What is a human being?

HINDUISM

We are, without realizing it, all "fragments" of Brahman. The only reality, slowly trying to find ourselves by moving from one incarnation to another in lifetime after lifetime: in this, we are at one with all forms of life which all are also "Brahman" in disguise: we are all "drops of Brahman" gradually finding our way back to the "Ocean of Brahman".

BUDDHISM: HINAYANA

We are processes, "filled with pain"; and beyond that,there is no point in asking metaphysical questions: we see ourselves as "beings", "souls", in fact, our future and our past are illusions of the mind: we exist only now.

BUDDHISM: MAHAYANA

We are "processes" but "processes with purpose": our "desires" move from one incarnation to the next: but the end of the process, instead of simply extinction of desirs and the end of soul, there is a joyful fulfillment of bliss and peace.

TAOISM

We are creatures of the Tao, products of nature as are all other living things; we are no more important or less that important that other creatures.

CONFUCIANISM

We are creatures f nature, no more important than other creatures; we find  ourselves involved in social relationships and need to handle them wisely.

JUDAISM

We are creatures of YHWH, mad of the things of earth, but made also in His likeness so that, like Him, we can make moral decisions, can create, can destroy, etc. We are called to rule this world as YHWH would have it ruled, enjoying it but caring for it as His property, not ours. We are expected to live by the highest we know: by that standard, we shall all finally be judged. Jews' special calling is to make YHWH known. 

ISLAM

Islam accepts the Jewish view of human life but rejects the notion that the Jews have a mission unique to them. Arabs are also "the children of Abraham" to whom the prophets have spoken. All human beings are called to submit themselves to Allah; and all will be judged by their obedience to Him.

CHRISTIANITY: ORTHODOX

CHRISTIANITY: ROMAN CATHOLIC

Christianity accepts the Jewish view of human life; but , whereas the Jews see humankind having an eternal significance only though our relationship with God, most Christians have mixed that emphasis with the Greek idea that human beings have "eternal souls" which automatically survive bodily death, regardless of any relationship with God.  A major difference between the Christian understanding and the Jewish-Muslim understanding is Christianity's emphasis on the corruption of human nature: humankind should obey God; but even if men and women wish to do so, they discover that they cannot. "sin" has captured them; they have been "born wrong"; and, by themselves, they are unable to rescue themselves or to live as they know they should - and as they, in their better moments, really want to live. Like the Jews and the Muslims, Christians see humankind as creatures of God, the highest creatures on this planet ... but also tragic creatures, creatures enslaved by sin.

CHRISTIANITY: PROTESTANTISM