Beginning of Essay
I will attempt to do this, but please bear in mind that my knowledge of Christianity is not that profound and my personal views will inevitably prevail to some degree. I believe in fact that these two systems are poles apart and have very few similarities indeed. ....

Middle of Essay
.... gods at all, or in many, as you wish) and believe that human destiny is individually determined by our past personal actions, thoughts and words (karma) which act as causes of our future happiness and misery. Karma is entirely focused upon individuals -- group karma is impossible as it must relate to one person. Christians believe that the efforts of another person or being (eg. Jesus, Virgin Mary, Saints, etc) can progress the spiritual condition of a single individual, and thus be the cause of their salvation, whereas Buddhists believe this is not possible and that only through personal effort can good be produced and bad reduced in the life of an i ....