World Religions

11 June 2012
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Monotheism:
Monotheism is certainly not as black-and white as I first believed it would be. In fact, there a quite a few varieties of monotheism for such a seemingly readily definable grouping. It is best to say that monotheists believe in “one supreme existence” which in some instances synonymous with the universe or is separate from the universe, is manifested in several beings or is manifested in one, is involved in human affairs or is not, is the final entity all things can be “boiled down to” or is not, is anthropomorphic or is not, and is worshiped to the exclusion of other gods or is worshiped with the acknowledgement of other gods.
In any case, the one truth that all monotheists have in common is the belief in one god. Who or what that god is, their attributes, personality, involvement and manifestation is something which changes based on the religion one ascribes to.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monotheism as well as each of the pages linked under section 3 of the page “Forms of Monotheism.”

Atheism:
Atheism is the disbelief in any deity and extends (in some circles) to supernatural or transcendental phenomena. There is some debate as to what exactly constitutes an atheist. In some circles children before they have been exposed to theistic ideas, are considered to be atheists, so to are other people who have not been exposed to theistic ideas. The debate between hard and soft atheism is that hard atheists consciously deny the existence of deities, whereas soft atheist are those who have not believe in deities because they have not been exposed to them.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atheism

Paganism:
The word pagan has a bad connotation having been used during the fourth century and beyond to refer to any person who did not follow an Abrahamic religion. It comes from the Greek word meaning rural or country dweller. One might more aptly describe “paganism” indigenous polytheistic religious beliefs common to a society of people before Christianization. These beliefs are many and diverse and to describe them all would be difficult. Neo-pagans attempt to revive the indigenous beliefs of their respective societies prior to Christianity. Neo-paganism constitutes the sixth largest non-Christian religion in the world.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paganism

Buddhism/Hinduism:
Buddhism is an indigenous religion in India, but has been seen throughout the world. In some form it was practiced before the Buddha founded his monastery after achieving enlightenment. In fact , on his famous journeys he sees a man that had freed himself from the world. Buddhism is practiced in a variety of ways throughout the world, but most believe the following: there is suffering in the world, suffering is caused by our craving, one can achieve a state in which they do not experience suffering, one can follow the eight noble paths to enlightenment. The eight paths are as follows:
1. Viewing reality as it is, not just as it appears to be
2. "Intention of renunciation, freedom and harmlessness." (Note: I have no idea what that means)
3. Speaking in a truthful and non-hurtful way
4. Acting in a truthful and non hurtful way
5. Having a non-hurtful livelihood
6. Making an effort to improve
7. "Awareness to see things for what they are with clear consciousness, being aware of the present reality within oneself, without any craving or aversion."
8. Correct meditation or concentration.
Karma results from the actions of a person. Actions plant seeds which produce the consequences in a future life. Once a person reaches enlightenment, they no longer must go through the cycle of life and death.
Hinduism is similar to Buddhism in that it is also a quest for enlightenment (ie the understanding that one is one with the cosmic being). Its differences lie in the fact that there are several practicing Hindus that are monotheistic or polytheistic: a choice which is left up to the individual. Furthermore, their supreme God has become incarnated several times in the form of avatars to restore balance to the world. Karma in Hinduism is slightly different from Karma in Buddhism. While it still is a cause and effect relationship leading to the cycle of death and rebirth, these cycles are seen as progressions. Hindus believe that after a number of rebirths, the soul comes to the realization that it is one with the cosmic self.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism#Beliefs
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism