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Comparative Theology: Similarities between Religions
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Monotheism vs. Polytheism
Different theological structures are observed: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are monotheistic, while Hinduism is henotheistic or polytheistic, and Buddhism is non-theistic.
Holy Days
Holy days reflect key events or figures: Christians celebrate Easter, Muslims observe Ramadan, Jews celebrate Yom Kippur, Hindus have Diwali, and Buddhists celebrate Vesak.
Marriage
Marriage customs vary, including the Christian sacrament of matrimony, Islamic Nikah, Jewish Kiddushin, Hindu Vivaah Sanskar, and Buddhist non-clerical views on marriage.
Rituals of Passage
Rites of passage such as birth, adulthood, marriage, and death are universally observed but differ; for example, baptism in Christianity, Bar/Bat Mitzvah in Judaism, Hindu wedding ceremonies, and Buddhist funeral rites.
Sacred Texts
Sacred texts guide believers: the Bible for Christians, Quran for Muslims, Tanakh for Jews, Vedas and Upanishads for Hindus, and the Tipitaka for Buddhists.
Prayer
Prayer is a common practice but differs in form and focus. Christians often pray for forgiveness and guidance, Muslims perform salat five times a day, while Buddhists may focus on meditation and mindfulness as a form of prayer.
Creation Story
Different religions have various narratives explaining how the world and mankind were created. For instance, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam share a monotheistic creation story in the Genesis, Hinduism describes a cosmic cycle of creation, and many indigenous religions have unique creation myths associated with nature.
Dietary Laws
Dietary restrictions vary: Islam and Judaism have halal and kosher laws, Hinduism often promotes vegetarianism, and Buddhism encourages mindful eating, considering the impact on all sentient beings.
Pilgrimage
Pilgrimage holds varying importance: Muslims are required to perform Hajj, Christians may visit Jerusalem or other holy sites, Hindus journey to the Ganges, and Buddhists may visit temples such as Bodh Gaya.
Afterlife
Views on the afterlife vary, with Abrahamic religions believing in heaven and hell, reincarnation in Hinduism and Buddhism, and some indigenous beliefs considering ancestor spirits residing in a different realm.
Charity
The act of giving is emphasized differently: Christianity's tithe, Islam's zakat, Judaism's tzedakah, the concept of Dana in Hinduism and Buddhism, with varying motivations and practices.
Clergy
Religious leadership differs: Christianity has priests and pastors, Islam has imams, Judaism has rabbis, Hinduism has priests (Brahmins), and Buddhism has monks and nuns.
Symbols
Religious symbols convey beliefs: the cross in Christianity, star and crescent in Islam, Star of David in Judaism, Om in Hinduism, and the Dharma wheel in Buddhism.
Concept of God
The concept of God differs: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam worship a monotheistic God; Hinduism has a pantheon but also believes in a single ultimate reality; Buddhism does not focus on a god but on the path to enlightenment.
Communal Worship
Community worship practices differ, such as the Christian Sunday service, Jewish Shabbat, Islamic Jumu'ah on Fridays, Hindu temple rituals, and Buddhist group meditation.
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