3 Major Religions of the World: Fundamental Beliefs and Doctrines

It pays to know about 3 major religions of the world. This essay discusses in simple terms their fundamental beliefs and basic doctrines. So let us start.

As globalization requires contact with various people around the globe, it seems that it is a must, now more than ever, to somewhat be familiar with the various culture and religion of people in the world. This blog thus humbly intends to make you cognizant of the so-called 3 major religions of the world.

The list here is not exhaustive as it merely includes those religions that share common roots from Patriarch Abraham: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

These Abrahamic religions are also called monotheistic religions.

What is religion?

‘Religion’ refers to the pursuit of transformation guided by a sacred belief system. It is defined as “people’s beliefs and opinions concerning the existence, nature, and worship of a deity or deities, and divine involvement in the universe and human life” (“Religion,” 2009). The 3 major religions of the world discussed here all pass in this qualification.

Also referring to the sacred engagement with that which is believed to be a spiritual reality, religion denotes the belief in, or the worship of, a god (or gods) and the worship or service to God or the supernatural. The term ‘supernatural’ means “whatever transcends the powers of nature or human agency” (“Religion,” n.d.). The term ‘religion’ is sometimes used interchangeably with ‘faith,’ ‘creed,’ ‘belief system,’ or ‘conviction.’

A religion is also viewed as “an organized collection of beliefs, cultural systems, and worldviews that relate humanity to an order of existence” (“Religion,” n.d.). Many religions, especially the 3 major religions of the world tackled here, possess holy scriptures, narratives, or sacred accounts that aim to explain the origin and meaning of life and the universe. From the religions’ beliefs about the cosmos and human nature, adherents may draw religious laws, detailed rules of ethical conduct, and an ideal way of living.

3 Major Religions of the World

1. Judaism

Judaism has been correctly depicted as a religion, a race, a culture, and a nation. As a religion, it refers to the monotheistic religion of the Jews. Judaism is the name of the religious faith and set of practices that are shared by the Jewish people.

Abraham (‘Avraham’) is considered in this religion as the first Jew, the founder of Judaism, the physical and spiritual ancestor of the Jewish people, and one of the three Patriarchs (‘Avot’) of Judaism. It is interesting to note that Abraham also plays a noticeable role in Christianity and Islam, the other two major ‘Abrahamic religions,’ or those which trace their origins back to Abraham.

1.1. Sacred texts and some beliefs

In Judaism, the sacred texts include the Torah, some poems, the visions of the prophets, the Talmud, and the Mishnah.

Being a ‘prophet’ in Judaism refers not just to the ability to see the future. Far more than just a person with the gift of prophecy, a ‘prophet’ is fundamentally a “spokesman for God, a person chosen by God to speak to people on God’s behalf and convey a message or teaching. Prophets were role models of holiness, scholarship and closeness to God. They set the standards for the entire community” (“Prophet,” n.d.).

‘Navi,’ the Hebrew word for a prophet, comes from ‘niv sefatayim’ meaning “fruit of the lips,” which emphasizes the prophet’s role as a speaker.

The so-called ‘Ten Commandments’ refer to the first ten of the 613 commandments given by God to the Israelites. These form the basis of Jewish morality, conduct, and social and religious responsibilities. These commandments are stated in order twice in the Torah, once each in Exodus and Deuteronomy.

The tradition that 613 is the number of commandments or ‘mitzvot’ in the Torah started in the 3rd century CE, when Jewish Rabbi Simlai mentioned it in a sermon that is recorded in Talmud Makkot 23b.

These 613 being referred to are principles of Biblical law sometimes called connections or commandments (‘mitzvot’) and recognized collectively as the “Law of Moses,” “Mosaic Law,” “Sinaitic Law,” or simply “the Law”. The word ‘mitzvot’ is plural for the singular term ‘mitzvah.’

1.2. God in Judaism

The God of the Israelites revealed His name to Moses as four Hebrew consonants called the ‘tetragrammaton.’ The four Hebrew consonants is transliterated as ‘YHWH’ and commonly pronounced as ‘Yahweh.’

The name of the Israelite God has been variedly interpreted. Many scholars nonetheless believe that the most proper meaning may be “He Brings into Existence Whatever Exists” (‘Yahweh-Asher-Yahweh’).

1.3. Sects: Orthodox, Conservative, Reform/Liberal

‘Orthodox Judaism’refers to the approach to religious Judaism which is distinguished by its keeping of the traditional forms of worship in the Hebrew language, and of the traditional observances as recommended by the Torah. In Orthodox synagogues, men and women sit separately, and women do not participate in some of the rituals. 

‘Conservative Judaism,’ on the other hand, adopts the practice of traditional Judaism while espousing some modernity. Developed during the twentieth century in the United States, it comes midway between Orthodoxy and Reform,

‘Reform Judaism’ (also called ‘Liberal Judaism’ or ‘Progressive Judaism’) is another major Jewish denomination which “emphasizes the evolving nature of the religion, the superiority of its ethical aspects to the ceremonial ones, and a belief in a continuous revelation not centered on the theophany at Mount Sinai” (“Reform Judaism,: n.d.). It is marked by a lesser emphasis on ritual and personal observance, treating Jewish Law as of essentially non-binding nature, and pronounced openness to external influences and progressive values. Having its greatest center today is in North America, Reform Judaism started in Germany in the 19th-century. Its early principles were framed by Rabbi Abraham Geiger and his associates.

2. Christianity

Of course, Christianity is one of the 3 major religions of the world. Click the link in the heading “Christianity” to read the discussion about thisreligion.

3. ISLAM: Last but not the least of 3 Major Religions of the World

Islamis an Abrahamic monotheistic religion that espouses that God is one and incomparable and that the purpose of man’s existence is to worship and serve God. The Arabic word for God is ‘Allah.’

Islam started in Arabia and was revealed to humanity by the Prophet Muhammad, considered in this religion as the last prophet of God. The word ‘Islam’in the Arabic language means “surrender” or “submission,” contextually meaning submission to the will of God. An adherent of Islam is called a ‘Muslim,’which in Arabic means “one who surrenders to God.”

3.1. Founder: Prophet Muhammad

Muhammad the prophet(570?-632) is the last prophet according to Islam, whose revelations, covering political and social as well as religious principles, became the basis of Islamic religion and civilization.

Around the year ad 570, Muhammad was born in Mecca, at the time the central city of the Arabian Peninsula. He belonged to the clan of Hashim, a poor but respected branch of the esteemed and prominent tribe of Quraysh. His father died before he was born. When he was six, he was brought up by his grandfather Abd al-Muttalib after his mother’s death, and by his uncle Abu Talib after his grandfather’s demise.

3.2. Sacred texts: Qur’an

TheQur’an (Koran) is the holy book of Islam. Islam holds that this sacred scripture is the infallible word of Allah, as it was revealed to the prophet Muhammad in the 7th century. In 114 chapters, called ‘suras,’ the Qur’an discusses a number of topics, including the life of Muhammad, the relationship between God and humans, prophets and messengers, and human responsibility and judgment. The Qur’an is fundamental to Muslim religious life, and parts of it are recited on many occasions.

3.3. Doctrines: Five Pillars of Islam

The Five Pillars of Islam, called ‘arkan’in Arabic, refers to the five ritual duties that mainstream Muslims consider as principal to their faith. These are: (1) professing the confession of faith (shahadaor kalima); (2) carrying out the five daily prayers (salat); (3) fasting during the month of Ramadan (saum); (4) paying the alms tax (zakat); (5) and performing, at least once in life, the major pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj). “In most places where Islam is the official religion, Muslims are not punished for failing to perform these duties. In some Islamic states, however, public denial by a Muslim of the validity, importance, or centrality of the five pillars is generally considered an act of heresy and is punishable by death” (“Five Pillars of Islam,” 2009).

3.4. God in Islam: Allah

Allah is the Arabic name of the supreme being. The term is a contraction of the Arabic ‘al-llah,’“the God.” Both the idea and the word existed in pre-Islamic Arabian tradition. Although the pre-Islamic Arabs recognized other, lesser gods, they recognized Allah as the supreme God.

The Qur’an declares that Allah is the creator and the one who rewards and punishes; that he is unique and can only be one; that he is eternal, omniscient, omnipotent, and all-merciful. The core of Islam is submission to the will of Allah; Muslims must abandon themselves completely to God’s sovereignty.

May you find this article intellectually gratifying. May this be the start of your interest in studying religion, the subject matter that asks the deepest, most important questions about our existence … continue reading

Read: World Religions and Belief Systems: Definition of Terms

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Also Check Out: The Worldview of Atheism by Jensen DG. Mañebog

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