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Compare And Contrast World Religions

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Comparison and Contrast of World Religions The religions of the world, while differing greatly in their specifics, are surprisingly similar. The three most prevalent religions in the world are Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism, in that order. All believe in a higher power that presides over and created man. Islam originated in approximately 609 C.E., or Common Era, and Christianity originated around 33 C.E. which is supposedly when Jesus Christ was crucified. The main prophet of Islam, Muhammad, is supposedly of the lineage of Jesus Christ. Both religions consider Abraham the father of the people of Israel, his son Ishmael being the “Father of the Arabs” and his son Isaac being the “Father of the Hebrews”. Hinduism originated in India in…show more content…
They are also aligned as the transcendent Godhead, Shiva, the cosmic lord, Vishnu and the cosmic mind, Brahma. (…) This is much like the Christian trinity of God as the Father, Son and Holy Ghost” (HinduNet pg. 1). Brahma creates a new world once the old one is destroyed, Vishnu protects the world until Shiva arrives to destroy it again. Hindus believe this to be a never-ending cycle of creation. Islam does not believe in any form of Trinity. All three religions do believe that their respective god of creation is the source of all life on Earth. Islam and Christianity both follow the traditional belief of Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden, while Hinduism believes that Brahma simply takes pieces of himself and forms man. The similarities may seem to be overwhelming, but in reality these religions differ more than they resemble one another.
Hinduism is the only religion of the three discussed that believes on more than one God. Christianity believes in the Holy Trinity, but these are essentially all parts of God. Hinduism believes in many separate deities in addition to the main 3 stated before. Islam, however, believes in a single god, Allah, and any form of Trinity is considered blasphemous. An excerpt from the Koran reads, “and do not speak of a trinity, for it would be better for you to stop. God alone is the One worthy of worship: glory to God exalted beyond having a son” (pg. 171-75). Although monotheism and polytheism distinguish these
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