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Christianity: Origins

Christianity originated in 1st-century CE Palestine within the context of Judaism.

Christianity: Jewish foundations

Christianity inherited Jewish monotheism, the Hebrew Scriptures, belief in God, ethical teachings and expectations concerning a Messiah.

Christianity: Roman rule

Palestine was under Roman control during Jesus' lifetime. Roman taxation, occupation and political control contributed to political and social tensions.

Christianity: Messiah

The Messiah means the 'anointed one'. In Jewish expectations, the Messiah was associated with the restoration and salvation of Israel.

Christianity: Jesus

Jesus' followers came to believe that he was the promised Messiah and Son of God.

Christianity: Twelve Apostles

Peter, Andrew, James son of Zebedee, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus/Jude, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot.

Christianity: Apostles' significance

The Apostles witnessed Jesus' ministry, proclaimed his resurrection, preached his teachings and helped establish early Christian communities.

Christianity: Kingdom of God

Jesus taught about God's reign or rule rather than merely a physical or political kingdom.

Christianity: Response to Kingdom

Jesus called people to repentance, faith and living according to God's will.

Christianity: Love

Jesus taught love of God and neighbour and extended this ethic to enemies.

Christianity: Forgiveness

Jesus emphasised forgiveness rather than revenge.

Christianity: Marginalised

Jesus showed dignity, compassion and acceptance towards marginalised people, including tax collectors, Samaritans and the sick.

Christianity: Crucifixion

Jesus was crucified under Roman authority, interpreted as a sacrifice for humanity's sins.

Christianity: Resurrection

Christians believe Jesus rose from the dead, providing victory over death and the Christian hope of eternal life.

Christianity: Paul

Paul spread the Christian message through missionary activity across the Roman Empire, particularly among Gentiles.

Christianity: Development

Christianity developed from a movement within Judaism into a distinct religious tradition.

Christianity: Great Schism

The Great Schism of 1054 divided Eastern and Western Christianity into Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic traditions.

Christianity: Schism causes

Major disagreements included papal authority, theological issues like the Filioque, and cultural/liturgical differences.

Christianity: Protestant Reformation

The 16th-century Reformation challenged Roman Catholic authority and doctrine, leading to major Protestant traditions.

Christianity: Martin Luther

In 1517, Martin Luther criticised Church practices including the sale of indulgences, sparking the Reformation.

Christianity: Sola Scriptura

Scripture alone is the ultimate religious authority.

Christianity: Sola Fide

Justification is by faith rather than being earned through good works.

Christianity: Reformation causes

Religious criticism, theological disagreements, political challenges to papal authority and the printing press contributed to the Reformation.

Christianity: Timeline

1st century CE: Jesus and early Christianity; 1054: Great Schism; 1517: Protestant Reformation begins.

Islam: Origins

Islam originated in 7th-century CE Arabia through the revelations received by Muhammad.

Islam: Muhammad

Muhammad is regarded by Muslims as the final prophet in a line including Abraham, Moses and Jesus.

Islam: Revelation

Muslims believe the Qur'an is the revealed word of Allah, communicated to Muhammad through the angel Jibril.

Islam: Allah

Allah is the Arabic word for God, with Tawhid (absolute oneness) as a central Islamic belief.

Islam: Hijrah

Muhammad's migration from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE, marking the beginning of the Islamic calendar.

Islam: Ummah

The worldwide Muslim community established on Islamic beliefs and practices.

Islam: Qur'an

Islam's sacred text, regarded as the literal word of Allah revealed to Muhammad.

Islam: Hadith

Reports of Muhammad's sayings, actions and approvals used to understand Islamic practice.

Islam: Sunna

The normative example or way of Muhammad.

Islam: Five Pillars

Shahada, Salah, Zakat, Sawm and Hajj.

Islam: Shahada

Declaration of faith: there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger.

Islam: Salah

The ritual prayer performed five times daily.

Islam: Zakat

Obligatory charitable giving intended to support those in need.

Islam: Sawm

Fasting during the month of Ramadan from dawn to sunset.

Islam: Hajj

Pilgrimage to Mecca required once in a lifetime for those physically and financially able.

Islam: Sharia

Divine guidance and principles derived from Islamic sources, varying in interpretation among traditions.

Islam: Ummah significance

Emphasises unity, shared faith and mutual responsibility among Muslims.

Islam: Sunni and Shi'a

Developed from leadership disagreements after Muhammad's death; Sunni emphasised community consensus, Shi'a emphasised leadership through Ali.

Islam: Timeline

570 CE: Muhammad born; 610 CE: first revelations; 622 CE: Hijrah; 632 CE: Muhammad dies.

Buddhism: Origins

Buddhism originated in ancient India through the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha.

Buddhism: Siddhartha Gautama

Born into privilege, encountering suffering led him to seek a solution to the human condition.

Buddhism: Four Sights

An old person, a sick person, a dead person and a renunciant, prompting Gautama's reflection on suffering.

Buddhism: Enlightenment

Gautama attained enlightenment through meditation and became the Buddha ('awakened one').

Buddhism: Buddha

Not a creator god, but the awakened teacher who discovered and taught the path to liberation.

Buddhism: Four Noble Truths

1) Life involves dukkha; 2) dukkha has causes (craving); 3) cessation is possible; 4) Noble Eightfold Path is the way.

Buddhism: Dukkha

Suffering, unsatisfactoriness, or the inability of conditioned existence to provide lasting satisfaction.

Buddhism: Craving

Tanha, identified as a major cause of dukkha.

Buddhism: Nirvana

The cessation of craving, ending of dukkha, and liberation from samsara.

Buddhism: Noble Eightfold Path

Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration.

Buddhism: Three Marks of Existence

Anicca (impermanence), dukkha (unsatisfactoriness), and anatta (non-self).

Buddhism: Anicca

All conditioned things are impermanent and constantly changing.

Buddhism: Anatta

There is no permanent, unchanging self or soul.

Buddhism: Karma

Intentional actions and their consequences that influence future experience.

Buddhism: Samsara

The cycle of birth, death and rebirth from which Buddhists seek liberation.

Buddhism: Five Precepts

Refraining from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, false speech and intoxicants.

Buddhism: Meditation

Develops qualities such as mindfulness, concentration and insight.

Buddhism: Compassion

Karuna (compassion) and metta (loving-kindness) are significant Buddhist ethical values.

Buddhism: Traditions

Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana are major Buddhist traditions with different texts and practices.

Buddhism: Timeline

5th century BCE: Gautama's life and teaching in ancient India; subsequent spread and diversification across Asia.

Comparison: Origins

Christianity: 1st-century CE Palestine | Islam: 7th-century CE Arabia | Buddhism: ancient India

Comparison: Central figure

Christianity: Jesus | Islam: Muhammad | Buddhism: Siddhartha Gautama / Buddha

Comparison: Sacred text

Christianity: Bible | Islam: Qur'an | Buddhism: Tripitaka/Pali Canon and other texts

Comparison: Core concept

Christianity: God, salvation | Islam: Tawhid, submission | Buddhism: Four Noble Truths, Eightfold Path

Comparison: Goal

Christianity: Eternal life with God | Islam: Paradise through submission | Buddhism: Nirvana/liberation

Comparison: Major practices

Christianity: Prayer, worship, sacraments | Islam: Five Pillars | Buddhism: Meditation, ethics, wisdom

Comparison: Major divisions

Christianity: Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant | Islam: Sunni, Shi'a | Buddhism: Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana