Questions About Other Religions

Has anyone ever asked you about other religions?

Maybe they asked if devoted followers of other religions will go to heaven. It is easy to see the beliefs that religious people have in common regardless of their faith background. They are typically all moral people. They are probably kind and generous. They probably do not lie, cheat, or steal.

So what are the differences? If the results are the same, does it really matter what someone believes about God or spirituality?

Let’s explore a few major world faith systems. It should also be said that each of these religions has sects with a variety of differing beliefs. However, we will only briefly look at some of the core beliefs of each.

Hinduism

Hindus worship 300,000 different gods and goddesses. These various gods all converge into a universal spirit called the Ultimate Reality or Brahman. Brahman is not a god, but more of a term for ultimate oneness. Hindus believe their position in life is based on their actions in a previous life. If their behavior was evil, they might experience tremendous hardships in this life. A Hindu’s goal is to become free from the law of karma … to be free from continuous reincarnations. There are three possible ways to end this cycle of karma:

Be lovingly devoted to any of the Hindu gods or goddesses.
Grow in knowledge through the meditation of Brahman (oneness) to realize that circumstances in life are not real, that selfhood is an illusion, and only Brahman is real.
Be dedicated to various religious ceremonies and rites.

New Age

New Age promotes the development of the person’s own power or divinity. When referring to a god, a follower of the New Age is not talking about the almighty, personal God who created the universe. Rather, a New Age god refers to a higher consciousness within that person.

A person in New Age would see themselves as a god, the cosmos, or the universe. In fact, everything that the person sees, hears, feels, or imagines is to be considered divine.

New Age presents itself as a collection of ancient spiritual traditions. It acknowledges many gods and goddesses, as in Hinduism. The earth is viewed as the source of all spirituality and has its own intelligence, emotions, and deity. Self is the creator, controller, and god of all. There is no reality outside of what the person determines.

They teach techniques such as meditating, breathing exercises, chanting, and drumming – all to develop an altered consciousness and one’s own identity.

Buddhism

Buddhists do not worship any gods or God. People outside of Buddhism often think that Buddhists worship the Buddha. However, Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama) never claimed to be divine and Buddhists reject the notion of any supernatural power.

Buddhists see the universe as operating by natural laws. Life is seen as consisting of pain—in birth, sickness, death, and continuous sorrow and despair. Most Buddhists believe a person has hundreds or thousands of reincarnations, all bringing misery. It is the desire for happiness that causes a person’s reincarnation.

Therefore, the goal of a Buddhist is to purify one’s heart and to let go of all desires. A person must abandon all sensuous pleasures, all evil, all joy, and all sorrow. To do so, Buddhists are to follow a list of religious principles and intense meditation.

When a Buddhist meditates, it is not the same as praying to or focusing on a god, but is more of a self-discipline. Through dedicated meditation, a person may reach Nirvana, the blowing out of the flame of desire, the highest state of inner peace.

Christians believe in a God who is loving and approachable.

Islam

A follower of Islam is called a Muslim. Muslims believe there is one almighty god, named Allah, who is infinitely superior and distant from humankind.

Allah is viewed as the creator of the universe and the source of all good and all evil. Everything that happens is Allah’s will. He is a powerful and strict judge, far too great to be approached by people. It is impossible for individuals to have a relationship with Allah or know much about him.

Though Islam honors several prophets, Muhammad is considered the last or most recent prophet; therefore, Muhammad’s words and lifestyle are the Muslim’s authority. To be a Muslim, one must follow five religious duties, called the Five Pillars of Islam:

Repeat a creed about Allah and Muhammad.
Recite certain prayers in Arabic five times a day while facing Mecca.
Give to the needy.
Observe Ramadan, during which, one month each year, from sunrise to sunset fast from food, drink, sex, and smoking.
Pilgrimage once in one’s lifetime to worship at a shrine in Mecca.

At death, based on one’s faithfulness to these duties, a Muslim hopes to enter Paradise, a place of sensual pleasure. If not, they will be eternally punished in hell.

Christianity

Christians believe in a God of justice and love who has revealed Himself and can be personally known in this life. In Christianity, the believer’s focus is not on religious rituals or performing good works, but on enjoying a loving relationship with God and growing in knowledge of Him.

Faith in Jesus Christ Himself, not just in His teachings, is how the Christian experiences joy and meaningful life. In His life on earth, Jesus did not identify Himself as a prophet pointing to God or as a teacher of enlightenment. Rather, Jesus claimed to be God in human form.

Jesus performed miracles, forgave people of their sins, and said that anyone who believed in Him would have eternal life. He made claims such as, “I am the light of the world! Follow Me, and you won’t be walking in the dark. You will have the light that gives life” (John 8:12).

Christians regard the Bible as God’s written message to humankind. In addition to being a historical record of Jesus’ life and teaching, the Bible reveals God’s identity and character as He interacts with people through history, specifically His chosen people, the Jews.

What Is the Difference?

In looking at these major belief systems and their views of God, we find tremendous diversity:

Hindus believe in 300,000 gods.
Buddhists say there is no deity.
New Age followers believe they are gods.
Muslims believe in a powerful but detached god.
Christians believe in a God who is loving and approachable.

Obviously, it is not logical to say that all these claims are equally true because different religions claim things that contradict the claims of the other religions. Christianity speaks of a God who brings us into a relationship with Him and comes alongside us as Comforter, Counselor, and All-Powerful God Who loves us.

Why Does It Matter?

Religions are more than just a moral code for how to live your life. If a person believes that is all they are, then it may be true that it would not matter which one you follow. However, that is not what most religions claim to be.

Each religion offers an understanding of ultimate reality and truth; none of them agree on this point. In the Bible, we see that God offers an invitation to humanity. He invites us to follow Him. Of course, many do not believe and decide to follow a different source of truth other than the God of the Bible. This is the story from the very beginning of the Bible’s narrative and continues on throughout all of scripture. This should not be a surprise to us.

We can respond, however, by following the example of God’s heart for all people (Genesis 12:3, Acts 1:8) and extending the invitation to anyone, even those from other religions. We do not have to be offended or offensive if people choose not to agree. We can take the initiative with people and trust God with the results.

This was a brief look at how some religions of the world compare to Christianity, but of course, much more could be said. You can explore Cru’s website EveryPerson.com for more on this topic and much more.

Next Step

Choose a religion that interests you the most, or that some of your students are connected to and do some more research. Visit a worship service or interview a religious leader. Seek to understand and look for ways to love with the love of Jesus.

From Grief to Purpose: Finding God in the Storm

Growing up in a Christian home, she always knew about Jesus, but her relationship with Him didn’t feel personal until tragedy struck in eighth grade. Transitioning from homeschooling to public school had already pushed her out of her comfort zone, and anxiety loomed as she struggled to find her place. Then, during the fall of 2020, both her parents contracted COVID. While her mom recovered, her dad’s condition worsened, leading to months of uncertainty. She vividly remembers the day he left for the hospital and the long, heartbreaking journey that followed. Despite moments of hope, her dad passed away on February 20th, 2021. At just 13 years old, she faced the devastating reality of losing her father—a loss that shook her world and her faith.

In the midst of that grief, she began to see God’s hand at work. During sleepless nights and moments of overwhelming sorrow, God surrounded her with people who cared—friends, family, and a community that embodied His love. Though the pain of loss didn’t disappear, she found comfort in the truth that this life is not the end. Inspired by Paul’s words about eternity, she started to see her father’s passing as a reminder of the hope we have in Christ. That hope spurred her to action. On a family mission trip to Thailand, she met students leading Cru groups at their schools, and the seed was planted to start something similar back home. Despite initial uncertainty, God provided resources, opened doors, and brought others alongside her to launch Cru at her school—a ministry that has been thriving for nearly a year now.

"Anxiety loomed as she struggled to find her place."

Her story is one of resilience, faith, and transformation. Through unimaginable grief, she discovered the depth of God’s love and the strength found in trusting Him. The loss of her dad deepened her desire to share Jesus with others, knowing firsthand how essential His presence is in life’s hardest moments. Cru has given her a platform to do just that—to tell others about the God who redeems brokenness and uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Her journey reminds us that while pain is inevitable, God is sovereign, faithful, and able to bring beauty from ashes.

Next Step

Check out Christina's Story and consider how God might use an international mission in your or another student's life.

christina's story

The Six Milestones Every Student Needs to Grow in Faith

Why These Milestones Matter

If we are not careful, students can float through our ministry without ever taking real steps forward. They might show up every week, but never really grow or take ownership of their faith. Milestones give us a simple, clear map for helping them keep moving. They help us answer the question, “What’s next for this student?” and give students the courage to take that step.

When we guide students from milestone to milestone, we are not just helping them stay involved. We are helping them grow into strong, confident followers of Jesus who are ready to lead and influence others.

Share Christ with a Student Who Doesn’t Know Jesus

Before anything else, a student needs the chance to hear the good news of Jesus in a clear and personal way. This is where it all begins. Many teenagers have never heard the gospel explained in full, even if they have been around church. Take the time to share about God’s love, our need for forgiveness, and the hope we have in Christ. The first step in their journey is not about them sharing their faith — it is about them hearing it for the first time.

Helpful Resources:

Lead a Student Through Their First Follow-Up

When a student says yes to Jesus, it is just the start of something new and exciting. The first follow-up meeting is where you can help them understand what it means to walk with God daily. It is also a chance to build trust and start a discipleship relationship. This step anchors their new faith and helps them grow instead of drifting away.

Helpful Resources:

Help a Student Understand the ministry of the Holy Spirit

Helping students understand the Holy Spirit is a game-changer. Too often, new believers try to live the Christian life in their own strength, and it leaves them frustrated. Teaching them about the Spirit-filled life shows them how to depend on God’s power for both living and sharing their faith. This is when students start to realize that God is not just calling them to do hard things — He is empowering them to actually do them.

Helpful Resources:

GodTools App (go through the Satisfied tool with them)
Holy Spirit Booklet

Holy Spirit Study in Thrive Studies

First Evangelism Experience

Many students have never had the chance to talk about their faith with someone who doesn’t know Jesus. Taking them out to share, whether on campus, at an event, or in the community, changes that. At first, they might feel nervous, but once they see God working through them, it can be life-changing. That moment when a student realizes, “God just used me to help someone understand the gospel” — that is the spark that often leads to a lifetime of ministry.

Helpful Resources:

Challenge to a Cru Training Event

There is something powerful about getting students away from their normal routine and into an environment filled with worship, biblical teaching, and friends who are chasing after Jesus. Conferences give them the space to grow, hear from God, and take big steps of faith. The bus ride there might be full of nerves, but the ride home is usually buzzing with stories of what God did. Over and over again, we have seen students return from these events ready to lead and make a difference.

Helpful Resources:

Conferences Page

Challenge to Spiritual Leadership on Campus

Teenagers are capable of more than they realize. The world constantly challenges them to step up in sports, academics, and clubs, but sometimes the church forgets to ask them to lead in ministry. Giving students real leadership opportunities — leading a Bible study, speaking at a meeting, planning an outreach — unlocks their potential and sets an example for younger students. Over time, this creates a culture where leadership is expected and contagious.

Helpful Resources:

Student Leader Section – GoToTheCampus.com

Wrapping It Up

These milestones are not a checklist to rush through. They are a pathway to help students grow, one step at a time. Every student you know is somewhere on this journey. Your role is to encourage them, challenge them, and walk alongside them as they take the next step. The goal is not just to build a ministry — it is to build students who live on mission for Jesus for the rest of their lives.

Want to dig deeper? Check out our full conversations about the Six Milestones in these YouTube videos.

Next Step

Write down the names of every student in your ministry. Identify their current milestone and decide how you can help them reach the next one.

The Priceless Project: Impacting Girls in Public Schools

The Priceless Project: Impacting Girls in Public Schools

The Priceless Project is a powerful small-group resource designed especially for girls, offering a safe, encouraging space to talk about identity, value, and purpose. It’s already making a difference in public schools, giving students a chance to connect, grow, and be reminded of their worth.

One of its greatest strengths is flexibility. The Priceless Project comes in two versions:

A Bible study version for church, youth group, or Christian school settings
A public school version with the same strong themes but without Scripture references — making it ideal for campuses that might not allow explicitly faith-based content

The public school version can be a great way to get in the door on a campus that’s difficult to access. It allows you to mentor a group of girls who need it, build relationships with them, and meet real emotional and social needs in a way that schools welcome.

Priceless Project

from Emily French

Why use The Priceless Project?

Creates a safe, respectful space for girls to share and be heard
Meets real emotional and social needs in public schools
Builds leadership and peer-to-peer mentoring skills
Easy to use, with free resources and an app for facilitators
Proven track record in schools through partnerships with teachers and administrators

All digital resources are free for Cru. Use the discount code PricelessCru at checkout. All physical books are available for purchase at iampriceless.me.

A free Priceless Project App is also available for Apple and Android — with digital curriculum, playlists, blog posts, and a safe space for facilitators to connect with the girls they lead.

You can learn more, explore the curriculum, and order resources at iampriceless.me.