Given the vast number of issues that Zoroastrianism, Judaism, and Christianity share, it is not contestable that there must be clear connection between them. The concern, therefore, should not focus on the existence of connection, but how the connections came into existence. Considering the religions from another point of view, they still reflect a dozen of differences. The current paper seeks to compare and contrast the three religions: Zoroastrianism, Judaism, and Christianity. Beginning with the similarities, the three religions trace their origin and early history in the Middle-East. For example, Zoroastrianism was a very popular religion in the Middle East for about 1000 years between 549 B.C.E and 642 C.E (Fisher 202). Turning to Judaism, …show more content…
In all these religions, God is the supreme-being whose power is never questionable (Fisher 247). However, there are different views on the monotheistic God from each of these religions. For example, Zoroastrianism views God as the source of good and not evil at any single instance. On the contrary, Judaists and Christians see God as the source of both evil and good. Moreover, the recognition of God as monotheistic was founded on the revelation key prophets received in each faith. Zoroastrians’ belief and view of God came from the revelations of Zoroastrian and Judaist view developed from God’s communication to Moses. Similarly, Christians’ view of God is shaped and defined by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. In respect to a coming Savior, Judaists waited for the Messiah, Christians wait for Jesus, and Zoroastrians expected the Saoshyant. Even further, all the religions view the world to be in a constant battle between good and evil, and between God and the devil. From the Zoroastrians’ point of view, the Universe is literally a battlefield between Ahura Mazda, the one good God, and Ahriman, the separate spirit of Evil. On the other hand, Judaists and Christians believe that the Universe is a battlefield between the one righteous God, YHVH, and the fallen angel Lucifer called Satan. Hence, dualism is how people view the world as similar across the three
When we ask people about their thoughts on how the world was created, the first idea that comes to mind is the story of Genesis. Most people generally assume that there is only one account of creation, the account that portrays God as the sole creator since in the Genesis account he creates heaven, earth, man/woman, and other living things. However, Genesis is not the only face of creation because religious texts from different cultures tell us otherwise. In ancient near east religions, there are two creation myths that give their own different accounts. While some details of the Genesis account are similar to the Enuma Elish of Babylon and the Memphite Theology of Egypt, each account individually brings their own nationalistic pride and personal touch.
Many of them share the same monotheistic convictions, like Christianity and Islam. A summary of core Jewish beliefs, is the “13 Articles of Faith”, put together by rabbi Maimonides in the 12th-century. In short, the articles convey that there is one unique God, who will reward the good and punish the wicked, Moses was the greatest of the prophets, the messiah will come, and the dead will be
Between 600 CE and 1450 CE, Islam and Christianity spread throughout Eurasia and the middle East. Although both were spread through trade and important religious figures. Islam and Christianity had very, different takes on government organization. Islam took hold in the cities, deserts on the Arabian Peninsula and appealed to all, while Christianity was interested in those of a lower class and appeared among a small Middle Eastern civilization, the jews.
While he was conquering, he had tolerance and respected any and all of the people's customs in the different areas that he conquered, letting them keep their religion etc. Aside from Cyrus the Great's tolerance and respect for the people’s religions he conquered, the Persian Empire overall had a religion of Zoroastrianism. A monotheistic religion that believed in two opposing forces in the universe at constant battle with each other. Zoroaster, the founder and creator of Zoroastrianism, taught that one god, Ahura Mazda (God) was the ruler of the world.
The empire’s official religion was Zoroastrianism this religion was the product of a melting pot of cultures and religions which accumulated across Persia with new regions and increased trade.
The Hebrew insistence on a monotheistic God is an important turning point in history because while neighboring religions in areas such as West Asian and Egypt gods at times could be indecisive, unforgiving, and only reachable by the elite, the Hebrew God was forgiving, faithful, just, and loving to a group of people that sometimes rejected, and did evil before him. The Hebrews believed that God chose them they did not choose him, unlike neighboring countries. They were not conquered and force to adapt to their God unlike many territories. Many deities throughout the Mediterranean were seen through humans such as a pharaohs or kings who could be a cruel, and a tyrant. The Hebrews on the other hand saw their monotheistic God as a spirit that
These two religions have many outstanding features that are same and also others that are different from each religious perspective. The similarities and the differences are as well identified in this paper so as to bring out the exact comparison between the primal cosmological form of religion and the archaic form of religion. There are several theories that have been put across to explain the ideas behind some religious beliefs. These ideas are based on the simple ways of life of people from different cultural backgrounds and religious beliefs. For instance, primitive religious symbolism looks at the aspect of the mythical beings in all life criteria.
We still have some believers that there is a higher power that exists. Muslim, Judaists, and Christians believe in the existence of one God also called Monotheism believe that is only a single God who created the heavens and the earth and all the things on it. On the other hand, Polytheism believes in many Gods, and we have the naysayers that are referred to as Atheists they believe in no God (evolution). To explain this aspect to the reader Youngblood quoted Isaiah 45:22 a book in the Old Testament which states; “I am God, and there is no other” Youngblood also refers to the New Testament in book of John 14, sharing that if Christians know God the Son they also know God the Father, showing that they are the same. “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me (John
Comparison between the Three Monotheistic Religions; Islam, Judaism, and Christianity The medieval period in the European history is dated to have taken place between the fifth and the fifteenth century. This period can be referred as the middle or the dark ages. Scholars during the medieval era believed that it came immediately after the fall of the Roman Empire and took place before the renaissance. It is a significant epoch in the history of religions because the three major religions that is; Christianity, Islam, and Judaism united came together.
There are billions of people in the history of the world, and all are unique. There are thousands of species of animals, plants, and organisms. Many different cultures flourish throughout the world. The universe manifests plurality, unlike the Jewish
But in the three big monotheistic religions, they believe that it was God himself who created the universe. This is stated in the first book of the old testament, the book of Genesis. When we look at the differences between Hinduism and Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; we can see there are some major differences. Hinduism is a pantheistic and polytheistic religion where Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are all monotheistic religions. Judaism is the first religion to teach the monotheistic point of view.
The Achaemenids, Parthians, and Sasanians helped to carve out the Middle East and form its distinctive culture. Zoroaster’s teachings affected all of the later religions, giving a meaning to good and evil, providing a morality in an age consumed by constant fighting and turmoil. It provided a basis for Judaism to expand upon, which in turn lead to the founding of Christianity and later Islam, all three of which are a very important part in the lives of many across the world. Altogether, Zoroastrianism has had a profound effect on the lives of all of humanity, and should be remembered as one of the stepping stones towards
Christianity is the world's largest religion with about 2 billion followers. Christianity was formed around 33 CE in present day Israel. It is based on the birth, death, resurrection and the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, also known as Jesus Christ. During that time period, Israelites suffered in slavery and sins under the rule of the Roman
The existence of Christianity enumerates almost 20 centuries and for this period it made a long way in development and expansion. The Christianity was born in Palestine in the 1st century AD and spread to various corners of the world. Kennedy, P. (2011). Christianity : An Introduction. London: I.B.
Two sections of theism that are perhaps the most popular and well-known are monotheism and polytheism. There is a lot of discussion about both of these sectors. Knowing the histories, how they are viewed currently, and exactly what the differences of these two are can help us better understand how these two theisms come into play in the world. The meaning of monotheism derives from the Greek words mono which means "one" and theos which means "god".