Religions are going to differ in their doctrines and theological implementations. What's fascinating about them, however, is that many (especially the largest faiths) share specific similarities despite their being sometimes thousands of years between their inception. One of the most well-known is the Golden Rule or treating others the way you want to be treated. Most will trace this to the Gospel according to St. Matthew (which would be correct) however, you can find similar teachings in Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and many other faiths. Most of the more popular religions emphasize moral and ethical living, encouraging kindness, justice, and compassion. Regardless of belief in a transcendent being or as John Hick coined it, The Real, there seems to be a desire to live in a way modern society might deem "righteously".
Another common belief is in some form of the sacred or transcendent, whether it's a personal God, a universal force, or enlightenment. Not all religions are theistic, many are non but there doesn't take away from this sense of "otherness" that permeates our existence. Whether this other be a specific deity or place, it's clear that humanity has been touched by this concept. In addition to this, many traditions also affirm life after death in some way, whether through resurrection, reincarnation, or spiritual progression.
Now when it comes to descriptions of God or the Divine, there are some common threads. Modern and mainstream religions will see a monotheistic God as the Creator or source of life, though some, like Buddhism, focus more on natural laws than a belief in a supreme being. Across traditions, God is often described as loving, just, and merciful, and in many cases, both beyond human understanding (transcendent) and present in the world (immanent). There’s also a strong emphasis on oneness or unity, whether that means a singular God in monotheistic traditions or a greater spiritual reality that connects all things.
