ESSAY ABOUT THEOLOGY

In this word, currently there is so many religions and beliefs. They are different
from each other. Every single one has its own culture, and ways to prove faith.
In other words, if we just travel to others country, we will find distinct religion
and doctrine. Moreover, every single one has its own vision of God, so the
question here is not only what’s the difference between the religions but also
How is the relationship between God and Creation is perceived in different world
religions?

The belief that peoples of all religions worship the same God, just in a different
way, seems to be the cultural norm today. In fact, it is only when we take other
views seriously on their own terms instead of trying to assimilate them to our
own belief that we are truly being respectful to them.
Belief is a state of the mind when we consider something true even though we
are not 100% sure or able to prove it. Everybody has beliefs about life and the
world they experience. Mutually supportive beliefs may form belief systems,
which may be religious, philosophical, or ideological. Religions are belief systems
that relate humanity to spirituality.
As has been said in the previous paragraphs; there is different vision of God for
every religion. For instance, monotheism which believes that there is only one
God, and/or that the one true God is worshipped in different religions under
different names. Pantheism maintain that God is creation and creation is God;
God is identified with creation.
In looking at these major belief systems and their views of God, we find
tremendous diversity:

• Hindus acknowledge multitudes of gods and goddesses.

• Buddhists say there is no deity.
• New Age Spirituality followers believe they are God.
• Muslims believe in a powerful but unknowable God.
• Christians believe a loving God who created us to know him.

Are all religions worshiping the same God? Let's consider that. New Age
Spirituality teaches that everyone should come to center on a cosmic
consciousness, but it would require Islam to give up their one God, Hinduism to
give up their numerous gods, and Buddhism to establish that there is a God.
Religions and related social and cultural structures have played an important
part in human history. As mental structures, they influence the way we perceive
the world around us and the values we accept or reject. As social structures, they
provide a supporting network and a sense of belonging. In many cases, religions
have become the basis of power structures and have become intertwined with
it.

Ichraq ELAFFAR
Monotheism : there is only one God, and/or that the one true God is worshipped
in different religions under different names
Panentheism : God is contained in creation and creation is contained in God, but
God also transcends creation.
PANTHEISM: God is creation and creation is God; God is identified with creation
Dystheism : god is not wholly good and can even be considered evil
Atheism: absence of belief in the existence of deities

Hinduism and its beliefs

Most Hindus worship one Being of ultimate oneness (Brahman) through infinite
representations of gods and goddesses. These various deities become incarnate
within idols, temples, gurus, rivers, animals, etc.

Hindus believe their position in this present life was determined by their actions
in a previous life. Hinduism therefore provides a possible explanation for
suffering and evil in this life. If a person’s behavior before was evil, they might
justifiably experience tremendous hardships in this life. Pain, disease, poverty or
a disaster like a flood is deserved by that person because of their own evil
actions, usually from a previous lifetime.

A Hindu's goal is to become free from the law of karma...to be free from
continuous reincarnations. Only the soul matters which will one day be free of
the cycle of rebirths and be at rest.

Hinduism lets a person choose how to work toward spiritual perfection. There
are three possible ways to end this cycle of karma: 1. Be lovingly devoted to any
of the Hindu deities; 2. Grow in knowledge through meditation of Brahman
(oneness)...to realize that circumstances in life are not real, that selfhood is an
illusion and only Brahman is real; 3. Be dedicated to various religious ceremonies
and rites.

New Age Spirituality and its beliefs

New Age Spirituality promotes the development of the person's own power or
divinity. When referring to deity, a follower of this type of spirituality is not
talking about a transcendent, personal God who created the universe, but is
referring to a higher consciousness within themselves. A person pursuing
spiritual development would see themselves as deity, the cosmos, the universe.
In fact, everything that the person sees, hears, feels or imagines is to be
considered divine.

Highly eclectic, New Age Spirituality is a collection of ancient spiritual traditions,

taught by a vast array of speakers, books and seminars. It acknowledges many
gods and goddesses, as in Hinduism. The Earth is viewed as the source of all
spirituality, and has its own intelligence, emotions and deity. But superseding all
is self. Self is the originator, controller and power over all. There is no reality
outside of what the person determines.

New Age teaches eastern mysticism and spiritual, metaphysical and psychic
techniques, such as breathing exercises, chanting, drumming, meditating...to
develop an altered consciousness and one's own divinity.

Anything negative a person experiences (failures, sadness, anger, selfishness,

hurt) is considered an illusion. Believing themselves to be completely sovereign
over their life, nothing about their life is wrong, negative or painful. Eventually,
a person develops spiritually to the degree that there is no objective, external
reality. A person, becoming a god, creates their own reality.

Buddhism and its beliefs

Buddhists do not worship any gods or God. People outside of Buddhism often
think that Buddhists worship the Buddha. However, the Buddha (Siddhartha
Gautama) never claimed to be divine, but rather he is viewed by Buddhists as
having attained what they are also striving to attain, which is spiritual
enlightenment and, with it, freedom from the continuous cycle of life and death.

Most Buddhists believe a person has countless rebirths, which inevitably include
suffering. A Buddhist seeks to end these rebirths. Buddhists believe it is a
person's cravings, aversion and delusion that cause these rebirths. Therefore,
the goal of a Buddhist is to purify one's heart and to let go of all yearnings toward
sensual desires and the attachment to oneself.

Buddhists follow a list of religious principles and adhere to personal restraint,

fasting and very dedicated meditation. When a Buddhist meditates it is not the
same as praying or focusing on a god, it is more of a self-discipline. Through
practiced meditation, a person may reach Nirvana -- "the blowing out" of the
flame of desire.

Buddhism provides something that is true of most major religions: disciplines,

values and directives that a person may want to live by.
Islam and its beliefs

Muslims believe there is the one almighty God, named Allah, who is infinitely
superior to and transcendent from humankind. Allah is viewed as the creator of
the universe and the source of all good and all evil. Everything that happens is
Allah's will. He is a powerful and strict judge, who will be merciful toward
followers depending on the sufficiency of their life's good works and religious
devotion. A follower's relationship with Allah is as a servant to Allah.

Though a Muslim honors several prophets, Muhammad is considered the last

prophet, and his words and lifestyle are that person's authority. To be a Muslim,
one must follow five religious duties: 1. Repeat a creed about Allah and
Muhammad; 2. Recite certain prayers in Arabic five times a day; 3. Give to the
needy; 4. One month each year, fast from food, drink, sex and smoking from
sunrise to sunset; 5. Pilgrimage once in one's lifetime to worship at a shrine in
Mecca. At death -- based on one's faithfulness to these duties -- a Muslim hopes
to enter Paradise. If not, they will be eternally punished in hell.

For many people, Islam matches their expectations about religion and deity.
Islam teaches that there is one supreme deity, who is worshiped through good
deeds and disciplined religious rituals. After death, a person is rewarded or
punished according to their religious devotion. Muslims believe that giving up
one’s life for Allah is a sure way of entering Paradise.

Christianity and its beliefs

Christians believe in one eternal God who is creator of all that is. He is viewed as
a loving God who offers everyone a personal relationship with himself now in
this life.

In his life on Earth, Jesus Christ did not identify himself as a prophet pointing to
God or as a teacher of enlightenment. Rather, Jesus claimed to be God in human
form. He performed miracles, forgave people of their sin and said that anyone
who believed in him would have eternal life.

Followers of Jesus regard the Bible as God's written message to humankind. In

addition to being a historical record of Jesus' life and miracles, the Bible reveals
his personality, his love and truth, and how one can know and relate to God, as
you could a friend.

Christians believe that all people sin, including themselves. They see Jesus as
their Savior, as the Messiah who was prophesied by all the prophets of the Old
Testament, in the Bible. They believe that Jesus Christ, out of love for us, paid
for the sin of all of humanity by dying on a cross. Three days later, he rose from
the dead as he promised, proving his deity.

How distinct are these major religions?

In looking at these major belief systems and their views of God, we find
tremendous diversity:

• Hindus acknowledge multitudes of gods and goddesses.

• Buddhists say there is no deity.
• New Age Spirituality followers believe they are God.
• Muslims believe in a powerful but unknowable God.
• Christians believe a loving God who created us to know him.

Are all religions worshiping the same God? Let's consider that. New Age
Spirituality teaches that everyone should come to center on a cosmic
consciousness, but it would require Islam to give up their one God, Hinduism to
give up their numerous gods, and Buddhism to establish that there is a God.