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All three of these religions focus on human efforts to reach God or a desired eternal state. In contrast, the Bible teaches that God reached out to us by sending Jesus to die for our sins. Remember that, in many cases, making a commitment to Christ can lead to physical harm, rejection by one's family and other trials. When you offer them the truth be prepared to come along side them in friendship as well.
ISLAM
1.3 billion adherents worldwide
The Quran, Islam's sacred book, claims to supersede the Bible, which it states has been corrupted. The Quran calls Jesus a prophet but denies the existence of the Trinity, as well as the deity of Jesus and His atoning death on the cross. Allah displays mercy to whomever he wishes, but he is capricious, vengeful and unknowable. Salvation is not assured, even for those who observe Islam's "five pillars": confession, prayer, fasting, almsgiving and pilgrimage. Only a Muslim who dies in jihad, or holy war, is guaranteed entry to heaven.
HINDUISM
870 million adherents worldwide
Hindus hold that all living things exist as a manifestation of Brahman, or the universal consciousness, so every living thing is god. Karma is the principle that you reap what you sow, either in this life or in the next. One commits sin against self, not God. Sin's penalty is reincarnation until one reaches nirvana and becomes one with Brahman. Nirvana is achieved in various ways, depending on the branch of Hinduism observed.
BUDDHISM
379 million adherents worldwide
Buddhism shares karma and reincarnation with Hinduism but teaches that nirvana is an end to existence-not just an end to reincarnation. There is no greater consciousness in the universe; only a great void. Most Buddhists believe that suffering is unavoidable and that ceasing to exist is the only escape. The Buddhist reaches nirvana by letting go of the impermanent physical world, as did Buddha, the religion's founder.
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