Origin of Major World Religions

Islam is a monotheistic religion that was founded by Prophet Muhammad, a visionary leader from Arabia, centuries after Jesus’s coming. Islam religion considers Allah to be their God and believes in Muhammad’s revelations detailed in the Quran.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Origin of Major World Religions specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Prophet Muhammad’s writings are valued by Muslims who consider them as flawless, which are final revelations of God. Christianity, on the other hand, is based on the teachings contained in the holy book, the Bible. They believe in an eternal, all-powerful and all-knowing God personified in Trinity. Christians believe that God created the universe and everything within it including human beings. Judaism is based on Tora which are the Old Testament books written by Moses. Similarities Revelation is considered to be the basis of the world major religions such a s Christianity, Islam and Judaism. According to Judaism, their major goal was not connected with the knowledge of God but with an intimate and immediate communion with God. The three religions, also known as Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam), share the commonality that consists in the fact that God does exist capable of revealing His will to humanity. These religions have profound documents which help the faithful distinguish between the false and true prophets. From historical books it is recorded that Abraham had two sons, Ishmael and Isaac. Islam religion considers Ishmael as the father of their religion while Christians and Jewish believe that Abraham’s second son, Isaac, is their patriarch. However, the similarity is based on the fact that Islamic and Jewish religions share a common ancestor, Abraham, and their patriarchs Ishmael and Isaac were blood brothers (Taylor).Advertising Looking for essay on religion theology? Let's see if we can help y ou! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Differences Judaism, Christianity and Islam are believed to have originated around 2000 BC from the covenant between ancestor Abraham and the God of the ancient Israelites (Heschel). The three religious beliefs point out the specific leaders who led Israelites out of Egyptian bondage to the Promised Land. Their texts describe leaders such as Moses as an outstanding leader who took Israelites out of captivity. The same leader provided people with the laws of God who was later succeeded by Joshua that led the multitudes into the Promised Land where they were ruled by kings. The first Israelite King was Saul who was succeeded by David and then Solomon, the son of David, who ultimately built the first temple in Jerusalem. The Jews believe in God who possesses absolute power and wisdom hence should be worshipped by all people (Taylor). Judaism regards the God as the one who rewards good deeds but punishes evil. The Jews believe th at God made perfect all creations hence there is no need in salvation for people (Heschel). Judaism does not believe in the need for one’s salvation, which is contrary to the Christians’ beliefs who affirm the fact that God sent His son Jesus Christ onto the Earth to redeem human kind from sin by dying upon the cross (Taylor). Conclusions In conclusion, it must be mentioned that the understanding of world religions requires one to have religious tolerance. There is need of bringing religions closer through establishment of some commonality based on identified similarities. Religious importance consists in the fact that it helps in understanding the world and everything within it is God’s handiwork. The same applies to revelation which helps in reflecting the will of God upon our lives as exposed through Holy Scriptures.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Origin of Major World Religions specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Works Cited Heschel, Joshua.God in Search of Man: A Philosophy of Judaism, Chicago: Noonday, 1955. Print Heschel, Joshua.God in Search of Man: A Philosophy of Judaism,Westport, Connecticut: Aronson Inc., 1987. Taylor, John.The Theological Basis of Interfaith Dialogue, in J. Hick and B. Hebblethwaite, eds., Christianity and Other Religions, Philadelphia: Fortress, 1981 Taylor, Daniel.Deconstructing the gospel of tolerance, Minnesota: Bethel College, 1999. Print This essay on Origin of Major World Religions was written and submitted by user Emmitt G. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.