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“Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better.” - Einstein
Who ever created Voodoo or indigenous religions? The world may never know, but did you know there were no actual founders? The indigenous religions are not actually a religion either. Each indigenous religion happens to be a belief system, which had been around prior to Christianity or any other religion. One of the famous indigenous religions is African Traditional Animism. Animism is mostly found within most of the world religions in East Asia and various sections of Africa. Animism can be found in many tribal or primal religions. It originally was discovered in Africa thousands of years ago. Animism is known for misconceptions and misunderstandings. Animist’s lives are built around the forces of nature such as birth, death, illness as well as disaster. The basis of African Traditional Animism is that the spirit world is stronger than humans. The relationship between the spirit world and the human world is ongoing and requires human effort. Some spirits can be good, some are bad. People contact spirits through a shaman. A shaman congers up the spirit world by way of an ecstatic trance. They then return to the earthly world with messages from the spirits. Followers reach out to shamans during joyful and depressive times. Each feels that a shaman is their only way to the spirits. One way followers express themselves is through text. Their writings are an oral tradition. Oral tradition remains storytelling by word of mouth. African Traditional Animism started around the Paleolithic age. Paleolithic age ranges from 2.5 million and 20,000 years
ago. Animism is the oldest and the first form of religion. It originated with the first community of humans. Along with Animism, Zulu is another religion that’s worshipped in Africa. Their population is 9.2 million people. One of the most influential people is Shaka Zulu; he’s known and involved with Zulu, the religion. Shaka died at 41, and was born 1787-1828. Shaka died as the result of assassination by his two half-brothers, Dingane and MhLangana. The reason they killed him was that Shaka threatened to destroy the Zulu tribe as a result of his mental illness. After the killing of Shaka, his brother, Dingane, became the king of the Zulus. They celebrate his day every September. He was one of the Zulu kings. He was the monarch of the Zulu Kingdom. Their languages are IsiZulu, Zulu, and English. The religion was found in 1709 by Zulu Ntombela. Did you know Zulu means heaven or sky in Nguni? They study the religion in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. They have a mixture of traditional belief and Christianity. They study ancestral spirits, which is excruciatingly important to them. Offering and sacrifices are made to ancestors for protection, good health, and happiness. Along with Animism, they believe in magic. Ancestral spirits come in forms such as: dreams, illnesses, and sometimes snakes. There are many different types of religions and beliefs, but here is some of Africa’s finest religion that is worshipped
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Practice and Rituals
Animists practice a ritual called Divination. Divination is the practice of giving information; Divination is unavailable by normal means. Another meaning for Divination is when a person discovers how he or she has offended a spirit. It is also how one discovers and resolves an issue by what the spirit requires or throwing out counter-curses. There are numerous methods of Divination and they all vary on the situation. These methods include tarot cards, palm reading, the 1 Ching, tea leaf reading, observing how feathers fall, throwing cowry shells, astrology, omens, dowsing, rituals, necromancy (contacting the dead), as well as interpreting dreams and visions.
Places of worship are used to communicate with the spirit world. These places have sacred power concentrated. There is a sacred tree in Haiti where a pact with the devil was made over 200 years ago by Animistic witch doctors. They were upset when Christian pastors recently prayed over the tree.
There are quantitative rituals of Animism within different groups of people, such as the African Rites of Passage. When it’s time for a boy to become a man, they will be isolated for awhile, and have numerous tests of endurance to take their first step into manhood. Another ritual is scarification. Scarification is when the skin is damaged with a knife or hot iron, which creates scars. Divination can also be used to discover when it is the best There are many different designs forced onto human skin. Scaritime to do things like asking for someone’s hand in marriage, fication is a ritual that’s not only used in animism. Many other when to construct a building, when to sign a contract, or when to people are interested in scarification. There are five main rituals in African culture: Rite of Birth, Rite of Adulthood, Rite of Marmake an investment. riage, Rite of Eldership, and Rite of Ancestor ship. Rite of Birth In animism, when a death occurs, someone can “graduate” is a very important ritual because it introduces life into the world. and become a very great spirit amongst their family. The spirit is There is also a naming ceremony to go with it. Rite of Adulthood known as an Ancestral Spirit. The family must then continue is the second most important and currently the most popular of giving offerings because the spirit has the ability to protect the the five. Many believe that this ritual is only for the adults, howentire family, or drastically hurt them instead. There are several ever, it is celebrated during the puberty age, or 12 and 13. It is to taboos and prohibitions in Animism. The prohibitions are there ensure that the youth can become responsible members of their to sustain peace between the spiritual and physical worlds. Peocommunity. The third most crucial ritual is the Rite of Marriage. ple and places with a life force are protected. Anyone who vioThis is the joining of two families and the new missions of the lates one of the taboos or prohibitions can cause an entire comnew married couple. munity to be cursed. They must be atoned for by sacrifice. Stereotypes
people must follow in order to be accepted. People don’t understand what they really are or the reality of their cultural views. Indigenous people are constantly judged based on ruThe Indigenous people believe it’s unfair on how the outlook of mors and tales that are told. Other people who are not indigenous them is very insecure and have better rights than others. To add, make misconceptions that they are sinister and believers of the the other religions believe that their religion is better than Indigedevil because of the people don’t think their religion is as powernous religion, based off of what they believe in. ful or as worthy as theirs. The most popular misconception people have amongst the Indigenous religion and the believers are People attempt to find ways to see the difference within other that they are believers of voodoo. To add, the believers uses voo- religions, so they have something to judge about. What people doo dolls to control human and animal’s souls. Some other mis- don’t know is that despite how many differential subjects are in the religion, they coexist in a way with each other. The Indigeconceptions that indigenous people are accused of are that they are cannibalism, which mean they eat humans. Other misconcep- nous religion is the most unique and differs from other religions because some sects don’t believe in Gods or goddesses, they betions include that they live in the jungles, are a small group that lieve in spirits through nature and human souls. Other differences shouldn’t be a religion, and are immortal. The reasoning for the misconception is because of certain movies and rumors the peo- that Indigenous have is that they don’t have holy books or pasple see. In reality, most of the people first lived in the Caribbean sages, but they have stories about their religion and ancestry. The Indigenous are similar to the other religions because in every and spread into the southern part the United States and all parts religion, they have artifacts or any item they pray with or use to of Africa. However, in most countries, the people don’t accept represent the religion. The Australian Aboriginals, one of the the Indigenous people. The misconceptions may be unfair to the sects, believe in a mix of Christianity and Indigenous. The way Indigenous people, but the other people believe they are a threat. that this works is that they believe that there is one god, however, Others believe that they are sinister and will cause danger you can’t see or communicate with him. As a result, their method through cultural views. Not only that, but the people, who aren’t of communication is through nature, including plants and aniIndigenous, think they receive free gas, have everything paid for, mals, and through human souls. Some of the religions can be are drug addicts and drunks, paid by tax payers, never receive compatible with a few sects of the Indigenous religion because their money from tax payers, and obtain money when they are they share their ways to practice and god. 18. As a result, they have laws and restrictions that Indigenous
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A Buddhist’s Life Buddhists have many practices that were done by the Buddha himself that are done daily in the Buddhism religion. BY ROBERTO MEDINA, ANA ESQUIVEL, AND LUKE ANDREWS Happy and Hungry Buddhist monks eating a delicious meal before midday. Photo by Tin Oo
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he Buddha wanted to find an end to suffering. He Tranquility meditation, Insight meditation, and Loving-Kindness was visited by Mara who wanted to distract him from his pure meditation. The purpose of Tranquility meditation is to keep your path. Mara sent his daughters, lightning, and armies to keep mind concentrated on one purpose. The purpose of Insight medithe Buddha from his path but he defeated them one by one. tation is to realize that everything is never permanent, that there He then found the cause of suffering and how to put an end to is suffering, and to have no-self concern. This practice is centered it. The Buddha gained a large amount of wisdom and underon the belief of Mindfulness. Mindfulness is being able to think stood the world as it was. He reached enlightabout something and observe it carefully but un“The practice is enment. Enlightenment is the understanding derstand what it means. Most common methods of of the way things appear to us and their true clearly central to the practicing Insight meditation are by walking nature. This includes our own minds as well Buddha's way, alt(focusing on movements), sitting (focusing on as the world around us. Gaining this breath), and daily activities mindfulness (apply knowledge is the cure to ignorance and suf- hough not everyone walking and sitting mindfulness skills to everyday fering; in result, reaching enlightenment. seems ready to devote life: eating, washing doing dishes, etc) . Also, to reach enlightenment you must pracThe purpose of Loving-Kindness meditathe necessary time.” tice meditation, the Four Noble Truths, the — Jeff A. Smith, senior meditation group tion is to develop a mental habit of unselfish love 8th Fold Path and study. member at Indiana Buddhist Temple for yourself and others. This practice progresses As experienced by the Buddha, through three stages. First Stage: focus on sending
kindness in all directions: think about friends, family, likeminded communities around the world. Third stage: radiate loving feelings around you in everyday life. The Buddha taught the way to achieve enlightenment because he knew from personal experience that if anyone who practiced what Works Cited "Buddhist Meditation." ReligionFacts. N.p., 2014. Web. 15 May 2014. Dhammika, Van S. "Meditation." Buddhist Studies. BDEA, n.d. Web.14 May 2014. "The Path to Enlightenment." Happy Science. Happy Science International Division, n.d. Web. 15 May 2014. Jason, Upasakha. "How Does a Buddhist Hope to Achieve Enlightenment?" Yahoo! Answers. Yahoo!, 2008. Web. 15 May
Have you ever been offended by something someone thought of you because of someone else? People commit the mistake of making or having stereotypes towards Buddhism and many other religions, ethnicities, or any type of group of people. Buddhism has stereotypes from what they eat to how they dress. The most common stereotypes shown towards Buddhism and the followers are rubbing Buddha’s belly for luck, they meditate all day, and having bald heads. Not only is that offensive to Buddhists, but it is false information. Rubbing the Buddha’s belly for good luck is disrespectful because of the fact that it was never meant to be rubbed. Not all Buddhists have bald heads, only monks and nuns do. Also, Buddhists do not meditate all day, in reality they only meditate during their service hours in the temple.
“Always, when dealing with people, the idea is to do so with a pure heart. ” — Jeff A.
Another very common stereotype is that Buddhists are all vegetarians, when in reality Buddhists are allowed to eat anything they want. Buddhists are also seen as people that wear orange robes all the time. When in reality they wear anything they would like, just like any other person in a different religion. There are thousands of stereotypes towards Buddhism, but some are more known than others. If you’re going to talk bad about any group of people, Works Cited "Breaking Buddhist Stereotypes." World News Weekly. N.p., 2012. Web. 16 May 2014.
What is reincarnation? Reincarnation is rebirth of a soul in a new human body. In the religion of Buddhism, reincarnation is very important to the religion and its adherents. One reason why is because they believe in more than one life. The word reincarnation is a Latin meaning of “entering the flesh again.” Reincarnation varies throughout many countries such as India, Siberia, West Africa, North America, and Australia. Reincarnation can also have a difference between religions. What is karma? Karma is what goes around, comes
Eager Learners Buddhist monk teaching young students about Dharma. Photo by Tin Oo
believe that Karma can and will let their reincarnated self have a good life. While reincarnation is a theory; rebirth is a necessary component of karma. The Buddha emphasized the importance of understanding the nature of karma on a general level. There are two different types of karma: natural karma and ineffective karma. Neutral karma is karma that has no moral consequences either because the action has no moral consequence or because it is done accidentally and unintentionally. Ineffective karma is an unintentional action with no consequence because the living Change thing was unconscious of its existence. This karma also ties in with Reincarnation cycle of the Buddha. neutral karma because there is no intention to what has happened. There are also effects of karma. The two effects of karma are short and long term effects. Traditionally they divide karma into three varieties related to the amount of time that is required for the effects of these actions to happen themselves. Karma can either start its effects in this very
developed their minds were able to. Both Karma and reincarnation collide with each other. According to the law of karma, we get what we deserve in every life. The law of karma is that this understanding discourages people from making unintelligent actions which have suffering as their end result. When we understand that in our own life every action will — Jeff A. Smith, have a similar and equal reaction. Once we understand that, we will experience the effect of that action. We stop doing those bad actions because we don’t want them happening to us anymore. When we understand that doing good actions can result in happiness; we will practice these more. The Law of Karma can cause us to do bad or good actions affecting us in our other life.
“The operative principle determining the result of action is the quality of intention behind it.”
Karma and reincarnation have many common things. Reincarnation is the rebirth into a new soul. There are also difWorks Cited “Buddhist Karma.” View on Buddhism. N.p., 11 Sept. 2011. Web. 15 May. 2014. “Reincarnation.” Crystalinks. N.p., N.d., Web. 15 May. 2014. Valea, Ernest. “Reincarnation: It’s meaning and consequences.” ComperativeReligion. N.p., N.d., Web. 15 May. 2014. Takashi Tsuji. “On Reincarnation.” Buddhist Studies. BDEA. N.d., Web. 15 May. 2014.
The Buddhist population is not as big as Christianity or Islam. Buddhism is the fourth largest religion in the world; the first three are Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism. Though, if you included non-religious individuals, Buddhism is the fifth largest religion because there is greater percentage of nonreligious individuals than Buddhist. Buddhism has a total 360 million adherents which are 6% of our world’s population. Although there are more people in other religions, Buddhism still stands strong and an abundant number of the religion’s followers have a strong faith in the religion. Buddhism has been spreading throughout the world over the years of its existence. It has had many ways of spreading. The most interesting way Buddhism has spread is by having Emperor Asoke strengthening it then causing it to expand. Emperor Asoke of India in the 3rd century B.C strengthened Buddhism by sending Buddhist missionaries out far by Syria. The fact the emperor had done that actually affects today’s percentage of adherents in the Buddhist religion. If it wasn’t because of what he did, there is a great chance Buddhism wouldn’t have gotten to the USA by this time. Here in Fort Wayne Buddhism is not as big as Christianity, but there is one Buddhist temple available here.
of people, the adherents are still willing to stand up for their religion. Fort Wayne’s population of Buddhist isn’t enormous, but they stand strong. Buddhism is constantly growing, with Works Cited "Number of Buddhist World-wide." Buddhist Studies. Buddha Dharma Education Association & Buddhanet, 2008. Web. 16 May 2014.
Every religion is similar to one religion. Buddhism is very similar to Jainism. These two religions have indistinguishable beliefs and customs. Buddhism, like Jainism, both deny the existence of God. They do not exactly worship someone but they do have someone they look up to and use their life and what they did as an example of how those who follow the religion lives should be. Buddhists look up to the Buddha and Jains look up to Lord Mahavira. Another similarity is that both religions believe in nirvana and that it is freedom from the cycle of birth. Nirvana is the state in which there is no suffering, no desire, and no sense of self and one is released from the effects of karma, and the cycle of death and rebirth. Both of these religions also are all for nonviolence. These two religions do have their differences. One difference is that in Buddhism, karma is a result of one’s actions and has a great effect on a person. In Jainism, it’s the same, but it’s not an effect of one’s actions but what’s inside their soul. Another difference is that in Buddhism, soul is individually in plants or animals, not non-living or inanimate things. In Jainism, soul is present in every animate and inanimate object and elements. Despite the fact that Buddhism is very similar to many religions; the religion also has sects of its The Two own. A sect is a group of individuals who had different religious be- The Buddha and Lord liefs from those of a larger group. Mahavira next to each other. The major sects in Buddhism are Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. Theravada Buddhism’s main goal is to use meditation to train the mind and encourage freedom of mind from suffering. This kind of freeing will enable you to reach the greatest spiritual goal: Nirvana. Mahayana Buddhism believes that one must practice universal compassion and that is the altruistic question of the Bodhisattva to achieve the “Awakened Mind’ of Buddha hood. Vajrayana Buddhism, sometimes called TibetWorks Cited "Buddhism & Jainism." Buddhist Tourism. N.p., 2007. Web. 15 May 2014.
people. Their religions does not have to be Christianity to celebrate the holiday. Over the thousands of years Christmas has been around it evolved into what it Christian Holidays is today. Originally the holiday was not By: Jessica Sarrazin celebrated by the earliest Christians. Mardi Gras stems from the Christian They began celebrating it in the fourth century. It was meant to represent the Religion! birth of Jesus Christ and today people focus on the presents and not its original intent. In todays times all we tend to think about when Christmas comes around is what am I going to buy everyone? What presents am I going to receive? What if I don’t get anything good? But never do we think even if we are or are not Christian to be thankful for what we have or will receive in the future. Christmas is not about what you do or do not get it’s about celebrating Jesus and being thankful for what you have that other people may not be as lucky to have.
Mardi Gras
that it is a season for penance. Penance is the sorrow for sin and conversion for sin (The True Meaning of Sin). Typically people give something up that they often do whether it is smoking, chocolate, or anything the desire. People will give anything so they can be prepared for Easter. During Lent there are dietary regulations. Meat may not be eaten on Fridays. As time continues the rules have become less strict because back when lent first started you were aloud to have one meal during the day for the forty day fasting period. Lent is a time for forgiveness and forgetting the past
As Christmas is for celebrating Jesus’s birth there is a holiday for his death, Easter. Most known for the colorful eggs that are hidden and are found in a hunt fashion. But the holiday is the remembrance of Jesus’s life. Today’s Easter looks more like eating a bunch of food and spending time with family than actual remembering the life of Jesus himself. and looking towards the future. Lent an important holiday to the Christian religion. Lent is the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. This is done to supposedly imitate
any people may not know this but Mardi Gras stems from Works Cited the Christian roots. Mardi gras has evolved into much more than the Christians ever meant for it to be. Christian "Christmas." - ReligionFacts. N.p., n.d. Web. 13.May 2014. have various holidays. How ever Mardi "Easter." : History, Meaning and Observances Gras has had its place in the Christian of Sunday. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 May calendar as “Last Hurrah” the day be2014. fore lent begins on Ash Wednesday. "Is Christmas Christian?" Tomorrow's World. (Catholic Roots of Mardi Gras) Mardi N.p., n.d. Web. 13 May 2014. Gras in not known for the Christian "Lent: Fasting and Abstinence." Lent: Fasting holiday but more for the party in New and Abstinence. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 May 2014. Orleans. Mardi Gras ends at midnight "The True Meaning of Lent." The True Meaning on Tuesday in respect for Ash Wednesof Lent. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May day. Surprisingly enough Mardi Gras 2014. has some relation to the Christmas season they refer to is as a carnival. Jesus’s forty day fast in the wilderness. (Catholic Roots of Mardi Gras) Lent is used for fasting from sin, forsakChristmas is a worldwide term to many ing sin, and sinful ways. Christians say
Who do the Christians Look to? By:
Pope Francis Moises Lope
The world argues over religion, but how well do we actually know the religion? Pope Francis is very important to the Catholic Church. Pope Francis has been pope for a little over a year, and has already made a difference. On March 21, 2013 Pope Francis was the first one to be elected outside of Europe. Many people believe that the pope is just like anyone else, but he is not only making a difference in the Catholic Church, but he is also changing the world as we know it. He is most commonly known for helping the poor in Argentina, this demonstrates to the world that someone with so much power will still help the ones in need. Did you know that Pope Francis is even making a difference in the United States? One morning before a mass Pope Francis heard a little girl screaming out his name. It was very unusual that he heard one small voice out of the hundreds of people attending the mass. The young girl told Pope Francis how depressed she was that her father was at risk of getting deported. People might have just told the girl that “everything was going to be okay.� Instead of just telling her that, he went out to talk to President. When Pope Francis and Obama finished talking, the Pope told the little girl that president Obama was going to do something to support the young girl and her family.
Jesus Christ is the savor of the world. Jesus Christ was chosen to be the savior of our sins. Not only did Jesus Christ save the world of sin, he also offers us peace, hope, love and strength in the time of needs. Jesus is important to Christianity, because he showed the world how to live a good life, so that we may live in eternity. Christians believe that if Jesus would have never come down to earth, no one would ever be able to make it to heaven. Not only did Jesus teach us and save us, he also started new traditions. Still to this very day Christians do the sacrament of baptism which was started by Jesus in the Jordan River. Baptism is religious rite of sprinkling water onto a person's forehead in water, symbolizing purification and admission to the Christian Church. Baptism is most commonly performed on young children and accompanied by an adult. If you were not baptized as a baby, Christianity allows you be baptized anytime throughout your life. When you first walk into a Christian church you will always find Jesus on a cross, in the front of the Church. Another sacrament started from Jesus is com-
Abraham appears in the Gospel, and also appears inn the New Testament. Abraham is also seen as an introduction to Jesus and God. He was the one who made a covenant with God. Another figure that many people don’t believe that Christians see as important is Moses. In the beginning there was no prophet year, he was one of the only people on the earth who came face to face with the Lord. He had also received my signals and wonders from the Lord. When Moses was still in Egypt the Lord told him to get out with a
whole Moses splitting the sea.. bunch of people before they got hurt. Moses is also important because it is him that received the Ten Commandments from the Lord to give to the world. Still to this very day the Ten Commandments are the rules of the Christian church. munion, in many churches communion is given every week to give us all the body and blood of Jesus Christ. Jesus on the Cross
Works Cited
When people think of Abraham they think of Islam more than Christianity, but Abra"Biography." Biography. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May ham is important to Christianity. 2014.
Abraham is very important to Christianity "Chabad." N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2014. because he was the first one to set a covenant with God, and any relationship with ChristiaNet. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 May 2014. God is important to Christians. Fairchild, Mary. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2014.
Population and Percentages of the Christian Religion &Sectors By: Zoey Woods
played significant roles in the development of Christianity, and as such, we should not discount ethnic and cultural identities when comparing a Peruvian Catholic to an American Protestant. Catholicism ranks at (50.1%), while the protestants rank at (36.7%), Orthodox is at (11.9%), and the other Christian groups are at (1.3%). But setting cultural factors aside for a moment, let’s consider some of the fundamental differences between Protestantism and roman Catholicism. The number of Christians around the world has nearly quadrupled in the last 100 years. In 1910 there were about 600 million, but in 2010 the Christian population had risen to more than 2 billion. But the world’s overall population has risen from an estimated 1.8 billion in 1910 to 6.9 billion in 2010. Resulting in Christian’s making up about the same proportion of the today’s world population (32%) as they did a century ago (35%). Today over a quarter of Christians live in Europe (25.9%), however in 1910 more than 66.3% Christians lived in Europe. Currently there are a booming third of Christians that are Americans, although in 1910 there was a slight lesser percentage of (27.1%). In Asia Pacific there are currently only a small rank of Christians (13.1%), while in 1910 the rank was even lesser than today’s population, falling in at (4.5%). Today Middle East & Northern Africa’s Christian population has dropped from 1910 (0.7%), to a current percentage of (0.6%).
In this article, many different observations should be made. Why is the number of Christians decreasing in the Middle East and North Africa? In nearly every Middle East country Middle Easterners have suffered deadly consequences for practicing Christianity. Numbers have dropped because of the many slaughtering's of the Christians, and the burning of churches. Israel is the only place in the Middle East where Christians feel safe and can flourish peacefully.
The term came to designate the most accepted faith passed down from the first followers of Jesus. In the sixteenth century, the Protestant Reformation began. Church leaders Luther, Zwingli, Calvin, and others protested against some of the practices and abuses of the Catholic Church. Though the protesters wanted to reform the church from within, eventually it became clear that their movement was incompatible with the mother church in
The Different Sectors
Rome. So they broke away and set up In the centuries that Christian their own church structures and organizafollowed Jesus’ death, most tians protions, ushering the birth of Protestantism. There are many forms of Christianity, moted what was called “Catholic Christiand though there are similarities between anity”, what the ancient Apostles’ Creed them, there are also significant differences. The three main divisions consist- (circa 150 CE) professed at the “only ing of orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant. holy, Catholic church.” The term Protestantism, Roman Catholicism, and “Catholic” comes from the Greek word the relationship between the two seem to katholikē, which means literally get the most attention in the West. Cul“according to the whole” or “universe.” tural and geographical elements have
The Origins of Christianity By: Jared Morgan
The origin of Christianity started in Palestine in 33 CE. Christianity began because Jesus was sent to find followers of the Lord and he was going to lead them into salvation. This changed when Jesus Christ was resurrected. This left the followers with the intentions to spread the word of Christianity. That is how Christianity started.
The Pagans way of thinking was, they did everything the same as the way they did things. The Pagans felt like the Christians copied everything they did and just renamed it. The Pagans didn’t realize that the Christians got tired of the way it was so they created their own religion.
being used, his name was Philo. He was writing about Christianity
paganism. After Jesus was resurrected he had Peter and Paul go spread the word of Christianity. He wanted them to go and make disciples or followers. He wanted to make the new religion bigger and better. He wanted them to go spread the word In 10 CE a Jewish sect was known as of his death and what the Jews had The person that founded ChrisThe Therapeutic. This was done to him. He wanted to make peotianity was Jesus Christ. He founded when the early Christians were acple aware of what the other people Christianity when he was going to cused of using the Pagan religion as had done. take his followers into salvation but the base as their own. The Christian he was crucified. This started the church went and found evidence that spread of Christianity. If he wouldn’t Christianity was a new religion. have died and convinced the follow- There was only one man that had ers to spread the word Christianity evidence that the Pagan religion was
Would never have happened. The original form of Christianity was Judaism. In 200 BCE there was Mithraism. This later turned into Christianity. In that time period they believed that Christianity copied, renamed, and inherited many Pagan myths. If you go back far enough scientists say Christianity history turns into Pagan history.
starting their own, new religion. They didn’t realize Philo wrote 20 years too early though.
After this they realized that the Jewish beliefs were similar to the Christians beliefs. They believed that the Jewish faith and the Christian faith shared a blurred boundary in history. Jesus was of the Jewish faith, which made it The non- believers say that Christiani- difficult for the historians to classify ty copied them from the ways the many early texts as either Jewish or Christians worshiped their Lord and Christian. We do know that Christianity didn’t just show up out of nodid rituals.
where, it was part of history and it was an event to lead up from the pure
Years after this incident passed, Jesus was grown up. He was approximately 32 years old when he was baptized by his good friend, John the Baptist, in 26 AD. Two years later in 28 AD, Jesus began his ministry in Galilee. During his ministry in Galilee, he healed a paralytic in 28 AD along with a De-
Christian Traditions By Olivia Chaidez
Christianity, like many other religions, follows certain traditions that signify some sort of meaning in their daily lives. Sure, going to Church or being a good Samaritan will help get to
Important Dates and Events in Christianity By Daymon Marlowe
Jesus was born in a place called Bethlehem, in the year of 5 B.C. As a baby, Jesus drew much interest from King Herod. Herod felt a sense of jealousy come over him. Out of strategy, King Herod sent three wise men to shower him with gifts. After they found him, they were to report
Baptism The Crusifixion of Jesus moniac. One year later, Jesus feed 5000 people 5 loaves of bread and two fish. Jesus served the five thousand with as much food as they wanted. In 30 AD Jesus was responsible for another miracle. Jesus healed ten Lepers. In this same year, Jesus predicted his death, and betrayal. Jesus predicted
someone to Heaven, but every religion is like that. Christianity has some traditions that no other religion has. A good example is baptism. Baptism is a sacrament that involves the immersion or application of water, a blessing, and the pronouncement. The pronouncement is, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” Both infants and adults can get baptized, but because baptism can involve immersing someone in water, some people believe it should only be performed on adults, as
The Birth of Jesus Christ. his location to King Herod. The King had a plan to kill Jesus, so there was no contention to his thrown. When they did find Jesus, they were amazed at this wonder. They showered him with gifts of frankincense, gold and myrrh. In response, King Herod was not informed of Jesus’ location. In 4 BC, King Herod ordered that all first born males be executed in the area of Bethlehem. When Jesus’ family found out about this, they fled Bethlehem to a town called Nazareth.
The Lord’s Supper to not hurt the children. Baptism also has different views to different people (go figure!). It can symbolize salvation, cleans away sins, confers grace, or publicly displays one’s faith. Baptism can also signify the death and resurrection of Christ; or how your past evil washes
away with the faith of the Lord. Another good example of Christian tradition is the Eucharist. The Eucharist, or Lord’s Supper, is a commemoration to the Last Supper Jesus had with his disciples. This comEaster memoration usually includes the consecration of bread and wine by the clergy and their consumption by worshipers. Though all of Christianity acknowledges the Eucharist, some branches interpret it differently. In example, the Roman Catholics think the Eucharist is a sacrament in which the bread and wine are thought to be the real body of Jesus through transubstantiation. Anglicans and Lutherans also emphasize the divine presence in the offering and recognize it as a sacrament. Others regard it as a memorial with largely symbolic meaning.
of Jesus Christ. It’s been this way since about the late 3rd century AD. The third holiday to point out is Ascension. In the Christian belief, Ascension is the ascent of Jesus Christ into Heaven on the 40th day after his resurrection. The meaning of Ascension for Christians came from their belief in glorification and exaltation of Jesus following his death and Resurrection. It also came from the theme of his return to the Father. Ascension ranks up with Easter, Christmas, and Pentecost.
The Pentecost
Finally, the Pentecost, also
Christian also have specified holidays that hold significant meaning. Take Easter, for example. Easter celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Resurrection is the centerpiece of the Christian faith according to the Apostle Paul. He stated that if Jesus Christ has not been resurrected then the Christian Ascension faith is worthless and futile (1 Cor. 15:14-17). In that sense, without Easter there’d be no Christianity. Another big holiday is Christmas the most wonderful time of the year. Aside from the gift giving and food consumption, Christmas has been celebrated as the birth
The Pentecost— the descent of the Holy Spirit
Christianity Beliefs By Briana Johnston
Let’s start with the basics. “Christians believe in one God, Creator of all things, Holy, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing,” say the Creekside Community Church. Although Christians may not be perfect, God forgives them and their sin. Many people say that Christians always think they’re perfect, but that’s not true. They understand that nobody can be perfect except Jesus. Christians believe that God has spoken in the scriptures in both Old and New Testaments through the words of human authors. Christians read the Bible and believe all it teaches. The Creekside Community Church exclaims,” We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, one Person in two natures. Jesus — Israel’s promised Messiah — was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.”
church. Ministry is the activity and responsibility of the local church in the fulfillment of its biblically defined mandate in the world. Many rituals and practices vary between denomination and individual churches. The Bible explains some ways that a Christian can express their faith. Jesus made a proclamation that all Christians should be baptized; as an effect, nearly all Christians will have been baptized, either as an infant or as an adult, and regularly participate in communion (also called the Lord's Supper or the Eucharist). Christians also believe they should follow the Ten Commandments: 1) You shall have no other gods before me. 2) You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven or on earth. 3) You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God. 4) Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 5) Honor your father and mother. 6) You shall not murder. 7) You shall not commit adultery. 8) You shall not steal. 9) You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 10) You shall not covet your neighbor’s house, wife, etc. Jesus summed up the Ten Commandments, and provided much more, in his own two commandments of love: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with
Christians believe God created them to be agents of love and goodness. Even so, they misuse our agency individually and collectively. They take the gifts of creation and of self and turn them against God’s pur-
A Woman being Baptized
poses An Infant being Baptized with tragic results. Christians say that sin is the universal condition of separation and alienation from God and one another. God intends Christians and their faith to be lived in companionship with Jesus and other disciples. Ministry is a humble service offered often in
Works Cited "Bible Timeline." Bible Timeline. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2014. <http://biblehub.com/timeline/>. "Christian Baptism." - ReligionFacts. Dreamweaver, 2014. Web. 14 May 2014. http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/practices/ baptism.htm "Eucharist." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, 2014. Web. 15 May 2014.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eucharist
The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. "Eucharist (Christianity)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2013. Web. 15 May 2014. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/194799/Eucharist "Easter." : History, Meaning and Observances of Sunday. Dreamweaver, 2014. Web. 15 May 2014. http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/ holidays/easter.htm "Christmas." - ReligionFacts. Dreamweaver, Mar.-Apr. 2004. Web. 15 May 2014. http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/holidays/christmas.htm The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. "Ascension (Christianity)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Oct. 2013. Web. 15 May 2014. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/37838/Ascension The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. "Pentecost (Christianity)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 May 2013. Web. 15 May 2014. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/450394/Pentecost "What Are Christian Practices?" Practicing Our Faith. The Valparaiso Project, 17 Sept. 2006. Web. 16 May 2014. <http:// www.practicingourfaith.org/what-are-christian-practices>. "Christian Rituals & Practices." Christian Rituals and Practices. Dreamweaver, 22 Feb. 2004. Web. 15 May 2014. <http://www.religionfacts.com/
History of Hinduism By Thomas Wartenberg
Hinduism is a religion that has been around for thousands of years, but has no real time of foundation. The roots of Hinduism go back past 2000 B.C.E and can be traced to the India area. Archaeologists have decided that this is when Hinduism started because of the religious scrolls and writing that they have found dating back to this time. Discovered by archaeologists in 1921, the first place that Hinduism can be traced is to the Indus River Valley. Upon further investigation of this ancient society we are able to confirm that the Hindu empire of the Indus River Valley thrived around 2,300 B.C.E and were at one point more than 750,000 citizens strong. Although not much is known about the people of the Indus Valley, we do know that they had shrines dedicated to animal sacrifice and paintings of figures that are believed to be the god Shiva. For this reason, the Indus River Valley is regarded as the earliest Hindu Civilization.
system, and most of the ancient Hindu scriptures. This “Aryan invasion” drastically changed Hinduism and is the base of the Hinduism that we know today. However, some people believe that this Aryan invasion never actually happened. They believe that Hinduism just naturally changed on its own, and that the Aryan invasion theory is only used for political and religious advantage. After further investigation of the subject it has been determined that this “invasion” was actually more of a migration to the area. The natives and Aryans did have a small amount of fighting, but this is mostly due to cultural differences. The topic is still widely up for debate, but this is the most prevailing theory. One of the main aspects of the history of Hinduism is
Around 1,800 B.C.E the Indus River Valley Hindus fell due to what was believed to be either flooding or drought. After this happened it is believed that “light skinned Aryan” from Europe invaded India and took land away from the Hindus. These Aryans did not get rid of Hinduism when they invaded, but instead changed it. The Aryans added their own religion, the caste Works Cited Cartwright, Mark. “Shiva.” Ancient History Encyclopedia. 20 November 2012. Web. 16 May 2014.
Frawley, David. “The Aryan Invasion Theory.” India Forum. Web. 16 May 2014.
Buitenen, J.A.B. “Ashramas: the Four Stages of Life.” Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 December 2013. Web. 16 May 2014.
The ruins of the Indus River Valley civilization
The Gods of Hinduism By Amanda Findlay
Did you know that Hinduism is a monotheistic religion? Many people think of Hinduism as a polytheistic religion but that statement is false. It is true that are many different gods and goddesses in the religion but those are particular forms or different energy sources all of one god. Many people will have a certain god that they focus on within themselves but believe that there is only one main god. Having the different forms and names for the one true god in the Hinduism religion gets others confused on whether or not the religion in monotheistic or polytheistic but it is indeed a monotheistic religion. There are four sects in Hinduism which basically narrows the religion down into different subdivisions on what you may want to believe. One sect is Shaivism where Shiva is worshipped as the main god. Vaishnavism is one sect where Vishnu is the main god. Another sect is Shaktism where the female aspect of god is worshipped and finally, Smartism is the last sect where there are six main god who are worshipped: Shiva, Vishnu, Shakti, Ganesh, Murugan, and Surya.
Ganesh is the God of the intellect and the remover of obstacles. He is the son of Shiva and Parvati. Ganesh is distinct by having an elephantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s head. Ganesha is widely revered as the remover of obstacles, the patron of arts and sciences and the deva of intellect and wisdom.
The Trinity in Hinduism is Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Brahma is not commonly worshipped and is known for having four arms, four heads, and a red-like complexion to his skin. Vishnu is the main god of Vaishnavism and is known for having four arms and a blue-like complexion to his skin. Shiva is the main god of Shaivism and is known for having matted hair, a third eye, a blue throat, and a trident in his hand.
Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Shakti are known female aspects of the god. Sarawati is the goddess of knowledge, music, and art. Sarawati is also the wife of Brahma and is known for sitting on a white lotus playing a veena. Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth and prosperity and is the wife of Vishnu. Lakshmi is usually shown bestowing coins and surrounded by elephants. Shakti is the goddess who destroys demonic forces and restores balance. Shakti is worshipped as the supreme be-
Murugan is the god of war, victory, wisdom, and love and is also known as Skanda. Murugan is the commander of the gods and is the son of Shiva and Pavati. Muruganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brother is Ganesh and his two wives are Valli and Deivayanai.
Surya is the god of the sun and can also be known as Adithya, Suraya or Phra Athit. Surya is often depicted as riding a chariot harnessed by seven horses which might represent the seven colors of the rainbow or the seven chakras in the body. Surya is regarded as the Smartasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; worship him as one of the five primary forms of god.
Works Cited Acharya S/D.M. Murdock. "Surya the Sun God." Freethought Nation. D.M. Murdock & Stellar House Publishing, n.d. Web. 15 May 2014. Art of 4 Elements. "Self-Development through Alchemy of Love." Symbols and Signs: Symbols for Trinity Around the World. Art of 4 Elements, n.d. Web. 15 May 2014. Devdutt. "Invoking the Goddess." Devdutt. Disqus, n.d. Web. 15 May 2014. Fineartamerica. "Ganesh Digital Art." For Sale. Fine Art America, n.d. Web. 15 May 2014. Sworddueling. "Kartikeya/Murugan, Son of Shiva, Hindu God of War." Sworddueling. Wordpress, n.d. Web. 15 May 2014. UsefulCharts. "Hindu Gods & Goddesses." Chart of Hindu Gods & Goddesses. UsefulCharts Publishing, n.d. Web. 15 May 2014.
The Location Of Hinduism By Keymia Harvey Hinduism can be practiced anywhere throughout the world. Different practices and beliefs occur in different countries, regions, and villages. The majority of Hinduism is in India which is 80.5%. Madhya, Pradesh, and Orissa have more than 90% of people as Hindus. The other ten percent is the other religions such as Christianity, Jains, Sikhs, etc. India practices how it was written in the Vedas. India is the birthplace of the religion. Another major country is Nepal. There are 79.5% of Hindus that practices Hinduism in Nepal. It is even believed, according to Nepalese theology that Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva went to Nepal in the form of deer. Nepalese is basically saying that you’re a true Hindu. Nepal national calendar is a solar Hindu calendar that widespread in North America. There are many places in Nepal with names signifying icons in Hindu history. The last major country where Hinduism is practiced is England. England has a lot of Hindu temples in the big cities. England also holds the largest temple there is. The temple is in Bradford’s West York Shire, it’s called Bradford Lakshmi Hindu Temple. It extended from India into Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indone-
Bangladesh, showing the distribution of Hindus by percentage
The Ganges at Varanasi, the city closely connected to Lord Shiva
Works Cited “Hindu Population in India.” Current Hindu Population in 2014- Total. Web. 15 May 2014.
Distribution of religion throughout the world. sia and the Philippines. In most of East Asia it was later obscured by Buddhism and Islam..
“Hinduism in England.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 5 July 2014. Web. 16 May 2014. The town of Vrindavan particularly dear to the Gaudiya (Bengali) Vaishnavas who worship “Religion in Nepal.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia FounRadha and Krishna. This is one of their seven principal and historical temples.
This temple is in Bradford’s West York Shire, t’s called Bradford Lakshmi Hindu Temple.
Similaries/Differences, And Famous Events
The three religions created by Abraham are Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. All three of these religions have almost everything in common with one another. This includes their god, their rules, and their holy book. Some examples are that Jesus is “God’s Messiah, Prophet, and Righteous Servant”, according to Shabir Ally from Laurentian University. She says, “Muslims and Christians believe that Jesus entered the world in a miraculous manner; that he worked mighty deeds on earth; that his exit was mysterious; and that his second coming will be spectacular.” Its the differences, that are harder to find. Shabir Ally says, “For Christians the Bible is the Word of God.” This leads to the Muslims believing that anything that god says, must be accepted into the Muslim community. There are several Islamic laws that are still used today. Sharia is the name for all the Islamic laws. The word Sharia means “the path to a watering hole.” Sharia for Muslims, is a “way of life that is more than a system of criminal justice,” which is expressed by Susie Steiner from The Guardian. “Sharia offers a code for living governing all elements of life, from prayers to fasting to donations to the poor.” Sharia is basically their way of life. In the year 2100 BC, the Islamic religion was born. Later, the leader of Egypt feared that Islam would have overcome him. In the year 1250 BC, he ordered for all Muslims to be killed. in the year 30 AD, the Prophet Isa is born and is given miraculous powers like making bird out of clay, and restoring sight. He uses these powers to bring people to Allah, or the Islamic god.
"The Five Pillars Of Islam." The Five Pillars Of Islam. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 May 2014. <http://www.saudiembassy.net/about/country-information/Islam/five_pillars_of_Islam.aspx>. Sahih Al-Bukhari 1/7. "Brief Description of the "Five Pillars" of Islam." Brief Description of the "Five Pillars"of Islam. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May 2014. <http://www.brevardmasjid.com/ intro_to_islam/five_pillars_p.html>.
The Five Pillars
The five pillars were dictated by Muhammad, the prophet, and are to be followed by every practicing Muslim. The five pillars are Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm, and Hajj. Shahadah includes what every Muslim should believe in order to be Muslim. Salah is their prayer to the one God of Islam, Allah. Muslims are to pray five times a day everyday during certain periods. There are specific timings that are so that Muslims can be distinguished between other polytheistic religions that were roaming in the ancestral times. Fajr is the first prayer of the day. Fajr is to be prayed when only the sun rays are visible and not the sun. Dhuhr is the second prayer that is prayed when the sun has passed its highest point and is beginning to set. Asr is the next prayer which is prayed in the late afternoon. Maghreb is the following prayer which is prayed when only the sun rays are showing from the setting sun. The last and final prayer is Isha which is to be prayed when the sun has completely set and it is dark. Each prayer requires for the woman to cover everything but her hands and face and the man to cover his bellybutton and knees. Every Muslim should face the Kabah, holy mosque, in Mecca while praying. The area in which a Muslim prays must be free of impurities and he/she must perform ablution, cleansing, before praying. The next pillar is Zakah which is alms -giving. Muslims are required to give a portion of their money to the poor and needy. By doing this their possessions are purified. If someone of the Muslim faith is poor and can not afford to give money, they can give time. Sawm is the next pillar which is fasting. Muslims should fast during the month of Ramadan from dawn till sun down. Abstaining from these worldly “pleasures” allows for self purification. The final pillar is Hajj or pilgrimage. This pillar requires
Holidays The major islamic holidays are Muharram, Mawlid al-Nabi, Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, Hajj, and Eid alAdha. Muharram is the first month of the islamic calendar. Muharram is “celebrated” by participating in mourning gatherings in sorrowful black attire. Muharram derives from the word Haram meaning forbidden. Muharram is held to be the most sacred month excluding Ramadan. It includes the Ashura and the Karbala. The Ashura is the climax of the remembrance of Muhammad. People mourn for the Martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, his family, and his followers. Karbala is a city in Iraq in which Husayn and his half brother where buried. Karbala it has been dictated as the centre for religious instruction. Mawlid al-Nabi is the birthday of the prophet Muhammad and is celebrated. Ramadan is a sacred month in which Muslims fast in order to purify the soul, remember Allah, and practice self sacrifice. Muslims are called to evaluate their lives to see if they are living their lives how Allah wishes. The entire month from dawn to sun down is spent fasting, worshiping Allah, and restraining not only physically but mentally and spiritually as well. Eid al-Fitr is the festival of breaking the fast. Finally the Hajj is the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca as they should at least once in every Muslim's lifetime on the last month of the year.
"Christianity and Islam." 877WHYISLAM RSS. Why Islam, n.d. Web. 16 May 2014. <http://goo.gl/gGOYWK>. Muslim Festivals and Celebrations." Muslim Festivals and Celebrations. Answering Islam, n.d. Web. 15 May 2014. <http://answering-islam.org/Gilchrist/Vol1/8a.html>. "What Is Muharram ?" Morals and Ethics. Morals and Ethics, 11 Jan. 2008. Web. 15 May 2014. <http://moralsandethics.wordpress.com/2008/01/11/what-is-muharram/>. "All About Ramadan." About.com Islam. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May 2014. <http://islam.about.com/od/ramadan/f/ramadanintro.htm>.
Steiner, Susie. "Sharia Law." Theguardian.com. Guardian News and Media, 20 Aug. 2002. Web. 16 May 2014. <http://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/aug/20/qanda.islam>. "Important Historic Dates of Islam." Faith Freedom. Faith Freedom, n.d. Web. 16 May 2014. <http://www.faithfreedom.org/Articles/dates.htm>.
Diet
The dietary restrictions for the islamic religion are more than meets the eye. Most of the restrictions are health related. The pig is depicted as a filthy animal and is often the cause for disease, for these reasons they are not allowed to eat swine. To regard a correct or allowed choice of food is Halal, and for a restricted or unlawful choice is Haram. Things that are questionable either of their origin or other reasons are referred to as mahbooh. Muslims also can not consume animals that have been strangled, beaten, fallen, or found dead. An animal must be killed according to what Muhammad and the Quran say in order to be considered Halal. Animals are respected when alive and when dead. Another restriction is Alcohol because is considered to be of the devil for it forbids the remembrance of Allah and the inability to have right judgement. These restrictions are intended to ensure that Muslims are healthy and not being harmed by these unhealthy or harmful foods. There are exceptions to these restrictions as there are for many other parts of the Islamic religion. If on the verge of life or death and no other Halal alternative is available these actions are permitted.
Population
The Muslims have a pretty large
population for their faith. They actually have about 1.6 billion people for the Muslim faith. That’s roughly 23% of the world’s population which is a lot for a faith and most people are becoming atheist so that is going to soon make Muslim a huge religion compared to other religions. The way that the Muslim religion has spread was by after the death of Muhammad people started to think what will happen after it and then people started to gather people to become part of their religion. Then soon enough today there are about 1.6 billion Muslims today and counting.
Sects
Shia or Shiite and Sunni are the two main sects of the Islam religion. Sunni is the predominant sect of the islamic religion, the only countries that are not predominantly Sunni are Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon. The Sunni’s believe that they follow the original teachings of the prophet Muhammad. Sunni muslims also accept the leadership passed down from Muhammad as the Shi'ites/ Shia’s do not. The Shi'ites/Shia’s believe that other leaders should have been more deserving. They are positive that the rightful leader will appear at the end as “Mahdi”, the one rightfully guided by Allah.
"The Origin of the Quran." 877WHYISLAM RSS. Why Islam, n.d. Web. 15 May 2014. <http://www.whyislam.org/the-origin-of-the-quran/>. "Timeline of Islam." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 15 May 2014. <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/teach/muslims/timeline.html>.
History
Some people think Muslim people are Arabs and they are always wearing a turban and trying to be terrorists. The Muslim people are hard working. The rumors people are hearing aren’t even close to being true. Most people don’t even know about the Muslim religion. Well, their religion started at the marked year of 610. The followers of the religion called their god Allah. In 570 C.E. Muhammad was born in mecca. When he had become old enough to become married so about fifteen through twenty he had gotten married. Actually and he had tried to have a child but his wife actually could not have a child so his wife had agreed to let him sleep with the maid and Muhammad disagreed at first. Finally, Muhammad agreed to and then the maid had gotten pregnant so Muhammad’s original wife had gotten jealous. She had told Muhammad to kill the maid and her son. Instead of killing the maid and her son Muhammad decided to take them out the desert and let them die there. At the time Muhammad’s son was only about three years old so he was bound to die if they didn’t find food or water fast enough. Then Muhammad went back to his wife and told her that they were dead. Later Muhammad went back to see if they had died or something and when he went to the location he had left his child and child’s mother. There was a pair not just dead bodies or foot print there actually was a whole city which his son and the child’s mother had built there. You would wonder how they had created pretty much a civilization in the middle nowhere but actually they didn’t do it themselves Allah had helped them create it. So that’s where the city had come from. At the age of 40 Muhammad was visited by an angel. Soon after in 633 C.E Muhammad dies of a prolonged illness. Most people have heard that Muhammad had lived for about one hundred and seventy-five years but in all reality it was just 40 years. That’s just a brief summary of the Muslim religion.
Holy Book
Their holy book is called the Quran. Their holy book talks about the life of Muhammad and his children and so on and it talks about Abraham who was an ancestor of Muhammad. The Islamic people believe that the Quran was written by Muhammad himself. The Quran is too often misjudged and people think that it talks about violence and destruction. In all reality, the Quran is just like a bible, it talks about the people before the believers and the history of the Quran. And that’s what the Quran talks about.
Asad, Khadija J. "The Muslim Diet." The Muslim Diet. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May 2014. <http://www.higginsctc.org/terrorism/TheMuslimdiet.htm>. "IFANCA: What Is Halal?" IFANCA: What Is Halal? IFANCA, n.d. Web. 15 May 2014. <http://www.ifanca.org/cms/wpages/detail/4ca47c89-ec4c-41ba-ac38-1c111b830f0c>. "Divisions in Islam." Divisions in Islam. Contender Ministries, n.d. Web. 15 May 2014. <http://contenderministries.org/islam/divisions.php>. Brunner, Borgna. "Major Islamic Holidays." Infoplease. Information Please® Database, © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc, n.d. Web. 15 May 2014. <http://www.infoplease.com/spot/ islamicholidays.html>.
Judaism By: Leilani Allen, Alyssa Vance, and Cody Fry
Stereotypes
ism is way back to Moses. The Jews were used as slaves in Egypt for many years. Then once Moses figured out that he had Hebrew blood he went to the By: Leilani Allen Jews aid. Although it took numerous years for this movement to take place eventually it was all worth it. Moses, one of the Jews famous prophets, then The most common stereotypes pointed tostarted helping the Jews to freedom. It took 7 ward Jews are that they are rich, cheap, and have plagues to finally free the Jews and even then they big long noses. faced many dangers. Eventually after Other judgmental many generations had passed the Jews had assumptions that made it to the Promised Land. One last people have about famous event for Judaism is them receiving the Torah and 10 Commandments. Jews are they all The Jews had begged Moses to be the inpossess high paytermediary between God and them. Once ing occupations Moses had received the Commandments such as lawyers, the Torah came soon after. He had redoctors, and bankceived the Torah to teach the children of ers. The most ofIsrael Judaism. This helped shape Judaism fensive stereotype into the religion it is today. Giving them the rules that Jews are faced with everyday is that they are and word of God so then they could one day have a racist. Reasons why Jews are stereotyped this way better life. These are some famous events that reis, because in the mid-1920â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s European Jews and volved around Judaism and impacted not only them other ethnic minorities were immigrated by the mil- but everyone around them. One of the most famous lions to America. This opened up a world of judg- events is the holocaust. As people have learned in mental opinions, crude comments, and horrible ru- textbooks at mors to spread amongst the people. No one knew school it had a mawhat the Jewish immigrants were like or where they jor impact on not come from so they could only assume and they all only the Jews but began assuming the worse. After centuries of these everyone around the world. During stereotypes been used against Jews natural they the holocaust stuck. The Jewish people couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t shake the nasty many people had words that were thrown at them everyday so they different fates. tried there best to ignore them. Eventually though these stereotypes lead to the most likely the biggest Some were sent to concentration camps and killed along with others event in Jewish history, the Holocaust. that worked to death. Around 6 million Jews were killed during this tragedy and all together around 11 million people were killed. Many people felt that the Jews owned most of the high ranking jobs and were taking over the society. So they decided to get By: Alyssa Vance rid of them in horrible ways. The Jews either had to work until they died or were sent to concentration camps where they would be placed in Gas Chambers and killed. This may of lead to the reason why Another famous event that revolves around Juda-
Famous Events
Impacts on Society By: Alyssa Vance Judaism affects the way people live in general; life, death, and how we interact with Jews. The reason behind this is in their everyday lives we have respect for the way Jews live and the fact that they can identify their values as concerns respect for human life, such as peace and harmony and family. They tend to try to live a peaceful life and live life to the fullest. Judaism has affected the world around us for generations. One example is they are one of many that has experienced genocide. In other words the Holocaust. This affected the lives of many, not just the Jews. Only 6 million Jews were killed during the holocaust genocide but in all 11 million people were killed. Not only did the Jews have horrible fates but the people around them, even ones who stood up for them, shared their fate. Eventually other countries got involved to try and put a stop to the major genocide. Although the eventually succeed many lives were lost. Another major impact Judaism has had on society is the people that revolve around it. For example Anne Frank was a major character when it comes to the story of the holocaust. She left her diary behind so nowadays we can have a feel for what they went through. Another major person is Adam Sandler. He has over the years provided us entertaining and humor through the movies he was in. He provides us entertainment and is a major celebrity to current day. So not only does the Religion have a major impact in our everyday lives but also those who practice the religion as well. Those are a few major impacts that Judaism has had on us not only many years ago but to current day.
Holidayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s By: Leilani Allen Jews celebrate many holidays such as Hanukkah, Yom Kippur, and the Passover. Hanukkah is Christmas for Jews. This holiday lasts for eight days and starts on the 25th day of Kislev which is the third month of the civil and ninth of the religious year which usually happens during the months of November and December. Hanukkah is celebrated to commemorate the rededication of the Temple in 165 BC by the Maccabees (followers of the family of the Jewish leader Judas Maccabaeus) after itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s desecration by the Syrians. It is symbolized by the lighting of eight candles. Yom Kippur begins during the Rosh Hashanah or Jewish New Years. This holiday last for ten days penitence and is the most formal religious fasting of the Jewish Year. Passover is one of the most important Jewish holidays. This major Jewish spring festival commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery. It lasts from seven to eight days from the 15th day of Nisan which is (in the Jewish calendar) the seventh month of the civil and first of the religious year and usually happens during March through April.
"Introduction to the Holocaust." United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. United States Holocaust Memorial Council, 10 June 2013. Web. 11 May 2014. "Moses Receives the Torah - Shavuot." Moses Receives the Torah - Shavuot. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2014. "Save Your Kehilla Money!" United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism : USCJ. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2014. "Torah.org - The Judaism Site." Torah.org - The Judaism Site. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2014. "Jewish Holidays | Orthodox Union." Holidays. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2014.
Torah By: Cody Fry The Torah is the Jewish Bible it is use in their ceremonies at the synagogue and at some holidays. The book tells about the Jewish law (Mosaic Law) and rules for the religions. The law of God was revealed to Moses and recorded in the first five books of the Hebrew scriptures. The Torah scroll is a long scroll containing the entire text of the -Five Books of Moses, hand-written by a pious scribe in original Hebrew. It is rolled up around two ornate wooden shafts, attached to either end of the scroll. Kept in the Ark of each synagogue, the Torah scroll is routinely read aloud in all synagogues, and in its presence we offer
brew month and fast days. The Torah scroll is much more than that. It is the core representation of Judaism itself. It is the tangible embodiment of our connection to G-d and of His wisdom and guidance.
Fun Facts Judaism is monotheistic (belief in one God
The Ten commandments are the foundation of Judaism
There are around 13 million Jews around the World
They refer themselves to the “Chosen People”
prayers and blessings for all those in need. Jews read from the Torah scroll four times a week, on Shabbat Morning, Shabbat afternoon, and on Monday and Thursday mornings. In addition, the Torah is read on many Jewish festivals, the first day(s) of the new He-
A Rabbi interprets the Torah for the Jew’s
Synagogue By: Cody Fry At a minimum, a synagogue is a beit tefilah, a house of prayer. Synagogues are, for the most part, independent community organizations. Synagogues do not pass around collection plates during services, as many churches do. This is largely because Jewish law prohibits carrying money Jewish clergy are employees of the synagogue, hired and fired by the lay members of the synagogue. Clergy are not provided by any central organization, as they are in some denominations of Christianity.
Coexiste Judaism affects the way people live in regard to life, death and our interactions with Jews. This is because in their everyday lives, they have to respect the Jews way of living and space and the fact that they can identify with their values as concerns respect for human life,
Way They Live Day to Day
was the one in who lead the Egyptians out of slavery and was leading them to the promise land. Moses was helped by his older brother, Aaron. Moses was Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spokesman and God was the one who redeemed Israel. Aaron was born three years before Moses and before the plagues hit Egypt. Many confuse Moses in triggering the plagues by the staff, but in reality it was Aaron in the one who held out Miriam and baby Moses the staff to start the first three plagues. The plagues were caused because Moses and Aaron wanted to free the Israelites from slavery. There were 10 plagues that god had sent to Israel in order for the Pharaoh to let the Israelites go. The 10 plagues consisted of the river turning into blood, frogs, bugs, wild animals, pestilence, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, and death over the town. God was the Israelites to be lead to the promise that he had promised them. Miriam is the older sister of both Aaron and Moses. Miriam is 4 years older than Moses, and was a prophetess on her own. Many may say Sarah is considered as a prophetess, but that isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really applied. She was the one who arranged for her mother to nurture Moses when he was found. All siblings died within the desert before the Egyptians entered in the promise land, and Moses was 120 years old when he passed away with his older siblings.
In Judaism everyone follows their set of rules called the 10 commandments. Within their holy book, the Torah it states that Jews must keep the Sabbath day holy, and the Jews Sabbath day is Saturday. In other words, to have no work and just go to church/ synagogue and worship God. The Sabbath day is really important to Jews and Jews holy book: The Torah their community. The Sabbath is the memorization in which the 7th day of creation in which God had rested. The Torah is the first five books of the Hebrew bible which included: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The Torah was revealed by God to Moses over 3,000 years ago. Kosher takes part of their daily diets and what they chose to eat or not. Also in what materials are neces(http://www.jewfaq.org/moshe.htm ) sary in order to prepare foods. It is The 10 Commandments not allowed for one to drink/eat How They Worship diary with meat products. Jews must pray 3 times daily, as well as, have a morning prayer within their prayer book. Jews are There are three kinds of Bâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Nai Jacob Synagogue to prey in the morning, afternoon, and right after sunset. In Judaism followers, we have the every religion throughout the world believe and live to the orthodox, conservative, and then there is the reform. With these golden rule on a daily basis. The golden rule is to treat others in three kinds of Judaism followers, we have the orthodox in how you want to be treated. All religions believe in a judgment which are the Jews that believe the most in all of the praying, day or karma in where you will be judged in what you have and are the strictest. The Orthodox is the ones that have specific done, or whatever you did will come back to you later on. prayers, such as for waking, they also have to pray before they (http://www.dummies.com/how-to/ eat. In the synagogue, there are the certain events that happen at content/looking-at-judaism-as-a-daily- a synagogue like the quorum. In this event, the Orthodox must practice.html) (http:// have the Quorum consist of ten men and all of the women must www.beingjewish.org/htmlpages/ sit separately. Then there you have the conservative Jews. The esp.html) (http://dailyuw.com/ conservative Jews are a little bit less strict on praying than the archive/2008/01/17/imported/judaismorthodox. The conservative Jews is just less formal, but they faith-and-way-life#.U2FABfldV8E are still guided by tradition. Rituals to the conservatives are just values, such as loving God, and helping others. To them it is Leaders not a commitment to make specific prayers for every conceivable situation. They do not pray as much as the orthodox, howLeaders, really state and ever they still do pray before or after something good happens. run in what people do, and in JudaMiriam, Aaron, and baby ism that consisted of Moses, Aaron, The conservatives do not do the same thing with the Quorum, the do celebrate it too, but they just have to have ten adults. and Miriam. Moses is known is be the greatest in all of the prophets, and he is known as a leader After the conservatives then you have the Reforms. The reand a teacher within Judaism. Jews believed that God has diforms are not as strict as the Orthodox either; they practice rectly spoken to Moses and not in dreams or visions. Moses some specific forms of a daily religion. The reforms do not
Morals In the Jewish religion we all know their book is the Torah. The Torah must be obeyed for no reason other than the fact that they reflect the will of God. The Judaism followers have plenty of different beliefs than the Christians, or anything else. In the Torah they don’t have many different “rules” or “laws”. They follow almost the same thing like the Ten ComGood vs. Evil mandments, there’s just a little difference in the Torah and the Bible. For Christians we have what we call the Ten Commandments, as for Jewish’s they have something like the Torah’s Prohibitions. This is what they follow, like love the stranger, love God, show kindness, and love your neighbor as yourself, cruelty to animals, such things like that.
Groups/sects
There are four main types of Judaism in the United states. The first one is orthodox they have the strictest adherence to traditional Jewish practices and beliefs. Orthodox Judaism's religious observances include daily worship, traditional Every religion is broken up into prayers, study of the Torah, dietary laws, and gender segregation in the synagogue. The second one is Reform they believe that both the oral and written laws are works of human hands. The third is Conservative Judaism they believe that they were Jewish ethicists today are widely in the way people view chosen by god for a certain reason. They were put here to make the world more compassionate. The commandments set forth in them. With things like how they feel about abortions, birth contorah, trol, attitudes to women and homosexuals, so on and so forth. direct the lives along the path of holiness and goodness. The final When discussing about things like that, they do not look at them is Reform. Judaism they believe that the Jewish ways needed to as everyone thinks the same, because they know everyone has change to adapt to the more modern way of life. So when Rabbi Kaplan started Reform Judaism he thought it would be a good way different opinions on it all. They don’t turn to the rabbinic codes, and their responses in a more legal and medically practical idea to add the American ideas of equality and democracy. All of these groups believe in the same god and for the most part they vein, issues of a child.(http://www.patheos.com/Library/ believe in the same morals and religious rules. Judaism/Ethics-Morality-Community/Principles-of-Moral(http://www.patheos.com/Library/Orthodox-Judaism.html) Thought-and-Action.html ) (http://judaism.about.com/od/reconstructionistjudaism/a/ reconstruct.htm)
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