Faith System HinduismGod (s) Out of the millions of major and minor Gods, worship tended to center around the

Trimurti: Brahma, the creator; Shiva, the destroyer; and Vishnu, the preserver.

Holy Book(s) The Vedas are the sacred scriptures of Hinduism. The four basic Vedic books are the Rig-Veda, the Yajur-Veda, the Sama-Veda, and the Atharva-Veda. The fourteen principal Upanishads form the basis of Hindu philosophy.

Founder(s) Early Aryans people 2000 BCE (SW Asia)

How to do “Good” The code requires the cultivation of pleasantness, patience, control of mind, non-stealing, purity, control of senses, intelligence, knowledge, truthfulness, and non-irritability.

What is “Good”? The Code of Manu also teaches the various stages through which a man is expected to pass in a successful life: student, householder, hermit, and wandering beggar. These stages are only for twice born men. Women should stay in the home under the protection and control of the chief male in the household.

What is “Evil”? Man basically good; Lack of filial piety is the root of evil in society. The killing of cows is listed among the greatest of sins.

What’s after death? The Gita also teaches a variety of means of personal salvation. One may achieve release from life (Nirvana) through asceticism, through meditation, through devotion to and worship of the gods, or through obedience to the rules of his caste. Reincarnation if nirvana not achieved.

Reference http://www.urantiabook.org/archive/readers/religion_belief_comparisons.htmhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/god/hinduismrev1.shtml

Faith System JudaismGod (s) YHWH (Yahweh) Jehovah; El Elyon; Elohim;

Holy Book(s) The primary Jewish sacred text is the Tanakh, whose name is an acronym of Torah, Nebi'im and Ketuvim (Law, Prophets and Writings). These are supplemented by Talmudic Law, explanations of how to live out rules of Tanakh

Founder(s) Abraham of Ur 2000 BCE (SW Asia), Moses of Egypt (1600 BCE)How to do “Good” Follow Ten Commandments, Talmudic LawWhat is “Good”? Obedience to and worship of YHWH, justice, righteousness, truth, loving-kindness,

humility, learning, kosher food.What is “Evil”? Disobedience, lack of remorse after breaking laws, choosing egocentric self, false gods,

or evil. Lucifer/Satan actively opposes YHWHWhat’s after death? Early Judaism: She'ol--land of the dead; Later Judaism: Judgment, heaven and hellReference http://www.urantiabook.org/archive/readers/religion_belief_comparisons.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/god/

Faith System BuddhismGod (s) No personal God; no soul; Buddha DeifiedHoly Book(s) Tripitaka (Three Baskets of Wisdom), made up of the Vinaya Pitaka (Discipline Basket),

the Sutta Pitaka (Teaching Basket), and the Abhidhamma Pitaka (Higher Doctrine Basket)

Founder(s) Siddhartha Gautama 600’s BCE, (South Asia)How to do “Good” Follow the eight-fold path; Right knowledge, aspiration, speech, behavior, livelihood,

effort, mindfulness, contemplation, control of one's mind, kindness Self-effort; Salvation is through reincarnation and working with the laws of karma;

What is “Good”? Nonattachment to the world What is “Evil”? Insatiable desires are the cause of evil and sufferingWhat’s after death?

Nirvana is the highest destiny of the human spirit--a state of indescribable bliss. In Mahayana Buddhism there are afterlife states referred to as heavens and hells.

Reference http://www.urantiabook.org/archive/readers/religion_belief_comparisons.htmhttp://www.buddha101.com/

Faith System Jainism

God (s) Various Gods; unimportantMahavira taught that there is no personal God; Mahavira deified

Holy Book(s) The scriptures of Jainism are Agana (precepts) or Siddhantas-(treatises).

Founder(s) Mahavira 600’s BCE (South Asia)How to do “Good” Five Vows: non injury to life, to speak the truth, to not steal, to renounce sexual

pleasure and women in general, and to renounce all attachments.What is “Good”? The devout Jain is ascetic, humble, inoffensive, and unvindictive.What is “Evil”? The cause of all misery is the connection of the vile material body with the pure eternal

spirit.What’s after death? Salvation is liberating the soul from matter.Reference http://www.urantiabook.org/archive/readers/religion_belief_comparisons.htm

Faith System ConfucianismGod (s) Many Gods, but main focus is on right conduct on earthHoly Book(s) Analects of Confucius, the Five Classics, Founder(s) Kung Fu-Tzu 600’s BCE, (East Asia)How to do “Good” Kindness, justice, following rituals, loving learning, personal integrityWhat is “Good”? Loyalty, Respecting parents/elders, consistency, doing rightWhat is “Evil”? Selfishness, Disloyalty, CrueltyWhat’s after death? No clear teachings, but through correct living, a unity of self and heavens can be

achievedReference http://www.patheos.com/Library/Confucianism

Faith System TaoismGod (s) Many Gods, but the Tao (way) pleases them allHoly Book(s) Tao Te Ching and Chuang TzuFounder(s) Codified by Lao Tzu in 142 CE (East Asia) from beliefs dating to 400’s BCEHow to do “Good” Harmony with nature. Self-control, study and analysis of Scriptures, Tai Chi, Martial ArtsWhat is “Good”? Discovering the Tao (way) of the universe through studyWhat is “Evil”? Disrupting the community, causing harm to others or selfWhat’s after death?

Release from the body is a continuation of the process of following the Tao, which has both visible an invisible aspects/energies

Reference http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/taoism/http://www.patheos.com/Library/Taoism/Beliefs/Afterlife-and-Salvation

Faith System Atheist, Deists, AgnosticGod (s) Atheist=Lack of belief in God(s)

Deist=God(s) exists, but as natural/scientific laws- no name, holy books, etc Agnostic=Uncertain if God(s) exists

Holy Book(s) NoneFounder(s) Atheist= Diagoras of Melos 400’s BCE (Europe). His Derveni Papayrus doubts the

existences of Greek gods as anything more than characters based on nature.Deist= Lord Edward Herbert 1600 CE (Europe) His book “De Vertiae” is considered the first explanation of Deism Agnostic=Thomas Huxley, 1800’s CE (Europe) His speech “Agnosticism” (1889) is considered the founding explanation of Agnosticism

How to do “Good” Rational thought, critical thinking, and scienceWhat is “Good”? Humans can and have an obligation to lead ethical lives that improve the human

condition. Humans can understand and explain the universe without god(s)What is “Evil”? Behavior that leads to self-harm or the harm of othersWhat’s after death? NothingReference http://atheists.org/activism/resources/what-is-atheism?

http://thetempleofnature.org/_dox/derveni-papyrus-new-translation.pdfhttp://www.religioustolerance.org/agnostic.htmhttp://www.religioustolerance.org/deism.htmhttp://www.sbnr.org/a-brief-history-of-deism.html

Faith System European Traditional (pre-Christian)God (s) Generally polytheistic Gods, based on nature, who reveal themselves in many forms as necessary.

“Insomebutnotall” term coined to preserve diversity of practice Wicca= Semi-Organized religion (covens) with Northern European/Germanic influence. Druid= Semi-Organized religion with Western European/Celtic influence. Asatru=Semi-Organized religion with Northern European/Viking influence*Euro-Traditional Religions also include traditions from Greco-Roman, Slavic and Finnish/Hungarian sources

Holy Book(s) None clearly accepted by majority of adherents. Oral Traditions kept by priests/priestesses.

Founder(s) Traditions from practitioners of European pre-Christian faiths (400BCE) , reasserted by modern believers since 1940’s CEModern Wicca credits Gerald Gardener (UK) with compiling & codifying Wicca traditions Modern Druidry credits Ross Nichols (UK) with compiling & codifying Druid traditionsModern Asatru credits Goði Sveinbjorn Beinteinsson (Iceland) with compiling & codifying Asatru traditions

How to do “Good” Wiccan Rede= “If it harms none, do what you will”Druid= Respect and Kindness, Preserving Dignity of Self and Clan, EnvironmentalismAsatru= Nine Noble Virtues

What is “Good”? Ethical theismWhat is “Evil”? Failure of duty to stand up for justice and against oppression, intolerance or hateWhat’s after death? Many European Traditionalists believe in reincarnation. This means that a person’s soul may be

reborn many times as a human or an animal. Therefore, death is not the end. Asatru believes in an afterlife of Niu Heimar (Nine Worlds).

Reference http://www.religioustolerance.org/witchcra.htmhttp://www.druidry.org/druid-wayhttp://www.religioustolerance.org/asatru.htm

Faith System Christianity (Nicene Creed)

God (s) God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. It describes the relationship between these three ‘persons’ which are all part of the one God in “Tri-unity”

Founder(s) Jesus of Nazareth: Reforms Judaism 1st century CE; (SW Asia, Mediterranean)Paul of Tarsus: Transforms into universal (anyone can join) faith. (SW Asia and Europe)

Holy Book(s) Jewish Tanakh, Christian Stories of Life of Jesus (Gospels), Letters of Early Christian Leaders (Epistles)

How to do “Good” Love of God and humanity; service to vulnerable, truth, beauty, goodness, peace and justice, humility, learning.

What is “Good”? Jesus as Messiah (savior), Church as God’s presence on earth, Golden Rule, Nicene CreedWhat is “Evil”? Disobedience of God’s rules, temptation by Satan; egocentricity; alienation from God.What’s after death?

Growth and joyful service to God in heaven; punishment in eternal fires and tortures of hell for non-believers.

Reference http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/god/christianityrev2.shtmlhttp://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTMhttp://www.urantiabook.org/archive/readers/religion_belief_comparisons.htm

Faith System Mandaeism/ Sabeanism

God (s) One God, Ptahil or Ptah-elHoly Book(s) Ginza Rba, Psalms of King David of IsraelFounder(s) Adam, Noah, John the Baptist, about 100’s CE SouthWest AsiaHow to do “Good” Follow the Light, Examples of Founders, Prophets and Priests, Avoid Red Meat and

Alcohol, Having a Large FamilyWhat is “Good”? Baptism , Cleanliness, Desire to unite with God What is “Evil”? Ignoring God’s Will and signs from Universe, following false prophets including Abraham

and JesusWhat’s after death?

Cycle of reincarnations until all bad energies accumulated during lifetime are overcome by practicing virtue

Reference http://www.hermetics.org/Sabians_of_Harran.htmlhttp://www.britannica.com/topic/Mandaeanism

Faith System IslamGod (s) AllahHoly Book(s) Qur’an. Hadith (Sayings of the Prophet form a secondary source of information), Jewish

and Christian Writings accepted by some with reservations. Founder(s) Muhammed of Mecca (pbuh) 600’s CE (SW Asia)How to do “Good” Five Pillars: creed, prayer, almsgiving, fasting and pilgrimageWhat is “Good”? Submission to the will of Allah; Living by the Five Pillars, Protecting DhimmiWhat is “Evil”? Satan; Not submitting to the will of Allah;

Allah beyond human questioning; Accept life as is.What’s after death? Judgment: heaven and hell; Sensual description of afterlife.Reference http://www.urantiabook.org/archive/readers/religion_belief_comparisons.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/god/islamrev1.shtml

Faith System ShintoGod (s) Many nature Gods/spirits (kami)Holy Book(s) None. Oral Traditions kept by priestsFounder(s) Traditional, developing from 800’s CE in East AsiaHow to do “Good” Follow Traditions, honor and support family, Love Nature, Observe Purity, Celebrate

Gods, Show reverence to priests, priestesses and EmperorWhat is “Good”? All life/living things What is “Evil”? Disturbing the peace and harmony, selfishness, What’s after death?

Humans become kami and find a place to dwell depending on how they lived their lives- humans can become both benevolent and malicious spirits. Human names recorded at shrines are honored as local kami

Reference http://www.religioustolerance.org/shinto.htmhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/shinto/http://www.yasukuni.or.jp/english/

Faith System Dine’ (Navajo)God (s) Holy People (Holy Supreme Wind gave life to all the other Holy People)Holy Book(s) Oral Tradition, including stories of creation by the Holy People, written down by

European chroniclers in 1800’s and 1900’s CEFounder(s) Estimated 1500’s CE from much earlier Athabascan traditions (North America)How to do “Good” The interrelatedness of all living beings is recognized by ceremonies and prayer

offerings. Religion is inseparable from traditional life. All living things are considered relatives, each containing its own sprit or inner form.

What is “Good”? Maintaining balance between individuals and the universe and to live in harmony with nature.

What is “Evil”? Disruption in the natural orderWhat’s after death? All things must begin and end at the same point (no afterlife?)Reference http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/missnavajo/religion.html

http://www.indians.org/welker/dineway.htm

Faith System Vodun (Voodoo)/SanteriaGod (s) Christian God, however focus is intensely on Christian Saints who have been combined

with West African and/or Native American spiritsHoly Book(s) Oral Traditions kept by priests and priestessesFounder(s) Traditional West African practices combined with Roman Catholic practices in Haiti

(Vodun) and Cuba (Santeria) during 1500-1800’s CE. Mexican Santeria evolved similarly from Caribbean influences since the 1940’s

How to do “Good” Offering prayers and sacrifices to the saints, honoring priests/priestesses, openness to spiritual experiences/ceremonies

What is “Good”? Selflessness, healing and caring for others less fortunateWhat is “Evil”? Selfishness, causing intentional harm, insulting beliefsWhat’s after death? One-ness with nature, and escape from suffering for those who are goodReference http://www.religioustolerance.org/voodoo.htm

http://www.religioustolerance.org/santeri3.htmhttp://www.insightcrime.org/news-analysis/latin-american-drug-traffickers-turn-to-cults-for-comfort

Faith System SikhismGod (s) One God, who is worshiped by all faithsHoly Book(s) The Sikh scripture is called the Guru Granth Sahib, which is considered the revealed Word

of God spoken through Sikh Gurus and other blessed SaintsFounder(s) Guru Nanak 1600 CE (South Asia)How to do “Good”

The religion consists of practical living, in rendering service to humanity and engendering tolerance and brotherly love towards all.

What is “Good”?

Ethical monotheism; God is active in social/historical processes

What is “Evil”? Failure of duty to stand up for justice and against oppressionWhat’s after death?

Sikhs believe in reincarnation. This means that a person’s soul may be reborn many times as a human or an animal. Therefore, for Sikhs, death is not the end. The Sikh sacred text, the Guru Granth Sahib, says that the body is just clothing for the soul and is discarded at death.

Reference http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/death/sikhbeliefrev2.shtmlhttp://www.sikhism101.com/

Faith System Baha’iGod (s) One God, manifested throughout history via many other faithsHoly Book(s) Kitab-i-Aqdas, Kitab-i-IqanFounder(s) Baha’u’llah 1800’s Persia/IranHow to do “Good” Devotion to God, prayer, fasting, meditation, pilgrimage, What is “Good”? Service to fellow human beingsWhat is “Evil”? Particularism (one version of God over others), SelfishnessWhat’s after death?

Another existence- Bahai’s assert we do not have capacity to understand afterlife but must prepare in this life for what lies beyond

Reference http://www.bahai.org/http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/bahai/

Faith System Christianity (Latter Day Saints/Mormon)God (s) God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. It describes the relationship

between these three ‘persons’ which are all part of the one God in “Tri-unity”Holy Book(s) Jewish Tanakh, Christian Stories of Life of Jesus (Gospels), Letters of Early Christian

Leaders (Epistles), Book of Mormon (Latter Day Saints)Founder(s) Jesus of Nazareth: Reforms Judaism 1st century CE; (SW Asia, Mediterranean)

Paul of Tarsus: Transforms into universal (anyone can join) faith. (SW Asia and Europe) Joseph Smith: Restores Christianity 1820’s CE. (North America)

How to do “Good” Love of God and humanity; service to vulnerable, truth, beauty, goodness, peace and justice, humility, learning.

What is “Good”? Jesus as Messiah (savior), Church as God’s presence on earth, Golden Rule, 13 Articles of Faith

What is “Evil”? Disobedience of God’s rules, temptation by Satan; egocentricity; alienation from God.What’s after death? Death is not the end. The spirit does not die, it goes to the spirit world, where you will

continue to learn and progress and may be with loved ones who have passed on. Punishment in eternal fires and tortures of hell for non-believers.

Reference http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/god/christianityrev2.shtmlhttps://www.mormon.org/what-do-mormons-believehttp://www.urantiabook.org/archive/readers/religion_belief_comparisons.htm

Faith System SatanismGod (s) Satan/Lucifer/BaphometHoly Book(s) The Satanic BibleFounder(s) Traditional, Organized by Anton La Vey 1960’s (North America)How to do “Good” Following Eleven Satanic RulesWhat is “Good”? Serving yourself, exercising self will What is “Evil”? Nine Satanic SinsWhat’s after death? Nothing.Reference http://www.churchofsatan.com/

http://www.dpjs.co.uk/satanism.html

Faith System Falun GongGod (s) Not clearly defined- overlaps with Buddhism, Daoism and ConfucianismHoly Book(s) Zhuan FalunFounder(s) Li Hongzhi 1992 CE East AsiaHow to do “Good” Truthfulness, Compassion and KindnessWhat is “Good”? Practice Virtues, Detachment from Material world. What is “Evil”? Insatiable desires are the cause of evil and sufferingWhat’s after death?

Cycle of reincarnations until all bad energies accumulated during lifetime are overcome by practicing virtue

Reference http://en.falundafa.org/http://www.britannica.com/topic/Falun-Gong