by Ahmad Salman

Created on: May 13, 2008

The oldest religions that are still thriving today seem to have nothing in common whatsoever. By simply juxtaposing the religions of Judaism, Hinduism and the Santeria religious tradition next to each other would invoke confusion and the realization that in fact, these religions are different in several ways and therefore, can never relate with each other. Going against the grain of reason, these established religions are in fact similar. Interestingly enough, the similarities are not in specific elements of religion; the similarities are in one core belief found in all three religions.

Following the initial, natural reaction of comparing Judaism, Hinduism and the Santeria religion, several differences can be discerned. One important distinction is religious classification of all three. Judaism is strictly monotheistic in nature. Judaism places great emphasis that the existence of one God. Hinduism is perceived to be polytheistic as well as monistic in nature. Some of the deities found in Hinduism include Vishnu, Soma and Siva, and its monistic nature is derived from the concept of Brahman. Although Hindu believers revere and respect all the deities within their religious tradition, certain cults exist that strictly worship one deity. The Santeria belief system is also polytheistic in nature. Santeria deities include Oludumare, Olorun, Olofi, Obatala, Yemeya and Eleggua. Santeria practitioners also revere all the deities, but each individual places greater emphasis on one deity above other deities. This action can be seen as cultic in nature, but it differs from cultic nature of Hinduism. Rather than choosing to worship a single deity above the rest, Santeria followers are designated, or rather, chosen by guardian deities. Santeria followers will then offer gifts and prayers to appease their guardian deity in order to gain protection and favor only because they were chosen by their particular guardian deity.

Another distinction held between all three religious traditions is the existence, role and importance of religious literature. In Judaism, the Torah, or the Hebrew Bible, is believed to be the primary sacred literature. The Torah contains the religious commandments that instruct the Jewish believer to properly follow the Jewish faith, which is structured as a detailed handbook that contains examples and rules which every Jewish believer should adhere to. Because the Torah's content holds knowledge that formulates the Jewish faith, it holds utmost importance

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