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Nov 24, 2024
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Thematic Final Report
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Thematic Final Report
Introduction Religion, as a human understanding, mainly revolves around God. "In each religion, the understanding of God shapes the worldview, ethics, and practices of the religious community."
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Understanding religion requires understanding how different faiths view God. Every religion has
its view of God and his traits. "Religion's understanding of God is at the core of religious identity
and practice."
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This study examines Catholicism, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism's views on God. We can learn how other religions view the divine and religious diversity by studying their teachings. We can learn more about different faiths by comparing their views of God. The theme is suitable as it tries to comprehend God and how other religions view him. This
study compares each religion's God concept to Catholicism. There is more to learn about different beliefs and how they shape our view of the holy through research.
Explanation of the Theme in Catholicism Catholics believe God is a unique supreme being. "Catholicism believes in the existence of one God, who is eternal, all-powerful, and all-knowing."
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God is infinite and knows everything. Catholics see God as a caring, forgiving father who is always with them. "Catholicism has always emphasized the importance of a personal relationship with God, and it encourages its followers to pray and seek guidance from Him."
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Besides, Catholics also believe that God created the universe from nothing. This belief is deeply rooted in Genesis, where God built the world in six days. Catholics also believe in the Holy Trinity—God as Father, Son, and 1
Robert E Van, RELG : World : Introduction to World Religions
(Boston, Ma: Cengage Learning, 2020),p. 7.
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(Van 2020, p. 7)
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(Van 2020, p. 139)
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(Van 2020, p. 141)
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Holy Spirit. This s one of the key teachings that aligns with the beliefs of the Catholic church.
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The Father created and sustains the world, Jesus Christ came to earth to save humanity, and the Holy Spirit gives life and guides Christians. Generally, Catholics see God as a loving parent who
is all-powerful, all-knowing, and kind. They believe God is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, creating the universe from nothing. These beliefs distinguish Catholicism and shape its view of God.
Explanation of the Theme in Judaism Jews believe God created everything, including humans. "Judaism believes that God's will sustains the universe, and God is the ultimate source of all life, growth, and well-being."
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Judaism also believes God is personal and wants a relationship with his people. "God desires a relationship with human beings and interacts with his creation in various ways."
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In the Hebrew Bible, God makes contracts with humans and speaks personally to them. Besides, Jews believe they are God's chosen people. "Judaism claims that God chose the Jewish people as his own and revealed himself to them through the Torah."
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Jewish identity and religion are shaped by divine election. Generally, Judaism believes in one all-powerful, all-knowing, and ever-present God who created the cosmos and wants a personal relationship with his chosen people. Judaism differs from other monotheistic religions by viewing God as unique and engaged. Explanation of the Theme in Islam
Islam, as a religion, also worships one God. "The Islamic tradition affirms the oneness of God, or tawhid, meaning that there is only one God who is indivisible, eternal, self-sufficient, 5
(Van 2020, p. 142)
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(Van 2020, p. 91)
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(Van 2020, p. 92)
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(Van 2020, p. 92)
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and without partners or associates."
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Muslims believe Allah is the sole God, all-knowing, all-
powerful, and eternal. The Quran describes God's mercy, love, compassion, and justice. God speaks to Muslims through his prophets and holy scriptures. Islam's major source is the Quran, God's revelation to Muhammad. "The Quran is considered the most sacred text in Islam, and it is considered the eternal word of God, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad."
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Muslims believe the Quran provides instruction for all parts of life and a blueprint for a righteous and fulfilled existence. Muslims also think that Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus were prophets who preached monotheism and submission to God's will. Ideally, Islam believes in one all-knowing, all-powerful, eternal God. Muslims believe God speaks to them through prophets and the Quran. Islam's holiest book, the Quran, contains God's life advice. Explanation of the Theme in Hinduism
Hinduism perceives God in diverse beings, with each god assigned specific reverence to which believers a various. "Hindus believe in a variety of gods and goddesses, all of whom are different aspects of the one ultimate reality."
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Brahman is thought to be everywhere in the universe. Hinduism's God is a universal energy. Nonetheless, Hindus also believe God has countless avatars. "God is believed to manifest in different forms, or avatars, to maintain cosmic order and to help human beings overcome obstacles."
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. Vishnu, Shiva, and Krishna are famous avatars with unique traits. Generally, Hinduism emphasizes a personal relationship with God. "Hindus believe that there are many paths to God and that each person must find his or her way 9
(Van 2020, p. 252)
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(Van 2020, p. 252)
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(Van 2020, p. 85)
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(Van 2020, p. 85)
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to the divine."
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Hinduism emphasizes personal spiritual exploration and relationship to God, each of the many gods believed to exist by the believers. Explanation of the Theme in Buddhism As a religion and idea, Buddhism does not believe in a supreme deity. Buddhists see the universe as a changing, interrelated web of causality. "Buddhism does not posit a supernatural God or gods responsible for the universe, nor does it seek to explain how the universe came to be,"
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Buddhism emphasizes spiritual progress and enlightenment over a deity. Meditation, knowledge, and compassion help Buddhists attain enlightenment. "Buddhism teaches that individuals can achieve enlightenment by freeing themselves from the cycle of rebirth and attaining nirvana, which is the ultimate goal of Buddhist practice."
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Enlightenment is not a divine reward or an afterlife but rather a state in which the individual understands reality. Generally, Buddhism does not require a deity to understand ultimate reality. "Buddhism does not
postulate a supernatural source of the universe, but rather focuses on the individual's inner experience and transformation."
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Thus, Buddhism's approach to religion's understanding of God is unique because it emphasizes the individual's inner journey to enlightenment rather than a specific deity.
Similarities with Catholicism The theme' Understanding of God' shows that each faith views God differently. However,
Catholicism and other religions share some God-related beliefs. For instance, Catholics and Jews
believe in one God. The idea of one God is important to Catholicism and Judaism. The Catholic 13
(Van 2020, p. 88)
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(Van 2020, p. 183)
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(Van 2020, p. 184)
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(Van 2020, p. 184)
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Church believes in one God, who created everything. "The Jewish faith is rooted in the belief in one God, who created the universe and established a covenant with the Jewish people."
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Also, Catholicism and Islam share a merciful God. In Islam, Allah is benevolent and forgiving, saving the loyal. Catholics also believe God forgives sinners. Islam says that Allah is benevolent and compassionate and forgives sinners. Catholics believe God is kind and forgives those who confess and repent.
Nonetheless, Hinduism and Catholicism both view God similarly. A personal God is one similarity. Hinduism has many gods and goddesses, but the ultimate objective is unity with Brahman, the ultimate truth. Catholics believe in a personal, loveable God. Hinduism accepts various gods and goddesses, but the ultimate aim is establishing oneness with Brahman, the ultimate truth. Catholicism also believes in a personal, knowable, and loveable God
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. Similarly, Buddhism shares some God's beliefs with Catholicism. Transcendence is one such commonality.
Buddhism posits a higher existence beyond suffering and impermanence. Catholics believe in a transcendent reality. Buddhism teaches that there is a transcendent reality beyond suffering and impermanence. Catholics also believe in a transcendent reality.
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Ideally, Catholicism and other religions share certain common views of God. Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism all believe in one God, a merciful God, a personal God, and a transcendent reality. Understanding these parallels can help create mutual respect and admiration for the world's religious diversity.
Differences with Catholicism Catholicism differs from other major religions in Religion's Understanding of God. Judaism, the oldest Abrahamic religion, views God differently than Catholicism. Jews do not 17
(Van 2020, p. 70)
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(Van 2020, p. 219)
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(Van 2020, p. 283)
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believe in the Holy Trinity, but Catholics do. "Jews accept the divine unity of God and do not believe in the Trinity."
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Judaism also believes God revealed himself to the Israelites and forged a covenant with them. Catholics believe Jesus Christ, divine and human, is God's revelation. Also, Islamic and Catholic views of God differ in various ways. First, Muslims believe God has 99 names, each describing an attribute. "These names include the Compassionate, the Merciful, the Just, the Holy, the Creator, the Sustainer, and the Guide."
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Catholics stress the Trinity and love, mercy, and justice. Muslims believe the Qur'an is God's literal message, revealed to Muhammad. Catholics believe that God inspired the Bible.
Polytheistic Hinduism views God differently than Catholicism. Hindus worship many deities that reflect Brahman. "The ultimate goal of Hindu religious life is to achieve a state of unity with Brahman, to merge one's soul with the infinite ocean of divinity."
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Catholics emphasize monotheism and God's unity. Besides, Buddhism, a non-theistic faith, views God differently than Catholicism. Buddhists believe in no personal God who created the cosmos or intervened in human affairs. "Buddhism is primarily concerned with the human predicament and the means of overcoming suffering, rather than with the existence or nonexistence of a supreme being."
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Buddhists seek enlightenment and freedom from suffering through the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path.
Concluding Reflection I now appreciate religious diversity and complexity after studying Catholicism, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism's views on religion's understanding of God. I've learned that these religions have many similarities despite their differences. This understanding has impacted 20
(Van 2020, p. 102)
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(Van 2020, p. 125)
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(Van 2020, p. 151)
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(Van 2020, p. 171)
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my view of interfaith communication. I now recognize that understanding religious beliefs and practices can improve connections with persons of other religions. I can also avoid religious stereotypes. I have also learnt that interfaith discussion requires openness and curiosity. Dialogue
with people of different faiths helps me comprehend the world and appreciate human diversity. This course has helped me understand world religions and converse courteously with people of other faiths. It taught me that listening and learning from others promotes understanding and acceptance and helps create a more peaceful and harmonious environment.
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Bibliography Van, Robert E. 2020. RELG : World : Introduction to World Religions
. Boston, Ma: Cengage Learning.
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