eliminating desires through virtue, compassion, and mindfulness.

The primary collection of Buddhist scriptures, written in Pali, containing the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and other teachings of Buddha.

A branch of Buddhism, prominent in Southeast Asia, which focuses on personal enlightenment through a disciplined and contemplative path.

A branch of Buddhism, found in East Asia, which emphasizes compassion, helping others, and the concept of Bodhisattvas who delay their own enlightenment to help others.