On Religion
Religion results from the desire to explain the unknown. These explanations form belief systems. Tangled webs, where people worship their gods, affirm their faith, practice rituals, chant, dance, and direct their lives. Religion paints a complex picture of our human family. Beguile many.
Rich with culture, passion, love and unfortunately hate, religion remains a celebration of peoples. Using sacred text, prophets, and rituals man attempts to explain the human purpose.
Presented here are many of the world’s religions. Special attention is given to the Abrahamic and Dharmic religions, which have the greatest number of adherents. In these summaries, I focused on the theistic viewpoint, the main founder or prophet, the sacred text and the belief in an afterlife. Discussing these aspects, pinpoint the similarities and differences between these religions.
Baha’i
The Baha’i are monotheistic, and believe in the God of Abraham. To them Bahá’u'lláh is a manifestation of God. Much like Jesus is to the Christians. It is to him, that they pray and worship. Unlike Christians, they have sacred text writing from their god figure. These writings include both the writings of Bahá’u'lláh and other Bahá’í leaders.
The Baha’i believe that there is only one true religion and one true God. They believe that in time, there will be only one religion. To Baha’i there is only one race. As such, they work to abandon all forms of prejudice. For them men and woman are equal. While they have sacred writings and worship Bahá’u'lláh, they believe that true religion promotes reason and works to understand the world through science.
Nevertheless it is their practice to accept Biblical understanding over scientific explanations when the two conflict. To them, such conflicts result from human inadequacy and haughtiness. For instance, in the case of creation versus the evolution, a Baha’i is compelled to accept creationism.
The Bahá’í believe in a spirit self, that continues after death. To them, heaven and hell are concepts that reflect nearness to God. A follower can achieve a state closer to God by living according to Gods will for them.
Many Buddhist are atheist while others are not. Those who are not atheist are mostly polytheistic. As a group, they adhere to the teachings of Siddharta Gautama (“the Buddha”). It is by living in accordance with his teaching that they might achieve enlightenment or Nirvana.
Their sacred texts include both the Pali Canon (Tripitaka), and numerous Mahayana sutras. These texts provide the methods of discipline and the teachings of the Buddha.
Buddhist concepts of afterlife are complex. These include rebirth and Nirvana. Nirvana means the end of suffering. Many Buddhist believe that Nirvana is a heavenly paradise.
Naraka is the closest concept to the idea of hell. In its description, it is closer to the Catholic purgatory. An individual is born into it, and remains until their karma has achieved its full result.
Christians are followers of Jesus Christ, the son of God. He is to them the savior of the world. To Christians, Jesus is the promised Messiah, who died to save them from their sins. It is impossible to discuss the various Christian beliefs. There are many denominations, but only one major separation, Catholicism and Protestantism. Christianity is a derivative of Judaism and has at its base a belief in an all-powerful God who created them. Still most Christians pray to Jesus, and look to him for forgiveness.
Christianity teaches that Jesus rose from the dead and returned to Heaven. One day, he will return to judge, and to create a new earth. The Bible is the main source of Christian belief systems. In it, the Ten Commandments, and other teachings instructs them in the ways of God. The Bible contains an Old and New Testament, which undergo conflicting interpretations. Most Christians focus on the New Testament, and little on the Old Testament. The result of varying interpretations is greatly responsible for the emergence of separate denominations, all claiming Christ as their savior.
The holy Trinity is a major tenet of the Christian faith. This makes it somewhat polytheistic, as they recognize God the father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. Each represents separate aspects of God, God in three persons. Jesus himself is an incarnate representative or manifestation of God.
The rites, festivals, customs and sacraments are specific to each denomination. Most denominations disagree on various aspects on how to, and even when to worship. Christians, baptize its members into the faith. It is symbolic of new birth and the forgiveness of Jesus. Some, like the Catholics, simply sprinkle water, while others fully submerge the body into the water. Some baptize babies, while others wait until the individual is old enough to make a personal choice for baptism.
Christians believe in the afterlife. Some denominations teach that at death, the individual immediately goes to heaven or hell. While other denominations teach, like Islam, that the dead remain dead until the second coming of Christ. At which time he will raise the dead, punish the wicked and reward the righteous. Still others teach rapture, where those chosen by God will mysteriously leave this earth and ascend to heaven. Another distinction is the concept of purgatory, where a person remains in limbo between heaven and hell.
Confucianism is a humanist religion. Confucians are a diverse group of believers who may also consider themselves Buddhist, Taoist, and Shinto. In this regard, Confucians range from atheistic to polytheists
Confucians do not worship Kung Fu Tzu (Confucius). To them he is not a god. He is a great leader, teacher and philosopher. He was himself, most likely Taoist. Followers of Confucianism, refer to him as the Master, and practice his teachings as a way of life. They live by the ideal of shu, or reciprocity. The nature of shu admonishes Confucians to regard everyone as they expect others to regard them.
The Confucian Canon comprises their sacred scripture. It includes five classics and four books. The most notable of these is the Lun-yü (Analects). The Lun-yü (Analects) consist of the Master sayings, as such it is the most beloved of all the sacred texts.
Confucians ideas on afterlife, heaven and hell reflect their religious beliefs.
Hare Krishna is a modern religion, founded in America, during the 60s by, His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Krishna devotees are monotheist, and worship Krishna as a manifestation of Vishnu. Krishna is a representative of the Supreme Godhead, much like Christ is to the Christians. His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada is a spiritual master, not a god or prophet. The Krishna do not worship or pray to him.
Their sacred text is the Bhagavad Gita, also a sacred text of the Hindus. In it, one can find the ideals of Krishna consciousness used to structure the religion. Members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), live according to the Seven Purposes of ISKCON. Members put these Purposes into practice in desire to live an ascetic lifestyle.
The most notable method of worship is dancing and chanting mantras. The male members dress in white or saffron robes and shave their heads. The women wear brightly colored saris and generally pull back or cover their hair.
Hare Krishna’s believe that they are eternal. That their souls never die. They are reborn, into life as a new being. According to ones consciousness, they are born animal or human. Yet, if a person has been sinful, they go to hell, if perfect, then to Heaven to be with Krishna. Heaven with Krishna is the only way to leave the material plane, to exist as a spirit. It is bliss. Hell is a temporary place, but where the soul can ripen and ready itself for consciousness in this world. To the Krishna, nothing is permanent. Existence in heaven or hell is temporary. All but the Supreme Godhead are impermanent.
Hinduism is one of the Dharmic religions. Hindus are pantheist in that they believe that Braham is all. Anything that was or that will be is Braham. To them, God lives in all things. Although their basic premise is pantheism, they are also polytheistic. Hindus worship numerous manifestations of Braham. Which include Buddha and Jesus Christ, although they do not worship Jesus or have symbols of him.
Hinduism concludes that humans are in bondage, trapped by ignorance and illusion. To escape bondage they seek to attain liberation (moksha) from the cycle of reincarnation. Hinduism is both a religion and a way of life. It is a complex religion with several methods to achieve liberation. One of these methods includes Hindu Yoga, which provides an array of choices geared toward various personality types. Through these practices, one can focus on the path.
Hindus live according to the dharma. Dharma is the highest truth or the ultimate reality as in Braham. There are many forms of worship in the Hindu religion, among them include chanting, yoga, and external symbols. These tenets are Mantra, Tantra and Yantra.
Hindus have a number of sacred texts, written in Sanskrit, a holy language. These include the Vedas, Upanishads, Sutras, and the Bhagavad Gita. Together these texts provide thoughts on life, suffering and liberation.
Hinduism does not have a concept of heaven or hell. A person who works out his karma can end the cycle of rebirth, its end result is total annihilation of suffering. It is an eternal rest of sorts. Some Hindus believe that moksha, will return them to Braham, as part of what is all, but having no consciousness, no soul. Others believe that they will live in a heaven with Braham, similar to the Heaven of many religions.
There is really no concept of hell. Only the cycle of rebirth, which is suffering and bondage?
Muslims are followers of Islam. Islam requires strict monotheism, as well as submission to Allah. The prophet Muhammad is the founder of Islam. He is not a god, and the followers do not pray to him. In Islam, Muslims believe god created angels to worship him. Belief in angels is therefore is one of the six Articles of Faith. Although Islam teaches that angels exist, they do not believe in manifestations of god. As such, they give no credence to Jesus Christ. Only God is divine.
As part of the Islamic faith, Muslims pray five times a day. During prayer, a Muslim directs himself towards Mecca. Their prayers are rigid, and have specific guidelines on how to perform them. Mosques are a place of worship. In them, Muslims pray, receive education and educate themselves on the ways of Islam.
Islam teaches that man was born pure yet imperfect. Even so, it teaches that man can find and surrender himself to Allah. Through complete submission, a Muslim believes he will attain paradise.
The Qur’an, Hadith and Five Pillars of Islam provide the guidelines by which all Muslims must live. From these sacred texts, Muslims learn of the origin of man, his fall, and redemption. The main text is the Qur’an, which provides specific on how man must conduct his life. It provides the rules for daily living.
More than anything, Muslims conduct themselves according to religious law.
Muslims believe in both heaven and hell. Like in Revelations of the Christian Bible, the Qur’an details a judgment day. On the Last Day, Allah will raise the dead and judge the people. Those whose deeds balance to the good will go to heaven, otherwise to hell. Heaven is an actual place where one lives with Allah in eternal spiritual and physical pleasure. While Hell is a place where one experiences eternal suffering both spiritual and physical.
There are exceptions to the Last Day. For instance, warriors who die fighting for Allah are immediately ushered into God’s presence. While those who die as enemies of Islam, are immediate sentenced to Hell.
See also The Nation of Islam.
Judaism began as a national religion of the Hebrew people. It was a method of government, and instituted religious law. In a sense, it made God the dictator, and ultimate ruler of its peoples. Its teachings and understanding of the origin of man is the foundation of all Abrahamic religions. In Judaism God is all-powerful, all knowing, with the ability to existing in all places simultaneously.
The Jews understand God as a single entity. He does not manifest himself. It is a sin to worship other gods. To create idols of God is also sinful.
Judaism is monotheistic, and states that God, YHWH, is the one god, who created man in his image. The goal of humanity is obedience to God. In life, Jews strive toward atonement of sin through its rules, regulation and practices.
Judaism is the main source of the belief that the earth is 6000 years old. Its genealogy begins with the origin of the earth and chronology expresses the creation of the earth, life forms, and man. In this cause, they express that God created the heaven and earth in seven days.
The Tanakh (Torah) with the Talmud are sacred texts. These texts contain the Hebrew Scriptures by which the Jewish people govern their lives.
The Tanakh is the source of the Old Testament bible, used by Christians. The Torah, are the five books of Moses, and as the Torah scroll is the most important object in the synagogue. The Shabbat is the official day of worship. It is a sacred day, a day of rest, which commemorates God’s creation. Jewish people, follow the fourth commandment, which specifies how to observe the Shabbat.
The concepts of afterlife vary among the Jewish community. Many as the Baha’i, in that heaven and hell are concepts that reflect nearness to God.
