ARE ALL RELIGIONS THE SAME?
Many people
consider that all the world's religions are basically the same -
they just use different words for the same beliefs. Mahatma Gandhi
once said: "The soul of religion is one, but it is encased
in a multitude of forms." However a closer look at the most
basic beliefs reveals a wide gap.
The nature of God
Hinduism - many gods
Buddhism - impersonal
Christianity - one and personal
The future
Hinduism - nirvana - becoming part of everything
Buddhism - nirvana - like the snuffing out of the candle
Christianity - heaven - with God
Jesus
Islam - a prophet, human
Judaism - a false messiah, human
Hinduism - one among many good men
Christianity - a successful saviour, divine
Resurrection of Jesus
Islam - false
Christianity - true
All religions speak
of a 'better life' in his world. This can be gained in some Eastern
faiths by being 'good' and earning 'merit' for the next life on
earth (salvation stored up). Other religions encourage us to try
harder and be better by following laws (salvation by good works).
However the Christian Faith recognises that, hard as we try, we
cannot be good enough for God. Christians believe that God is
'good enough for us' and has sent Jesus not only to give us an
example but also to release us from the power and consequence
of our rebelling and ignoring God.
The Christian Faith
believes that Jesus can be known in our hearts by faith. This
is unique. We believe in a person not a set of laws.
Are all religions
the same? No.
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