Study Aids

A Comparison of World Religions

Have we not one Father? Has not one God made us all?

--Malachi

NOTE: i apologize for the construct. i have worked hard to make it encompassing and accurate but there is always so much more to learn and embrace. i welcome any constructive criticisms you have to offer. please email me.

Comparison

Geographical location

Nature Source ideas are global

Middle Eastern roots

Far Eastern Asian philosophy

Map (simplified)

Specific Religions

Pagan/Native American

Celtic/Norse/Roman Mythologies (specifically euro-rooted)

African Traditions

(mostly polytheistic)

Judaism

Christianity
Muslim
(traditionally monotheistic)

Hinduism (central asian continent)

Buddhism/Confucism
Shintoism/Daoism
(mostly pantheistic)

Relationship between human and divine

gulf between humanity and the gods
Divine comes to humanity
Humanity moves toward divine

Source belief objects

founders are divine beings manifested in various form. represented by natural objects (sun, moon, planets); all the visible wonders
founder is the divine being. represented by a "significant" human to the rest of humanity (a prophet like Abraham, or Mohammed)
founder is an enlightened human. the founder and subsequent followers are simply fellow travelers pointing the way to the collective Divine.

view of divinity

divinity is manifest in the gods. divinity is a particular being
Divinity is a being who manifests Himself in a particular dominant form
divinity is manifest everywhere and is a cosmic presence of collective consciences

view of humanity

humanity is objects at disposal of divine will. humanity is a separate class of being with irreparable fatal flaws. people choose their own destiny in their response to the gods.
humanity is clearly distinct from the Divine. Divinity is responsible for creation and the continuing growth and eternal destity of the human. the purpose of life is to grow to perfection.
humanity is a mid-point on the path to the divine. humanity is a classless being on a sliding scale of "being-hood." the great life-force is moving all. in a never ending spiral.

view of good and evil

there is no evil. what one views as evil is a misapprehension of the bigger picture. ie., the natural predator instincts of the wolf/lion are not "evil" accept perhaps as viewed by the lamb. therefore only a "victim mentality" would see the universe capable of evil.
good vs evil. what one views as evil is what has become an aberration of the original created good. free choice reigns supreme in this particular view even the inexplicable choices of God to allow the choices of those who act evilly.
good and evil. good and evil are two necessary halves of a larger whole. thus the tiger chasing the dragon's tail or the yin folding into the yang is what makes the universe go 'round. the notion of undeniable path/destiny is therefore very strong here.

Salvation is

(being safe=)

Salvation = Appeasement
Salvation = Acceptance
Salvation = Attainment

role of supernatural

supernatural acts are referred to as magic, or enacted mysteries. most notably these events are accessible by all believers and are an assumed part of healthy practice
supernatural acts are referred to as miracles. while there is a small branch of Christianity that embraces (episcopal/catholic eucharist; stomata phenomena; pentecostal healings) most are assumed to be outside the realm of natural practice and demonstrable by few.
supernatural acts are essentially non-existent. all of life is viewed as a "miracle unfolding." although a small branch of shintoism embraces phenomena (shaolin priest). the acceptance of the transendence is accessible by all believers and are an assumed part of healthy practice.

Notes

This would also include religions such as voudoun or what is termed the "black arts" from Jamaica and elsewhere (santeria). In fact there are religious links between Africa and Europe. This has played a significant role in history, beyond the obvious stories of the Greeks. The fables about Stonehenge and the Eye of Odin are historical remnants from this tradition. Also included in this section would be the neo-Pagan religion. However, there are a couple of notable distinctions for the Neo-Pagan: 1) sacrafice is NOT a part of ritual (this is often confused with the "satanists") rather their primary salvific response is ALIGNMENT with the order of the universe not APPEASEMENT to it and 2) the Neo-Pagan religion is quite eclectic in nature. Drawing inspiration/ritual from the Native American influence but drawing on the traditions of the Pagan.
This group would also include the Samaritan believers who only accept the Torah. Derivations of Christianity (such as Mormonism, Scientology, and Jehovah's Witnesses) are often grouped here. The subdivisions are almost wholly based upon different cannon--religious books held sacred. While the Unitarian group may have its roots in this group the current expression of Unitarianism is so broad as to really be outside of it. Unitarianism is attempting to be truly "Catholic" (embracing diversity is the root meaning of this word) in its Christian diversity and accepting Eastern strains of thought as well as Neo-Pagan expression. Zorastrianism fits here because it is a monotheistic religion (a syncretic blend of reformed Hindu and middle-era Judaism)
Hinduism has branches that more closely resemble the polytheism of the Mythological religions. This would also include the source material of Zoroastrianism and it's derivatives like the Egyptian religion (although Egypt blended somewhat the mythologies from Africa). Zorastrianism is really a reformation of the native area mythologies that becomes a monotheistic tradition following Judaic influence. Deism would also fit in here--a rather ambiguous Divine responsible for origins but nothing else. Also included in this section would be the New-Age Movement. However, there are a couple of caveats in this dictinction. The New Age religion is somewhat eclectic in nature. It draws on the traditions of the East but attempts to add a "flavor" of Native American mysticism and appreciation for the earth. It is perhaps the least concerned about intellectual cohesiveness.

World Religious Views

Note: what is not mentioned here is the fact that atheism is an alternate world view. i do not include this for two reasons: 1) because it is the obvious alternative to what is here 2) i do not believe there are any true "atheists" who do not hold something as their god. usually the "all-knowing" evolving god of science takes its place. but it could be anything else.

Geographical location	Nature Source ideas are global	Middle Eastern roots	Far Eastern Asian philosophy
Map (simplified)
Specific Religions	Pagan/Native American Celtic/Norse/Roman Mythologies (specifically euro-rooted) African Traditions (mostly polytheistic)	Judaism Christianity Muslim (traditionally monotheistic)	Hinduism (central asian continent) Buddhism/Confucism Shintoism/Daoism (mostly pantheistic)
Relationship between human and divine	gulf between humanity and the gods	Divine comes to humanity	Humanity moves toward divine
Source belief objects	founders are divine beings manifested in various form. represented by natural objects (sun, moon, planets); all the visible wonders	founder is the divine being. represented by a "significant" human to the rest of humanity (a prophet like Abraham, or Mohammed)	founder is an enlightened human. the founder and subsequent followers are simply fellow travelers pointing the way to the collective Divine.
view of divinity	divinity is manifest in the gods. divinity is a particular being	Divinity is a being who manifests Himself in a particular dominant form	divinity is manifest everywhere and is a cosmic presence of collective consciences
view of humanity	humanity is objects at disposal of divine will. humanity is a separate class of being with irreparable fatal flaws. people choose their own destiny in their response to the gods.	humanity is clearly distinct from the Divine. Divinity is responsible for creation and the continuing growth and eternal destity of the human. the purpose of life is to grow to perfection.	humanity is a mid-point on the path to the divine. humanity is a classless being on a sliding scale of "being-hood." the great life-force is moving all. in a never ending spiral.
view of good and evil	there is no evil. what one views as evil is a misapprehension of the bigger picture. ie., the natural predator instincts of the wolf/lion are not "evil" accept perhaps as viewed by the lamb. therefore only a "victim mentality" would see the universe capable of evil.	good vs evil. what one views as evil is what has become an aberration of the original created good. free choice reigns supreme in this particular view even the inexplicable choices of God to allow the choices of those who act evilly.	good and evil. good and evil are two necessary halves of a larger whole. thus the tiger chasing the dragon's tail or the yin folding into the yang is what makes the universe go 'round. the notion of undeniable path/destiny is therefore very strong here.
Salvation is (being safe=)	Salvation = Appeasement	Salvation = Acceptance	Salvation = Attainment
role of supernatural	supernatural acts are referred to as magic, or enacted mysteries. most notably these events are accessible by all believers and are an assumed part of healthy practice	supernatural acts are referred to as miracles. while there is a small branch of Christianity that embraces (episcopal/catholic eucharist; stomata phenomena; pentecostal healings) most are assumed to be outside the realm of natural practice and demonstrable by few.	supernatural acts are essentially non-existent. all of life is viewed as a "miracle unfolding." although a small branch of shintoism embraces phenomena (shaolin priest). the acceptance of the transendence is accessible by all believers and are an assumed part of healthy practice.

Notes	This would also include religions such as voudoun or what is termed the "black arts" from Jamaica and elsewhere (santeria). In fact there are religious links between Africa and Europe. This has played a significant role in history, beyond the obvious stories of the Greeks. The fables about Stonehenge and the Eye of Odin are historical remnants from this tradition. Also included in this section would be the neo-Pagan religion. However, there are a couple of notable distinctions for the Neo-Pagan: 1) sacrafice is NOT a part of ritual (this is often confused with the "satanists") rather their primary salvific response is ALIGNMENT with the order of the universe not APPEASEMENT to it and 2) the Neo-Pagan religion is quite eclectic in nature. Drawing inspiration/ritual from the Native American influence but drawing on the traditions of the Pagan.	This group would also include the Samaritan believers who only accept the Torah. Derivations of Christianity (such as Mormonism, Scientology, and Jehovah's Witnesses) are often grouped here. The subdivisions are almost wholly based upon different cannon--religious books held sacred. While the Unitarian group may have its roots in this group the current expression of Unitarianism is so broad as to really be outside of it. Unitarianism is attempting to be truly "Catholic" (embracing diversity is the root meaning of this word) in its Christian diversity and accepting Eastern strains of thought as well as Neo-Pagan expression. Zorastrianism fits here because it is a monotheistic religion (a syncretic blend of reformed Hindu and middle-era Judaism)	Hinduism has branches that more closely resemble the polytheism of the Mythological religions. This would also include the source material of Zoroastrianism and it's derivatives like the Egyptian religion (although Egypt blended somewhat the mythologies from Africa). Zorastrianism is really a reformation of the native area mythologies that becomes a monotheistic tradition following Judaic influence. Deism would also fit in here--a rather ambiguous Divine responsible for origins but nothing else. Also included in this section would be the New-Age Movement. However, there are a couple of caveats in this dictinction. The New Age religion is somewhat eclectic in nature. It draws on the traditions of the East but attempts to add a "flavor" of Native American mysticism and appreciation for the earth. It is perhaps the least concerned about intellectual cohesiveness.
World Religious Views	Note: what is not mentioned here is the fact that atheism is an alternate world view. i do not include this for two reasons: 1) because it is the obvious alternative to what is here 2) i do not believe there are any true "atheists" who do not hold something as their god. usually the "all-knowing" evolving god of science takes its place. but it could be anything else.

Notes

Interesting look at Christian concepts embedded in the most ancient (and still in use) language on the planet. Dr. C. H. Kang finds roots of Biblical ideas in the very language of the Chinese. Fascinating read.

a PPT (Phil Chumbley) of some of the information.

last updated January 2024