Foundational Work: Torah
Central Figure: Abraham
Variants: Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform

Judaism believes in a single God who created the world and cares deeply about the morality of people. It all centers on Abraham, the leader of a small group of people, who made a pact with God to follow His commands to love others and live by specific rules. Over time, this develops into a complex culture that has a lot of traditions, celebrations, and philosophies that are more apart of the community than religiously required.

Foundational Work: The Bible
Central Figure: Jesus Christ
Variants: Catholicism, Protestantism, Orthodox

Founded based on the words and works of a Jewish man named Jesus, whom they believe to be the son of the monotheistic God from Judaism. After spending time preaching peace and love, performing miracles, and collecting disciples, Jesus was executed by the Roman government on a cross. According to the religious text of Christianity, he then came back to life after 3 days only to rise to heaven, promising to come back at an undisclosed date in the future.

Foundational Work: Quran
Central Figure: Muhammad
Variants: Sunni, Shia

Another descendant of Judaism, Islam was created by Muhammad. Believed to be the last prophet sent by the monotheistic God, Muhammad created a new religion that contains the major figures of the Torah, including Jesus,who is seen as a prophet. While there are many nuances to specific sects, there are five Pillars of Islam that all Muslims must follow: 

1. Shahadah: profession of faith

2. Salat: consistent prayers (at five specific times each day) 

3. Zakat: giving to your community

4. Sawm: annual fasting during the month of Ramadan

5. Hajj: a pilgrimage to Mecca (the birthplace of the religion)

Foundational Work: Vedas
Central Figures: N/A*
Variants: Vedanta, Yoga, Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism and Smartism

The synthesis of many spiritual beliefs across the entirety of India, Hinduism is an organized term for a large variety of beliefs that have some relationship to each other (all of this could be untrue for some sects). #all of the theisms# To be a moral Hindu, one must balance 4 things (that don’t translate well into English so take it with a grain of salt): upholding duty, achieving what you’re meant to do, pleasure and enjoyment from life, and freedom from subjectivity.

*(Hinduism originated from a lot of individual religions so there wasn’t a founder)

Foundational Work: Buddhavacana (accounts of the Buddha, variations exist however)
Central Figures: Buddha (Previously named Gautama)
Variants: Theravāda, Mahayana, Vajrayana

Buddhism was (of course) founded by Buddha. After being raised in a royal household, the young prince discovered human suffering while taking a trip outside of his home. Deciding that there must be another way, he set out to find an end to the endless cycles of suffering, death, and rebirth. Finding traditional Hinduism useful but not adequate, he then creates a new distinction focusing on meditation, asceticism living, and detachment from the subjective world.

Foundational Work: Guru Granth Sahib
Central Figure: Guru Nanak
Variants: Orthodox, Nirankaris, Nam-Dharis, Akhand Kirtani Jatha, and Sikh Dharma

The newest of the religions, Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak, a guru who lived within the influence of both Hinduism and Islam. Rejecting both, he began teaching a religion founded on oneness with the universe, the unity and equality of all humankind, and working towards the betterment of humankind. After his death, 9 Gurus helped expand his vision and refine Sikhism; preaching that one must selflessly serve others, meditate on the oneness of the world, and pursue justice.

Foundational Work: Agamas
Central Figures: Sthulabhadra, Acharya Bhadrabahu
Denominations: Digambara, Śvētāmbara

Embracing every aspect asceticism (where they believe that you should set aside sensory pleasures and worldly possessions to purify your soul), Jainism holds every living thing sacred. This is not just a call for vegetarianism, but to avoid harming insects and more developed plants. While not every Jain is called to give up all property, they do uniformly practice extraordinary charity, giving away as much as they can afford. Jains also routinely practice fasting and meditation.

Foundational Work: N/A
Central Figures: N/A
Denominations: N/A

While not technically a religion, Atheism is a worldview that designates a religious viewpoint and is pretty widely mischaracterized. So let’s put a few misconceptions to rest. Even without external supernatural reasons, atheists still live within logically consistent moral systems. They don’t actively hate religious people or think any more extremely than any of the other religious groups; they just for one reason or another, don’t buy into any of the religions’ stories about the nature of the universe. And that’s okay.

A Note On Traditional/Folk Religions

While I am clearly willing to make large generalizations, there is a limit to how much I think can be justified. Though Folk and Traditional Religions (6.4% of the world) are often overlooked and ignored, I cannot sufficiently include enough details to give you an accurate understanding. Hopefully in a future blog post that is solely about the practices and beliefs of Traditional and Folk Religions, I can help add to the conversation.

Postscript: If there are any details or information that is wrong or misconstrued, please let me know. I expect to make changes to better reflect the religions as I learn more myself.

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My Favorite Resource: Dialogue

• At your local Church, Mosque, Temple, etc.

• With anyone you know who wouldn’t mind explaining parts of their religion.

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