This is a website the encompasses all of the major world religions. These religions include: Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Animism, and Jainism.
Christianity
The word Christianity comes from the Ancient Greek word "Christos" meaning "the anointed one". This religion is universal, meaning anyone can join, and monotheistic, meaning the followers only believe in one God.
What is Christianity?
Christianity was founded in Israel by Jesus of Nazareth in the Ist Century C.E. Christians believe that Jesus Christ was sent to earth from God as the messiah to save humanity from the tarnish caused by sin, Jesus died on the cross, rose on the third day in accordance with the scriptures of the bible, and was ascended into heaven. The Holy Bible is the holy book that Christians believe is the word of God. There are many symbol associated with the Christian faith: The Cross sybolizes Jesus and the sacrafice he made in order for humanity to live in peace. The Dove and Fire sybolizes the Holy Spirit that guides people to doing the right thing and make the right decisions. The Bread and the Wine symbolize Jesus's body and blood that he offered his disciples during the last supper.
Holidays-There are multiple seasons and holidays that Christians take part in to worship God. These include Lent (the self-examination and preparation for Easter), Palm Sunday (the Sunday before Easter), Good Friday (celebrating Jesus's death on the cross), Easter (celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus), Advent (preparation to celebrate Jesus's birth?), Pentecost (the coming of the Holy Spirit after Jesus's death), and Christmas (celebration of the emaculate birth of Jesus).
Where is Christianity Practiced and How Was it Diffused?
The first community of Christians were Jewish. As people started to convert to Chirstianity it became more popular. This would be an example of contagious diffusion. When this was happening, a missionary named Paul influenced a lot of people to convert as he traveled to foreign lands, as missionaries do. This would be an example of relocation diffusion. As he traveled, Christianity spread to Europe and Asia. Many other missionaries traveled to Central and South America to influence native people to take part in Christianity. A little later in history, European rulers seeking power sent many missionaries to North America to convince the Indians and Native Americans to also become Christians in order to take over that area. By the time the year 1900 arrived, Christianity had spread to every continent.
Christianity is practiced mainly in North America, South America and Europe with a total of more than 2,200 followers worldwide.
Why/How is this Religion Practiced?
Christianity is divided into many sects/denominations. These are a few and how they differ: Roman Catholic- This denomination promotes the Virgin Mary and the Saints rather than just God.The Roman Catholic church is also referred to as the Western Catholic Church Protestant- This came from the reformation by Martin Luther. Protestants don't agree with the docterine. Orthodox- The Orthodox church is everything the Roman Catholic Church is except it does not follow the direct office of the Roman pope. There was a huge falling out between the, what is called, the Eastern and Western Catholic Church. The Orthodox is referred to the Eastern Catholic church. Prohibitions/Rules to Live by as Christians- The 10 Commandments serve as just that. (Exodus 20:1-17)
Conflict with Christianity- The KKK or the Ku Klux Klan was and still is a group of Christians who take their worship to extremes. They are a group of Christains that believe that God has proclaimed that white is the superior race and any other race receives no justice. This isn't as much of a problem today as it was in the 1960s during the Civil Rights Movement. The KKK would perform violent acts toward African Americans through threats like burning of crosses in front lawns and threatening the blacks.
Judaism
Judaism comes from the Hebrew word "Judah". This is one of the oldest religions there is. Judaism is the religion, philosophym and way of life of the Jewish. It is an ethnic, meaning one can only be born into the faith, and monotheistic religion. There are more than 14 million followers worldwide.
What is Judaism?
Founded- This religion was founded by the Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in 2,500 B.C. Beliefs and Ideas- The purpose for the Jewish to practice this religion is to obey God and to fulfill His commandments. The Jewish sometimes call their God YHWH pronounced "Yahweh". They believe in Jesus but they don't think that he's the true messiah. For the "Second Coming", they believe that no one in particular will save them but a heroic figure that isn't divine. Judaism is more focused on their actions rather than promises. Heaven for them is called "Olam-Haba". Holy Books- Jewish have two Holy Books and they include the "Talmud" and the "Mishnah". The Jewish religion of Judaism have multiple symbols that they use: -The Star of David- "The Sheild of David" This is a symbol of protection -Chai- The symbol of all life within this religion
Where is Judaism Practiced/Diffused?
Judaism is practiced in most areas of the world, mostly in Israel and the United States which hold the largest Jewish populations
The picture above shows where Judaism is mostly practiced. The picture below shows where Judaism has been diffused.
How is this Religion Practiced?
Judaism is divided into several denominations just like many other religions: Orthodox Judaism- This sect believes that their holy book was given to Moses by God. Reform Judaism- Reform Judaism is a more independent sect of this religion. Followers of this denomination sustain their own congregations where ever they are located. Conservative Judaism- This type of Judaism is exactly what its title says. People within this denomination conserve traditional elements with little modernization. Taboos/Rule(s)to Live By- Some Jewish people practice the habit to only eat Kosher foods. This means that their food (mostly meats) must be prepared "properly". Also, it is against the religion to mix meat and dairy products because it is ruled as "disorderly". Usually very strict followers of Judaism always dress accordingly for worship. Men where yarmulkes (small beanies that are worn during prayer, meals, and studying as a sign of respect to God) and a long overcoat. Women wear long, modest dresses to worship. Disposing of the Dead- The Jewish are against cremation because it's associated with the "dolatrous beliefs".The Talmud states that burying the dead is a religious obligation. They're against cremation because they view it as wrong to mutilate a corpse but burying the loved one is acceptable because decomposition is natural.
Islam
The religion of Islam began in Arabia. Those who follow this religion are called Muslims. It is a monotheistic, universal religion. Islam has more than 1,800 million followers worldwide. Allah is the god that they worship.
What is Islam?
Islam was founded by Muhammad in 570 A.D. Muslims believe that there's only god, Allah, and that He created every soal in equal sight. They also believe that Allah sent messengers to deliver to mankind to "Worship Him and obey His commands". There's no original sin in the Islamic religion as there is in Christianity. Forgiveness is offered through repentance to Allah. Muslims follow the five pillars of Islam: -Faith -Prayer -Charity/Sharing -Pilgrimage -Fasting Muslims follow Allah's word through the Qur'an, their Holy Book. Muslims believe that it was revealed by Allah to the Prophet Muhammad. Two important symbols for Muslims include The Cresent and the Star (main symbol) and the Arabic script for Allah.
Why/How is Islam Practiced?
Islam started to expand when the Muslims from Arabia had moved to other countries such as Jerusalem, Cairo, Alexandria, and Isfahan. The main part of the diffusion happened when they invaded Spain and they entered India. Islam is divided into a lot of different denominations/sects: -Ahmadiyya -Shi'a -Sufism -Sunni -Alevi -Mourdine Muslims go through a process called Janaza when a loved one passed away. The corpse gets washed, perfumed, wrapped in white cloth, and burried within 24 hours. September eleventh marks a historical event in the world. It is one of the biggest acts of terrorism the world has ever seen. Since it was done by a group of Muslims, people were and a few still are quite reluctant to accept any Muslim as just a regular citizen. Muslims even today are criticized just for being Muslim in America. Followers of Islam pray in multiple places of worship. A synagogue is an Islamic church.
Buddhism
Buddhism is a universal religion and a polytheistic religion. Followers believe in multiple gods called "Deras". Followers focus on their way of life rather than the gods. It is a spiritual path directing religion. Buddhism was founded by Siddharta Gautama "The Buddha" in 520 B.C.E in North Eastern Asia. Buddhism's main symbol is the eight-spoked Dharmacakra and it symbolizes royalty. There are a couple Holy Days that the followers of Buddhism take part in:
Dhamma Day- Celebrates the Buddha's first teaching on the full moon day of the 8th lunar month, usually in July. Uposatha- This day is known as observance day, there are four holy days on the new moon, full moon, and quarter moon days every month. Buddhist use the "lunisorlar calendar" to keep track of holidays such as these There are many denominations that have branched off of this religion: -Therarada -Mahayana -Vajrayana -Tibetan -Zen Buddhism started to expand from its hearth in Northeastern India to Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Indo-China, and other South East Asian countries. Then, it moved north into Himalayin Kingdoms, Sikkim, Nepal, Tibet, Mongolia, and Central Asia. Today, Buddhism is found in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Japan, China, etc, and in some parts of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal, also in the European countries and the USA. It is believed that the Buddhist population of the world is over 500 million.
Hinduism
Unlike many other religions, there is no known founder or no known date founded in Hinduism. The only thing known about the origin of Hinduism is that it was derived from India. There are approximately 900 million followers making it one of the oldest but third largest religion in the world. Most Hindus worship one or more deities, believe in reincarnation, practice meditation, and observe holy days such as Diwali and Holi. Diwali- a Hindu festival of lights, held in the period October to November. It is particularly associated with Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, and marks the beginning of the fiscal year in India. Holi- a Hindu spring festival celebrated in February or March in honor of Krishna. There are multiple symbols associated with Hinduism: =The lotus flower indicates beauty. - The yantra indicates the universe. =A bindi is a circular jewel that women wear upon their foreheads to indicate that they're married.
Since Hinduism has a variety of different expressions, beliefs can be "customized" The main location of this religion is India. 80% of the whole religion is located there.
The main sects of Hinduism are: -Sairism -Vaisnavism -Saktism
Animism
Animism is the belief that all things have a spirit or
soul, including animals, plants, rivers, mountains, stars, the moon, and the
sun. Animists offer sacrifices, prayers, dances, or other forms of devotions to these spirits in hopes of blessing upon areas of life (crops, health, fertility, etc.) or for protection from harm.
Animism wasn't founded by one person in particulare and the hearth is unknown. This religion is dispersed all throughout the world because this religion is practiced in tribes. It was diffused by Naitive Americans and most other religions such as Buddhism. Animism is polytheistic because they believe in different spirits.
Jainism
Jainism is a ethnic, polytheistic religion. It is an Indian religion that describes the path of non violence towards human beings, it's also a philosopy. Jainism was founded in India in the 6th century BC by the Jina Vardhamana Mahavira as a reaction against the teachings of orthodox Brahmanism. This religion was diffused when some Jain communities relocated to places such as Great Britain during the colonial period, 1830s to 1940s. Also, Mohandes Gandhi’s mother was a devout Jain and her compassion for all life influenced her son’s civil rights and peace activism. Jainism has one main symbol. The outline of the symbol represents the universe, raised hand means stop, the word in the center of the wheel means non-violence and it means “ahimsa”, the swastika it reminds us that during the cycles of birth and death we can be born into anyone of the 4 destinies; heavenly beings, human beings, animal beings, and hellish beings, 3 dots represent 3 jewels of Jainism; Samyak Jana-right knowledge, Samyak Charitra (right conduct.) The curved arc at the top is called Siddhas, it represents the final resting place.
Some of their holy places that they worship in are called Stupas and Temples. Stupas are what they use to honor their Saints.