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Comparison of Religions

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A comparison of the three monotheistic religions in the Middle East reveals that all believe in one God who governs the universe and to whom we are responsible for our actions on Judgment Day. It is the differing views on interpretation of God's word that sets each apart from the others.
Judaism
According to tradition, God entered into a special relationship with the Jews when he spoke directly to them at Mt. Sinai: if they would acknowledge Him as their ultimate God and agree to obey His laws, He would acknowledge the Jews as his special people and promised them the land now known as Israel. The Torah, the Holy Book of Judaism, is God's will expressed as commandments. There is no mortal person alone who governs the Jewish faith but each rabbi is the instrument of his own synagogue in order to relay God's oral commandments to the congregation. Jewish tradition dictates that prayers be given three times a day: morning, afternoon, and evening. No work is allowed on the Sabbath so that Jews can spend the day in prayer, study, rest, and family feasting. The Jews believe the Messiah has yet to make himself known to those here on earth. It is their belief that virtue and obedience will be rewarded in the next life and that the suffering and forced exile they have endured will be addressed at the end of time.
Christianity
Christians believe in one God and that Jesus Christ was sent by him to convey God's love to those here on earth. Though seen as being mortal while He was one earth, Jesus was raised from the dead and returned home to His father in approximately AD 30. Jerusalem was the center of Christianity. The Apostle Paul was considered to be the first Christian theologian and believed he had been chosen to bring God's message to the Gentiles. The Bible, consisting of the Old Testament and the New Testament, is the holy book

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