Aren’t all religions basically the same?

You’ve got questions, part 6 of 6
By looking at the religions of Buddhism, Confucius-ism, Islam and Christianity we’ll point how they all paint somewhat different pictures on key areas of theology. We’ll also have people rate how each one does in key areas of analysis of their leaders… needless to say that when they are stacked up against each other, Jesus wins hands down.

Download the notes.

Comparing Buddhism, Confucianism, Islam & Christianity (and their founders)

I. Understanding the key belief systems

Buddhism:

Confucianism:

Islam:

Christianity:

II. Stacking up the belief system founders

1. Their teaching and how it distinguished themselves…

Buddha:

Confucius:

Mohammed:

Jesus Christ:

“When Jesus had finished saying these things,* the crowds were amazed at his teaching*, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.” (Matthew 7:28-29, NIV) (see also Luke 2:46-47)

2. Their moral life and how it reflected on themselves…

Buddha:

Confucius:

Mohammed:

Jesus Christ:
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are— yet was without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15, NIV) (see also John 8:12–47)

3. Their miracles and if they had power within themselves…

Buddha:

Confucius:

Mohammed:

Jesus Christ:

“When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.” (Matthew 8:16, NIV)

4. Their prophetic ability to know things supernaturally themselves…

Buddha:

Confucius:

Mohammed:

Jesus Christ:

“‘Sir,’ the woman said, ‘I can see that you are a prophet… I know that Messiah’ (called Christ) ‘is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.’ Then Jesus declared, ‘I who speak to you am He.’” (John 4:19, 25-26, NIV)

5. Their prospects after death and overcoming the grave themselves…

Buddha, Confucius, Mohammed:

Jesus Christ:

“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see…” (Matthew 28:6, NIV)

6 How they stack up:

1st. No other religious leader objectively stacks up to Jesus Christ!
Free world religions guide at www.willowcreek.org/weekend (see left panel towards bottom)

2nd. No other religion can offer assurance of eternal life like Christianity!