Hinduism Vs. Judaism Essay -- Religion Religious Essays

"I love you when you bow in your mosque, kneel in your temple, pray in your church. For you and I are sons of one religion, and it is the spirit." Kahlil Gibran All religions are similar in a manner, appreciating life, doing good, respecting others..etc yet they still have their differences, the differences that gives it, its uniqueness. And the person practising it, his individuality. Religion is defined as A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual being (Mifflin). It is known that many of our behaviours are determined by the presence of religion in one's life. Religion implants its principles in a person and their attitudes, personality, morals and ethics and alters it to a great extent. This essay aims to compare and contrast the basic principles Judaism and Hinduism and their religious rituals of marriage and death, also to studying how it may effect on one's personality. Hinduism is one of the oldest and most ancient religions, it is the religion of more than four-fifths of the Indian subcontinent's population; there are about 650 million Hindus worldwide. And is ranked as the world's third largest religion. (Wangu,6) Hinduism is a polytheistic religion, and followers believe and worship many gods. Shiva is the god of 'eroticism and sexual energy', Devi who is associated with fertility and earth, Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth, and the river Ganga is seen as a provider and worshiped (Waterstone, 78).However, their main god is called Brahman, they believe is the ultimate reality and world soul. Some of the important rituals, beliefs and traditions is puja, which is their daily worship usually takes place in a corner of a room; dharma, which is their religious duties towards fa... ...ds their beliefs, they all support love between one an other and believe in doing what is good in life whether it is to become re-birthed into what they wished, or to reach the eternal life they've been waiting for. It is also evident that both these religions not only have a direct effect on the personality of individuals who practice it. But takes a leading a role in shaping a person, influencing their behaviour, and even forming who the person becomes. Bibliography: Chaudhuri, C. Nirad "Hinduism religion to live by" Oxford, 1996 Rayner, D. John., "The Jewish People" New York, 1987 Wangu, Madhu Bazaz "Hinduism, world religions" New York, 2001 Waterstone, Richard. India. London: Macmillian Publishing, 1995. Katz, Lisa "The Ten commandments" Web. 13 July 2015. http://springdalehb.sharpschool.net/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=9197433