EASTERN RELIGIONS %%% ORIGINS Founded c. AD 30 in the Judean province of Palestine (modern Israel) under the Roman Empire. %%% FOUNDER Jesus Christ (c. 4 BC–AD 33). Adherents known as Christians. %%% OTHER MAJOR HISTORICAL FIGURES • Moses (c. 15th-13th century BC) • Paul the Apostle (1st century AD) %%% MAJOR SACRED WRITINGS % The Holy Bible, divided into the Old Testament, 39 books written mainly in Hebrew and Aramaic; and New Testament, 27 books written in Greek. %%% KEY BELIEFS God: The one God is triune (One God in three Persons, not three gods): Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Often the title “God” refers to the first person, God the Father. God is a spiritual being without a physical body. He is personal and involved with people. He created the universe out of nothing. He is eternal, changeless, holy, loving and perfect. Jesus is God, the second Person of the Trinity. As God the Son, he has always existed and was never created. He is fully God and fully man (the two natures are joined, not mixed). As the second Person of the Trinity, he is coequal with God the Father and the Holy Spirit. In becoming man, he was begotten through the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. Jesus is the only way to the Father, salvation and eternal life. The Holy Spirit is God, the Third Person of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit is a person, not a force or an energy field. He comforts, grieves, reproves, convicts, guides, teaches and fills Christians. He is not the Father, nor the Son, Jesus Christ. Purpose of Life/Salvation: Salvation is by God’s grace, not an individual’s good works. Salvation must be received by faith. People must believe in their hearts that Jesus died for their sins and physically rose again, which is the assurance of forgiveness and resurrection of the body. This is God’s loving plan to forgive sinful people. After death, believers go to be with Jesus. All people await the Final Judgment. Both saved and lost people will be resurrected. Those who are saved will live with Jesus in Heaven. Those who are lost suffer eternal separation from God (Hell). Jesus’ bodily resurrection guarantees believers that they too will be resurrected and receive new immortal bodies. Other Beliefs: Jesus is the Jewish Messiah promised to Israel in the Old Testament. Basic teachings are summarized in the ancient statements of Christian belief, especially the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Athanasian Creed, and the Definition of Chalcedon. %%% DISTINCTIVE PRACTICES Group worship, usually in churches, but no secret rites. Baptism and communion (Lord’s Supper) are central. Active missionary efforts, aid to those in need (poor, widows, orphans, the downtrodden). %%% MAJOR CELEBRATIONS • easter, commemorating Jesus’ resurrection (annual; dates vary) • Christmas, commemorating Jesus’ birth (annual; December 25) %%% MAJOR DENOMINATIONS • Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy separated in AD 1054 (the Great Schism). • Protestantism separated from Roman Catholicism in AD 1517 (the Reformation). %%% AdHeReNTS/diSTRiBUTioN Worldwide: an estimated 2 billion professing Christians, concentrated in the Americas, Europe, and Africa. CHRISTIANITY Following Jesus EASTERN RELIGIONS %%% ORIGINS Late 15th century AD in what is now the Punjab state of northern India. %%% FOUNDER Guru Nanak (AD 1470–1540) received a vision to preach the true way to enlightenment and God. Nanak combined Islamic monotheism and Hindu reincarnation, while rejecting idol worship and the oppressive Indian caste system. He also appropriated elements of Sufism (the mystical branch of Islam). %%% MAJOR SACRED WRITINGS % The Sri Guru Granth Sahib (or Adi Granth), first compiled in AD 1604, contains nearly 6,000 shabads (hymns), composed in nine languages, by the first nine Sikh gurus and various Hindu and Muslim saints. It is worshiped by Sikhs and regarded as their 11th and perpetual guru. Other holy books include: % the Dasam Granth, a varied compilation of writings % the Varan Bhai Gurdas, a commentary % the Rahatnamas, codes of conduct % the Sau Sakhi, a compilation of prophecies %%% KEY BELIEFS God: Nanak believed in one omnipresent God known only by those spiritually awakened through meditation. Sikhism is also pantheistic, considering the universe itself to be a part of God, leaving no clear distinction between the Creator and his creation. Purpose of Life/Salvation: Bondage to the material realm and the “five evils”—ego, anger, greed, attachment, and lust—condemn the soul to numerous reincarnations. Those who are successful in overcoming these evils through proper behavior and devotion will be released from reincarnation and achieve union with God. %%% MAJOR DENOMINATIONS Distinction is made between Khalsa (full, baptized) Sikhs and Sahadjari (not fully observant) Sikhs. Other subgroups: • Radha Soami—Indian sect formed in 1861; influenced 20th-century Western occult groups such as Eckankar and MSIA (Movement for Spiritual Inner Awareness) • Healthy, Happy, Holy (3HO)—Sikh-inspired movement led by Harbhajan Singh Yogi, better known as Yogi Bhajan (1929–2004) %%% DISTINCTIVE PRACTICES The Golden Temple (or Harmandir Sahib) of Amritsar is the main center of worship; there are also numerous local/individual worship centers (gurdwaras). Followers are expected to recite scripture after rising and bathing in the morning. Sikhs are forbidden to cut their hair; adult males are identifiable by their use of a turban (pagri or dastar). Sometime Sikhs wearing turbans have been mistaken for Muslims. %%% ADHERENTS/DISTRIBUTION Estimated 23 million, mainly in the Punjab region of northern India. SIKHISM Combining Hinduism and Islam This free e-Chart is taken from the book Rose Bible Basics: Christianity, Cults & Religions ISBN 9781596362024. This book helps clarify the differences between various religions, cults, and religious movements and makes a great study guide for small groups, personal study, or Sunday school classes. Save $5 on your $25 order. Enter coupon code: 5EC12 at www.rose-publishing.com. © 2012 Rose Publishing. You may print 10 copies, but do not post on the internet or send via email.Your friends may sign up for Free Rose Bible eCharts & Newsletters at: www.rose-publishing.com/echarts This free e-Chart is taken from the book Rose Bible Basics: Christianity, Cults & Religions ISBN 9781596362024. This book helps clarify the differences between various religions, cults, and religious movements and makes a great study guide for small groups, personal study, or Sunday school classes. Save $5 on your $25 order. Enter coupon code: 5EC12 at www.rose-publishing.com. © 2012 Rose Publishing. You may print 10 copies, but do not post on the internet or send via email.Your friends may sign up for Free Rose Bible eCharts & Newsletters at: www.rose-publishing.com/echarts
