The Gods of Major Religions: A Comparative Overview

Monotheistic Religions

Christianity

Christianity believes in one God, who is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. Christians view God as a Trinity—Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit—three persons in one divine essence. Jesus is regarded as the incarnation of God, the savior of humanity, and central to salvation.

• Sacred Texts: The Bible (Old and New Testaments)

• Key Beliefs: Salvation through faith in Jesus, grace, love, and eternal life

• Major Denominations: Catholicism, Protestantism, Eastern Orthodoxy

Islam

Islam is strictly monotheistic, believing in Allah, the one and only God. Allah is beyond human attributes and has 99 names that describe His qualities, such as Ar-Rahman (The Merciful) and Al-Hakim (The Wise). Muslims believe Muhammad is the final prophet, following a lineage that includes Adam, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.

• Sacred Texts: The Quran (and Hadiths for guidance)

• Key Beliefs: Submission to Allah, Five Pillars of Islam, Judgment Day

• Major Sects: Sunni and Shia

Judaism

Judaism worships YHWH (Yahweh), the one God who made a covenant with Abraham and the Israelites. God is seen as a personal, moral, and just deity who guides history.

• Sacred Texts: Torah, Tanakh (Hebrew Bible), Talmud

• Key Beliefs: Covenant with God, following divine laws, awaiting the Messiah

• Major Branches: Orthodox, Conservative, Reform

Sikhism

Sikhism believes in one God, Waheguru, who is formless, eternal, and beyond human comprehension. The concept of Miri-Piri emphasizes the balance of spiritual and worldly life.

• Sacred Texts: Guru Granth Sahib

• Key Beliefs: Equality, devotion, selfless service, reincarnation

• Key Figure: Guru Nanak and nine successive Gurus

Polytheistic and Non-Theistic Religions

Hinduism

Hinduism is diverse, with both monotheistic and polytheistic elements. It recognizes Brahman as the ultimate reality, but Brahman manifests through many deities.

• Trimurti (The Three Supreme Gods):

  • Brahma (Creator)

  • Vishnu (Preserver)

  • Shiva (Destroyer and Transformer)

• Other Key Deities: Ganesha (remover of obstacles), Hanuman (strength and devotion), Lakshmi (prosperity)

• Sacred Texts: Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita

• Key Beliefs: Karma, dharma, moksha, reincarnation

• Philosophical Schools: Advaita Vedanta (non-dualism), Dvaita Vedanta (dualism)

Buddhism

Buddhism is non-theistic—it does not worship a creator god. Instead, it follows the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha). Some Buddhist traditions venerate Bodhisattvas, enlightened beings who help others attain Nirvana.

• Sacred Texts: Tripitaka, Mahayana Sutras

• Key Beliefs: Four Noble Truths, Eightfold Path, karma, samsara

• Major Branches: Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana

Shinto (Japan)

Shinto is the indigenous belief system of Japan, centered around Kami—spirits or gods that reside in natural elements, ancestors, and places.

• Sacred Texts: Kojiki, Nihon Shoki

• Key Beliefs: Nature worship, rituals, harmony with spirits

Comparative Table

Religion	Key Figure(s)	Nature of the Divine	Sacred Texts	Core Beliefs
Christianity	God (Trinity: Father, Son, Holy Spirit); Jesus Christ (Son of God)	Monotheistic (Trinitarian)	Bible (Old & New Testaments)	Salvation through Jesus, grace, love, eternal life
Islam	Allah; Prophets (Muhammad as the final prophet)	Strict Monotheism	Quran, Hadiths	Submission to Allah, Five Pillars, Judgment Day
Judaism	Yahweh; Prophets (Abraham, Moses, etc.)	Monotheistic	Torah, Tanakh, Talmud	Covenant with God, divine laws, awaiting the Messiah
Sikhism	Waheguru (One God); Guru Nanak & 9 Gurus	Monotheistic	Guru Granth Sahib	Devotion, equality, selfless service, reincarnation
Hinduism	Brahman (ultimate reality); Trimurti (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva)	Pantheistic/Panentheistic	Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita	Karma, dharma, reincarnation, moksha
Buddhism	Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)	Non-theistic (focus on enlightenment)	Tripitaka, Mahayana Sutras	Four Noble Truths, Eightfold Path, Nirvana
Shinto	Kami (spirits/deities in nature)	Polytheistic/Animistic	Kojiki, Nihon Shoki	Nature worship, harmony with spirits, rituals

Comparative Insights

• Monotheistic religions emphasize a single, all-powerful God, while polytheistic traditions recognize multiple deities or divine aspects.

• Some religions (Hinduism, Sikhism, certain Buddhist schools) blend elements of both monotheism and pantheism/panentheism.

• Concepts of afterlife, morality, and divine justice vary greatly, influencing cultures worldwide.

Conclusion

Understanding the gods and spiritual beliefs of major religions helps foster interfaith respect and appreciation. Whether one follows a single God, multiple deities, or no deity, the search for meaning and connection is universal.