God as Creator

According to the first 2 chapters of the Torah, God is the creator of everything and what exists is in existence because God wanted it to be. There is no force parallel to God, and there is no devil that is battling against God. Both good and evil come from God.

Literal interpretation

Some Jews believe that the creation story in Genesis 1 should be taken literally.
These Jews believe that the universe was created over a period of 6 consecutive 24 hour days.
This would mean that the world is 5779 years old (as of 2018). However, many Jews accept that the world is much older than this and agree with the scientific theory of evolution.

Religion and science

Some Jews maintain that God is the creator of the world, but that the Torah text should not be taken literally.
According to former Chief Rabbi, Lord Sacks, science seeks to explain how the world came about and religion attempts to explain why the world was created.
Because of this, there is no clash between religion and science.

Shabbat and respect

Shabbat is Judaism's day of rest, the 7^th day of the week.
When Jews celebrate Shabbat, they are remembering how God stopped creating on the 7^th day, and so each week Jews have a reminder of God as creator.
Jews also have laws against pollution and damaging the world. The world must be treated with care and respect as God created it and respecting the world is respecting God.

1Buddhism

2Christianity

2.1Key Beliefs

2.1.1The Nature of God

2.1.2The Problem of Evil

2.1.3Monotheism

2.1.4Creation

2.1.5Bible Accounts of Creation

2.1.6The Trinity and Creation

2.1.7Afterlife

2.1.8Heaven and Hell

2.1.9The Influence of Afterlife on Life

2.1.10End of Topic Test - Christianity Key Beliefs

2.1.11Exam-Style Questions - Christian Beliefs

2.2Jesus Christ & Salvation

2.2.1The Incarnation

2.2.2Jesus - Divine & Human

2.2.3The Crucifixion

2.2.4Jesus' Betrayal

2.2.5Resurrection & Ascension

2.2.6Sin

2.2.7Original Sin

2.2.8Punishment

2.2.9The Means of Salvation

2.2.10Achieving Salvation

2.2.11Disagreements About Salvation

2.2.12The Role of Christ in Salvation

2.2.13Theories of Salvation

2.2.14End of Topic Test - Jesus Christ & Salvation

2.3Worship & Festivals

2.3.1Different Forms of Worship

2.3.2Prayer

2.3.3Sacrament

2.3.4Baptism

2.3.5Other Sacraments

2.3.6Eucharist

2.3.7Pilgrimage & Celebrations

2.3.8Christmas & Easter

2.3.9End of Topic Test - Worship and Festivals

2.4Community

2.4.1Local Community

2.4.2Mission, Evangelism & Church Growth

2.4.3Worldwide Church

2.4.4Reconciliation

2.4.5Persecution

2.4.6Caring for Those in Need

2.4.7End of Topic Test - Community

2.4.8Exam-Style Questions - Christian Practices

3Catholicism (Christianity)

4Islam

5Judaism

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