Many Paths to One God 2000 BCE

Many Paths to One God?

2000 BCE 1500 1000 500 CE 1000 1500 2000

2000 BCE 1500 1000 500 CE 1000 1500 2000 One G-D, Yahweh Chosen people, given Israel Covenant relationship Coming Messiah Judaism Founder Abraham Date 2000 BCE Holy Book Tanakh

2000 BCE 1500 1000 500 CE 1000 1500 2000 One Great Power, Brahman Reflected in many deities Re-birth (reincarnation) Respect for life Release through duty, knowledge, devotion Judaism Hinduism Founder Abraham (Not known) Date 2000 BCE 1500 BCE Holy Book Tanakh Vedas

2000 BCE 1500 1000 500 CE 1000 1500 2000 Life involves suffering Suffering is from desire This can be eliminated … by Noble 8 -fold Path Judaism Hinduism Founder Abraham (Not known) Date 2000 BCE 1500 BCE Holy Book Tanakh Vedas Buddhism Siddartha Gautama 500 BCE Tipitaka

2000 BCE 1500 1000 500 CE 1000 1500 2000 Jesus = God (Trinity) Human predicament: sin Gift of forgiveness in death & resurrection Need to “turn” (repentance) Judaism Hinduism Founder Abraham (Not known) Date 2000 BCE 1500 BCE Holy Book Tanakh Vedas Buddhism Christianity Siddartha Gautama Jesus 500 BCE 30 CE Tipitaka Bible

2000 BCE 1500 1000 500 CE 1000 1500 2000 One God, Allah Muhammad his messenger 5 pillars: shahada, prayer, alms, Haj, fasting Judaism Hinduism Founder Abraham (Not known) Date 2000 BCE 1500 BCE Holy Book Tanakh Vedas Buddhism Christianity Islam Siddartha Gautama Jesus Muhammad 500 BCE 30 CE 610 CE Tipitaka Bible Qu’ran

2000 BCE 1500 1000 500 CE 1000 1500 2000 One God of all religions Cycles of births > unity with God Equality of race / sex / religion No empty ritual or priests 5 Ks: uncut hair, sword, bangle, comb, shorts Judaism Hinduism Founder Abraham (Not known) Date 2000 BCE 1500 BCE Holy Book Tanakh Vedas Buddhism Christianity Islam Sikhism Siddartha Gautama Jesus Muhammad Guru Nanak 500 BCE 30 CE 610 CE 1500 CE Tipitaka Bible Qu’ran Guru Granth Sahib

2000 BCE 1500 1000 500 Judaism Hinduism Founder Abraham (Not known) Date 2000 BCE 1500 BCE Holy Book Tanakh Vedas 0 500 CE 1000 1500 2000 Buddhism Christianity Islam Sikhism Siddartha Gautama Jesus Muhammad Guru Nanak 500 BCE 30 CE 610 CE 1500 CE Tipitaka Bible Qu’ran Guru Granth Sahib

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= Oldest monotheistic faith Rebellion Ancient faith Break out of cycle of re-birth Right Living Improvement of Hinduism Problem of suffering Right living Fulfilment of Judaism (Inevitable) Rebellion Correction of Christianity & Judaism (Possible) Rebellion Correction of Hinduism & Islam Break out of cycle of re-birth Obedience to Torah Heaven or Hell (Right living) Union with the Great Power Nirvana Accept Heaven or hell forgiveness > (starts now) new (changed) life Judgement > Submission paradise or hell (Right living) Right living Merge with God

Good news! = Oldest monotheistic faith Rebellion Ancient faith Break out of cycle of re-birth Right Living Improvement of Hinduism Problem of suffering Right living Fulfilment of Judaism (Inevitable) Rebellion Correction of Christianity & Judaism (Possible) Rebellion Correction of Hinduism & Islam Break out of cycle of re-birth Obedience to Torah Heaven or Hell (Right living) Union with the Great Power Nirvana Accept Heaven or hell forgiveness > (starts now) new (changed) life Judgement > Submission paradise or hell (Right living) Right living Merge with God

2000 BCE 1500 1000 500 CE 1000 1500 2000 Different Christian responses to other faiths: “Exclusivist” Only Christians are “saved”; other faiths are outdated, deluded or demonic “Inclusivist” Other faiths have insights into truth, but Christianity alone has the full picture. God may welcome others into heaven. “Pluralist” There are many ways to God through different cultures and faiths; God, who is love, welcomes all.