What are key similarities and differences between the world’s major religions (e.g., Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism)?

Authority

Authoritative writings

Define sin

Define forgiveness

Afterlife

Religious life

Judaism

Yahweh

Bible (OT)

Break law (Torah)

Priest makes atonement but God forgives the sin.

Somewhat unknown though there is a different between those who are evil and those who are good.

Rituals, feasts, and Sabbath. The synagogue is important. To some the Temple is most important in order to have peace on earth.

Christianity

Yahweh (Trinity)

Bible (OT and NT)

Break Yahweh’s law

Trust in Jesus Christ.

Heaven for believers and hell for the disobedient.

The New Testament.

Islam

Allah

Qur’an (Hadith–most)

Acts against the teachings of Allah. There are major sins and minor sins.

Seeking forgiveness as Allah is merciful and ready to forgive. All sin is forgivable except shirk, that is, associating with other gods as Christianity, Trinity, etc.

On the Day of Judgment believers are given heaven (Jannah) and unbelievers go to hell to suffer forever.

Five pillars

Buddhism

Three Jewels: the Buddha, the Dharma (the teachings), and the Sangha (the community)

Varies:

sutras

Theravada and Mahayana Canons

others–depend on group

No sin in the traditional sense. For some Injuring a Buddha

Killing an Arhat

Creating schism in the society of Sangha

Matricide

Patricide

There is no sin, so no need for forgiveness.

No heaven, but the practitioner to reach enlightenment and/or liberation from Samsara

Liberation of self

Hinduism

Many gods. Brahma, the one god.

Vedas, Upanishads, Brahma Sutra, Sutras, Bhagwad Gita etc.

No sin in the sense of breaking a god’s laws. Sin is a weakness that is dealt with in karma.

Karma. There is no forgiveness.

Karma and never ending.

Devotion to the gods.

Atheism*

Self

science

Believe in a god

Confession

Compost

None