Comparing Religions

Judaism, Christianity, Islam,

Buddhism, and Hinduism

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Followers

Called: Judaism – Jews

Christianity – Christians

Islam – Muslims

Hinduism – Hindus

Buddhism – Buddhist 2

Deity

Names of God(s)

Judaism – Yahweh and Elohim

Christianity – God, the Trinity

Islam – Allah

Hinduism – Brahma, Ganesha, Shiva, Vishnu,

Buddhism - Buddha

Clergy

Judaism – rabbis

Christianity – bishop, pastor, ministers, priest

Islam – imams

Hinduism – guru

Buddhism - lamas

House of Worship

Judaism – synagogue or temple

Christianity – church, cathedral, chapel

Islam – mosque

Hinduism – mandir

Buddhism – monastery

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Day of Worship

Judaism – Saturday

Christianity – Sunday

Islam – Friday

Hinduism – each day of the week dedicated to a specific god

Buddhism – no particular day

Original Language

Judaism – Hebrew

Christianity – Aramaic and Greek

Islam – Arabic

Hinduism – Sanskrit

Buddhism – Pali

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Major Locations Today

Judaism – Europe, Israel, North America

Christianity – Europe, North and South America

Islam – Africa, Middle East, and Southeast Asia

Hinduism – India, U.K., and U.S.A.

Buddhism - Asia

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Worldwide Followers

Judaism – 15 million (ranks 12th)

Christianity – 2 billion (ranks 1st)

Islam – 1.3 billion (ranks 2nd)

Hinduism – 900 million (ranks 3rd)

Buddhism – 360 million (ranks 5th)

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In the USA

Judaism – 5.6 million

Christianity – 159 million

Islam – 1.1 million

Hinduism – 1.5 million

Buddhism – 1.2 million

Sacred Texts

Judaism – Torah (Hebrew Bible)

Christianity – Old Testament and New Testament

Islam – Qur’an (Koran)

Hinduism – Vedas (4 books)

Buddhism - Tipitaka

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Symbols

Judaism – Star of David

Christianity – cross

Islam – crescent with name of Allah in Arabic

Hinduism - swastika, aum

Buddhism – lotus, zen circle

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View of Fellow Abrahamic Religions Judaism – “Islam and Christianity are false

interpretations and extensions of Judaism.”

Christianity – “Judaism is a true religion, but with incomplete revelation. Islam is a false religion.”

Islam – “Jews and Christians are respected as fellow believers, but with wrong beliefs and only partial revelation.”

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Paragraph Writing Assignment

Using your class notes, you will write a two paragraph essay comparing and contrasting and beliefs of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

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