Alexander Dolitsky: Core values of five major world religions

By ALEXANDER DOLITSKY

June 5, 2026 – Indeed, religion shapes people’s values, behaviors, and morality by providing a framework of meaning, divine accountability, and community. While the exact degree of influence varies by individual, belief systems generally serve as a foundational guide for how individuals treat others and make ethical and just decisions.

French sociologist Émile Durkheim viewed religion as a fundamentally social phenomenon or institution rather than a divine one. In his foundational book, The Elementary Forms of Religious Life (1912), he argued that religious practices and beliefs serve to bind communities together, reinforce shared values, and promote social solidarity and collective conciseness; it is a soul of human society.

The major world religions are listed below chronologically, based on the emergence of their foundational texts, oral traditions, or historical founding dates. The exact dating of ancient religions—particularly Hinduism and Judaism—is debated by scholars because their initial tenets were passed down via oral traditions for centuries before being recorded in writing.  

The spirit of Hinduism—Many paths to the one

Originating in the Indus Valley around 2300 BCE, Hinduism is recognized as the world’s oldest active major religion. Rooted in ancient chants inspired by the sages, it is the third-largest global faith with roughly 1.2 billion followers, making up 15% of the population, predominantly in India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Roots of Hinduism date back roughly 4,000 years to the Indus Valley Civilization. It predates Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and, arguably, Judaism, growing from the spiritual chants and divine wisdom of early sages along India’s riverbanks. With over 1.2 billion adherents, it is the third-largest religion in the world. Followers view Hinduism not just as the oldest living faith, but as the foundational source of all world religions.

While Hinduism is conceptually simple—lacking a central authority or strict moral rulebook—it is practically vast. Across India, countless spiritual leaders spend hours daily debating its deep philosophical mysteries with their followers. Hinduism is often described as henotheistic or panentheistic. It embraces a singular, ultimate reality (Brahman) while simultaneously worshipping many distinct deities. Deities like Shiva, Vishnu, and Devi are viewed as different forms, manifestations, or aspects of that single, all-encompassing divine force.

Hindu philosophers long observed that while physical matter naturally decays, life itself constantly renews and transforms. They realized that every living soul is trapped in an eternal cycle of rebirth, shifting from plants to animals to humans in an endless loop. Ultimately, they concluded that this temporary physical world is merely a mask covering a single, permanent, and pure spiritual reality.

The sages reached an unavoidable conclusion: because the physical world is temporary, all worldly desires will ultimately end in frustration, which is the root of all human suffering. Therefore, true peace can only be achieved by controlling our desires and focusing our minds on the only eternal reality—God.

The ultimate objective of Hinduism is to achieve union with Brahman, the universal divine spirit. Brahman should not be confused with the Hindu god Brahma, or the priestly caste known as Brahmins. This spiritual oneness is achieved through ritual and ethical living, including nonviolence, charity, and deep compassion—values that were later widely adopted by Buddhism.

The law of Judaism—A living library (Torah & Talmud)

Originating around 2000 BCE, Judaism is the oldest Abrahamic religion, tracing its roots to the ancient Israelites and Abraham. Its essence is captured in the Shema—a foundational prayer recited daily by devout Jews: “Shema Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu Adonai Echod (Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One).”

Spoken by Moses on behalf of God, these powerful words established a profound turning point in global religion by introducing the idea of strict monotheism. This concept of one true God forms the absolute foundation of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, setting them apart from the polytheistic and philosophical traditions of the East and ancient Greece.

The Jewish concept of God centers on absolute uniqueness, expressed through the declaration, “I am that I am.” Every existing thing relies entirely on Him as the sole source of all goodness. While entirely spiritual and without a physical body, He is a personal deity who interacts dynamically with humanity through justice, anger, and love.

This framework establishes a theology of profound hope. Because God created the universe with a specific purpose, the physical world is real rather than an illusion, and time moves forward purposefully rather than in endless cycles. History is a deliberate upward climb toward the promise and ultimate challenge of the Kingdom of God. Consequently, human existence is not a burden to escape, but a divine gift meant to be lived to the fullest in alignment with His will. As the prophet Amos summarized this divine command: “Seek ye Me and life.”

Judaism is a deeply grounded, earth-centered faith. While it acknowledges an afterlife, its primary focus is guiding how we live in this world. Driven by a passionate commitment to human ethics, its goal is discovering God’s will through the Torah—the five books of Moses—which serves as the heart and foundation of all Jewish law and teaching; the Books of Moses set down the Ten Commandments. Although Judaism also relies on the other books of Hebrew Scriptures, Torah—the heart of the Jewish religion—stands for all Scriptures and for all the Law based on it.

Buddhism—A practical path to spiritual awakening

Buddhism is the world’s fourth-largest religion, boasting over 535 million followers, which makes up roughly 7% of the global population. Established in ancient India during the 6th century BCE by Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha), this peaceable faith focuses on the pursuit of enlightenment and liberation from human suffering. From Sri Lanka to Japan, it remains a dominant and unifying tradition across much of Asia.

After observing its orange-robed monks and studying the vast archives of its calm monasteries, many Western scholars regard this philosophy as one of the greatest intellectual achievements in human history. Unlike many major religions, it outlines a moral framework rooted in reason rather than relying on the supernatural.

Buddhism is divided into two primary traditions: Theravada (historically termed Hinayana, or the “Lesser Vehicle”) and Mahayana (the “Greater Vehicle”). Each school features unique geographical concentrations and philosophical approaches to attaining enlightenment.

Theravada Buddhism is widely practiced in South and Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Shri Lanka, and Myanmar. Literally meaning “the teaching of the elders,” practitioners focus on individual salvation, monastic austerity, and achieving enlightenment (Nirvana) by emulating the personal example of the Buddha.

Mahayana Buddhism is predominant across East and Central Asia, including China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Tibet, and Mongolia. Known as the “Greater Vehicle,” it emphasizes universal salvation and compassion. Followers pursue liberation not just for themselves, but to help all beings achieve enlightenment through faith and good works.

Both spiritual traditions trace their roots back to Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha), a major historical religious figure born around 563 B.C. in what is now the Nepal-India border region. In the centuries that followed, the life of the Buddha provided a powerful and enduring model of enlightenment for countless followers.

Rather than rejecting his religious roots, Buddha built upon core Hindu ideas. He embraced the concept of reincarnation—an endless loop of living and dying—as well as karma, the moral law of cause and effect. He also maintained the belief that the material world is inherently full of ignorance and pain, and that the wise should strive to escape it.

The faith of Christianity

Emerging in the 1st-century A.D. (C.E.) Roman-ruled Judea, Christianity is rooted in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Unlike other faiths, it elevates all humans to beloved children of God rather than mere servants. This profound concept of divine fatherhood fueled its global spread and made the Lord’s Prayer the most widely recited prayer in history (Khan Academy Christianity in the Roman Empire).

At its core, Christianity opens its doors to anyone who accepts Jesus and strives to live by His example. This way of life connects people to a powerful divine faith and love that overshadows all other earthly concerns. Rooted deeply in historical events, Christianity uses the Cross—the symbol of Christ’s death—as its primary image. However, believers also hold that the resurrected Lord continuously acts as an advocate for humanity. Unlike other major world religions, Christianity uniquely emphasizes that its Savior is actively present in the everyday lives of believers right now.

Since its inception over two thousand years ago, the Christian faith has been grounded in two fundamental tenets: (1) the divinity of Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and (2) His incarnation to endure human suffering, die for the redemption of humanity, and achieve resurrection. This dual theological foundation serves as the primary distinction between Christianity and other global religions.

To stay vibrant, Christianity must actively engage with society. When a faith withdraws from public life, it risks irrelevance and isolation. By engaging with their communities, Christians live out their calling as “salt and light”, serving as an active force for compassion, love, justice, mercy, and positive change.

Islam—A secure citadel where submission is the absolute loyalty

Islam is the youngest of the major Abrahamic faiths, founded in the Arabian Peninsula by the Prophet Muhammad; it is defined by its pure monotheism. Centered on worshiping one Supreme God (Allah), it regards Muhammad (570-632 A.D.) as a mortal messenger rather than divine. Accounting for over 25% of the world population (World population 2026), it is a comprehensive way of life that closely unifies faith, daily affairs, and governance.

Emerging in the 7th-century Arabia, Islam expanded rapidly across the Middle East within a century. Its lasting unity comes from a simple, positive framework that has sustained Islamic unity for nearly 1,400 years. “Islam” means submission to God’s will, and “Muslim” denotes one who submits. Believers live in the continuous awareness of Allah, finding resilience, dignity, and global brotherhood (the Ummah) that transcends borders. Whether praying at home or on a Qibla mat, the connection to the Divine is continuous.

Islamic theology teaches that the revelations of Muhammad, recorded in the Koran, are the definitive, final will of God. While validating truths in Judaism and Christianity, Muslims believe the Koran supersedes and completes earlier scriptures. Islam honors figures like Abraham and Jesus but strictly rejects Christ’s divinity, maintaining that Muhammad is the greatest and final messenger, the Seal of the Prophets. Guided by the Five Pillars of Islamic Faith, believers shape their worldview through this ultimate submission to the omnipresent (ever-present) ruler, and omniscient (all-knowing) judge (Creator).

According to Islamic tradition, previous scriptures offered only an incomplete version of God’s message, which reached its absolute fulfillment in the Koran. While Islam honors earlier figures such as Abraham and Jesus, it maintains that Muhammad is the final and greatest messenger—the Seal of the Prophets. Furthermore, Islam denies Christ’s divinity and rejects any attempts to deify Muhammad, affirming that he was simply a mortal chosen to deliver God’s word.

The core connections

Religion instills core principles such as benevolence, tradition, conformity, and security. It defines what a community considers sacred, just, or important. Faith often frames moral duties as divine laws or universal truths. It sets the boundaries between right and wrong, good and evil, often personified through religious figures or texts.

Indeed, religion dictates actionable behaviors, such as daily rituals, dietary restrictions, and community service. It acts as a “moral GPS” (moral compass), often providing consistent decision-making guidelines across different contexts, as it is evident from five major world’s religions briefly described above.

The author was born and raised in the former Soviet Union before settling in the U.S. in 1978. He moved to Juneau in 1986 where he taught Russian studies and Archaeology at the University of Alaska Southeast, and Social Studies Teacher at the Alyeska Central School of the Alaska Department of Education. From 1990 to 2022, he served as a director and president of the Alaska-Siberia Research Center, publishing in the fields of anthropology, history, archaeology and ethnography. Find him on Amazon.com.

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