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Side by Side Comparison

The Side by Side Lens allows you to create an easy to read comparison chart for up to three differing religious traditions. Select your traditions from the drop down menus. You can click on the major sections on each chart you build, in order to see more detailed comparisons.

Religion Adventist African Independent Churches Anabaptist Anglican/Episcopalian Baha'i Baptist Chinese Religion Christianity Christian Science Confucianism Conservative Judaism Disciples of Christ Eastern Orthodoxy Hinduism ISKCON (Hare Krishna) Islam Jainism Japanese Religion Jehovah's Witnesses Judaism Lutheran Mahayana Buddhism Methodist New Age Oriental Orthodoxy Orthodox Judaism Paganism Presbyterian and Reformed Protestantism Reform Judaism Roman Catholicism Scientology Shaivite Hinduism Shakta Hinduism Shia Islam Shinto Sikhism Society of Friends (Quaker) Sufism Sunni Islam Taoism Theravada Buddhism Unitarian-Universalism United Church of Christ/Congregationalism Vaishnavite Hinduism Vajrayana Buddhism Zen

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Quick Facts

Christianity Background

Christianity

adherents 2,100,000,000
Formed 33
Origin Palestine
Deity God (Trinity)
Sacred Texts Bible
Headquarters None

View Details

Islam Background

Islam

adherents 1,500,000,000
Formed 622
Origin Arabian peninsula
Deity Allah
Sacred Texts Qur'an
Headquarters None

View Details

Judaism Background

Judaism

adherents 14,000,000
Formed c. 2000 B.C.E.
Origin Canaan
Deity God (monotheistic)
Sacred Texts Torah, Tanakh (Hebrew scriptures), Talmud
Headquarters None

View Details

JUMP TO SECTION

Origins History Beliefs Rituals & Worship Ethics & Community

Origins

Christianity Islam Judaism Beginnings Christianity

Christianity originated in the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, who was born circa 4 B.C.E. in Roman-occupied Palestine, a Jewish province of the Roman Empire. | read more »

Islam

Muhammad received and preached the message of Islam to the people of the Arabia in the early 7th century C.E. | read more »

Judaism

The rabbis of the 2nd century C.E. created Jewish culture by reunifying a fractured Judean community following the period of Israelite religion and the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. | read more »

Influences Christianity

The Jewish, Greek, and Roman cultures of the formative first two centuries of the Common Era had a deep and lasting influence on the new faith of Christianity. | read more »

Islam

Islam emerged in the wealthy trading center of Mecca, and regards itself as the culmination of all previous monotheistic religions, including Judaism and Christianity. | read more »

Judaism

Jewish identity was originally constructed out of an ongoing interaction with the cultures of the ancient near east—including Canaanite, Hittite, Babylonian, Hellenistic, and ultimately Christian. | read more »

Founders Christianity

Christianity is founded in the life and teachings of Jesus, and was established in Jerusalem and propagated throughout the Roman Empire in the 1st century C.E. by enthusiastic evangelists. | read more »

Islam

The founder of Islam is the prophet Muhammad, who was born in Mecca in approximately 570 C.E. | read more »

Judaism

While Judaism is historically associated with the rabbis of the 2nd century C.E., one may trace its foundations to the sage Hillel, a Pharisee, and his fundamental school of thought. | read more »

Scriptures Christianity

Christian scriptures are gathered in the Christian Bible, which contains the Jewish scriptures in addition to the twenty-seven books of the New Testament. | read more »

Islam

The Quran is the sacred scripture of Islam and is believed to be the unaltered word of God. The Sunna, in its written form hadith, while not scripture, is part of the Islamic canon. | read more »

Judaism

Jewish scriptures are grounded in Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, but the revelation of Torah extends indefinitely through the history of Jewish literature as commentary. | read more »

Historical Perspectives Christianity

What scholars do and do not believe with regard to Christianity influences the ways in which they interpret its history, both past and present. There has been an increasing consciousness of the global diversity of Christianity. | read more »

Islam

Scholars have just begun the important task of addressing the stereotyping of Islam and Muslims in the journalistic and entertainment media and in scholarship. | read more »

Judaism

There is a contemporary shift away from the modern, essentialist study of Judaism toward a Jewish cultural history uncovering the historical construction of multiple Jewish identities through intercultural negotiation. | read more »

History

Christianity Islam Judaism Early Developments Christianity

In the 2nd — 4th centuries of the Common Era, Christianity endured periods of intense persecution while working to define its identity and beliefs. | read more »

Islam

Immediately following Muhammad's death, the community was ruled by a succession of close companions to the Prophet chosen by a consensus of community elders. | read more »

Judaism

In the early stages of Judaism, the rabbis consolidated authority by establishing an apostolic succession and formulating a theology of "realistic messianism," channeling messianic expectations into a this-worldly political framework. | read more »

Schisms, Sects Christianity

Christianity permanently split twice. The first split occurred between the Byzantine Church (eastern) and the Roman Church (western). The Protestant Reformation further split the Roman or western Church. | read more »

Islam

Islam is divided into two main groups, the Sunni and the Shi'a. Another expression of Islam is called Sufism and attracts Sunni and Shi'i Muslims as well as non-Muslims. | read more »

Judaism

As the rabbis consolidated their power, they fought against internal opponents who either supplemented the Oral Torah with gnostic teachings or replaced it with the biblical literalism of the Karaites. | read more »

Missions, Spread, Changes, Regional adaptations Christianity

From the 5th–13th centuries, Christianity spread dynamically, while the disintegration of the Roman Empire in the West caused churches in the east and west to develop along separate paths. | read more »

Islam

A thousand years after the death of the Prophet Muhammad, Islam had taken root in nearly every region of the globe and although varied in its theology, was not varied in practice. | read more »

Judaism

Following the period of Christian hegemony in 5th-century Palestine, Jews flourished in Babylonia, spread westward to medieval Spain, north and east to Europe, while continually adjusting their cultural bearings. | read more »

Exploration, Conquest, Empire (incl. violence, persecution) Christianity

From the 15th–19th centuries, Christian missionary activity, often allied with European political expansion, carried Christianity to all parts of the globe. | read more »

Islam

Over the centuries, Muslims built a number of empires across large territories. Until 1258, the Islamic world was ruled by a single ruler, called a caliph. | read more »

Judaism

Medieval Jews depended upon protection from outside rulers to secure a semi-autonomous political empire, consequently walking a tightrope between persecution and coexistence with their non-Jewish neighbors in exile. | read more »

Modern Age Christianity

The 20th century presented Christianity with dizzying political and cultural challenges. A lively and articulate Christianity in former mission fields and dissatisfaction among American evangelicals produced new movements. | read more »

Islam

The recent history of the Muslim world has been one of imperialism, war, and poverty. Islamic revival movements have emerged in various locales hoping to restore autonomy to their societies. | read more »

Judaism

In modernity, Judaism has successfully met the challenges accompanying emancipation, assimilation, and antisemitism by redefining itself as a multiplicity of cultures based on the triad: God, Torah, and Israel. | read more »

Beliefs

Christianity Islam Judaism Sacred narratives Christianity

The Christian story of Jesus is sacred to Christians. The biblical stories of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection reveal God's plan for humanity, which includes salvation and eternal life. | read more »

Islam

The sacred stories of Islam include an account of the creation of the world, and stories of the prophets, especially Muhammad. | read more »

Judaism

Jewish sacred narratives are reflected in the biblical framework of creation, revelation, and redemption in which God's relationship with Israel is played out in a cosmic drama. | read more »

Ultimate Reality and Divine Beings Christianity

Christians are monotheists who believe that the one God has an internal relationship of three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Christians also believe in the existence of angels and demons. | read more »

Islam

The foundation and core of Islam is Allah, the one and only God. God is the creator of all things, including supernatural beings like angels and jinn. | read more »

Judaism

While Jewish thinkers have traditionally associated ultimate reality with a theistic image of God, there has been an ongoing, vigorous debate about the nature of God and the Divine-human relationship. | read more »

Human Nature and the Purpose of Existence Christianity

Christianity teaches that human beings were created good by a loving God. While being prone to sin and in need of grace, they are partners in accomplishing God's plan for existence. | read more »

Islam

Islam teaches that the purpose of existence is to love and serve God through loving and serving others. People can forget this, but prophets bear God's revelation, which shows people the way. | read more »

Judaism

For Jews, human nature is rooted in the divine image and therefore has infinite value. Consequently, the purpose of existence is to relate to the divine and human "other." | read more »

Suffering and the Problem of Evil Christianity

Their belief in a good and powerful creator God has prompted Christians to search for an explanation for the existence of evil. There is no single authoritative Christian response. | read more »

Islam

Suffering has purpose in Islam; it tests faith and corrects unbelief. | read more »

Judaism

In wrestling with suffering and evil throughout history, Jewish thinkers have expressed a tension between "theodicy," justifying God's relationship to evil, and "antitheodicy," protesting God's involvement with human suffering. | read more »

Afterlife and Salvation Christianity

At the center of the Christian religion is the story of how God achieved reconciliation with humanity through Christ. | read more »

Islam

Muslims believe in the Day of Judgment and heaven and hell. Each person is responsible for the judgment he or she will receive. People are judged based on their intentions and their deeds. | read more »

Judaism

Jewish attitudes toward afterlife and salvation reflect a variety of perspectives on what happens to body and soul after death based on various biblical, rabbinic, medieval folklore, and theological sources. | read more »

Rituals and Worship

Christianity Islam Judaism Sacred Time Christianity

Christians worship weekly and throughout the year. Although the worship styles of the churches differ, the weekly service, Christmas, and Easter have special meaning for all Christians. | read more »

Islam

The Islamic religious calendar follows a lunar pattern punctuated by a number of significant public feasts and celebrations that have both historical and theological roots. | read more »

Judaism

Judaism distinguishes between two essentially different forms of time: kodesh (holy) and chol (mundane). Jews consecrate the seventh day of the week, or Shabbat, as the epitome of sacred time. The Jewish calendar is replete with a rich array of festivals, most of which commemorate events in ancient Israelite history. | read more »

Sacred Space Christianity

Christians worship and pray together in churches built in a variety of shapes and styles. The use of art and decoration varies greatly according to denomination, but almost all churches feature a cross and a pulpit. | read more »

Islam

Muslims gather for prayer and community in mosques, and seek blessings at shrines. The Grand Mosque in Mecca, which holds the Kaaba, is the most sacred place in the world. | read more »

Judaism

Observant Jews worship three times a day, throughout the year. While these daily services may be performed privately, the most important Shabbat and festival prayers are ideally, and most commonly, observed in public services, conducted by clergy in synagogues or temples. | read more »

Rites and Ceremonies Christianity

The sacred rituals of Christianity, called sacraments or ordinances, vary greatly between Christian denominations. Almost all Christians practice baptism and the Eucharist, which are ancient traditions connected to Jesus and the apostles. | read more »

Islam

Various rites and ceremonies accompany such important transitions as marriage, birth, and death. | read more »

Judaism

Judaism places a central emphasis in serving God on faithful adherence to a vast and complex system of biblical commandments, known as mitvot. This system of Jewish law, collectively known as halakha, is based on the rabbis' extensive legal exegesis of the Torah's 613 laws. | read more »

Worship and Devotion in Daily Life Christianity

Christians seek to sanctify their daily lives with prayer and scripture reading. These activities, performed in solitude or in groups, help Christians cultivate a close personal relationship with God. | read more »

Islam

The heart of Islamic worship is found in the Five Pillars of bearing witness to the oneness of God, prayer, charity, fasting, and pilgrimage. Regular individual and group supplication is also core to Islamic worship. | read more »

Judaism

Jews seek constantly to remind themselves of God's presence in their lives through an elaborate system of daily prayers, benedictions for all occasions, no matter how ostensibly mundane, and a host of religious rituals. | read more »

Symbolism Christianity

Much of Christian life and practice is accompanied by symbols that reinforce the Christian's relationship with God. Of these, the most common and distinctive is the cross. | read more »

Islam

The crescent moon and star is a widely-recognized symbol of Islam, while the colors green, white, black, red, and blue all have symbolic meaning. | read more »

Judaism

Judaism vigilantly avoids the use of any symbolic representation in worship, especially of humanlike figures. At the same time, there are a small number of prominent symbols that are prominently displayed in many synagogues and other Jewish institutions. | read more »

Ethics and Community

Christianity Islam Judaism Community Organization and Structure Christianity

Christians share worship and fellowship in communities called churches. Although divided into denominations differing in belief and practice, contemporary Christians share a common belief in the God of the Bible. | read more »

Islam

Although Muslims view themselves as part of a worldwide community, called the ummah, united in submission to God, they are equally loyal to the nation states within which they live. | read more »

Judaism

The Jewish community, representing both a religious faith-community and a national ethnic group, is organized along both spiritual and secular lines. Contemporary Jewish communities sponsor an array of organizations, from synagogues and Jewish community centers to regional and national organizations dedicated to a range of causes. | read more »

Leadership/Clergy Christianity

The early Church, influenced by the Roman Empire, developed a hierarchical form of leadership. Contemporary Christian churches have a number of different leadership styles. | read more »

Islam

The different clerical functions within Islam are filled by a special religious class called the ulama, religious scholars with authority in law and doctrine. | read more »

Judaism

In ancient Israel, the clan descended from Moses' brother Aaron served as priests who administered all of the rituals, assisted in this role by the consecrated tribe of the Levites. After the destruction of the Temple in 70 C.E., the priestly rituals were replaced by verbal prayer, today led by cantors, and prophecy was replaced by the rabbis' scholarly expertise in the interpretation and adjudication of Torah law. | read more »

Principles of Moral Thought and Action Christianity

Christians follow the principles of morality expressed by Jesus' command to love God and neighbor, and rely on the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount for basic guidance. | read more »

Islam

Muslims' ethical and moral commitments regulating their daily lives derive from their understanding of the demands of revelation and are referred to as the shariah. | read more »

Judaism

The source for Jewish moral and ethical norms is the system of rabbinical law, or halakha. The primary sources of this religious legal system are the Talmud, medieval codes of law, and ongoing rabbinical response. | read more »

Vision for Society Christianity

Christians expect a final day of judgment when the Kingdom of God, a reign of perfect peace and justice, will begin. | read more »

Islam

The ethical obligation to command the good and forbid the evil imposes upon Muslims the duty of realizing a just society. | read more »

Judaism

Judaism is neither a universal nor an evangelizing religion. Jews believe that the Torah and its laws are the unique inheritance of a people elected, or chosen, by God for the purpose of forging a "kingdom of priests" whose mission is to spread the principles of ethical monotheism to all humankind. | read more »

Gender and Sexuality Christianity

Christians teach that sexual relations should be expressed within marriage. The roles of women and gay Christians are being debated within the Christian community. | read more »

Islam

Muslim women and men are working for gender equality within broad limits prescribed by Islam. | read more »

Judaism

Rabbinical Judaism has historically assigned distinct roles to the different genders, especially notable in the realms of public worship and ecclesiastical leadership. Judaism's positive attitude to sexuality has had the net effect of consigning women largely to domestic roles, as well as precluding women from attaining positions of ecclesiastical leadership. | read more »