World Religions Report
- Submitted by: pondster
- Views: 1332
- Category: Other
- Date Submitted: 05/23/2010 06:59 PM
- Pages: 11
- Report this Essay
Even though Judaism believes in God and Buddhism does not, the two religions are similar in many ways because both religions practice enlightenment and doing good in the world. Within this paper, the countries of origin and central beliefs will topics of discussion along with the nature of God, texts, rituals and practices, and ethics and morality. There are many similarities and differences with the two religions.
Judaism
Origin and Primary Beliefs
Judaism is a monotheistic religion or the belief in one God. Born in Israel, and over the past two centuries, the Jewish community has divided into a number of Jewish denominations. Each sect has a different understanding and interpretation of principles.
This religious culture of Jewish people revolves around several principles. Along with the sacred texts of Torah, Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), Mishnah, Talmud (Rabbinical Jewish Law), and the Apocrypha, Orthodox principles, or the Maimonides' 13 principles of faith;
• God is one. This represents a strict unitarian monotheism.
• God is all-powerful, as well as all-knowing.
• God is non-physical, non-corporeal, and eternal.
• One may offer prayer only to God.
• The Hebrew Bible, together with the teachings of the Mishnah and Talmud, are held to be the product of divine revelation.
• The words of the prophets are true.
• Moses was the chief of all prophets.
• The Torah (the five books of Moses) is the primary text of Judaism.
• God will reward those who observe his commandments, and punish those who violate them.
• God chose the Jewish people to be in a unique and eternal covenant with him.
• There will be a Jewish Messiah, or perhaps a messianic era.
• The soul is pure at birth, and human beings have free will, with an innate yetzer ha'tov (a tendency to do good), and a yetzer ha'ra (a tendency to do evil).
• People can atone for sins through words and deeds, without intermediaries, through prayer, repentance, and tzedakah (dutiful giving...
Judaism
Origin and Primary Beliefs
Judaism is a monotheistic religion or the belief in one God. Born in Israel, and over the past two centuries, the Jewish community has divided into a number of Jewish denominations. Each sect has a different understanding and interpretation of principles.
This religious culture of Jewish people revolves around several principles. Along with the sacred texts of Torah, Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), Mishnah, Talmud (Rabbinical Jewish Law), and the Apocrypha, Orthodox principles, or the Maimonides' 13 principles of faith;
• God is one. This represents a strict unitarian monotheism.
• God is all-powerful, as well as all-knowing.
• God is non-physical, non-corporeal, and eternal.
• One may offer prayer only to God.
• The Hebrew Bible, together with the teachings of the Mishnah and Talmud, are held to be the product of divine revelation.
• The words of the prophets are true.
• Moses was the chief of all prophets.
• The Torah (the five books of Moses) is the primary text of Judaism.
• God will reward those who observe his commandments, and punish those who violate them.
• God chose the Jewish people to be in a unique and eternal covenant with him.
• There will be a Jewish Messiah, or perhaps a messianic era.
• The soul is pure at birth, and human beings have free will, with an innate yetzer ha'tov (a tendency to do good), and a yetzer ha'ra (a tendency to do evil).
• People can atone for sins through words and deeds, without intermediaries, through prayer, repentance, and tzedakah (dutiful giving...