Desiree Walker

RELS 2300 World Religions

Suzanne Jacobs
May 1 2016
Comparison Paper: Are All Religions Ultimately the Same?

Over the course of the semester I have increased my awareness of and gathered much new
information regarding five major religious belief systems around the world.
This paper is a general comparison of three of religions I have studied in this course.
Religion is: A system of symbols (creeds, codes, cultures) through which people (a
community) orient themselves in the world with reference to ultimate reality.
I think all religions accept that inside of us somewhere is an eternal aspect. This eternal aspect is
a soul, a spirit, and a life force. The religions studied in this course, define religion in relationship
to culture, creeds and codes of conduct. I dont recall reading much about the inside person free
of all distinctions handed out by their geographical location. Geographical location of our place
of birth limits and restricts our infinite search for God. There must be a limitless and unrestricted
place within us, an infinite spark within all of us to seek the infinite God. There must be such an
identity within all of us. The living inside person that shares a common identity, sameness in
quality that acts like the thread that strings together and weaves us through the fabric of a unified
whole. There must be a unified whole.
For example all the religions we have studied originated in a particular geographical space. Like
Islam grew out of the Arabian Peninsula, Judaism from the Middle East, Christianity from Israel,

Hinduism from India and Buddhism from Northeast India. I have to ask what if someone born in
the Middle East yearned for more and more than his or her birth religion offered.
That said I am using the definition of religion given in this course to compare some of these
symbols (the creeds, codes and cultures) across religions to come to a conclusion regarding the
function and substance of religion. Are all religions ultimately the same? If so, in what ways? If
not, what are the primary differences are the questions?

What does Islam say about the associated symbols, creed, codes and culture? What is the purpose
and function of these? The essential codes in Islam are the five pillars; the five pillars establish
the Islamic identity.
1. Shahadah profession of faith and monotheism. "There is only one God, Allah and
Mohammed is His prophet.

2. Salat 5 time daily prayers

3. Zakat Almsgiving Muslims are expected to give a percentage of their income to charity.

4. Sawm the ritual fasting, especially during Ramadan.

5. Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. Muslims are expected to make the pilgrimage to the holy city at
least once in their life.

Shahadah is the creed of Islam. Shahadah is absolutely unique to Islam, I would say because the
declaration is the specific name of God in Islam as Allah and only Allah. Islams main symbol is
the crescent and star, which is also unique to Islam.
When I think of Islamic culture, what comes to mind is the principle of unity. The principle of
unity was essentially how the Prophet Muhammad brought together the many warring tribes in
the Pre-Islamic time all together.
What does Hinduism say about the associated symbols, creed, codes and culture? What is the
purpose and function of these?
I have adopted a branch of Hinduism Vaisnavism for most of my life, from Christian upbringing.
Hinduism is I believe a puzzle with an unlimited number of pieces that when joined together
conclude in the succinctly put definition given by the Indian Supreme Court Unlike other
religions, absence of belief in a specific set of philosophical beliefs
Yet, essential to the universality of Hinduism are a core set of beliefs that have a regulative
influence in some way on every aspect of day to day life:

Brahman: Brahman is an aspect of Divinity the source of all things. Brahman is impersonal,
eternal, and beyond comprehension.
The Atman: Hinduism believes that their true self is a spark of Brahman.
Scripture: Hindus believe in four Vedas, I am not clear if the Upanishads are classified as the
Vedas or a final segment and thus more like a summary of the Vedas. There are countless,

complex scriptures within Hinduism. I think to be able to list the numerous texts would be a
course of study, due to the oceanic array of sacred teachings.
Time: Hinduism deals with time. Time is structured in Hinduism. Hinduism believes that the
universe has cycles of creation, preservation and dissolution.
This is a significant difference from all religions and absolutely unique to Hinduism.
Karma: Is the moral law of cause and effect. The concept of Karma I think is similar to the
Christian concept as ye sow so shall ye reap .
Reincarnation: I think reincarnation is a concept shared in other Eastern religions like
Buddhism. Reincarnation essentially is endless trips around the block until you fond the exit. The
exit means all your karma is cleared and you obtain Liberation.
Moksha: Liberation of Mosksha is a concept that all religions like. The idea of being good,
following religious doctrines and observances one will achieve Liberation. Liberation from the
mortal clutches is a common denominator in every religion I have studied in this course.
Liberation is the common goal and the obtainment of heaven.
Gods and Goddesses: Hindus believe in millions of Gods, I think something like 320 million.
No other religion has a belief in that many aspects of divinity.
Enlightened Masters: Many Hindus accept enlightened Masters or Gurus, incarnations of a
divine being, or other forms of spiritual leader. I think this is somewhat unique to Hinduism
though I am not entirely certain because even in Islam they accept angels, which could be
interpreted the same way, and in Christianity the acceptance of angels, prophets, wise men.

Ahimsa: Ahimsa is nonviolence. The principle of non-violence extends to choices of food which
is why Hindus demand a vegetarian diet. The vegetarian diet is unique to this religion.

What does Christianity say about the associated symbols, creed, codes and culture?
Christianity has I think relationship centric moral codes. Consistently in the teachings of Jesus
Christ there are guidelines on how to conduct ideal relationships. Some of the guidelines are;
love they neighbor, do unto others, as you would have others, do unto you, as ye sow ye shall
reap. The main book is the Bible though I believe the Bible is a collection of many book written
by Jesus and his followers. God is seen as the ultimate judge, fire, brimstone and punishment are
commonly taken as Christian ideas. I dont think Christianity has clear-cut and laid out codes
like Islam and Hinduism has. Christianity has general teachings and concepts like humans are
born in sin and must atone for their sins through baptism. Hinduism has ritual bathing in the
Ganges but thats part of a cultural practice rather than a formality in the place of worship.
The similarities between Islam, Hinduism and Christianity I think are broad and few. All three
religions strive for liberation by adhering to, with varying levels of commitment, to activities like
prayer, fasting, scriptural study, regular attendance in a place of worship. The practice of going
on pilgrimages is shared but I think Islam is unique with the millions of Muslims that go to
Mecca for Hajj, descending on Mecca from around the world. Islam I think holds the followers
in the tightest grip and makes the most demands. Hinduism seems to be a free for all; with a
menu option that accommodates whatever one wants out of their religious life. I have a very
limited understanding of modern day Christianity. I think I hold a cynical or odd view because of
the way I see Christianity is stereotypically perceived in America as Evangelical and lacking in

depth of commitment and I believe associated with the legalization of arms. Yet I prefer to think
of Christianity in ancient times where a genuine loving goodness of mind body and soul was the
religious ideal and way of life.

Name of God
In Islam God has one Name Allah, In Hinduism God has different aspects, different functions but
it is generally accepted that God, the Supreme one and only God has somewhere between one
and three names, Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva, but then again also Krsna and then Radha Krsna
and included is Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. In Christianity God is the Almighty Lord. I am not clear
if Christian refer to Jesus as the Almighty or the son of the Almighty.
Prophets
All three religions have sages, prophets, and spiritual guides, yet I think Hinduism offers a broad
spectrum of spiritual guides compared to Islam and Christianity. The concept of Guru is uniquely
integrated into Hindu belief system.
Violence
I think all three religions like the idea of non-violence yet none have demonstrated throughout
history a sincere adherence to non-violence.
Sin
The belief in being bad, sinful and in need of punishment and purification is especially a
dominant theme is Christianity and Islam and I think to a lesser degree in Hinduism where the

dynamic self regulating principle of karma and reincarnation is integrated, a pay back for wrong
doings.
The differences in practice between these religions are extreme, yet I think at the root; the core
point is the same. The idea these religions share are of goodness, peace, love, selflessness, and
service, and surrendering to the will of the divine. I think the shared aspiration is to go from
mortality to immortality.
Salvation
Christianity makes it clear that salvation happens through the acceptance of Christ, I think is a
unique concept compared to the other religions.
Works Cited
Fisher, M. P., & Luyster, R. W. (n.d.). Living religions.