Christians overwhelmingly assert that monotheism is central to the Christian faith, as the Nicene Creed (and others), which gives the orthodox Christian definition of the Trinity, begins: “I believe in one God”. They also hold to the doctrine of a man-god Christ Jesus as God incarnate.

While Christianity is known as a monotheistic religion, most Christians accept that the one God of their faith is represented by a Trinity of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.

The main distinction is that Christianity, as a monotheistic religion, restricts itself to three Persons, whereas primitive religions have no reason to restrict the number of possible forms of the one divine substance.

The three religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam readily fit the definition of monotheism, which is to worship one god while denying the existence of other gods. But, the relationship of the three religions is closer than that: They claim to worship the same god.

Aside from being monotheistic belief systems that arose in the Middle East, Christianity, Judaism and Islam have a great deal in common. There are notable similarities in notions of sacrifice, good works, hospitality, peace, justice, pilgrimage, an afterlife and loving God with all one’s heart and soul.

Christianity believes in the Trinity where there are 3 parts to God, where Islam and Judaism believe that there is only one god. Judaism puts more emphasis on laws and following them completely than Christianity which is talks more of love and acceptance.

For example, Christians believe that Jesus was the incarnated Son of God, divine, and sinless. However, Islam teaches that Jesus was one of the most important prophets of God, but not the Son of God, not divine, and not part of the Trinity.

Islam and Judaism both consider the Christian doctrine of the trinity and the belief of Jesus being God as explicitly against the tenets of monotheism. Idolatry and the worship of graven images is likewise forbidden in both religions. Both have official colors (Blue in Judaism and Green in Islam).

Hinduism is one of the more broad-minded religions when it comes to religious freedom. It respects the right of everyone to reach God in their own way. Hindus believe in different ways to preach attainment of God and religion as a philosophy and hence respect all religions as equal.

Major religious groups

• Christianity (31.2%)
• Islam (24.1%)
• No religion (16%)
• Hinduism (15.1%)
• Buddhism (6.9%)
• Folk religions (5.7%)
• Sikhism (0.29%)
• Judaism (0.2%)

A 2016 Pew Center global study on religion and education around the world ranked Jews as the most educated (13.4 years of schooling) followed by Christians (9.3 years of schooling).