Below, the major religions and cults are listed with their beliefs and some ideas for witnessing to them. The list includes:

1.  Christianity

2.  Buddhism

3.  Hinduism

4.  Islam

5.  Jehovah’s Witness

6.  Judaism

7.  Mormonism 

8.  Scientology


Christianity
 

Although Jesus lived in the first century, He was the heir of the Old Testament prophecies of a coming Messiah who would save people from sin (Isaiah 9:6-7; 53:1-12).  Many people in the ancient world claimed to be the promised Messiah, but only Jesus' claims were validated by His resurrection from the dead, an event that is the historical basis for the Christian faith (I Corinthians 15:17).

​

Throughout the centuries Christianity expanded and grew into different forms – some represent the biblical teaching of Christ and his apostles better than others. However, true Christians have always affirmed the central tenets of the faith contained in Scripture: the triune God of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; the deity and humanity of Christ; His atoning death and resurrection; and salvation by grace through faith apart from works. No other religion in the world has made such bold claims.

​

Christianity is unique. Its message is different.  And every person in the world needs to hear the good news of salvation (Matthew 28:18-20).

​

Sharing Your Faith

 

If you had the opportunity to share your faith with someone from a different faith, would you be able to confidently discuss the central issues that distinguish Christianity from other religions? In I Corinthians 15:3-5, Paul summarized the gospel message, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to twelve. Christ’s burial demonstrated the reality of His death and fulfilled Old Testament prophecies (Isaiah 53:4-9). And His victorious resurrection was proven by numerous eyewitnesses (I Corinthians 15:6-8).

​

When sharing this truth with others, we may need to explain who Christ is (John 1:1; 20:31), show that we all need a Savior (Romans 3:23), or overcome the obstacle of false religions.  However, the gospel never changes: Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead.  If we believe in Him, we will have everlasting life.

 

Summary of teachings:

​

God

There is one true God, Creator and Savior, existing in three eternal persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each equal in divine nature, but distinct in personhood and roles.

 

Christ

Jesus Christ is fully divine and fully human – perfect God and perfect Man.  He died to pay the penalty for sin, rose bodily from the dead, and will come again someday.

 

Scripture

The Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God.  They are without error and serve as the final authority for doctrine and life.

 

Salvation

People are saved only by the free gift of God’s grace through faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ, not by works.  

 

 

​

Buddhism

​

“Absolute truth is a deception”

 

Reality is defined by personal experience. Sound familiar? Though one might immediately assume that these statements summarize the growing disillusionment marking Western culture, in fact they echo a school of philosophy the East has known for centuries – the teaching of Buddhism.

 

Founded by Siddhartha Gautama, also known Buddha, during the sixth century BC, much of Buddhist practice and doctrine developed out of the early Hindu concepts of karma and reincarnation.  Buddha called his path to enlightenment or nirvana “The Middle Way,” because it avoids the extremes of affluence and asceticism, both of which can cause suffering.

 

Buddhism is widely prevalent throughout much of Asia, including China, Japan, Mongolia, Tibet, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

 

Buddhist concepts such as zen, feng shui, and yin-yang, as well as many forms of meditation, have entered into American popular culture.

 

Sharing Your Faith

 

Many Buddhists are unfamiliar with the concepts of Christianity. Be sure to talk through terms carefully, paying special attention to communicating the message of the gospel clearly within the context of their understanding.

 

Buddhists believe that there are many paths to God, emphasizing that human effort is vital. They deeply feel that salvation is never assured or even possible. Describing the concept of forgiveness and the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ speaks to needs that they already feel and may elicit a response.

 

Because Buddhists believe that the ultimate reality is nothingness, encountering the idea of a personal God may provide a great deal of hope. He loves us. He can hear us and answer our prayers. This approach directly counters the hopelessness of Buddhism’s emphasis on self-denial and reality as illusion.

 

Summary of teachings:

 

God – no personal God

Christ – a spiritual teacher

Scripture – the Pali Triptaka and others

Salvation – by works

 

God

Buddhism is virtually atheistic – the concept of a God is ignored. All reality is seen as an illusion. Truth is found in experience and personal enlightenment.

 

Christ

Some Buddhists see Jesus as a spiritual teacher like Buddha. Others classify him as a bodhisattva, a human who reached enlightenment but gave up nirvana in order to help others along the path.

 

Scripture

The Pali Triptaka, a collection of Buddha’s sermons and commentaries on the Buddha’s teachings, is considered to be scripture by nearly all Buddhists.

 

Salvation

Nirvana, a state of oneness with the universe to the extent that the cycle of reincarnation is broken and the self ceases to exist, can only be achieved through the renunciation of all worldly desires.

 

 

Hinduism

 

“God is everything and everything is god”

 

God is everything and everything is god. Apart from this single statement, Hinduism is a remarkably diverse belief system. There’s no single founder, no specific theological structure, and no central religious organization. Most devotees are practical polytheists, worshiping many gods. But philosophically they are pantheists, believing that a “Universal Spirit” manifests itself in the form of many gods.

 

Following the same line, Hindus believe that all religions lead to the same god – Brahman. They are very tolerant of other faiths. In fact, today a Hindu can hold polytheistic, pantheistic, agnostic, or atheistic beliefs. And one can even be designated a Hindu based on culture rather than religious practice.

 

Hinduism is the world’s third-largest religion, with nearly one billion adherents in India and other regions of Asia.  Neo-Hindu groups have proliferated throughout the Western world.  The Hare Krishna, Transcendental Meditation, and Siddha Yoga movements have popularized many Hindu beliefs such as the law of karma, the cycle of reincarnation, and the practice of meditation.

 

Sharing Your Faith

 

Hinduism allows many different kinds of beliefs. Don’t assume that you know what your Hindu friend believes. Listen carefully and ask thoughtful questions.  

 

Use relational illustrations and Scriptures to describe God. The prospect of eternal life in relationship with Him is totally contrary to the impersonal nature of Brahman. If our primary problem is that we have a broken relationship with a personal God who loves us, then there is only one way to heal that relationship – through the gift of His Son.

 

Because of their belief in the law of karma, Hindus carry the responsibility of their every deed and fault. They are aware that they cannot live the perfect life they seek, and the burden of their actions is heavy. Emphasize the forgiveness that Jesus offers to all who seek Him.

 

Summary of teachings:

 

God – Many forms of Brahman        

Christ – A wise teacher

Scripture – The Vedas and others        

Salvation – by works

 

God

Formless, infinite, eternal, and impersonal, Brahman is the cause, source, material, and effect of all creation.  As a means to approach the divine, Hindus have created multiple names for the personal forms of Brahman.

 

Christ

Vishnu, one of the personal forms of Brahman, occasionally comes to earth as an avatar, a wise human teacher, in order to help the world move toward enlightenment and salvation. Jesus Christ was one such avatar, as were Rama, Krishna, and Buddha.

 

Scripture

The broad Hindu canon includes the Vedas, Upanishads, and other collections of rituals, mantras, spiritual teachings, historical records, and philosophical writings.

 

Salvation

The goal of Hinduism, or moksha, is to realize one’s own connection to the divine reality of Brahman, which leads to detachment from worldly desires and freedom from the cycle of reincarnation.

 

 

Islam

 

“There is one God, and Muhammad is his prophet”

 

Islam, or “submission to Allah’s will,” was founded in AD 622 by Muhammad (570-632), who claimed to have received revelation from Allah and compiled them into the Quran.

 

Muslims are commanded to spend their lives in jihad, or “struggle.” The term has come to mean “holy war.” Though some Muslims engage in physical struggle, most engage in “greater jihad,” or the personal, rational struggle against evil in their own souls.

 

Two primary sects comprise the branches of Islam.  Sunnis, who believe Islamic leaders should be elected, are generally traditionalists who tend to be more tolerant or other religions and cultures. Shiites believe Islamic leaders – imams – should only come from Muhammad’s bloodline. They tend to be literal and militant, seeking to establish theocracies around the world.

 

Sharing Your Faith

 

Islam is not only a religion, but also a way of life shared with others in community. Friendships, then, become extremely important. Seek to develop genuine personal relationships, demonstrating a committed Christian life-style, and only sharing the gospel on an individual basis.

 

Muslims tend to see themselves as very religious, though many cannot speak or read Arabic and many have never read the Quran. Many are uninformed about the particulars of their faith but hold a firm allegiance to Allah, Muhammad, and the Quran nonetheless. Don’t criticize Islam. Instead, carefully define what you mean when you speak of God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, sin, and salvation.

 

Muslims live under a works-based religion in which Allah loves conditionally, judges harshly, and cannot be known personally. So emphasize God’s love, His grace, and the assurance of a personal relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. Tell stories from the Gospels rather than appealing to logical arguments.

 

Summary of teachings:

 

God – Allah                        

Christ – a human prophet

Scripture – the Quran                

Salvation – by works

 

God

Allah is inconceivable and inaccessible, utterly unable to be revealed. Therefore, Allah cannot be known personally.

 

Christ

Next to Muhammad, Jesus was the greatest prophet who ever lived He wasn’t God or the son of God, nor was he crucified. Instead, he was taken by Allah into heaven. And he will return someday.

 

Scripture

Muslims believe portions of the Bible were given by Allah, but because it has been corrupted, Allah gave the Quran (Koran), the greatest of Allah’s gifts – his very words.

 

Salvation

For Muslims, the only hope of salvation is through obedience to Allah’s will as outlined in the Quran and as demonstrated by Muhammad’s life. Consequently, they have no assurance of salvation.

 

 

Jehovah’s Witness

 

“Jesus was Jehovah’s first creation.”

 

“Paradise on earth” is the hope of any Jehovah’s Witness not fortunate enough to number among the 144,000 anointed faithful, who are said to be born again. Satan was expelled from heaven in 1914, which explains the rise of evil and natural disasters since then; however, Jesus has also returned. His invisible presence appeared in 1914, beginning his kingdom in these last days. Soon, however, Armageddon will mark the end of Satan and the world as we know it.

 

Only the “other sheep” – faithful citizens of the kingdom, as evidenced by their allegiance and obedience to Jehovah through The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania – will survive the cataclysm of the end times to enjoy a rejuvenated earth.  The majority of humankind will die, only to be resurrected for judgment and cast into the lake of fire, where they will be annihilated rather than suffering for eternity.

 

Sharing Your Faith

 

Jehovah’s witnesses have accepted that The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania is God’s sole instrument of teaching and direction on earth, and they live in fear of “disassociation”- or rejection – by Jehovah’s organization. Therefore, remember that in their minds, disparaging the Watchtower is akin to blaspheming God.  And if you do ridicule the Watchtower, anything you say will then be seen as inspired by Satan.

 

Most Jehovah’s witnesses have not been exposed to the Watchtower’s many failed predictions and self-contradictory teachings. Ask incisive questions about these discrepancies, citing historic Watchtower publications. They will typically doubt the validity of your claims, so you may have to present hard evidence. If possible obtain copies of the publications cited by the resources we recommend.

 

Above all, be kind. Jehovah’s Witnesses will be very unsettled by the evidence you present.  To them, you’re almost trying to disprove the existence of God.  Lace the truth with love.

 

Summary of teachings:

 

God – Jehovah                    

Christ – a created angel

Scripture – The New World Translation        

Salvation – by faith and works

 

God

“Jehovah” is the proper name of the god of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, and none other will suffice. He is the supreme creator and ruler of the universe, and he is not a trinity.

 

Christ

Jesus was Jehovah’s first creation. Before he was conceived in Mary and became a man, he was Michael, the archangel. He became Michael again upon his resurrection, which was not physical, but spiritual and immaterial.

 

Scripture

Jehovah’s Witnesses recognize The New World Translation of the Bible as divine revelation.  Its accurate interpretation comes only through The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania.

 

Salvation

Jesus is the mediator of the “new covenant” for 144,000 anointed believers who will enjoy heaven.  All “other sheep” must become Christ’s earthly subjects by keeping his laws and obeying his commands.

 

 

Judaism

 

“Hear, O Israel, the Lord is one.”

 

Judaism began around 200 BC and crystallized with the destruction of the Jerusalem temple in AD 70. The local synagogue replaced the temple, the rabbi replaced the priest, and the holy writings expanded to include the Talmud. This “Orthodox” form of Judaism continues up to today. It stresses living according to tradition and legalistically keeping the Torah, or “law.” The ultra-orthodox Jews or Hasidim, wear black garb and live socially and culturally separate lives.

 

Beginning in the 1700s, many Jews felt Judaism needed an update. Reform Judaism revised the Orthodox view and replaced tradition and the Torah with humanism and ethics. Conservative Judaism later attempted to bridge the gap between the two.

 

Unlike Christianity, no branch of Judaism (including Orthodox) stresses a personal relationship with God. In all of Judaism, behavior outweighs belief – a concept difficult for Christians to understand.

 

Sharing Your Faith

 

If possible, initiate a discussion from their own Bible (the Old Testament) on the issues of sin and confession (Psalm 51; Isaiah 53), the necessity of a sacrifice (Leviticus 16), and God’s requirement of faith for righteousness (Genesis 15:6; Habakkuk 2:4).

 

Speak of “redemption” instead of “salvation,” “Messiah” instead of “Savior,” and use the Passover lamb (Exodus 12:21-23) and the Day of Atonement (Exodus 30:10; Leviticus 16) as illustrations of substitutionary atonement and redemption from sin.

 

Because believing in Jesus can seem “non-Jewish” and feel like a betrayal of one’s history and heritage, affirm that Jesus was Jewish, that the first Christians were Jewish, and point out the specific promises to Israel that Jesus fulfilled when He came.

 

You may find Jewish people more receptive to spiritual discussions on holy days, such as Yom Kippur, Passover, Rosh Hashanah, or Hanukkah.

 

Summary of teachings:

 

God – Yahweh                    

Christ – a false Messiah

Scripture – The Old Testament and Talmud        

Salvation – by works and heritage

 

God

“The Lord is one” (Deuteronomy 6:4), the Creator of all things and supreme Ruler over all things.  Note that Judaism understands “The Lord is one” to exclude the biblical doctrine of the Trinity.

 

Christ

Orthodox Jews expect a human, political deliverer, not a divine Savior. Conservative and Reform Jews expect a utopian “Messianic Age,” which has nothing to do with a literal Messiah.  Therefore, Judaism denies the divinity and resurrection of Jesus.

 

Scripture

Orthodox Judaism believes the Old Testament and the Talmud are divine. Conservative Judaism sees Scripture as the work of God and man, and Reform Judaism understands the Bible purely as human in origin.

 

Salvation

Orthodox Judaism sees no need for salvation, simply presuming a right standing with God on the basis of Jewish heritage. Both Conservative and Reform Judaism define salvation as the betterment of self and society.

 

 

Mormonism

 

“As man is, God once was.”

 

So, you want to be a god?  The desire of every devout Mormon is to move along the path of “eternal progression” toward godhood. Lorenzo Snow, fifth president of the Latter-day Saints, is credited with an aphorism that articulates the doctrine quite simply:  “As man is, God once was. As God is, man may become.”

 

Founded in 1830 by Joseph Smith, Mormonism teaches that all people were born as spirit children in heaven.  However, to become more like the Mormon “Heavenly Father,” they have to become physical people in order to learn and grow. At some point after death, each spirit will be reunited with its body (called the resurrection) and will be judged. Upon judgment, the saved individual will be allowed into one of three eternal heavens: the Celestial Kingdom, the Terrestrial Kingdom, and the Telestial Kingdom. The highest level of salvation involves becoming like the Mormon god and sharing his attributes – doing as he does, and being as he is.

 

Sharing Your Faith

​

The primary basis of belief for the Latter-day Saint is his or her testimony, a deeply felt assurance – presumably from the Holy Ghost – that Mormonism is true. While others must rely on mere faith, Mormons believe they know. Therefore, avoid attacking Mormon beliefs of engaging in long debates over theology, because a Mormons’ belief is experiential first and rational second.  

 

Inspire questions as you cultivate a genuine, caring relationship with your Mormon friend. The purity of your lifestyle will seem strangely at odds with the concept of grace, but be warned: willful tolerance of sin will immediately deafen a Mormon’s ears.

 

As the relationship deepens, ask insightful questions that probe the many contradictions in Mormon theology.  This, of course, will require you to know more about the Latter-day Saints.

 

Summary of teachings:

 

God – a glorified man                    

Christ – the firstborn spirit child

Scripture – The Book of Mormon and others        

Salvation – by faith and works

 

God

The Mormon god, the “Heavenly Father”, is a supremely glorified man who once was as we are. The spirits of all people are the product of his union with heavenly mothers.

 

Christ

Jesus (also known as Jehovah) was the firstborn spirit child of the “Heavenly Father.” He became mortal though a physical union with Mary. His atoning death and a person’s good works are the basis of salvation.

 

Scripture

In addition to the Bible, the Latter-day Saints accept the following as scripture: The Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants (an evolving document), and The Pearl of Great Price.

 

Salvation

To be saved, Mormons must turn from sin, be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, obey divinely revealed commandments, partake of Temple rites, and strive to be like Jesus.

 

 

Scientology

 

“Scientology is the bridge to freedom”

 

Tom Cruise…John Travolta…Kristie Alley – What do these people have in common? They are all members of the Church of Scientology.

 

Though Scientology was founded in 1954 by L. Ron Hubbard (1911-1986), its roots reach deep into the world’s religions and philosophies, incorporating ideas from Hinduism, Buddhism, Theosophy, the New Age movement, self-help psychology, and even ancient Gnosticism.

 

Scientologists seek to increase their spiritual consciousness by means of auditing,a process by which one releases unconscious memories of pain that negatively affect his or her self-awareness and health. When these engrams are cleared, Scientologists believe they begin an ascent toward freedom – even from the constraints of the physical body.

 

Scientologists often make contact with potential converts through self-help books, free personality analyses, public relations promotions, and the best-selling book Dianetics.

 

Today there are more than six thousand Scientology churches, missions, and groups in 159 countries worldwide.

 

Sharing Your Faith

 

Because of years of negative press, Scientologists often take an understandably defensive stance whenever their church or its beliefs become the focus of discussion or criticism.  Be aware of this sensitivity and keep the focus on the central claims of Christianity: the deity of Christ, His saving death and resurrection, and salvation by grace through faith.

 

Scientologists believe people are essentially good, not sinful, whereas Christianity believes that fallen humanity has an inherited sin nature. Issues of depravity, sin, and guilt will sound either unfamiliar or outdated to many Scientologists, so be prepared to deal with these issues.

 

Scientologists believe that those who are not in the process of auditing are under the negative influence of their unconscious engrams, which often means they will regard outsiders to be living at a lower level of mental awareness.  Opposition to their ideas, therefore, is seen as the result of these deeper problems that only Scientology can solve.

 

Summary of teachings:

 

God – the highest spiritual power                

Christ – a spiritual man

Scripture – Dianetics and others                

Salvation – by works

 

God

God, the highest spiritual power, is on the same ascending scale as humans. There is no clear distinction between creator and creature.

 

Christ

Jesus was a good man who achieved a high level of spiritual awareness, but he did not attain the highest level possible by Scientologists today.

 

Scripture

The writings of L. Ron Hubbard, such as Dianetics, are regarded as authoritative for the Church of Scientology.  The Bible contains inferior wisdom.

 

Salvation

Salvation is achieved by the acts of man, not the grace of God.  Salvation is defined as an increase of spiritual awareness and freedom from the limitations of body and mind.

​

​