Comparing Religions
By
Lillian M. Floyd
COM/150
Joss Hevel
December 19, 2012

Religion is an important part of American society. There are many different religions that people follow for their own reasons such as Baptist, Protestant, Lutheran, Catholic, Muslim, and Buddhism. Each religion has different followings and ways to receive faith through the religion. Which religion has the most faith and why does that religion has the most faith? This essay will examine comparisons between the Baptist religion and other religions such as Catholic, Protestant, and Lutheran. These religions are some of the most important religions in the world today. Some of the other religions that can be compared to the Baptist religion are Buddhism, Muslim, and Sangria. The differences are far and wide, but there are some similarities between religions. The first religions that will be compared are Baptist and Catholic.

There are many differences between the Baptist church and the Catholic Church, but most are not seen at first. Most of the differences between Baptist and Catholic churches have to do with theological differences, or the study of God of each church (Catholic vs. Baptist, 2012). The main difference between the two churches is the Communion of each church. The Roman Catholics takes communion at every mass while Baptists take communion on special holidays such as Easter and Christmas. The next difference between Baptists and Roman Catholics is the level of decoration within the main sanctuary. The Roman Catholic Church is decorated with painting, icons, and statues of saints while the Baptist church very rarely has decorations. The length of the church services are very different because Baptist church services usually last anywhere from one to one and a half hours while Roman Catholic Church services last from 30 to 45 minutes. The Roman Catholic Church has the center of their church as the Vatican in Rome, Italy while the Baptist church doesn’t have a center for their church. The theological differences are what keep both churches separate and different from each other. The Roman Catholic Church teaches salvation by works through the Sacraments, emphasizes Mass which is the re – sacrificing of the body and blood of Christ through Communion, believe in Purgatory, believe in a Universal church which was created by Apostle Peter, believe in prayer to Mary and the saints, believe in the Roman Catholic Bible, meditation of Roman Catholic priests, and the belief of worshipping icons. The Baptists believe in salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, think the Catholic Mass is blasphemous and Christ died for everyone’s sins, they don’t know about Purgatory, and believes in heaven and hell, the autonomy of the local church is independent from all human authority, and prayer is made to God through Jesus Christ, Bible and faith alone is enough for all practice, believes in only one mediator which is Jesus Christ, and believe that worshipping religious icons is idolatry. The next comparison that will be made is the Baptist religion versus the Lutheran religion.

The Baptist and Lutheran religion come from the same Christian sect of religion, but there are many differences between the two religions. The Lutheran religion was created on the ideas of Martin Luther during the 16th century to reform Christianity by teaching grace by faith alone (Lutheran vs. Baptist, 2012). The Baptist religion was created during the 17th century by English separatist John Smyth to reject the baptism of infants and instead baptize adults that believe in God and Jesus Christ. The only similarities between Lutheran and Baptist religions is that both religions believe in the same God, refer to same Bible, and hold church services. The Lutheran religion believes that people are saved by God’s grace and faith alone. The Lutherans also believe in the Sacraments which they use to value sanctification and justification through grace. Baptism is used as a means of grace and the application is by the sprinkling of water. Communion uses real bread and wine which is the body and blood of Jesus Christ. The Baptist religion’s beliefs are very much different. Baptist believes that salvation is through faith alone and they recognize the Bible as the rule of faith and practice. Faith is a matter between god and individuals. Baptists use baptism as a testimony of previous acts of repentance and the acceptance of Jesus Christ as their personal savior. Baptists use full immersion into water to wash away a person’s sins. Communion is considered a symbolic representation and grape juice is substituted for wine. The next religions that will be compared are the Baptist religion and the Protestant religion.

The Baptist and Protestant religions are considered the same religion, but they are very much different from each other. The Protestant religion was formed during the 16th century by groups of Lutherans, Reformed, and Roman Catholics that had left the faith to start their own religions. The Baptist religion never left the Roman Catholic religion because they were never part of the Roman Catholics. There are six strong differences between Protestants and Baptists that people should recognize. Protestants have creeds and doctrinal standards while Baptists believe in God’s word alone in faith and practice (Lyons, 2012). Baptists believe that Christ is the only head of the church and all local churches are accountable to only Christ while Protestants have attached their state churches upon their followers. Baptists believe is individual accountability to God because what is taught by the Scriptures while Protestants don’t believe in this doctrine. Baptists believe in a free church within a free state while Protestants have to listen to head of churches. Baptists believe in believer’s baptism which is if a person believes in God, they can be baptized and have their sins cleansed. Protestants don’t believe in baptismal teachings. The final difference between Baptists and Protestants is Baptists believe that their church membership is made up of people that give a credible profession of faith in Jesus Christ while the Protestant church accepts anyone that say they believe in God (Lyons, 2012). The next two religions that will be compared are Baptist and Buddhism.

There are many differences between Buddhism and Baptist religions. The Baptist religion is practiced all around the world except in Northwest Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and the central, eastern, and southeastern parts of Asia. Buddhism is mainly practiced in India, Sri Lanka, eastern Asia, and Indochina (Baptist vs. Buddhism, 2012). Baptists are Christians that believe in salvation by faith while Buddhism is a philosophy that is a combination of traditions, practices, and beliefs that were taught by Siddhartha Gautama. The path of salvation for Baptists is the concept of God saving humanity from spiritual death while Buddhism is the concept of complete salvation through Nirvana, self – awareness meditation, and following the Lotus path. The primary sacred text of Baptists is the bible while the sacred text of Buddhists is the Mahayana sutras. Finally, the Baptists’ rules and standards are the supremacy of the canonical Scriptures as a norm of faith and practice while the Buddhists’ rules and standards are there are no rules or standards that have to be followed within the religion, but there are suggestions about the behaviors that are conducive to achieving happiness. The next two religions that will be compared are Baptist and Muslim.

Baptists and Muslims have a few similarities, but there are many differences between the two religions. The main similarity between the two religions is they are both two of the largest religions in the world. Another similarity is that followers of both religions don’t care for each other, but it may be more about political tensions and cultural worldviews than religion (Christianity and Baptist, 2012). The major difference between the two religions is the sacred text of the Baptists is the Bible and the sacred text of Islam is the Quran. The Baptists’ means of salvation is faith by correct beliefs and good deeds while Islam’s means of salvation is following the Five Pillars through correct beliefs and good deeds. The major sacred rituals of the Baptist religion is baptism and communion on special holidays while Islam’s major sacred rituals is the Five Pillars, prayer, pilgrimage to Mecca, charity, fasting, fasting, and confession of faith for the Islamic religion. Finally, the Baptists’ view of Islam is that Baptists respect Islam as a religion, but Muhammad is not seen as a true prophet while Islam’s view of Baptists is that Baptists are respected as the “People of the Book”, but their religion has mistaken beliefs and partial salvation.

Each religion has different levels of faith and their own ways to accept faith in Jesus Christ, Allah or Dahlia Lama. Religious faith is something that has to be wanted or accepted by a person. Each religious sect has their own way of giving people the faith they need to live a better life for themselves. There is no religion that has the most faith because all religions have their own level of faith and everyone has to follow their own heart on which religion they want to follow. A person’s faith is one that their heart follows, not what people decide for them. The religion that I think is the best religion for me is the Baptist religion is because it follows my beliefs and values of performing good deeds, having faith, and having correct beliefs in Jesus Christ and God.

References
(2012) Baptist versus Roman Catholic Beliefs. Retrieved from www.catholicbaptist.com
(2012) Difference between Lutheran and Baptist. Retrieved from www.differencebetween.net/miscellaneous/religion-miscellaneous/difference-between-baptist-and-lutheran-2/
Lyons, V.C. (2007) Why Baptists are not Protestants. Retrieved from www.jesus-is-savior/Believer’s%20Corner/why_baptists_are_not_protestants.htm
(2012) Comparison Chart: Christianity and Islam. Retrieved from www.religionfacts.com/christianity/charts/christianity_islam.htm