Basic 7 · Religious and Moral Education · God
Similarities in How the Three Religions Understand God
In this topic you will identify the similarities and some differences in the way Christianity, Islam and African Traditional Religion understand the nature and attributes of God, and explain how these similarities promote religious tolerance.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Identify similarities in the attributes of God in the three religions
- Explain some differences in their understanding of God
- Show how shared beliefs promote religious tolerance
What you already know
- The attributes of God in the three religions
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
Lesson 1
- Strand
- God
- Sub-strand
- God
- Indicator
- B7.1.1.1.3 – Identify the similarities in the way that the nature of God is understood through His attributes in the three major religions in Ghana
Introduction
A Christian says "God is love", a Muslim says "Allah is the Most Merciful", and a traditional believer says "Onyankopɔn is the Great One". Though their words differ, they describe the same greatness of God.
1. Shared Attributes
| Attribute | Christianity | Islam | African Traditional Religion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creator | "In the beginning God created..." (Genesis 1:1) | Al-Khaliq, the Creator | Ɔbɔadeɛ, the Creator |
| all-powerful | Almighty God | Al-Qadir | Gye Nyame: none is greater |
| all-knowing | knows all things (Psalm 139) | Al-Alim | God sees all |
| merciful | God of mercy | Ar-Rahim | Twereduampɔn, the dependable one |
| eternal | from everlasting to everlasting | Al-Awwal (the First), Al-Akhir (the Last) | Ɔdomankoma, the infinite |
| just | the righteous judge | Al-Adl | punishes wrongdoing |
2. Belief in One Supreme God
All three religions believe in one Supreme Being who is above all. Christians believe in one God; Muslims believe strongly in the oneness of Allah (Tawhid); and traditional believers see the Supreme Being as above the lesser gods and ancestors.
3. Shared Moral Teachings
Because God is described as holy, just and merciful in all three religions, they also share moral teachings: be truthful, respect parents and elders, help the needy, do not steal, do not kill and keep peace with neighbours.
4. Prayer to the Same Supreme Being
At national events in Ghana, such as Independence Day, a Christian leader, a Muslim leader and sometimes a traditional priest pray in turn for the nation. Each prays to God in their own way, but all ask for peace, unity and blessing.
5. Proverbs and Sayings That Show Shared Beliefs
Many sayings used by Ghanaians of all faiths show shared beliefs about God. Expressions such as "God willing", "Nyame nhyira wo" (God bless you) and "By God's grace" are heard everywhere, in churches, mosques and family gatherings. Vehicle slogans such as "Gye Nyame", "God is King" and "Allah is Great" express the same trust in the power of God. These shared expressions remind us that, despite different religions, Ghanaians honour the same Supreme Being.
6. God's Care for All People
All three religions teach that God cares for all people, not only for members of one religion. The rain falls on everyone's farm and the sun shines on everyone's house. Recognising this helps believers treat people of other faiths as fellow creatures of the same God, deserving love and respect.
New words
- similarity
- A way in which things are alike.
- Supreme Being
- The highest God.
- moral teaching
- A teaching about right and wrong behaviour.
- interfaith
- Involving people of different religions.
Summary
- All three religions see God as Creator, all-powerful, all-knowing, merciful, eternal and just.
- They believe in one Supreme Being above all.
- They share moral teachings and pray together for the nation.
Class activity: Venn Diagram
- Draw a Venn diagram with three circles for the three religions.
- Write attributes of God that are shared in the middle.
- Present your diagram to the class.
You need: Bible, Qur'an, Printed photograph of a Ghanaian traditional shrine
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Which attribute is shared by all three religions?
- A. Creator
- B. Trinity
- C. Ramadan
- D. libation
Show answer
Answer: CreatorCommon belief.2. "Al-Adl" means…
- A. the Just
- B. the Creator
- C. the Merciful
- D. the First
Show answer
Answer: the JustJustice.3. All three religions believe in one Supreme Being.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueShared belief.4. A way in which things are alike is a ______.
Show answer
Answer: similarityLikeness.5. State three similarities in how the three religions describe God.
Show answer
Answer: Creator, all-powerful, merciful (or all-knowing, eternal, just).Any three.6. Explain why leaders of different religions pray together at national events.
Show answer
Answer: They believe in the same Supreme Being and share the desire for peace, unity and blessing for the nation.Shared beliefs.
Lesson 2
- Strand
- His Creation & Attributes
- Sub-strand
- His Nature and Attributes
- Indicator
- B7.1.1.1.3 – Identify the similarities in the way that the nature of God is understood through His attributes in the three major religions in Ghana
Introduction
The three religions agree on many things about God, but they also have differences. Understanding both helps us respect one another.
1. Some Differences
| Belief | Christianity | Islam | African Traditional Religion |
|---|---|---|---|
| nature of God | one God in three persons (Trinity) | absolute oneness of Allah | one Supreme Being with lesser gods |
| approaching God | through Jesus Christ | directly to Allah | through lesser gods and ancestors |
| holy book | the Bible | the Qur'an | oral tradition, no single written book |
| day of worship | mainly Sunday | Friday congregational prayer | special days differ by community |
2. What Is Religious Tolerance?
Religious tolerance: Accepting and respecting the beliefs and practices of people of other religions, even when they differ from your own.
Ghana is known for peaceful relations among religions. In many families, members belong to different faiths. Christians and Muslims attend each other's weddings and funerals, and traditional festivals are celebrated by whole communities.
3. Ways of Showing Religious Tolerance
- Do not insult other people's religions or leaders.
- Respect other people's places and days of worship.
- Allow others to pray and fast according to their religion.
- Work together on community projects regardless of religion.
- Learn about other religions with an open mind.
4. Benefits of Religious Tolerance
Tolerance brings peace, unity and development. It prevents religious conflicts that have destroyed lives and property in some parts of the world. In Ghana, bodies such as the National Peace Council work with religious leaders to keep peace, especially during elections.
5. Tolerance in Schools
Schools in Ghana bring together learners of different religions. Learners can show tolerance by allowing Muslim classmates time and space for prayer, respecting fasting classmates during Ramadan by not eating in front of them unkindly, attending each other's celebrations when invited, and avoiding jokes that mock any religion. School worship and assemblies should be conducted in ways that respect everyone's faith.
6. Dialogue between Religions
Interfaith dialogue means people of different religions meeting to talk respectfully about their beliefs and to work together on shared problems such as poverty, disease and conflict. In Ghana, Christian and Muslim councils have worked together on peace campaigns and health education. Dialogue replaces suspicion with understanding.
New words
- difference
- A way in which things are not alike.
- religious tolerance
- Respecting the beliefs of others.
- National Peace Council
- A Ghanaian body that promotes peace.
- conflict
- A serious disagreement or fight.
Summary
- The religions differ in how they see God's nature, how He is approached and their holy books.
- Religious tolerance means respecting others' beliefs and practices.
- Tolerance promotes peace, unity and development in Ghana.
Class activity: Tolerance Charter
- Discuss how learners of different religions can live peacefully in school.
- Write five rules for religious tolerance.
- Display your charter in the classroom.
You need: Bible, Qur'an, Printed photograph of a Ghanaian traditional shrine
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. The holy book of Islam is the…
- A. Qur'an
- B. Bible
- C. Torah
- D. Gita
Show answer
Answer: Qur'anIslamic scripture.2. Traditional believers often approach God through…
- A. lesser gods and ancestors
- B. Jesus Christ
- C. the Imam only
- D. the Bible
Show answer
Answer: lesser gods and ancestorsIntermediaries.3. Religious tolerance means respecting other people's beliefs.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueAcceptance.4. Christians believe in one God in three persons, called the ______.
Show answer
Answer: TrinityFather, Son, Spirit.5. State two differences in how the religions understand God.
Show answer
Answer: Christianity teaches the Trinity while Islam teaches absolute oneness; Christians approach God through Jesus while traditional believers use lesser gods and ancestors.Any two.6. Explain two benefits of religious tolerance in Ghana.
Show answer
Answer: Peace and unity in communities, and development because people work together without conflict.Any two.
Homework
- Interview a classmate of another religion about their beliefs about God and note similarities.