Our respective religions primarily dictate values in our society. Most people who believe in God and religion are disciplined in maintaining their morals. Nowadays, materialism and scientific research have cunningly banished godly qualities so that the peace and prosperity of human life almost depend on riches and worldly enjoyment.
As a result, God, religion, and belief in the world hereafter have lost their values and utility in modern civilizations.
Let’s Understand How Major Religions Influence Values Patterns
Religions of the world
The scholars devoted to this study have not yet arrived at a precise definition of the term ‘Religion.’ Dr. Muhammad Iqbal, in his distinguished essay “The Reconstruction of Religious Thought,” says that “The various religions of the world embody different phases of human advancement and represent different stages of man’s cultural and political progress…” This is why we are confronted with numerous definitions of religion, not just one definition.
According to the philologist Max Muller, the root of the English word “religion,” the Latin “religio,” was originally used to mean only “reverence for God or the gods, careful pondering of divine things, piety.”
In other words, religions may be defined as having or showing beliefs in and reverence for God or a deity, and they involve an organized system of ceremonies and rules used to worship God.
Classification of Religions
Religions of the world can be broadly divided into Semitic and non-Semitic religions. Non-Semitic religions can be subdivided into Aryan and non-Aryan religions.
- Semitic.
- Non-Semitic religions.
- Aryan.
- Non-Aryan religions.
Semitic Religions
This category includes Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. Christianity itself has several groups, such as Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox, and Anglicans. All these religions are revealed, and the followers of these religions are known as the ‘People of the Book.’
Non-Semitic Religions
Non-Semitic religions are further subdivided into Aryan and non-Aryan.
Aryan Religions
The Aryan religions are further subdivided into Vedic and non-Vedic religions. Hinduism is the Vedic Aryan religion. Non-Vedic religions include Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, etc.
Non-Aryan Religions
Confucianism, Taoism, Shintoism, etc., are historically recognized as non-Aryan religions. Many of these non-Aryan religions do not have a concept of God. They are better referred to as ethical systems rather than religions.
General Concept of the Major Religions
Considering all the above data, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam have been treated as major religions of the world for our topic.
Christianity and The Holy Bible: Old and New Testaments
Christianity is a Semitic religion that claims to have nearly 1.2 billion adherents worldwide. Christianity owes its name to Jesus Christ (peace be upon him). The Holy Bible is the sacred scripture of the Christians.
The Bible is divided into the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament is the Holy Scripture of the Jews and contains records of all the prophets (peace be upon them) of the Jews who came before Jesus (peace be upon him). The New Testament contains records of the life of Jesus (peace be upon him).
Hinduism: Origins and Beliefs
Hinduism is the most popular Aryan religion. The term ‘Hindu’ actually originates from the Persian word that refers to the inhabitants of the region beyond the Indus Valley.
However, Hinduism now represents an assortment of religious beliefs. Their religious scriptures include the Vedas, the Upanishads, and the Bhagavad Gita.
Islam: A Way of Life
Islam is a Semitic religion that serves as the way of life for those who believe in God, i.e., Allah, and want to live a life in worship and obedience to none but Allah.
The word Islam comes from the root word ‘silm,’ which means peace, signifying the submission of one’s own will to the Almighty Allah. The reward is forgiveness from Allah and everlasting life in Jannah or heaven.
The sacred scripture is the Al-Qur’an, and Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the last and final messenger of Allah. The holy Qur’an defines religion as the complete code of human life, and it is known as Islam, which came into existence with the creation of the first man, Adam.
Buddhism: An Atheist Religion
Buddhism is based on a few aspects of human morality and the goal of escaping the sufferings of this world. It is an atheist religion that lacks belief in God.
Some also regard it as a sector or school of philosophy. However, from its view of life and all its practices, it ultimately becomes clear that the doctrine of Buddhism includes idolatry.
About 2500 years ago, Buddhism originated in northeast India and, over time, extended its influence throughout the world. The word Buddha means “the awakened or enlightened one,” signifying the spiritual heights that Siddhartha Gautama is believed to have attained.
Varieties of Buddhism
The beliefs of Buddhism vary greatly from country to country because, over the past 2500 years, this religion has merged with various local religions, customs, and established cultures of the countries it has spread to.
Today, the varieties of Buddhism practiced in Japan, China, Tibet, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and America are all quite different from one another. The holy book of Buddhists is called the TripiDollar, which means ‘triple basket.’
Concept of God in Major Religions
The concept of God differs from religion to religion, but their original scriptures prove the oneness of God, which is briefly discussed below.
Christianity and Monotheism
In Christianity, Jesus prophesied Monotheism, i.e., belief in one God, as mentioned in the Bible (Deuteronomy 6:4, Mark 12:29), which is termed in the Qur’an (the Qur’an 112:1-4) as Tawheed. In the Bible (Mark 15:34, Matthew 27:46), it is mentioned, “Eli, Eli, Lama Sabachthani.” So the word Allah is also mentioned in the Bible.
Christianity: God as the Supreme Power
According to the New Testament, God is the supreme power who is sovereign, independent, and self-existent. Individuals should have complete belief and love towards God with an unfettered heart, mind, strength, and soul. Morality refers to good and evil.
The Essence of Goodness in Christianity
The religion of Christianity states that good exists only in God. There is no other form of legitimate, genuine, and absolute “Good” except God Himself. One can have a complete understanding and knowledge of goodness if they know God through Jesus Christ.
Islam and the Concept of Tawheed
In Islam, there is no deity except Allah. He is indivisible and absolutely transcendent. Allah is the Almighty, the Creator, and the Sustainer of the universe, who is similar to nothing, and nothing is comparable to Him. Worship and obedience belong to Allah and Allah alone.
The Natural State of Man in Islam
In Islam, man is born in a natural state of purity (fitrah). Man is inclined towards all that is good, and all that is good is natural to him (Noorani, 2010). There is an influence of unconscious forces called wasawis (concealed whispers).
This unconscious inner fleeting may divert humans toward either good or bad behavior/deeds, but it can easily be controlled by the individual’s sense of faith in Islam (Iman) and Taqwah.
Allah (SWT) also teaches to seek refuge in Allah, saying, “I seek refuge with the Lord of mankind, the King of mankind, the God of mankind, from the evil of the whisperer who withdraws, the one who whispers in the hearts of people, whether from among the Jinn or Mankind” (Suratul Naas).
Hinduism: Between Monotheism and Polytheism
Hinduism is commonly perceived as a polytheistic religion. While some Hindus believe in the existence of three gods, some believe in thousands of gods, and others in thirty-three crore, i.e., 330 million Gods. However, learned Hindus, well-versed in their scriptures, insist that a Hindu should believe in and worship only one.
Buddhism: The Perception of Buddha
In Buddhism, Buddhists consider Buddha with the highest sense of love, deep respect, and fear. Some even accept him as a god. However, there is no historical evidence to show that Buddha urged his followers to worship him during his lifetime.
At the time of Buddha, there were Brahmans who worshiped idols, and some began making statues of Siddhartha Gautama. Over time, those who excessively loved Gautama Buddha began to worship these idols and consider him as a god.
Concept of Messengers
Every major religion has its own messenger to spread the respective religion.
Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad in Abrahamic Religions
According to both the Bible (Matthew 10:5-6, 15:24) and the Qur’an (3:49), Moses and Jesus (peace be upon them) were sent specifically for the Jews, referred to as the “lost sheep of Israel.”
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is prophesized in both the Bible (Deuteronomy 18:18, Isaiah 29:12; John 16:7; John 16:12-14, Song of Solomon 5:16) and the Quran (7:157; 61:6).
Divine sources (the Qur’an 5:72) and the Bible (John 14:28; John 10:29; Matthew 12:28, Luke 11:20; John 5:30) indicate that Jesus was not God and did not claim divinity; he was a messenger from Allah (SWT).
Prophet Muhammad: The Final Messenger
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is recognized as the last and final messenger of Allah (SWT). Almighty sent approximately 124,000 messengers from Adam to Muhammad (peace be upon him) on earth, with only 25 of them mentioned in the Qur’an.
All the prophets who came before Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) were sent for their specific people and nations, and their message was meant for their time. However, Muhammad (peace be upon him) was sent for all of mankind and for all ages.
Hinduism and the Concept of Avatars
Common Hindus believe in the concept of avatars, wherein God comes down to earth in human form to protect the religion or set an example for human beings.
Muhammad in Hindu Scriptures
According to the Bhavishya Purana in the Prati Sarag Parv III Khand 3 Adhay 3 Shloka 5 to 8:
“A malecha (belonging to a foreign country and speaking a foreign language) spiritual teacher will appear with his companions. His name will be Mohammad. Raja (Bhof) after giving this Maha Dev Arab (of angelic disposition) a bath in the Panchgavya and the Ganga water (i.e. purifying him of all sins) offered him the present of his sincere devotion and showing him all reverence, said, ‘I make obeisance to thee. O pride of mankind, the dweller in Arabia, you have collected a great force to kill the Devil, and you yourself have been protected from the Malecha opponents.'”
Hinduism thus acknowledges that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the last and final prophet of God.
Siddhartha Gautama and the Origins of Buddhism
Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, was born in the Indian city of Kapilavastu into a royal family and lived between 563 and 483 BC. At that time, India’s dominant religion was Brahmanism, based on the rigid caste system.
Gautama, tormented by the suffering of lower-class people, left the palace at the age of 29 to embark on a mystic search that lasted until his death at the age of 80.
During his lifetime, he established principles that evolved into the doctrine now called Buddhism. While some Buddhists portray Buddha as a god, he was a humble servant of God.
He spread certain values but had no ability or will of his own to influence people beyond God’s will. Buddha lived the fate ordained by God for him, and when his time came, he passed away.
Consciousness of Almighty
The fear of God inspires a person to act justly and fairly. It is believed that those with the power to do as they please may not always act morally or justly.
Therefore, people obey rules primarily out of a fear of punishment (Charlene Tan, 2007). The fear of God represents the ultimate consciousness for humans, as they fear God’s might despite not seeing Him.
Christian Perspective on Fearing God
Christians are required to follow principles that promote morality and specific ethical behavior, including fearing God. As mentioned in the New Testament: “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).
“And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation” (Luke 1:50). So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: “Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen” (Acts 13:16).
Islamic View on Fear and Love for Allah
Muslims both love and fear Allah (SWT). This is known as Taqwa, signifying absolute faith in Him in all respects. They are also conscious of the Day of Judgment, which encourages them to perform righteous deeds and abstain from wrongdoing.
Allah, the Exalted, says: “O mankind, show fear of your Lord! The quaking of the Hour is a terrible thing” (the Qur’an, 22:1).
“Whoever does good equal to the weight of an atom shall see it. And whoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom shall see it” (the Qur’an, 99:7-8).
O you who believe! Fear God as He should be feared and die not except in a state of Islam (the Qur’an, 3.102). “So, keep your duty to Allah and fear Him as much as you can…” (the Qur’an, 64:16).
Hinduism’s Emphasis on Seeking Divine Help
Hinduism also encourages seeking help only from God. As mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita (18:66), “Abandon all supports and look to me (God) for protection. I shall purify you from the sins of the past; do not grieve.”
Buddhist Perspective on Moral Guarding
Buddhists draw eyes in their temples and even in their homes, symbolizing the eyes of the Buddha. They believe that these eyes are always watching them and deter them from wrongdoing. Buddhism teaches that two things guard the world: shame and fear of blame.
If these two things did not guard the world, they would fall into promiscuity (ItivutDollar: 36s). In other words, instead of fearing God, Buddhists believe in fearing shame and blame, which have no divine power.
Some Selected Values-Related Issues in the Major Religions
All the major religions lead us to a happy and peaceful society. Every religion has its values. Some of these general values are discussed here:
Value of Knowledge in Major Religions
Ignorance misguides humans from religion, while right knowledge helps build a peaceful society.
Knowledge is consistently emphasized in the Bible as a high priority. In their scripture, several passages highlight the importance of knowledge. A few of them are mentioned below:
- Psalm 92:6 NASB: “A senseless man has no knowledge, Nor does a stupid man understand this.”
- Psalm 119:66 NASB: “Teach me good discernment and knowledge, For I believe in Your commandments.”
- Isaiah 5:13 NASB: “Therefore, My people go into exile for their lack of knowledge; And their honorable men are famished (greatly hungry), And their multitude is parched with thirst.”
Islam always urges its followers to seek what is better and more beautiful and apply these principles to their lives.
According to Islam’s moral teachings, Muslims are required to engage in research and learning to develop themselves and be useful to their communities. It is mentioned in the Quran (35:28), “Only those of His servants with knowledge stand truly in awe of Him.”
In Islam, learning (ILM) is not only a form of worship but is also connected with other Qur’anic values like Khilafah (Trusteeship), Istilah, and Falah (Public good), which guide and control the path of learning (Ahmed).
Knowledge is highly respected in the Hindu community, and they believe that knowledge is a blessing bestowed by the Divine. As Swami Vivekananda remarks, “Education is the manifestation of perfection already in man.”
Buddha identified ignorance and delusion as one of the causes of suffering or Tanha. Therefore, Buddhists are encouraged to gain knowledge.
Concept of Family and Values in Major Religions
The family is the primary unit, especially for religious, spiritual, relational, and emotional formation. However, everywhere, family ties are seen breaking, which indicates a lack of values. So, it is necessary to take a look at family bonds from a religious viewpoint.
Christian Perspective on Family Bonds
It is a duty to maintain the family by the grace of Christ so that Christians in families become a community of companionship, unity, and mutual priesthood (Ephesians 5:21; Ephesians 6:1-4).
The fact is that Christ’s work of redemption does not make people into angels or religious individuals but into full human beings fulfilling God’s purposes in the world.
Honoring parents, showing affection loyalty, building cordial ties with words and deeds, and blessing are examples in Christianity.
Islamic Teachings on Family Values
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) set a glorious example of being with the family.
Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “Out of a dinar which you spend in the way of Allah and a dinar which you spend on freeing a slave and a dinar which you give to a poor person and a dinar which you spend on your family, the one with the greatest reward is the one which you spend on your family” (Muslim).
Allah Almighty says, “Live together with them correctly and courteously,”
Allah Almighty says, “Instruct your family to do the prayer and be constant in it,” (the Qur’an, 20:132) and the Almighty says, “O you who believe, safeguard yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is men and stones” (the Qur’an, 66:6).
Allah Almighty says, “Worship Allah and do not associate anything with Him. Be good to your parents and relatives and to orphans and the very poor, and to neighbors who are related to you and neighbors who are not related to you, and to companions and travelers and your slaves” (the Qur’an, 4:36).
Thus, Islam, as a complete code of life, teaches its adherents to be on the path of the religion while maintaining worldly life.
Hinduism’s View on Family Life
Hindu attitudes towards family life appear ambivalent or mixed. Some texts condemn it as “a deep dark well,” in which one loses all sense of spiritual direction and becomes hopelessly entrapped in maya (illusion).
But other scriptural passages glorify responsible family life as the backbone of society. Ideologically, these two poles are reconciled within the notion of the grihastha (household) ashram, based on the principle that material facilities can be utilized to cultivate spirituality and detachment.
Many popular traditions hold that the spiritual merit attained within sannyasa can also be achieved by properly executing household duties.
Buddhist Perspective on the Family Unit
Buddhists regard the family unit as the core of the community and society. Without a solid core made up of moral and ethical values, the community and society will suffer.
They believe that to have a community adhere to Buddhist teachings, it is necessary to have families adhere to Buddhist teaching. The Buddha talked of many ways that family life can lead to happiness and blessings:
- Respecting and supporting one’s father and mother;
- Loving one’s spouse and children;
- Developing generosity and a sense of duty;
- Selflessly helping relatives and acting blamelessly; and
- Developing reverence, humility, contentment, gratitude, and listening to the Dharma.
Behavior with Women in Major Religions
This is a very important issue in the context of both past and present civilizations where womenfolk did not have proper treatment. Hence, different religion-based lights have been cast upon this matter to provide them with a proper status in this respect.
Christian Perspective on Women’s Value
In Christianity, valuing and respecting the other sex is complementary and necessary to fully image God (Genesis 1:27); and play, since the family that plays together is likely to stay together (Proverbs 8:30, see Leisure; Play; Sabbath; Vacations).
Islamic Teachings on Respect for Women
A Muslim always has to be well-behaved with women. As the Prophet (peace be upon him) says: “It is the generous (in character) who is good to women, and it is the wicked who insult them.”
In Islam, after Allah and Rasulullah (peace be upon him), a mother is placed in the most honorable state. A famous saying of The Prophet (peace be upon him) proves it: “Paradise is at the feet of mothers.” (Al’Nisa-I, Ibn Majah, Ahmad)
A woman has a dignified place as a daughter also. The Prophet (peace be upon him) admitted: (A man) who raises three girls, and teaches them good manners, and gets them married (to righteous men), and is good to them – for him is Paradise.”
A wife protects her husband with herself and likewise protects his wealth and children. The husband, in turn, protects his wife with himself and safeguards her secrets and fulfills her needs. As mentioned in the Quran (2:187): “…they (wives) are garments for you while you (husbands) are garments for them.” Above all, women have both dignity and responsibility according to Islam.
Hindu Scriptures on the Honor of Women
Women hold a respectful place, which is reflected in the following verses of Hindu scripture: “A son must always serve his mother even if she has been an outcast.”
“The professor is equivalent to ten teachers, the father is equal to a hundred professors, the mother exceeds a thousand fathers in honor.”
“All other sins are expiable, but he who has cursed his mother shall never be liberated.”
“An outcast father may be forsaken, but not the mother; she is never an outcast to the son.”
Buddhist Views on Women’s Role in Family
According to Buddha, good daughters are as good as good sons. The Buddha emphasizes the fruitful role women can play and should play as a wife and a good mother in making the family life a success, though marriage is not regarded as a sacrament.
In the family, both husbands and wives are expected to share equal responsibility and have to discharge their duties with equal dedication.
Concept of Charity and Zakaah in Major Religions
Charity establishes a balanced society, which ultimately leads to a morally and ethically stable society. Each of the major religions has its own form of charity.
Christianity and the Concept of Zakah
Christianity is a religion bound by a certain set of rules and regulations imposed by the Almighty. One of these is Zakah, which means purification of wealth. It is mentioned in the Bible (1 Peter 4:8).
Christians must have a willingness to work toward equality between the rich and the poor through gifts that empower rather than create dependency. It is a duty to help the truly needy with compassionate gifts, whether they have faith or not.
Islamic Principles of Charity
According to the Qur’an (Quran 59:7), Muslims are ordained to give Zakah (2.5% of a person’s entire wealth) to the poor every lunar year. Islam also encourages charity, as these are some sayings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):
“Charity erases sins just as water extinguishes fire.”
“He is not a perfect believer who goes to bed full and knows that his neighbor is hungry.”
So, a perfect Muslim can never be a miser.
Charitable Obligations in Hinduism
Though there is no specific calculative form of charity in the Hindu religion, there is an obligation for various forms of charity.
For example, scripture obliges the householder to step outside the front door before each meal and to announce three times, “Is anyone hungry? Please come to take your meal!” Only then would the family eat, with or without guests.
It is also mentioned, “Let the rich satisfy the poor implorer, and bend his eyes upon a longer pathway. Riches come now to one, now to another, and like the wheels of cars are ever rolling” (Rigveda Book 10, hymn 117, verse 5). Other acts of generosity include giving alms, clothing, feeding the poor, holy people, and animals.
Buddhist Perspective on Charity and Begging
Buddhists see nothing wrong with begging with their bowls in hand. Buddhism often presents it as a means of salvation. However, this type of practice may lead to laziness and avoidance of worldly affairs.
Contentment in Major Religions
Contentment is a major element in establishing values. Most human beings go beyond moral values when they fail to satisfy their contentment. It is a religious teaching that encourages being satisfied with what one has.
Christian Perspective on Contentment
Christianity emphasizes contentment, which means living in continuous thanksgiving for what God has provided, whether it’s much or little (Philippians 4:12).
It involves deciding not to yield to the seductive advertisements that claim happiness is achieved by acquiring yet another possession or experience (Deuteronomy 5:21; Joshua 8:22-27; Proverbs 1:19).
Islamic Teachings on Contentment
Islam enjoins its followers to find contentment in what Allah has given them and to praise Allah (SWT) and seek help only from Him. Allah the Almighty says, “There is no creature on the earth that is not dependent on Allah for its provision” (Quran 11:6). One of the criteria of a Muslim is “Those who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor mean, but take a moderate stance between the two” (Qur’an 25:68).
‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “The successful one is he who becomes Muslim, has adequate provision, and whom Allah makes satisfied with what He gives him” (Muslim).
“Be satisfied with what God has allotted you, and you will be the richest of people” (Al-Durar Al-mubaha (y 99), 127-28).
Hinduism and the Concept of Contentment
Contentment (Santosha) is one of the Vedic practices in Hinduism. Every individual can enjoy the pleasures of worldly life only according to their merit, and they have to be content with their lot. The Mahabharata portrays Dhritarashtra as the personification of greed, and all his life, he never found happiness.
Buddhist Views on Satisfaction and Desire
Buddha preached that human beings suffer due to dissatisfaction. Even when we are not suffering from outward causes like illness or bereavement, we are unfulfilled and unsatisfied.
Human beings are subject to desires and cravings, but even when we are able to satisfy these desires, the satisfaction is only temporary. Pleasure does not last, or if it does, it becomes monotonous.
So, humans need to be content with what they have. According to Buddha, some of the causes of suffering are greed, desire, and hatred. It implies that Buddha wants his followers to be free of those instincts. If greed and desire can be removed from life, discontentment also disappears.
Hence, contentment is a core value that should be instilled in the minds of children.
Social Values in Major Religions
Social values are principles and standards within a given group that members of that group regard as worthy and important in social interactions between people.
Christianity and Social Interactions
Christianity emphasizes togetherness without enmeshment, involving building a common life through interdependence rather than independence or codependence, crafting a unity that is deeper and stronger because of the diversity of personalities (Romans 12:15; Philippians 2:4; see Family Systems). The New Testament directs individuals to love neighbors as they would love themselves.
Islamic Principles on Social Conduct
Muslims are asked to be truthful, trustworthy, humble, kind, and generous. They are asked to repel evil with goodness, control their anger, and be forgiving. Some of the aphorisms of the Prophet (peace be upon him) are:
“To remove something harmful from the road is charity.”
“Show mercy to people on earth so that Allah will have mercy on you in heaven.”
Islam wants its adherents to be just to every human being. Some of the Qur’anic injunctions include:
“Do not let your hatred of a people incite you to aggression” (the Qur’an, 5:2).
“And do not let ill-will towards any folk incite you so that you swerve from dealing justly. Be just; that is nearest to heedfulness” (the Qur’an, 5:8).
Another important rule of conduct at assemblies is to take the initiative when entering by greeting the people already there. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Do not admit a person who does not begin with a greeting” (Abu Ya’la). All this discussion shows that Islam guides Muslims to build strong social values.
Hinduism and the Caste System
In Hinduism, social values are in a precarious position. Hindu society is still under the caste system. As a result, Hindu society is formed disunited on the basis of the rule of the powerful and privileged upper classes, though Hindus consider that service to others is a virtue and giving pain to others is a sin.
Buddhist Perspective on Social Ethics
Buddhism is mainly concerned with personal salvation and lacks a comprehensive social ethics framework. However, Buddhist ethical principles, such as the ideals of simplicity, loving-kindness, compassion, sharing, cooperation, and more, can be regarded as social values.
Violence and Values in Major Religions
The modern world is often marred by violence and terror, frequently carried out in the name of religion. However, it’s crucial to understand that all religions ultimately advocate peace. Let’s explore religious admonitions regarding violence:
Christianity’s Stance on Violence
Nonviolence is a fundamental principle of Christianity, reflecting the life and teachings of Jesus. Christians are called to love one another their neighbors, seek justice, forgive those who harm them, pray for their persecutors, and practice compassion.
At the core of Jesus’ teachings is the radical commandment, “Love your enemies.” Engaging in Holy Wars like the Crusades was inconsistent with Jesus’ message of nonviolence. A genuine Christian cannot support war, nuclear weapons, corporate greed, executions, or any form of systemic injustice.
Islam’s Emphasis on Peace
The word ‘Islam’ is derived from the root ‘salaam,’ meaning peace. Numerous verses from the Qur’an and Hadiths emphasize that Islam promotes peace.
In his last sermon, Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) warned against harming others and stressed accountability for one’s deeds. Allah (SWT) cautions against taking innocent human lives, equating it to killing all of humanity, while saving one life is akin to saving all of humanity (the Quran, 5:32).
Islam advocates spreading the faith through intellectual means rather than the sword. The Qur’an advises inviting others to God’s path with wisdom, beautiful preaching, and gracious discourse. It also encourages patience and restraint when faced with attacks.
Forgiveness is another significant aspect of Islam, urging believers to compete in seeking forgiveness from God, showing patience, and pardoning others.
In essence, both Christianity and Islam emphasize peace, love, forgiveness, and nonviolence as core principles, and violence carried out in the name of religion contradicts the teachings of these faiths.
Understanding Jihad
In the modern world, ‘Jihad’ is a highly misunderstood term, leading to misconceptions among both Muslims and non-Muslims, contributing to unrest.
Therefore, it’s essential to understand the correct concept of ‘Jihad.’ In Arabic, ‘Jihad’ is derived from ‘Jahada,’ which means to strive or struggle. For instance, if a student strives to pass an examination, they are engaging in Jihad.
In the Islamic context, ‘Jihad’ signifies striving against one’s own evil inclinations and working to improve society. It also encompasses the right to defend oneself and to fight in self-defense or on the battlefield against oppression and aggression.
Hinduism and the Principle of Ahimsa
In Hinduism, the principle of Ahimsa, or non-violence, is emphasized in thought, word, and deed. It extends beyond mere avoidance of warfare or not killing other human beings. Hindu scriptures contain stories of war that can be interpreted differently.
For example, when Krishna advises Arjuna to rise and defeat his true enemies—greed, hatred, and delusion—it symbolizes a deeper spiritual battle. The entire discourse takes place in a chariot, which is metaphorical. In this metaphor, the chariot represents the physical body, carrying the rider (soul), driven by the charioteer (mind), and drawn by the horses (the senses).
A verse in the Bhagavad Gita emphasizes this metaphorical interpretation: “He who thinks his self is a killer and he who thinks it is killed, both fail to understand; it does not kill, nor is it killed” (2:19).
Thus, the warfare in the Gita and the Mahabharata as a whole is spiritually dissolved, governed by the principle of Ahimsa.
Buddhism’s Teachings on Peace
Buddhism is essentially a peaceful tradition, and nothing in Buddhist scripture supports the use of violence as a means to resolve conflict.
The first of the five precepts that all Buddhists should follow is “Avoid killing or harming any living thing.” One of the Buddha’s sermons makes this point very clear, emphasizing the importance of loving your enemy, no matter how cruelly they may treat you.
It teaches that hatred will not cease through hatred but only through love. This is one of the ancient principles of Buddhism.
Stewardship Values in Major Religions
Stewardship means supervising or managing something, especially the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care. Every human being has been entrusted with specific tasks by the Almighty. A brief discussion about this value is narrated below based on different major religions of the world.
Christianity and Stewardship
In this aspect, Christianity has mentioned some specific duties as follows:
- Treasuring a multigenerational inheritance involving the conservation of the land and the planet.
- Treasuring family assets for future generations a matter that undergirded much of the Old Testament legislation.
Islamic Perspective on Stewardship
Allah has created human beings as His Khalifa (vicegerent) on earth, and they have to act accordingly. Islam ordains the establishment and maintenance of the good while prohibiting the bad. Key verses from the Qur’an emphasize this responsibility:
- Community’s role in promoting good (the Quran, 3:104).
- The importance of fulfilling contracts (the Quran, 17:34).
- Honoring Allah’s sacred rites (the Quran, 22:30 & 22:32).
Furthermore, Islam also emphasizes the protection of nature and the propagation of Allah’s words.
Hinduism and the Concept of Trusteeship
The Ishavasyopnishad highlights the idea that God is the owner of all wealth, and humans act as trustees. It emphasizes the importance of duty, non-attachment, and righteousness as essential parts of Hindu values.
Buddhist Teachings on Responsibility
The Buddha’s advice to parents is clear: support your children to become generous, compassionate, virtuous, responsible, skilled, and self-sufficient beings.
They preach the need to give their children the basic skills they need to find true happiness. In Tibet, the dissemination of Buddhist texts is one of the most important acts of worship.
However, priests who have removed themselves from the world completely dedicate themselves solely to this work, with no idea of the true nature of the afterlife, which is opposed to Islamic belief.
Life after Death/ the Hereafter and Values of Major Religions
Death is inevitable, and hence, it is an established fact that “Man is mortal.” But after death, is there any life for man? The answer is given in the following way:
Christian Beliefs on Afterlife
Christians believe in Life after Death. Although the body dies and is buried or cremated, they believe that their unique soul lives on and is raised to new life by God.
They also believe that God is just and fair, and so evil people cannot go unpunished. There should be judgment after death, following which the idea about heaven and hell prevails in their religion.
Islamic Perspective on Life Beyond Death
There is an eternal life after death. That life depends on the deeds of this worldly life. People who abide by the will of Allah will enter Jannah, the paradise; others will go to Jahannam, the hell.
It is mentioned in the Qur’an, “How can ye reject the faith in Allah? Seeing that ye were without life, And He gave you life; then will He cause you to die, and will He again bring you to life; and again to Him will ye return” (the Quran, 2:28).
Hinduism and the Cycle of Rebirth
Most Hindus believe in the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, which is called ‘Samsara.’ It is the doctrine of rebirth and is known as the theory of reincarnation or transmigration of the soul. They believe that they will be born again on this earth and will face their fate according to their past deeds.
Even at the time of their birth, they believe that it’s due to their past karma, i.e., actions done in their past life. The Bhagavad Gita says, “As a person puts on new garments, giving up old ones, the soul similarly accepts new material bodies, giving up the old and useless” (Bhagavad Gita 2:22).
However, the Vedas, which are considered the most authentic Hindu scriptures, mention life after death and describe ‘Swarga,’ i.e., paradise, and ‘Naraka,’ i.e., hell. This supports the belief in Life after Death in Hinduism.
Buddhist Views on Death and Rebirth
According to Buddhism, death is a transition of life. The dead person will be reborn to a new life as an animal or a human being depending on his/her nature of karma, i.e., good or bad deeds of life.
Conclusion: Essence of Religious Values in Society
In a nutshell, every great religion has its own values that ultimately lead human beings to believe in the oneness of God, honoring His holy Being. These values help establish strong religious principles in society, ultimately leading to a peaceful society.
Christianity, as a major world religion, emphasizes the importance of teaching religion in schools. Archbishop Vincent Nichols warned that treating students as “consumers” and neglecting their “innate spirituality” would be detrimental to society.
These comments are likely to provoke secularists who have campaigned for less religion in schools. He stressed that faith is a crucial dimension of education.
The new head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales emphasized that schools play a key role in developing virtues and a sense of civic responsibility. He pointed out that focusing solely on children’s exam abilities, rather than recognizing them as individuals, risks “polluting” their education.
Therefore, it is clear that values should be implemented in society from various religious viewpoints. This helps people who follow these values establish a righteous, just, and prosperous society, leading to a glorious life.
