### Comparative Table of World Religions | Belief System | Creation | Time | The Problem with the World or Humanity | The Path to Salvation / Solution | Purpose of Life and Reality | Fate of the World/ Universe | Eternity | Eternal State | | :----------------- | :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | :---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | :---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Hinduism** | The universe is manifested from Brahman (the ultimate reality) in an endless cycle. The trimurti (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva) represent the forces of creation, preservation, and destruction. | **Cyclical.** Time is an endless cycle of creation and destruction. Universes are born and destroyed over vast periods of time called Yugas. | Humanity's problem is *avidya* (ignorance) of its true divine nature. This leads to *maya* (illusion) and entanglement in the cycle of *samsara* (rebirth), driven by *karma* (action and its consequences). | The solution is to achieve *moksha* (liberation) from the cycle of *samsara*. This is done through various paths (*marga*): selfless action (*karma yoga*), devotion to a deity (*bhakti yoga*), or knowledge (*jnana yoga*). | To fulfill one's *dharma* (duty) and accumulate good *karma* to progress spiritually, ultimately leading to liberation (*moksha*) and reunion with Brahman. | The universe will be destroyed by Shiva at the end of a cosmic cycle (*Mahapralaya*), only to be re-created by Brahma, continuing the cycle eternally. | **Yes.** The eternal state is *moksha*, which is the end of the cycle of rebirth. | A state of liberation and ultimate bliss. The individual soul (*Atman*) is reunited with or absorbed into the universal soul (*Brahman*), ending all suffering and individual existence in the material world. | | **Buddhism** | The Buddha taught that the origin of the universe is an "unanswerable question" and irrelevant to the path of ending suffering. Universes are viewed as beginningless and without a creator, existing in cycles of formation, existence, and dissolution. | **Cyclical.** Time is a continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (*samsara*). | The problem is *dukkha* (suffering, dissatisfaction) caused by *tanha* (craving or attachment). This craving is rooted in ignorance and an incorrect view of self. | The solution is to end suffering by eliminating craving and attachment. This is achieved by following the **Noble Eightfold Path**, which leads to an enlightened state. | The purpose is to end suffering and achieve enlightenment (*Nirvana*) for oneself and others through wisdom and compassion, and to break the cycle of *samsara*. | The universe exists in a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, similar to individual beings. It is not an eternal entity but is subject to impermanence. | **Yes.** The eternal state is *Nirvana*, which is the end of the cycle of rebirth. | A transcendent state of peace and freedom from all suffering, craving, and the cycle of *samsara*. It is often described as the cessation of consciousness and a state beyond all dualities, not a place or a heaven. | | **Zoroastrianism** | The world was created by Ahura Mazda (the Wise Lord), the supreme creator, to trap and ultimately defeat Angra Mainyu (the Destructive Spirit), his evil counterpart. Creation is fundamentally good but was later corrupted. | **Linear.** Time has a distinct beginning, a middle (the present struggle between good and evil), and a definitive end. | The problem is the contamination of the world and humanity by evil forces led by Angra Mainyu. Humanity is a battleground for this cosmic struggle between good and evil. | The solution is for humanity to align itself with Ahura Mazda through **good thoughts, good words, and good deeds**. Each person's moral choices contribute to the ultimate victory of good. | The purpose is to actively participate in the cosmic battle by promoting goodness and truth (*Asha*) and opposing evil and falsehood (*Druj*) to help bring about the final triumph of good. | The world will undergo a final purification by a river of molten metal, which will destroy all evil and the physical remnants of the corrupt world. | **Yes.** There is an eternal state after the final judgment. | After the final judgment and purification, the righteous will enter a state of eternal paradise (*Garothman*), while the wicked will be purified in the molten river, and the evil spirit Angra Mainyu will be eliminated. The world will be restored to its original, perfect state, free from evil. | | **Judaism** | The universe was created *ex nihilo* ("from nothing") by a single, transcendent, all-powerful God. The creation story in Genesis is foundational to the belief that the world is good and was made with a purpose. | **Linear.** Time is a single, purposeful progression from creation to a future culmination in the Messianic Age. | Humanity's problem stems from disobedience and the human tendency to stray from God's commandments. This is exemplified by the sin of Adam and Eve and the continuous struggle between the *yetzer hara* (evil inclination) and *yetzer hatov* (good inclination). | The solution is to live a life of obedience to God's law (*Torah*), ethical behavior (*tzedakah*), prayer, and devotion to God. This adherence to the covenant brings blessing and redemption. | The purpose is to live a holy life in service to God, to uphold the covenant, to repair the world (*tikkun olam*), and to bring about the Messianic Age of universal peace and justice. | The world will not be destroyed but will be transformed into the **Messianic Age**, a time of peace, justice, and the restoration of Israel. | **Yes.** The eternal state is the **World to Come** (*Olam Ha-Ba*). | The nature of this state is debated, but it is often described as an entirely spiritual existence for souls after the resurrection of the dead, where they can commune with God in an unending state of bliss. | | **Christianity** | The universe was created *ex nihilo* ("from nothing") by the triune God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) in six days. The creation is purposeful and fundamentally good. | **Linear.** Time is a singular, purposeful progression with a definite beginning (Creation) and a definite end (the Second Coming of Christ and Final Judgment). | The problem is sin, which is rooted in humanity's rebellion against God (the Fall of Adam). This sin results in spiritual death, separation from God, and a fallen nature that infects all of humanity and creation. | The solution is **salvation** from sin and its consequences, which is only possible through the atoning death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This salvation is received by faith in Jesus and his work. | The purpose is to know God and have a relationship with him, to glorify God, to love and serve others, and to participate in God's redemptive work on Earth. | The present world will be judged and then either destroyed and replaced, or purified and renewed into a new heaven and a new earth at the end of time. | **Yes.** The eternal state is **Heaven** or the **New Heavens and New Earth**, and for the unredeemed, **Hell**. | **Heaven** is an eternal state of joyous communion with God, free from sin, death, and suffering. It is a state of perfect peace and bliss. **Hell** is a state of eternal separation from God and punishment for unrepentant sin. | | **Islam** | The universe was created by Allah (the one and only God) in six days. Creation is an ongoing, continuous act of Allah's will and power. The universe is a sign of God's existence, greatness, and purpose. | **Linear.** Time has a distinct beginning (Creation) and a definitive end (the Day of Judgment and Resurrection). | The problem is human forgetfulness or ignorance (*ghaflah*) of one's dependence on Allah. Humanity is not inherently sinful, but is prone to error and disobedience, which can lead to a state of disbelief (*kufr*) or living in rebellion against God's will. | The solution is **submission** (*Islam*) to the will of Allah. This is achieved through faith (*iman*), good deeds (*amal*), and following the **Five Pillars of Islam** (faith, prayer, charity, fasting, pilgrimage). | The purpose is to worship Allah and live a life of submission and obedience to His will. All of life is a test, and believers are tasked with being good stewards of the Earth and living according to the Qur'an and the Sunnah (the way of the Prophet Muhammad). | The world will be brought to an end by God's command on the Day of Judgment. The universe will be destroyed and then recreated for the Final Judgment. | **Yes.** The eternal state is either **Paradise** (*Jannah*) or **Hell** (*Jahannam*). | **Paradise** is an eternal state of bliss and reward for believers who submit to God's will. It is a physical place with rivers, gardens, and all manner of delights. **Hell** is a state of eternal punishment for the unrepentant disbelievers. |