Chapter 1:

The World's Religions
How did the world's major religions come into being?

Footnotes

[1] The information in this chapter is derived primarily from Man’s Religions, by John B. Noss, professor of philosophy at Franklin and Marshall College (New York, NY: Macmillan Company, Revised Edition, 1961).

[2] “The History of Hinduism,” Encyclopedia Britannica Online, http://members.eb.combol/topic?eu=108344&sctn=9

[3] “Hinduism,” Encyclopedia Britannica Online, http:// members.eb.com/bol/topic?eu=108344&sctn=1

[4] Noss, Man’s Religions, p. 114.

[5] Ibid., p. 161.

[6] Ibid., p. 162.

[7] Ibid., p. 163–165.

[8] Ibid., p. 166.

[9] Today there are several forms of modernized Buddhism practiced primarily throughout the Asian world.

[10] Noss, Man’s Religions, p. 692–693.

[11] It would be expected then, that Muhammad’s message be consistent with that of the previous prophets.

[12] According to the Christian Bible’s New Testament, Jesus contrarily taught that He was the Son of God.

[13] The Christian Bible teaches that it was Jesus who was crucified, a foundational doctrine for all Christian belief. The Bible says that Judas hung himself in guilt for betraying Jesus to the Cross.

[14] Noss, Man’s Religions, p. 710; see also “Islam,” Encyclopedia Britannica Online, http://members.eb.com/bol/topic?eu=108138&sctn=2. There is division even amongst Muslims about how exactly to define jihad. For instance, many believe that it is appropriate to engage in war in defense of Islam, while a growing number believe jihad refers only to a “spiritual” battle and has no place in the material world.

[15] It should be noted that in contradiction to Muhammad’s teaching of salvation through specific acts of obedience, Jesus taught a message of salvation through faith alone. Muslims often explain the differences between the Koran and the Christian Bible by suggesting that, over time, the text of the Bible has been tampered with. The argument for such tampering generally occurs where the teachings and predictions of Jesus do not line up with the teachings of Muhammad.

[16] The Christian Bible is made up of two major parts: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament, called the Tanakh by the Jewish people, was written in the period before the rise of Christianity. While the Christian faith is based on both the Old and New Testaments, the Judaic faith is based on only the Old Testament portion; Judaism rejects the teachings of the New Testament.

[17] The authenticity of the area and era in which this biblical narrative takes place has been confirmed by recent archaeological discoveries, and dates to approximately 2000 B.C. (“Abraham,” Encyclopedia Britannica Online, http://members.eb.com/bol/ topic?eu=3413&sctn=1).

[18] However, if a person has gone through the formal process of conversion to Judaism, he or she may be considered Jewish.

[19] The writers of the Bible’s Old Testament prophesied of a future Savior (Messiah) who would come to rule the world with righteousness and justice. Judaism rejects Jesus as the fulfillment of this prophecy, whereas Christianity accepts Jesus as the prophesied Messiah who died and rose again, and who will return in the last days to rule the world.

[20]Such miracles included healing the blind, healing the crippled, walking on water, and more.

[21] Groups such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Mormons that reject some of these central teachings of the New Testament cannot be, and are not considered, Christian denominations.

[22] As at Christmas, so also at Easter, popular customs reflect many ancient pagan survivals — in this instance, connected with spring fertility rites, such as the symbols of the Easter egg and the Easter bunny. (“Easter,” Encyclopedia Britannica Online, http:/members.eb.com/ bol/topic?eu=108313&sctn=14).

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