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As a Christian, you might feel a little intimidated and confused by beliefs that seem so different from your own. This chart should help. You'll find the basics of Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism and Islam—the world's biggest non-Christian religions. You'll also learn what Christianity has in common with these religions, and what sets us apart. Finally, you'll learn some practical tips for witnessing to friends who practice these religions.

Hinduism is a jumble of many beliefs and gods—as many as 330 million gods! The most significant gods—often viewed as three parts of one whole—are Brahma, the creator; Vishnu, the preserver of creation; and Shiva, the destroyer. Hindu scriptures include the Vedas (the earliest writings) and the Bhagavad Gita (an epic poem). Hindus believe in the unity of all life—that people, gods, nature and animals are all "connected." Hindus believe in a caste system—a "ladder," so to speak, of different social classes. They believe in samsara—remaining trapped in a certain caste level in an endless process of life, death and reincarnation. Karma, the accumulation of good and bad deeds, determines your caste in the next life. Good karma gets you promoted to the next level, and ultimately, over the course of several lifetimes, to being "absorbed into the divine essence." Bad karma gets you demoted to a lower caste, or even to being an animal.

Hindus claim Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are three gods sharing the same substance. This three-in-one idea isn't a foreign one to Christians, since we understand God in terms of three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And like Hindus, Christians believe practicing goodness is vital.

Christians believe in one God—not millions. Our earthly life is a prelude to a heavenly existence, not just one life in a cycle of many. Hindus think each person is part of one great soul or deity; Christians affirm an individual soul in each person. Hindus tend to see deity and the natural world as one and the same (pantheism); Christians make a strong distinction between God and his creation. Finally, Christians view good works as a result of salvation, not a karma-like road to salvation.

Since Hindus believe that many paths lead to God, it can be hard to convince them that Christianity is the one true faith. But it's logically impossible for all religions to be true, because of the conflicting beliefs of different religions; if one faith says only green people go to heaven and another says only purple people go, they can't both be right. Lovingly insist on the uniqueness of Christ and on a personal God who knows every hair on your head (Luke 12:7).

About 500 B.C., Siddhartha Gautama found "enlightenment," changed his name to Buddha ("awakened one"), and began teaching others how to become enlightened. Buddhists believe we're all trapped in a life of physical and emotional pain, attached to material goods, consumed by unimportant things. To break free of this existence, one must understand the Four Noble Truths, which explain why people suffer, and the Eightfold Path, a practical set of guidelines for living. Following the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path can result in a state of "non-existence" called nirvana. The main scripture in Buddhism is called the Tripitaka, which includes the teachings of Buddha, oral traditions and the Eightfold Path. Buddhism comes in several different forms. Some Buddhists, for instance, have never heard of the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, or nirvana. Some offer prayers and sacrifices to Buddha, hoping for his favor. Others look forward to a new Buddha, a kind of messiah, to bring enlightenment to the earth.

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