Hinduism and Christianity

Hinduism and Christianity

References - Hinduism

References - Christianity

What are the core beliefs?

1. Hinduism Facts - Origin of Hinduism | When did Hinduism start - 6/3/18 - http://www.hinduismfacts.org/2011/11/origin-of-hinduism-when-did-hinduism-start/

2. Uri.org - Hinduism: Basic Beliefs - 6/3/18 - https://uri.org/kids/world-religions/hindu-beliefs

3. Khan Academy - Beliefs of Hinduism - 6/3/18 - https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-art-history/south-east-se-asia/india-art/a/beliefs-of-hinduism

4. BBC - Religions | Worship - 6/3/18 - http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/worship/worship.shtml

5. BBC - GCSE Bitesize | Religious Studies - beliefs about god - 8/3/18 - http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/god/hinduismrev1.shtml

6. BBC - GCSE Bitesize: Religious Studies | Hinduism: Beliefs about life after death | Hinduism and Death - 19/3/18 - http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/death/hindubeliefrev2.shtml

7. Hindu Website - The Hindu way of life, living according to Hindu Dharma for self realisation - 19/3/18 - http://www.hinduwebsite.com/hinduwaycorrect.asp

8. BBC - GCSE Bitesize: Religious Studies | Hinduism: beliefs about creation and evolution - 20/3/18 - http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/environment/hinduismbeliefsrev1.shtml

1. All About Religion - History of Christianity - 6/3/18 - https://www.allaboutreligion.org/history-of-christianity.htm

2. BBC - Religions | The basics of Christian beliefs - 6/3/18 - http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/beliefs/basics_1.shtml

3. BBC - Religion | Christian Worship - 6/3/18 - http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/ritesrituals/worship.shtml

4. BBC - Religions | The Trinity - 8/3/18 - http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/beliefs/trinity_1.shtml

5. BBC - GCSE Bitesize: Religious Studies | Christianity: Beliefs about life after death | Christian Teaching - 19/3/18 - http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/death/chbeliefrev2.shtml

6. All About Following Jesus - How to live the Christian life - 19/3/18 - https://www.allaboutfollowingjesus.org/how-to-live-the-christian-life-faq.htm

7. BBC - GCSE Bitesize: Religious Studies | Christianity: beliefs about creation and evolution - 20/3/18 - http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/environment/christianitybeliefsrev1.shtml

Christianity:

• God - They believe there is only one God (monotheism), whom they call Father as Jesus taught them.
• Jesus - They recognise Jesus as the Son of God, who was sent to save mankind from death and sin.
• The Trinity - God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit
• Life after Death - They believe there is a life after death on Earth.

Hinduism:

• Belief in many gods seen as manifestations of a single unity.
• The deities are linked to universal and natural processes
• May have a preference for one deity, while not excluding or disbelieving others.
• Belief in the law of cause and effect (karma)
• Believe in the 4 stages of life:
• 1. Student
• 2. Householder
• 3. Retired
• 4. Spiritual Pilgrimage - (reincarnation - the soul (JIva) passes through various states until it reaches the highest goal of a human being

Symbols Used

Personal Summary

-Outline major differences/similarities

-My thoughts on both

-Further wonderings/questions

Hinduism:

Christianity:

Christianity and Hinduism both have very different views on how to 'lead a good life' and who to follow in the religion. Hinduism has the belief of more than one god, while Christianity follows monotheism, the belief that there is only one God. Both religions have religious scriptures, but they vary in content compared to each other. My thoughts on both of these religions would be that although they have similarities and differences, they are very significant to those who follow the religions, and it's good to respect that.

How did each religion begin?

Worship Style

How did the Universe Begin?

Christianity:

• Involves praising God through music and speech, readings from scripture, prayers, and various holy ceremonies (sacraments).
• Different churches use different styles of worship. Some are elaborate, with choirs, while other have simple worship songs.

Hinduism:

• Sources of wisdom:
• 1. Vedas - Poems and Hymns
• 2. Brahmanas - Rules for Worship
• 3. Great Epics - About heroes and gods
• 4. Upanishads - Answers to questions on life and death
• Hindu worship is primarily individual, rather than communal.
• They repeat tmantras and the names of their favourite gods/goddesses.
• Water, fruit and flowers are often offered to the gods.
• Most Hindu homes have a shrine where the worship takes place.
• Pilgrimage - An undertaking to see and be seen by a deity.

Christianity:

• The first accounts of the creation of the universe are taken place in the Bible.
• The first account is in Genesis, the first chapter of the Bible. This account tells how God created the universe in 6 days.
• Some believe God brought the universe into being from nothing, while others believe it was created from matter that already existed.

Hinduism

• Many different stories and beliefs about creation contained in the Hindu scriptures.
• The sacred sound Aum is believed to be the first sound at the start of creation.

Christianity:

• Started 2000 years ago in Judea (present-day Israel)
• Started with Jesus Christ and his disciples.
• Jesus was a Jew, and traveled from village to village, teaching in the synagogues.

Hinduism:

• It began about 4000 years ago in India (circa 3200 B.C)
• It was not founded as a religion, rather a way of life or a culture that people followed.
• There is no historical founder, although their supreme being is Brahman (all reality, the creator)

Their Concept of 'god' or a Higher Power

How Should Believers Lead a 'Good Life'?

Christianity:

• God - an eternal being who created and preserves all living things.
• The idea is that there is one God, who is Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit

Hinduism

• Hindus believe that there is one true god, (Brahman), who comes in many different forms.
• They believe that Brahman is present in every person as the eternal spirit or soul, called the atman.

Christianity:

• Living a Christian life is not abiding by an agenda or following a strict set of rules.
• It's about enjoying a relationship with God, and about being confident

Hinduism

• It's a way of life
• Hinduism does indicate that human beings are completely responsible for their actions and the paths they chose to lead their lives.
• Gives them complete freedom

Their View of Life After Death

Christianity:

• Christians believe that there is an afterlife
• They believe their unique soul lives on.
• Heaven is often mentioned in the Bible, but it is rarely described.
• Some Christians believe that Hell is a place of suffering.
• Some Christians believe in Purgatory, it's an in-between state for the majority of people waiting for heaven, a time of cleansing from sin and preparation

Hinduism:

• Hindus believe that a person's atman (spirit) is permanent and cannot change, while the physical body is not permanent and can change.
• The spirit is reborn many times, this is called samsara (reincarnation).