Christianity, Cults, and Religions  (Previous Page)       

	New Age	Judaism	Hinduism	Hare Krishna ISKCON	T.M. Transcendental Meditation	Buddhism	Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism	Islam	Baha'i World Faith
Key Person or Founder	Based on Eastern Mystics, Hinduism, and paganism. Popularized in part by actress Shirley Maclaine, 1980's-90's. Beliefs vary.	Abraham of the Bible about 2000 B.C., in the Middle East. There are three main branches of Judaism, Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform, each with its own beliefs.	No one founder. Many sects. Began 1800-1000 B.C. in India.	A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1896-1977). Founded in New York. Based on Hindu teachings from the A.D. 1500's.	Maharishi Maahesh Yogi. Founded 1959 in California, based on Hinduism and yoga. Headquarters in Washington, D.C.	Buddha (Siddhartha Gautamo). Founded about 525 B.C. in India. Offshoot of Hinduism.	Nichiren Daishonin. Began A.D. 1253 in Japan. Modern: Tsunesaburo Makiguchi in 1930. Headquarters on Mt. Fuji, near Tokyo, Japan.	Muhammad (570-632). About A.D. 610, in Mecco and Medina. Headquarters in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Main sects: Sunni, Shi'ite.	Mizra Ali Muhammed (the Bab) and Mizra Husayn Ali (Baha'u'llah). Founded 1844 in Iran. Headquarters in Haifa, Israel.
Key Writtings	No holy book. Use selected Bible passages; I Ching; Hindu, Buddhist, and Taoist writings; and Native American beliefs. Writing on astrology, mysticism, and magic.	The Tanakh (Old Testament), and especially the Torah (first 5 books of the Bible). The talmud (explanation of the Tanakh). Teachings of each branch. Writings of sages, such as Maimonides.	Many writings, including the Vedas (oldest, about 1000 B.C.), the Upanishads, and the Bhagavad-Gita.	Back to Godhead magazine. Probhupada's translations of and commentaries on Hindu scriptures, especially Bhagavad-Gita, As It Is.	Hindu scriptures, including the Bhagavad-Gita. Meditations of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Science of Being and the Art of Living, other writings by the founder.	The Tripitaka (Three Baskets), which has more than 100 volumes.	The Lotus Sutra (a sutra is a book claiming to give the literal words of Gautama Buddha, founder of Buddhism). The Major Writings of Nichiren Daishonin plus writings of Daisaku Ikeda.	Qur'an (Koran), scripture in Arabic. Hadith (Muhammad's words and deeds). Biblical Law of Moses, Psalms, and Gospel of Jesus (the Injil) accepted by Qur'an, but considered "corrupted" by Muslims.	Writings of Baha'u'llah and Abdu'l-Baha: Kitab-i-Aqdas and Kitab-i-lqan. The Bible, interpreted spiritually to conform to Baha'i theology.
Who Is God	Everything and everyone is God. God is an impersonal force or principle, not a person. People have unlimited inner power and need to dicover it.	God is spirit. To Orthodox Jews, god is personal, all-powerful, eternal, and compassionate. To other Jews, God is impersonal, unknowable, and defined in a number of ways. No Trinity.	God is "The Absolute," a universal spirit. Everyone is part of God (Brahman) like drops in the sea. People worship manifestations of Brahman (gods and goddesses). People are God, but are unaware of it.	God is Lord Krishna (Krsna). Krishna is a personal creator; the soul of all living things are part of him. Writings say Krishna once divided himself into 16,308 forms to mate with 16,308 female cowherds.	Each part of creation makes up "God" (Brahman). Supreme Being is not personal. All creation is divine; "all is one."	Buddhism is mostly atheistic. Many Buddhists do not believe in a God or Supreme Being of any kind. Others speak of the Buddha as a universal enlightened consciousness or as a god.	The mystic law of cause and effect (karma) is the essence of reality. It is embodied in the Lotus Sutra and in the Japanese title of the book.	God (Allah) is one. God revealed the Qur'an to Muhammad through the angel Gabriel. God is a severe judge (though sometimes merciful) and is not depicted as loving.	God is an unknowable divine being who has revealed himself through nine "manifestations" (religious leaders) including Moses, Buddha, Confucius, Jesus, Muhammad, and Baha'u'llah.
Who Is Jesus	Jesus is not the one true God. He is not a savior, but a spiritual model, and guru, and is now an "ascended master." He was a New Ager who tapped into divine power in the same way that anyone can. Many believe he went east to India or Tibet and learned mystical truths. He did not rise physically, but "rose" into a higher spiritual realm.	Jesus is seen either as an extremist false messiah or a good but martyred Jewish rabbi (teacher). Many Jews do not consider Jesus at all. Jews (except Messianic Jews and Hebrew Christian) do not believe he was the Messiah, Son of God, or that he rose from the dead. Orthodox Jews believe the Messiah will restore the Jewish kingdom and eventually rule the earth.	Jesus is a teacher, a guru, or an avatar (an incarnation of Vishnu). He is a son of God as are others. His death does not atone for sins and he did not rise from the dead.	Jesus is not important to this group. He is usually thought of as an enlightened vegetarian teacher who taught meditation. He is not an incarnation of God. Some Krishna devotees consider Christ to be Krishna. Others say Jesus is a great aviator (teacher).	Jesus is not uniquely God. Like all persons, Jesus had a divine essence. unlike most, he discovered it. Christ didn't suffer and couldn't suffer for people's sins.	Jesus Christ is not a part of this belief. Buddhists in the West generally view Jesus as an enlightened man.	Jesus Christ is not a part of this belief.	Jesus is one of up to 124,000 prophets sent by God to various cultures. Abraham, Moses, and Muhammad are others. Jesus was born of a virgin, but is not the Son of God. He was sinless, but not divine or God Himself. He was not crucified (he ascended to heaven withou dying). He is referred to as messiah and ayatollah (ayat allah, sign of God). Jesus will eturn in the future to live and die.	Jesus is one of many manifestations of God. Each manifestation supersedes the previous, giving new teachings about God. Jesus, who superseded Moses, was superseded by Muhammad, and most recently by the greatest, Baha'u'llah (Glory of Allah"). Jesus is not God and did not rise from the dead. He is not the only way to God. Jesus has returned to earth in the form of Baha'u'llah.
Who Is The Holy Spirit	Sometimes a psychic force. Man is divine and can experience psychic phenomena such as contacting unearthly beings.	Some believe the Holy Spirit is another name for God's activity on earth. Others say it is God's love or power.	The Holy Spirit is not part of this belief.	The Holy Spirit is not part of this belief.	The Holy Spirit is not part of this belief.	The Holy Spirit is not part of this belief.	The Holy Spirit is not part of this belief.	The Qur'an refers to Jesus as spirit of God. Muslim scholars see the angel Gabriel as the Holy Spirit.	Holy Spirit is divine energy from God that empowers every manifestation. "Spirit of Truth" refers to Baha'u'llah.
How To Be Saved	Need to offset bad karma with good karma. Can tap into supernatural power through meditation, self-awareness, TM, and "spirit guides." Use terms such as "reborn" for this new self-awareness.	Some Jews believe that prayer, repentance, and obeying the Law are necessary for salvation. Others believe that salvation is the improvement of society.	Release from the cycles of reincarnation. Achieved through yoga and meditation. Can take many lifetimes. Final salvation is absorption or union with Brahman.	Chanting krishna's name constantly, total devotion to krishna, worshipping images, and obeying the rules of ISKCON throughout many reincarnated lives, releases a follower from bad karma.	Humans have forgotten their inner divinity. Salvation consists of doing good in excess of evil in order to evolve to the highest state (final union of the self with Brahman) through reincarnation.	God of life is nirvana, to eliminate all desires or cravings, and in this way escape suffering. The Eightfold Path is a system to free Buddhists from desiring anything.	Enlightenment, prosperity, and healing come from chanting "nam-myoho-renge-kyo," a mantra (phrase) expressing devotion to the law of karma. Fulfilling worldly desires brings enlightenment.	Humans are basically good, but fallible and need guidance. The balance between good and bad deeds determines eternal destiny in paradise or hell. God's mercy may tip the balances but it is arbitrary and uncertain.	Faith is the manifestation of God (Baha'u'llah). Knowing and living by Baha'u'llah's principles and teachings.
What Happens After Death	Human reincarnations occur until person reaches oneness with God. No eternal life as a resurrected person. No literal heaven or hell.	There will be a physical resurrection. The obedient will live forever with God, and the unrighteous will suffer. Some Jews do not believe in a conscious life after death.	Reincarnation into a better status (good karma) if person has behaved well. If one has been bad, he can be reborn and pay for past sins (bad karma) by suffering.	Those who are unenlightened continue in endless reincarnation (rebirth on earth) based on the sinful acts of a person's previous life.	Reincarnation based on karma (reaping the consequences of one's actions) until loss of self into union with Brahman. No heaven or hell.	People do not have a soul or spirit. However, one's desires and feelings may be reincarnated into another person. No heaven or hell.	Repeated reincarnation until one is awakened to the Buddha nature. Then reincarnation ends. No heaven or hell.	Resurrection of bodies. Final day of reckoning and rewards. Eternal paradise for those who believe in Isalm. Eternal hell for infidels, those who reject Islam.	Personal immortality based on good works, with rewards for the faithful. Heaven and hell are conditions, not places.
Other Beliefs Or Practices	Can include yoga, meditation, visualization, astrology, channeling, hypnosis, trances, tarot card readings, and contact with spirits. Use of crystals to get in harmony with God (Energy), for psychic healing, for contact with spirits, and for developing higher consciousness, or other psychic powers. Strive for world unity and peace, and holistic health.	Meeting in synagogues on the Sabbath (Sabbath is Friday evening to Saturday evening). Circumcision. Many holy days and festivals, including Passover, Sukkoth, Hanukkah, Yom Kippur, Purim. Jerusalem is considered to be the holy city.	Some disciples wear orange robes, and have shaved heads. Many Hindus worship stone and wooden idols in temples. Gurus demand complete obedience. Disciples meditate on a word, phrase, or picture. Yoga involves mediation, chanting, postures, breathing exercises. Foundation of New Age and Transcendental Meditation.	Public chanting of Hare Krishna mantra, yoga, food offerings, soliciting donations. Vegetarian diet. No intoxicants, no gambling. Sex for procreation only. ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) attracts new members through feasts and Indian cultural programs. Followers are given new names, and often cut family ties.	Mentally recite a mantra (word associated with a Hindu god). Meditate twice a day to relax and achieve union with Brahman. Maharishi University in Iowa offers advanced T.M. programs in "levitation" and invisibility." Practices include yoga, Hindu astrology, use of crystals, and idol worship (offerings of flowers, fruit, and cloth for Maharishi's dead teacher).	Eightfold path recommends right knowledge, intentions, speech, conduct, livelihood, right effort, mindfulness, and meditation. Some buddhist groups talk about an eternal Buddha (life-force). Some Buddhist offshoots include Zen, Nichiren Shoshu, and Tibetan (occultic) Buddhism.	Group chanting of a Japanese phrase (mantra) of devotion out of The Law of the Lotus Sutra (the law of karma). Traditional Buddhists consider this group a cult, since the object of Buddhism is desirelessness and the object of Nichiren Shoshu is fully gratifying one's desires. Followers worship a parchment, the Gohonzon, which contains the names of deities.	Followers are called Muslims. Go to mosque for prayers, sermons, counsel. Holy efforts to spread (jihad). Five pillars of Isalm: Confess that Allah is the one true God and that Muhammad is his prophet. Pray five times daily facing Mecca. Give alms (money). Fast during the month of Ramadan. Make pilgrimage to Mecca (once in a lifetime).	Baha'i originated as an Islamic sect and is severely persecuted in Iran. Baha'i teaches that all religions have the same source, principles, and aims. Stress on oneness and world unity. Meetings called "Spiritual assemblies."

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