World Religion Comparison Chart with Chronology
There are only two "religion systems" in this world, that of "work" base versus that of "grace" base.
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2000 BC |
Judaism |
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1500 BC |
Hinduism |
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530 BC |
Buddhism |
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~500 BC |
Confucianism |
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~500 BC |
Taoism |
Rely on self for |
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500 BC |
Shinto |
being good |
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30 AD |
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Christian (Roman Catholic) |
enough |
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~100 AD |
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Gnosticism |
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610 AD |
Islam |
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1517 AD |
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Rely on God's Grace |
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Christian (Protestant) |
& Blood of Christ |
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1820 AD |
Mormonism |
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1870 AD |
Jehovah's Witnesses |
Rely on self for |
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1870 AD |
Agnosticism |
being good |
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~1900 AD |
enough |
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Atheism |
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Not all religions are the same. Not all religions lead to God
Eversince the beginning of mankind, men have been seeking God, "because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse (Romans 1:19, 20).
More than 3,500 years ago in Asia, a number of religious systems, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Shinto, and the philosophical systems of Taoism and Confucianism were created.
Within the recent 200 years, a number of belief systems also emerged, ranging from Mormonism to that of Jehovah's Witnesses, to Agnostics, to New Age.
Although it seems like there are a lot of religion systems out there, there are only two types of relationship between man and God. The first one relies on ourselves being good enough to be acceptable to God, and the second in knowing that we are not good enough and rely on the grace of God and the blood of Christ for salvation.
The key here is, "What is acceptable to God?" Only God can answer this question and He did. God says in Isaiah 64:6, "But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." Thus only through the blood of Christ can we ba save. For it is written, "Previously saying, "Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them" (which are offered according to the law), then He said, "Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God" He takes away the first that He may establish the second. By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all" (Hebrews 10:8-10).
The Bible also makes it clear there is no other way to be saved. "let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.' Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:10-12)
There is only one path to God. A lot of people don't like this idea. They want to decide their own path based on their own knowledge. The issue is whether you are trying to build a relationship with God or with yourself. If you are trying to build a relationship with God, you should listen to God's word on which path you should take, and not insist on your own path.
Jesus said in Matthew 7:13 and 14, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
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