Comparing Biblical Stories with the Stories of Zoroastrianism, Egyptian Mythology, and Buddhism

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Christianity first emerged in mid-1st century CE, from Palestine and Israel. Christians believe that God is the sole creator of the universe, and that his son, Jesus, died for humans on the cross to save them from sin. Christians believe in an eternal life after death, in either a Heaven or a Hell, and that the way to Heaven is accepting God as the only God, and leading a holy life. Christians also acknowledge the existence of Satan, the spirit that personifies all evil and malice in the world. The holy book of Christianity is the Bible, which is believed to be the word of God. The Bible tells tales of fights between good and evil. The Bible says that God gave humans the Ten Commandments, and that those who follow the Commandments will gain access to Heaven. In many religions, the theme of good against evil is apparent. One of these religions is Zoroastrianism, which is believed to be the first religion to use this concept of good against evil. Another of this religion that is similar is the mythology of Ancient Egypt. The teachings of Buddhism is also full of teachings that relate to the theme of good against evil. The stories within the Bible are similar to those within Zoroastrianism, Egyptian mythology, and Buddhism.

The story of the creation of the world is similar to the story of creation in the Avesta, the holy book of Zoroastrianism. In the Bible, the first part of the world that was created was the Garden of Eden. God created the world in six days, and then rested on the seventh. He also created the first humans, a man and woman, named Adam and Eve. Eve tempts Adam with an apple from the forbidden tree, and once they eat it, they notice that they are naked and become embarrassed. After God finds out, they are forced to...

... middle of paper ...

...ered an original work simply because there are too many similarities to other literary works and religions.

Works Cited

"10 Ways The Bible Was Influenced By Other Religions - Listverse." Listverse. Web. 22 Apr. 2014. .

"The 10 Commandments Are a Copy from Chapter 125 in the Egyptian Book of the Dead." Edward De Leau. Web. 22 Apr. 2014. .

The Holy Bible Containing the Old Testament and the New. Cambridge: Printed by John Field ..., 1668. Print.

Majjhima Nikaya. S.l.: General, 2010. Print.

Radhakrishnan, S. The Dhammapada. London, NY: Oxford UP, 1950. Print.

Borg, Marcus J., and Ray Riegert. Jesus and Buddha: The Parallel Sayings. Berkeley, CA:

Ulysses, 1997. Print.

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