by Andrew J. Zintl

Created on: August 31, 2008

Traditionally, the major religions of the world are divided into Eastern and Western. The three major Western religions are Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Their Eastern counterparts are Hinduism and Buddhism. There are also numerous smaller religions, but none of them come even close to the stature of any of these five. The dichotomy between Eastern and Western religions is incredible, emphasizing the difference between the two geocultural zones.

Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, despite their myriad differences, are closer to one another than to either of the Eastern religions. All three are monotheistic, believing that there is only one God. Unlike Hinduism and Buddhism, their doctrines do not include reincarnation. They also share a common origin in dating themselves back to Abraham and his two sons. Judaism and Christianity hold that Isaac was the legitimate heir because he was born from Abraham's wife, Sarah. Islamic tradition, on the other hand, states that Ishmael was the true heir because he was the eldest son, regardless of the fact that his mother was one of Abraham's servants.

Christianity and Judaism are the closest of all the religions because of their shared origins. The only essential difference is that Christianity was founded by Jews who believed that Jesus was the Messiah, the anointed one, whose coming was foretold in the Tanakh. Following His teachings, they came to believe that salvation was only possible through Jesus and a schism followed as such Jews were cast out of the mainstream Jewish community. Even though many seem to have forgotten Christianity's origins as very few Jews believe in Jesus now, Christianity and Judaism are irrevocably linked.

Islam is like the ugly stepsister of Christianity and Judaism. It is the most recently founded of the three and was founded by a man who was primarily known in his time as a bandit and a warrior, rather than a prophet or holy man. Muhammad's ruthless nature shines through in many of the teachings of the Koran, which frequently advocates violence against those who do not worship Allah. If Christianity could be considered a step forward from fire-and-brimstone ancient Judaism with its message of peace and love, Islam would be considered a step backwards from there, trying to bring back violence into religion.

Hinduism is a polytheistic religion, having a pantheon of gods too numerous to list here. There are three that are held in higher reverence than the others as the principal gods of Hinduism.

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