World religions.

Selections from The Holy Bible and personal essays and commentary

The King James Version, Hebrew Names Version and other versions of the Holy Bible, quoted in the passages on this page, are in the public domain.


except where noted, all text authored and edited
Copyright © 1980-2009 by God's Peace Ministry

Why is Jesus the one, true God? Why not Allah, Buddha, one of the many gods of Hinduism or even Satan? The world is full of religions. Three of them believe in a single God - this is called monotheism meaning one God. Judaism is the monotheistic religion of the Jews. For its origins, Judaism looks to the Biblical covenant made by God with Abraham, and to the laws revealed to Moses and recorded in the Torah (supplemented by the rabbinical Talmud), which established the Jewish people's special relationship with God. Since the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in 70 AD, the rituals of Judaism have centered on the home and the synagogue, the chief day of worship being the Sabbath (sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday), and the annual observances including Passover (Pesach,) Pentecost, Yom Kippur and the Feast of Booths or Tabernacles.
Judaism has a strict code of laws that Jews follow. They believe that following the commandments of God makes them righteous before God. But, no one can keep all the laws all the time. Rabbis or teachers have added man-made rules to the law of Moses in the Torah - the first five books of the Bible. Some Jews keep the man-made rules but not those given by God to Moses. These are often referred to as Talmudic Jews. The Talmud is a collection of rabinnic writings and interpretation of the law of Moses. Jews also keep appointed times or feast days and holy days each year. They are awaiting the coming of Messiah who will save a remnant of elect believers out of great tribulation. Those few will spend eternity with God when He comes to establish His kingdom in Jerusalem.

The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - the God of the Hebrews - is also the God of Christianity. Christians believe in the Trinity of God the Father, Jesus the son and the Holy Spirit. The Holy Bible refers to these different aspects of God throughout the Old Testament or Hebrew Bible (Torah, Prophets and Writings) and the New Testament or New Covenant (B'rit Chadashah.)
Many Christians also believe that they should keep the commandments of God and that they should observe the appointed times. But, there are some Protestants and Catholics that no longer think it is necessary to keep all the commandments or observe the feast days. Christians or followers of Jesus believe that Jesus is Messiah and that He will return. Christians believe that Jesus was God in the flesh - the Word of God incarnate. Followers of Yeshua (Jesus) believe that He came to teach about the Kingdom of God and that He died on the cross as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. When a Christian fails to live up to the commandments of God - when they sin - if they turn from their sin and sincerely ask forgiveness, Jesus will forgive them and redeem them before God so that they might spend eternity with Jesus in the Kingdom of God.
Christian - Middle English : from Old French crestiente, from crestien, influenced by late Latin christianitas, from Latin Christianus, from Christus or Christ. Christianity is the religion based on the person and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. Christianity is today the world's most widespread religion, with more than a billion members, mainly divided between the Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Eastern Orthodox Churches. It originated among the Jewish followers of Jesus of Nazareth, who believed that he was the promised Messiah (or Christ), but the Christian Church soon became an independent organization, largely through the missionary efforts of St. Paul. In 313 Constantine ended official persecution in the Roman Empire and in 380 Theodosius I recognized it as the state religion. After the death of Paul and the Apostle John, paganism began to creep into the faith and Roman Catholicism separated the practice of Christianity from its Jewish roots. Jesus was a Jew and He observed the appointed times or feast days. The Roman religion substituted pagan worship days like Easter (Ishtar - a Babylonian fertility goddess) and the winter solstace on December 25th as the birthday of Jesus. The Jewish Passover was in the spring and marked the beginning of the new year. Jesus was crucified and rose from the dead during the week of Passover. Most Biblical scholars believe that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the virgin Mary around the time of Hanukkah in December and was born in September-October during the time of the Feast of Tabernacles or Booths. It is believed by some that He may return near that time as well. At that time, Most Christians believe in one God in three Persons (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) and that Jesus is the Son of God who rose from the dead after being crucified; a Christian hopes to attain eternal life after death through faith in Jesus Christ and tries to live by his teachings as recorded in the New Testament or Covenant which is the fulfillment of the Old Testament or Covenant.

Islam, meaning submission - from the Arabic word aslama meaning submit (to God). Islam is the religion of the Muslims, a monotheistic faith regarded as revealed through Muhammad as the Prophet of Allah. Founded in the Arabian peninsula in the 7th century A.D. (an abbreviation for the latin anno domini, meaning in the year of our Lord) Islam is now the professed faith of nearly a billion people worldwide, particularly in North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. The ritual observances and moral code of Islam were said to have been given to Muhammad as a series of revelations, which were codified in the Koran. Islam is regarded by its adherents as the last of the revealed religions, and Muhammad is seen as the last of the prophets, building on and perfecting the examples and teachings of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. There are two major branches in Islam: Sunni and Shia.
Mohammed chose Allah, a lunar deity, from over 200 pagan gods being worshipped in the Arabian lands at that time. One of the signs of Islam is the crescent moon - representing the moon god. Allah is a pagan God. Pagan gods are satanic and worshiping them is the same as Satan worship. Islam is more of an oppressive political system than a religion. Followers of Islam must follow a strict code of laws or suffer sometimes extreme punishment like loss of limbs or loss of life. There is no grace and no salvation in Islam. The writings in the Koran state that those who do not follow Islam are infidels and are to be converted or killed. There is historical proof suggesting that Mohammed held Jewish scribes captive to write the Koran under fear of death and they were executed when they had done so. Muhammed could not read or write. They are at least two sects of Islam that have somewhat differing beliefs. One sect believes that the Mahdi or the 12th Imam, an Islamic spiritual leader, will return to lead a Holy War (Jihad) to convert the entire world to Islam. They believe that Jesus did not die on the cross and was not resurrected. They do not believe that Jesus is God's son or was the Word of God in the flesh but merely a prophet who will return with the Mahdi. A hotel has been built near the place where it's believed that the 12th Imam will reappear.

Zoroastrianism is a monotheistic pre-Islamic religion of ancient Persia founded by Zoroaster in the 6th century BC. According to the teachings of Zoroaster, the supreme god, named Ahura Mazda, created twin spirits, one of which chose truth and light, the other untruth and darkness. Later writings present a more dualistic cosmology in which the struggle is between Ahura Mazda (Ormazd) and the evil spirit Ahriman. The scriptures of Zoroastrianism are the Zend-Avesta. The language survives in isolated areas of Iran and in India, where its followers are known as Parsees.

There are many variations of eastern religion that are based on principles of thought and action. Some of these are dedicated to pagan idol worship, the worship of spirit beings or of the creation (people, nature and things) rather than the Creator God. Some focus on various forms of meditation which can open a path for the influence of and possession by demons. Meditation that empties one's self leaves a void that will be filled by evil spirits or the Holy Spirit of the One True God. Christian prayer is a process by which a person begins to praise God and worship Him. It can begin by saying "Praise the Lord, thank you Jesus, Hallelujah, Hallel, Emmanuel - God is with us, Holy is Yeshua, the lamb of God." Soon the faithful believer in Jesus will be filled with the joy, peace and power of the Holy Spirit. This is true and worthy meditation - on the will, way and the word of the One True God. Reading the Bible can lead to the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit of God and a profound sense of calm - the peace that passes all understanding. Pray to praise, honor and glorify God' pray to be forgiven, healed, blessed and filled with the Holy Spirit.

Buddhism is a widespread Asian religion or philosophy, founded by Siddartha Gautama in northeastern India in the 5th century BC. Buddhism has no Creator God and gives a central role to the doctrine of karma. The 'four noble truths' of Buddhism state that all existence is suffering, that the cause of suffering is desire, that freedom from suffering is nirvana, and that this is attained through the 'eightfold' path of ethical conduct, wisdom, and mental discipline (including meditation). There are two major traditions, Theravada and Mahayana. Buddhism, now based in Tibet, has a worldwide following and has become trendy since the 1960s influx of eastern meditative religions with such variations as Zen (from the Japanese language, literally meditation, from Chinese chán meaning quietude, from Sanskrit dhyāna or meditation.) Zen Buddhism is from a Japanese school of Mahayana Buddhism emphasizing the value of meditation and intuition. Zen Buddhism was introduced to Japan from China in the 12th century and has had a profound cultural influence. The aim of Zen is to achieve sudden enlightenment (satori) through meditation in a seated posture (zazen), usually under the guidance of a teacher and often using paradoxical statements (koans) to transcend rational thought. Gautama Buddha did not claim to be God but was a spiritual teacher who wrote down principles to follow for a transcendent life. These principles include purity of thought and action. Buddhist monks chant, pray, burn incense and live a modest, cloistered lifestyle. There is no salvation in Buddhism, only a set of rules to live by. The works of men and women cannot save them from their sins.

Confucius (551?479 BC - before Christ), Chinese philosopher; Latinized name of Kongfuze ( K'ung Fu-tzu) or Kong the master. His ideas about the importance of practical moral values, collected by his disciples in the Analects, formed the basis of the philosophy known as Confucianism.
Shinto - Japanese, from Chinese shen dao - way of the gods. Shintoism is a Japanese religion dating from the early 8th century and incorporating the worship of ancestors and nature spirits and a belief in sacred power (kami) in both animate and inanimate things. It was the state religion of Japan until 1945.

Hinduism is a religious and cultural tradition of the Indian subcontinent, developed from Vedic religion. Hinduism is practiced primarily in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. It is a diverse family of devotional and ascetic cults and philosophical schools, all sharing a belief in reincarnation and involving the worship of one or more of a large pantheon of gods and goddesses, including Shiva and Vishnu (incarnate as Rama and Krishna), Kali, Durga, Parvati, and Ganesh. Hindu society was traditionally based on a caste system. Hinduism is a pantheistic religion. Pantheism means many Gods. There are many idols in the Hindu religion - their symbols and drawings look like demons - often having a dragon-like appearance. The dragon is the symbol of Satan. Hinduism is pagan and therefore satanic. There is no salvation in worshipping evil spirits, demons and idols - only bondage and slavery to sin.

Satanism is the worship of Satan, typically involving a travesty of Christian symbols and practices, such as placing a cross upside down. The most evil or pagan religions, it has taken many forms throughout the ages. All of the ancient mystery religions were satanic in origin. The purpose is opposition to the one, true God. All that is good is rebuked or destroyed. Followers may be involved in ritual animal or human sacrifice during which demons and evil spirits are summoned. Pentagrams, pentangles and various other symbols are worn or in place on the floor or walls during ceremonies. Acts of public fornication are sometimes viewed by masked and robed members of covens circled around a symbol or just voyeuristically watching. [This is a mockery of God as the act of procreation was intended for man and woman to be fruitful as the green and living plants and multiply according to their kind. Children are a gift and a blessing from God to help and serve with gladness those parents who are godly and kind to their children and to others.] Other practitioners are black or white magicians - witches and warlocks - calling on evil spiritual forces to empower them for their own gain or to harm someone else. Satanism is by nature anti-God, anti-Christ and anti-semitic. Followers are deluded into thinking that they are gaining power but they are being used and strong evil forces are using them, taking over their spirits, souls, minds and body - ultimately to their destruction. There is no hope in Satan or in sin, only emptiness, despair and death. There is no salvation, no lasting joy, no peace, no happiness in satanic worship, only separation from God and spiritual and physical death.

In the Caribbean, prior to the earthquake in Haiti, there was widespread practice of pagan religions such as voodoo and santeria. Voodoo is a religious cult practiced in the Caribbean and the southern U.S. by black people, combining elements of Roman Catholic ritual with traditional African magical and religious rites, and characterized by sorcery and spirit possession. Santeria is a pantheistic Afro-Cuban religious cult developed from the beliefs and customs of the Yoruba people and incorporating some elements of the Catholic religion. Animal sacrifice is often a part of these rituals. Animal sacrifice cannot provide any forgiveness from sin, cannot provide salvation and offers no protection from evil. The black magic and ritual of these pagan religions brings a slavery to the forces of darkness and the oppression of the devil. For many years, the people of the islands of the Caribbean have suffered with poverty and the devastation of hurricanes and, recently, a major earthquake. Following the Haiti earthquake, many Christian missionaries have had the opportunity to serve and help the people of the region while telling them of the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Some Baptist missionaries were persecuted by Haitian authorities for taking children out of the country and helping to find them a home in the United States at the request of their parents or guardians. Satan sometimes attacks those who are trying to do good. Many people may hear the gospel of peace after being fed, clothed and provided with shelter by those who are doing the work of God.

The gift of salvation and the promise of eternal life is freely given to those who trust in Jesus as their savior. Those who believe, pray, read the Bible and allow themselves to grow in spirit and truth by trusting in Jesus and in the guidance of the Holy Spirit are brought into the family of God and will spend eternity with Him. You can read more about Jesus in the Gospel of John.

Topics.
The Good News - the Gospel of John.
The Life, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Greenleaf's A Testimony of the Four Evangelists
Paley's Evidences of Christianity
Sherlock's The Trial of the Witnesses of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ
Words of wisdom and warning.
The Authority of the Holy Scriptures - the Bible.
The Sign of Jonah.
The Two Babylons.
Thoughts.
Thoughts for today and every day.
...a refiner and purifier of silver.
Prophecies confirming Jesus as the Messiah.
To the Jew first and to the Gentile - Come let us reason together.
The Way.
Spirit.
Atheism.
Belief in God or science?
Old fossils?
Evolution or devolution?
The Shroud and The Sudarium.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ.
Blood and Flesh.
Christmas.
Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.
How should followers of Jesus live?
A praise and worship leader gone astray?
St. Valentine's Day.
The influence of feminism, new-age and pagan philosophy in the church.
God, the Father.
Marriage is for one man and one woman.
Touchy subjects.
The apostate church.
The last days.
Ancient conflict - Isaac vs. Ishmael.
A Tale of Two Films - The da Vinci code and The Passion of The Christ.
Current events and topics.
Fascism.
To veterans and to those who serve in the armed forces.
The world.
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