Consequently, although faith and personhood are closely intertwined, Judaism has had a profound effect on beliefs and practices in the Near East and the West. Judaism is not only one of the oldest living religions, it is the parent religion of Christianity and Islam. Central to Judaism is the concept of a single, universal God, who is ultimately unknowable, but who reveals qualities of justice and mercy, righteousness and compassion. Jewish rituals, ethics, values and beliefs are described in terms of this covenant as handed down, interpreted and modified by the generations since Abraham and Sarah. New Thought's emphasis is not on religiosity but on spirituality, perhaps the most important aspect of religion today.
Spirituality refers to the intensely personal, devotional, life transforming aspects of religion.
Yet, if New Thought is spiritual, it is also intensely practical. It is the application of one's religious beliefs to solve the problems of daily living. Followers of New Thought believe in Heaven on Earth, here and now. New Thought is an approach to spirituality whose roots are blessed by ancient religious traditions, but whose outlook is as new as tomorrow. It is impossible to date the origin of Sufism.