Comparative Religion Grid 1. The Basics Category or Question Catholicism Eastern Orthodox Protestant Founder or founders Description of God Message of the religion in one sentence Number of world followers Geographic distribution One image that captures the essence of the religion 2. History and Development Category or Question Catholicism Eastern orthodox Protestant Where and when did it originate? Identify any schisms or splits. Identify two key historical figures. Identify two key historical events. Describe historical relations with the two other religions. 3. Sense of the Sacred Category or Question Catholicism Eastern orthodox Protestant Sacred text/book and how it is divided Sacred scripture (two key quotations) One key sacred symbol What sacred places of worship are called Sacred places: two key specific sites Sacred officials and who qualifies Role of the laity Sacred times: two important holy days Sacred day weekly Sacred ritual: weekly Number of sacraments Sacrament of initiation Sacred objects 4. Theology (Beliefs) Category or Question Catholicism Eastern orthodox Protestant Three central teachings Nature of the divine Is there a central sacred story that is the most important one? Creation story Belief in afterlife Problem of evil Violence and non-violence Belief in Martyrs? Provide example. Is there a messiah figure? Explain. Is it a universal or local religion? Explain. A theological issue of debate currently Belief in Apostolic succession Presence of Christ in Eucharist and who may receive it Role of Mary Authority of Pope 5. Social Issues Beliefs and Engagement Category or Question Catholicism Eastern orthodox Protestant Social justice work Gender beliefs Beliefs regarding homosexuality Care of environment Searching for common ground with other religions -ecumenism and inter-faith Contemporary controversies 6. References 7. Concluding Thoughts Write 300-500 words assessing what you learned through this exercise and how it impacts your own religious views or your professional experience. ...

1. Comparative Religion Grid
1. The Basics
Category or Question
Catholicism
Eastern Orthodox
Protestant
Founder or founders
Description of God
Message of the religion in one sentence
Number of world followers
Geographic distribution
One image that captures the essence of the religion
2. History and Development
Category or Question
Catholicism

2. Eastern orthodox
Protestant
Where and when did it originate?
Identify any schisms or splits.
Identify two key historical figures.
Identify two key historical events.
Describe historical relations with the two other religions.
3. Sense of the Sacred
Category or Question
Catholicism
Eastern orthodox
Protestant
Sacred text/book and how it is divided
Sacred scripture (two key quotations)

3. One key sacred symbol
What sacred places of worship are called
Sacred places: two key specific sites
Sacred officials and who qualifies
Role of the laity
Sacred times: two important holy days
Sacred day weekly
Sacred ritual: weekly
Number of sacraments

4. Sacrament of initiation
Sacred objects
4. Theology (Beliefs)
Category or Question
Catholicism
Eastern orthodox
Protestant
Three central teachings
Nature of the divine
Is there a central sacred story that is the most important one?
Creation story
Belief in afterlife

5. Problem of evil
Violence and non-violence
Belief in Martyrs? Provide example.
Is there a messiah figure? Explain.
Is it a universal or local religion? Explain.
A theological issue of debate currently
Belief in Apostolic succession
Presence of Christ in Eucharist and who may receive it
Role of Mary

6. Authority of Pope
5. Social Issues Beliefs and Engagement
Category or Question
Catholicism
Eastern orthodox
Protestant
Social justice work
Gender beliefs
Beliefs regarding homosexuality
Care of environment
Searching for common ground with other religions -ecumenism
and inter-faith
Contemporary controversies

7. 6. References
7. Concluding Thoughts
Write 300-500 words assessing what you learned through this
exercise and how it impacts your own religious views or your
professional experience.