Mohammed Mohammed spent long periods of time in meditation.

At age forty, he began to denounce the other popular religions of the day and taught that all religions lead to God. He proclaimed to his culture that Allah was “one.” He became the leader of the political/religious movement called Islam. He never claimed to be God, but he did claim that his teachings came directly from Allah. In order to be a Muslim, Mohammed’s followers must live out the five key beliefs of Islam which include regular fasting, giving to the poor, going on a spiritual pilgrimage to Mecca, praying five times daily, and testifying that Mohammed is the prophet of the only God, Allah.

Buddha Buddha’s actual name was Gautama. We was the son

of a ruler in the modern country of Nepal. At age twenty-nine, he went on a pilgrimage to find the solution to the problem of suffering. Believing he had found the answer through meditation, he taught others that the way to “enlightenment,” or freedom from suffering, was through focused rejection of human desires. Buddhists are taught to reach Nirvana (the state of consciousness) through meditation and good living. Buddha never claimed to be God; in fact, he rejected the importance and relevance of the existence of God.

How does Jesus compare?

• Jesus fulfilled ancient prophecies about his life, death, and resurrection (Luke 4:14-21)

• Jesus predicted his own death and resurrection and rose from the dead. He isn’t just another great teacher or prophet (Luke 18:31-33)

• Jesus said he was God. Jesus never claimed that everyone was God or that all religions lead to the same place (John 7:25-44)

• Jesus’ teaching was perfect.

John 14:6

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one

comes to the Father except through me.”

Group Questions

• What are major differences between Buddha, Mohammed, and Jesus that you see?

• Does the Christian perspective interfere with the idea that God is love?

• Do you think that Jesus, Mohammed, and Buddha teach the same things? Give examples of similarities and differences.

• What would someone who supports this argument say to the fact that Jesus, Buddha, and Mohammed taught principles that contradict each other?

An Argument... “All the world’s religions worship the same God, using different names. Islam calls

God Allah; Buddhism calls him Buddha; Christianity calls him Jesus. They’re all the same God, and they can all lead you to heaven if you worship them sincerely. It’s the spiritual dimension to life that’s important – not what church you join or religion you believe. Mohammed, Buddha, and Jesus Christ all teach the same path to a higher plane or personal development.”

Acts 4:12

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to

men by which we must be saved.” • Why is it not possible for all religions to be right?• Why do you think God cares about who you

follow?

• Do your friends know who Jesus is?

• Who do your friends say Jesus is?

• How do you respond to friends who think Jesus was simply a good teacher just like all the other founders of world religions?

**Tell your partner who you think Jesus is and what that belief means for your life.

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