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Comparative Religions and Denominations
Comparative religion refers to the study that analyzes the differences and similarities of concepts, myths, themes and rituals among the religions in the world. It also refers to man’s ideas about the spiritual, the sacred and the divine.
1,699 Questions
What were jesus's main teachings?
Jesus is the Lord and Savior, the one and only Christ. He died to save you from sin, all the bad things that you do. By saving you from sin, He gave you eternal life in Heaven. All you have to do is pray, just close your eyes, and tell Him you believe in Him. He's listening to you, and has waited for you to talk to Him. I promise He'll hear what you have to say. He is the Son of God. He came to earth, and taught His people (commonly known as the Disciples) the Word of God (aka, the Bible). He is the best known teacher in the world, even after 2,000 years! He taught to love one another, and promised He would save the world from Hell by dying and then raising Himself from the dead. Science says this is not possible, but they have found the tomb, and many other artifacts that prove the Bible is true, and that Jesus did in fact exist. Three days after He was crucified on the Cross, an awful death, He rose from the dead. Just like He said He would. He showed His scars from the nails that had hung Him to the cross to His disciples. He gave us the most amazing gift that can be given. He gave us the gift of eternal life. If you recognize Him as the Lord and Savior, God's Son, who died and rose again to save you from sin. John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal
What is the connection between three religions?
A:
One connection is in art. You will notice that Christian and Buddhist portraits often have halos around the head of the person depicted. Religious portraiture is less common in Islam, especially Sunni Islam, but the prophet Muhammad has been depicted with a halo. The origin of the halo is with the sun god, Apollo, whom Alexander brought to the East.
Of course, we know that Islam arose in southern Arabia, where Judaism and Christianity had both made substantial incursions into ancient beliefs. Much of Islamic belief originates with the Christian beliefs of the time, particularly Nestorian Christianity.
Christianity has an indirect link back through Judaism to the Persian Zoroastrian religion, which is believed to have originated amongst the Aryan people of southern Russia, the same region in which the Hindu religion originated. Many centuries after Hinduism and Zoroastrianism had both migrated south out of the Aryan homeland, the Jews made contact with Zoroastrianism during the Babylonian Exile, and the Buddha founded a new faith in the Hindu milieu. There will be a connection here, to the extent that Zoroastrianism and Hinduism shared some ancient beliefs.
Christian missionaries and Buddhist missionaries began to enter China around the same time, in the sixth century. The Buddhist missionaries could not translate their sacred documents into Chinese, and so approached the Christian bishop of Xi'an for help, which he generously provided. No matter how careful the Christians might have been in not colouring the translations with elements of their own beliefs, it is possible that some inadvertent adaptation occurred.
What is the difference between Hinduism and budism?
Hindu philosophy advocates highest value for the unknown (GOD) through which proposes to control human societies.
Buddhist philosophy advocates highest value for the order of social system.
Can a Catholic become a godparent in the Greek Orthodox church?
No. The Godparent must be of Greek Orthodox faith. Some churches allow Catholics to stand at the alter with a Greek Orthodox godparent as an honorary godparent....They can hold and change the baby but can not participate in the actual sacraments...i.e. rubbing the oil on the baby.
Do Protestants believe in the trinity?
They know there is a pope, believe in him no. There is only one Holy Father and he is Jesus. Do you think The pope would die for our sins. When jesus walked among the people he did not use a pope mobile. And the protestant's bible have pictures of God not the pope!
Religion was made so humans could have something to focus on like God, and if a certain human does that they will get their reward.
Another Thought
I believe it started when humankind first became self aware. They looked around, and being thinking creatures, started to wonder how things (including themselves) got there.
Questions like: "Where does the sun go at night?" "Why does the weather change?" "Why is the land not all flat?" "Why is the ocean salty?" and a million more similar thoughts.
The world is a big scary place when you are a primitive. Animals are hard to catch, nobody had "invented" farming, or grocery stores or even nice safe warm houses.
It was important for humankind to believe there was a "guiding hand" in the creation of the world and that "someone up there was looking after them."
Thus, some higher power had to be "running things" and the first of the spiritual paths stumbled into the light of day.
As time went along, the "spiritual path" became a little more of a "spiritual road." More and more people started following it. We started formalizing the creation stories, and the teaching stories, and the words used to ask for things (prayer).
With humankind, being territorial and acquisitive by nature, conflict came about. When two groups crossed paths in a desirable area, then, god went to war.
It is so much easier to kill others, take their property, and enslave their children if you believed "God is on our side."
The fact that the other group believed the same, was irrelevant.
It has always been my belief that humankind is unable or unwilling to take responsibility for their own actions. So they allowed their gods to be more human (venal, gluttonous, petty, grasping, duplicitous, lascivious, and amoral) in order that they could excuse their own excess and petition the gods with prayers to forgive their behavior.
They even created an evil entity "the devil" who's sole purpose was to tempt humankind into the commission of inappropriate acts. Thus came about the cry, "The devil made me do it!"
In the evolution of spirituality, it came about that most people realized they would rather turn to an "expert" in the field, rather than try to figure it all out themselves and the "priesthood" came into being.
From that point on, humankind became more and more removed/insulated from their gods, eventually coming to the conclusion (often fostered by the aforementioned priesthood) that it was necessary and desirable to have someone, "properly trained" to intercede with the gods on behalf of the general population.
It was also necessary for that priesthood to continue its own existence, so there had to be a "reason" why the general populace would go to the priesthood for help.
Thus came about an exclusionary "heaven" or "final reward" that could only be attained by living a specifically prescribed life and making the appropriate offering, through the offices of the priesthood.
And what good is a "carrot" without a "stick"? Enter "hell", the ultimate and eternal punishment for those who will not follow the path.
Of course, "the intercession" by the right offerings, and supplications made through the priesthood, could get you out of that particular difficulty.
The formalization of that intercession, it's manner and words, the penance one would pay, and the rewards of the hereafter where the beginnings of Religion.
As more time went by, within the various Religions many prophets arose, charismatic men of vision and conviction who tried variously to "teach a different way."
Splinter groups peeled off of the "main" groups. These sub-sections became separate paths, eventually evolving into other Religions.
Some of these new Religions had "legs" and lasted generations, some of them, even the long lived ones, eventually faded into the obscurity of the past.
In short, humankind needed but failed, to keep a close enough eye on how Religion evolved. There are many today who are suffering a "crisis of faith" for just that reason.
The formalized Religions of today are becoming ever more remote from the needs of the people who follow them, and more and more souls go begging for lack of guidance.
This does not, however, mean that humankind does not still need its Religions. We have not yet come to a point in our own evolution, that we can or do act in a manner that would raise us above the need for God (uppercase, lower case, singular, plural, male, female or unknown).
When there is no more war, no more poverty, no more hatred, no more senseless acts of cruelty or violence.
When we all come to the place in our paths where we freely and conscientiously take full responsibility for our own actions.
When we live lives that exemplify the teachings of some of the more memorable of those ancient prophets.
When we understand and accept that each and every one of us carries the spark of the divine within us, and can come to respect that spark in everyone else.
Then, and only then, will Religions fall by the wayside, and we will all travel our own personal spiritual paths in complete harmony with one another and all the creatures of the world.
Karma, many gods, moksha
"Vaasudeva Kutumbakam" means "the world, the humanity is one family". And that we are all One spirit.
1. Hinduism teaches that the world we see is an illusion.
2. Hindus believe that the soul does not die, but rather can be reborn in the another body.
3. Hinduism people who fulfill their dharma (means doing one's moral duty in this life so that the soul can advance in the next life) gain good karma (is the good or bad force created by a person's actions) and are born into a higher social group in the next life. So if you were poor when you died you will be rebirth and have money
Hinduism, is the worlds oldest religion. It has no beginning and precedes recorded history. Hinduism has four main denominations--Saivism, Shaktism, Vaishnavism and Smartism.
Basic Beliefs are:
- Believe in a one, all-pervasive Supreme Being who is both immanent and transcendent, both Creator and Unmanifest Reality.
- Believe in the divinity of the four Vedas, the world's most ancient scripture, and venerate the Agamas as equally revealed. These primordial hymns are God's word and the bedrock of Sanatana Dharma, the eternal religion.
- Hindus believe that the universe undergoes endless cycles of creation, preservation and dissolution.
- Hindus believe in karma, the law of cause and effect by which each individual creates his own destiny by his thoughts, words and deeds.
- Hindus believe that the soul reincarnates, evolving through many births until all karmas have been resolved, and moksha, liberation from the cycle of rebirth, is attained. Not a single soul will be deprived of this destiny.
- Hindus believe that all life is sacred, to be loved and revered, and therefore practice ahimsa, noninjury, in thought, word and deed.
- Hindus believe that no religion teaches the only way to salvation above all others, but that all genuine paths are facets of God's Light, deserving tolerance and understanding.
What is the difference between Shintosim and Confucianism?
The native religion of Japan and once the state religion.
A religion based in Japan, they worship many gods in shrines
What is the difference between Confucianism and Christianity?
Confucianism contradicts Christianity by stating that it's okay to believe in or follow more than one religion. Christianity generally holds that it's the only correct religion to follow.
What is the difference between Catholicism and Manichaeism?
The two religions share some characteristics, like dualism (good vs. evil), angels, and individual choice, but their differences far outweigh their similarities. Manichaean's believe the earth was created by the devil (Angra Mainyu), not God (Ahura Mazda). An angel was sent to defeat him, but was captured. When the angel finally escaped, part of his light remained in the hands of Angra Mainyu, who created the earth to trap it. It is the goal of all people to gather as much light into themselves as possible, so it can be returned to the sun, domain of god, his consort, and sub-deities. So Manichaeaism differs from Catholicism in that: 1.) God is not omnipotent or all-powerful 2.) All earthly matter is inherently evil because it was created by the devil 3.) Manichaeism is not technically monotheistic (though that can be debated) 4.) No procreation, because that scatters the light and makes it harder to gather 5.) Manichaeans proselytized by co-opting the language of other religions in order to reach its adherents. So the prophet Mani was described to Christians as Jesus, Buddhists as Buddha, etc. You can also find more answers to your question by studying the life of St. Augustine of Hippo. Although raised as a Catholic, Augustine left the Church to follow the controversial Manichaean religion, much to the despair of his mother.
Why should you be a Jehovah's Witness?
To be a member of Jehovahs witness , you must accept their beliefs. Most, if not all Christian Churches (including Catholics, Anglicans, Baptists, Methodists etc) regard Jehovah's Witnesses as a cult as they have heretical beliefs that are not the same as the orthodox Church. They refuse to accept Jesus as divine, regard the Trinity as the work of satan, regard all other beliefs (apart from their narrow branch of religion) also as the works of the devil and base their beliefs on a misinterpreted translation of scripture that was first suggested by their founder in the 19th Century, who refused to accept all that the Church, learned people, saints, theologians, Godly Christians and so on had taught, through God's revelation and with God's blessing, for the previous 1900 years. If you became a Jehovah's Witness, you would be expected to go from door-to-door trying to get new converts. You would not be allowed to celebrate either Christmas or your birthday. If you had an operation in hospital, you would be compelled to refuse a blood transfusion, even if it was the only option of saving your life. If your child, parent, spouse or any person to whom you were next of kin was in the same situation, you would have to refuse the transfusion for them too, even if it meant that that person would die. If you do not adhere to the strict conditions laid down by the Jehovah's Witness authorities in your 'Kingdom Hall' then you would be disfellowshipped - which means that the people in your church, even your family and friends (if also Witnesses) would shun you, not speak to you and have little if anything to do with you. All-in-all the vast majority of Christians therefore regard Jehovah's Witnesses as going against everything that Christ stood for - the warm love of God for us, the enjoyment of a God-given life and the love and forgiveness that we receive from God and which we are then to share with others. a person who is a Witness of Jehovah: yes, we don't celebrate pegin Holidays. But we do celebrate Jesus' Memorial. Because he gave his life for all humans.(MT 20:28) We don't get blood transfusions because its unclean (Genesis 9:4,5; LE 17:14). And there is many other was to replace blood, and you wont have the chance of getting Ads. or other sicknesses. And we do love jesus vary much. He gave his soul in behalf of us all. If you want to learn more visit Watchtower.org. all the info you need.
What is the difference between freewill baptist and baptist?
baptist believe once saved always saved where as freewill baptist do not believe this. I am freewill baptist i hope this answer helps you :)
What is the largest Protestant church?
The Eastern Orthodox Church, which is a communion of 25 autocephalous and autonomous churches in communion with the bishop of Constantinople, the Ecumenical Patriarch, claims about 225 million members. This makes it the second-largest Christian communion, after the Catholic Church's 1.1 billion members.
[Some statistics for Pentecostal/Charismatic Christians claim as many as 500 million, but this cannot be considered a single denomination. The largest Pentecostal denomination, the Assemblies of God, has about 57 million members worldwide. By comparison, there are nearly 100 million Charismatic Christians who are members of the Catholic Church. Both are included in the total 500 million.]
What does the Bible mean by 'manna' in Exodus Chapter 16?
Manna is considered to be a substance provided miraculously by God for the Israelites to eat while in the wilderness.
Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day
It was not something that they were previously familiar with, as they asked what it was when they first saw it. (The word Manna itself in Hebrew means 'What is it?') It was similar to frost in appearance, and tasted like oil and honey wafers. It rapidly deteriorated and could not be stored long
RE: It really means human flesh of the nephillim
What is the biggest difference between roman and greek gods?
Greek Mythology is around 1000 years earlier. Also, according to each mythology, the world started differently. Sure, the names may be the same, and heroes are similar, each mythology shows different aspects of the culture.
What is the difference between Christ and the church?
the church of Christ have no instruments in worship like the church of God
"speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:19).
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (Colossians 3:16).
the Church of Christ do not have women preachers like the Church of God
"And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence" (I Timothy 2:12).
How are Muslims and christians alike in religion?
No they are not the same, but Abraham is the father of the Jews , Islam and Christians.
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They are the same in many aspects:
- They both believe in God and his Angels, the second eternal life, the Day of Judgment, the Paradise and the Hell.
- They both share the main morals and conducts that are for the benefit of humanity and nature.
- They both follow religions coming from same God, the one and only one God. Christianity is the religion per God revelation of the Bible to prophet Jesus while Islam religion is that religion per God revelation of the Quran to prophet Muhammad.
- Although some Christians believe that Jesus is God or son of God while Muslims believe that Jesus is human and born by God miracle from the virgin Mary (Mariam), they both believe in the same God (the Creator).
- They both live in mutual respect.
Quran says (meaning English translation):
".... You will find the nearest in love to Muslims those who say 'we are Christians'. That is because amongst them are men devoted to learning and men who have renounced the world and they are not arrogant. And when they listen to the Quran revelation received by the Messenger (Muhammad), you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of the truth they have recognized. ... So because of what they said, Allah (God) rewarded them ...."
[Quran, chapter 5, verses 82-86]
In Europe the religions was very varied. But most of it was centered around CHristianity.
That is until King Henry wanted to divore his wife, Catherine of Aragon. He made the Church of England, so from that time on, England has its very own religion.
No one really knows how religion started. I think it is when Jesus was born and he spread words about God and that became CHristianity.
You live Holy by doing what God said in the bible.(The Ten Commandments) If you do not know the Ten Commandments then here they are:
1.You shall have no other Gods before me
2.You shall not make yourself a carved image
3.Do not take God's name in vain
4.Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy
5.Honor your parents
6.do not murder
7.do not commit adultery
8.do not steal
9.do not bear false witness against your neighbor
10.do not covet your neighbor's house.
Also do not comit lust, gluttony, greed, laziness, wrath, envy, pride. For those are the seven deadly sins.
Where does it say you are you your brother's keeper in the Bible?
Genesis 4:9 goes as follows: Then the Lord said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" He said, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?" No where does it specifically say "You ARE your brothers' keeper," rather it's a question for one to ponder and a snippy remark made by Cain to God.
What is the difference between Catholic and Pentecostals?
They believe slightly things. They are both Christian religion, but they are different denominations. Different things such as, (if I remember right), Pentecostal people believe that it's wrong for women to cut their hair, and wrong for women to ware pants, or jewlry, or makeup. They only ware skirts right below their knees or lower. Then the Catholics don't believe that. They have different beliefes. Such as, they think that the church should be run by a Pope. (A Pope is like the head leader of the church basically.) There are many other differences between the two, but that would take about 48 hours to descus, or more! By the way, sorry about some mispellings. I'm not the best at that subject, and I'm only in 7th grade. But I know about this stuff since I know people with both of those kinds of denominations. Now, I am a Christian myself, but I'm nonedenominational.
Where in the Bible does it talk about unity?
Letters from St Paul often talk about unity within the Church because that was the main purpose of his letters - giving those in other towns, cities and countries the strength and guidance they need to keep believing during tough times including times of persecution. St Paul often wrote about peoples' roles within the church; that we are the Body of Christ and each of us have a job to do to carry on the mission, sharing the Good News.
