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Religions
 CHRISTANITY
The obvious answer to when Christianity has its origins would
be to state that it began some 2000 years ago with Jesus of Nazareth,
called Jesus Christ by his followers, however most Christians
believe that their faith has its origins in the very creation
itself.
Christianity is the largest of all the world religions. There
is a considerable variety within Christianity. Its denominations
include the Roman Catholics (the largest), the Orthodox Churches
and the various churches influenced by the Protestant Reformation
of the 16th century (including the Church of England). Despite
their diversity they are united under the description of “Christian”
in that they all follow Jesus Christ whom they believe to be the
Son of God who died on a cross to save the world from sin and
death. They believe that after his death God raised Jesus to life
and thus established a new relationship between God and humanity.
Christians believe in One God who exists in three persons: Father,
Son and Holy Spirit. These three persons are not three Gods. The
Father, Son and the Holy Spirit are all one and the same God.
The Bible, the holy book of the Christians, has two parts. The,
so called, Old Testament is the Hebrew Scriptures and tells of
God’s dealings with his people of Israel. It reminds us of the
Jewish origins of the Christian faith. The New Testament tells
us of Jesus Christ and his first followers, and of the Christian
community (church) that was formed. The traditional day of worship
is Sunday when the resurrection of Jesus is celebrated. Most Christians
use the sacraments of Baptism and the Eucharist. They believe
that, united to Jesus Christ, they share in the new life his resurrection
brings. Christians also believe that God's Spirit is alive and
active today, and that they are called to cooperate with the Holy
Spirit in transforming this world. In Christianity the moral life
can be summed up by the command to love God and our neighbour,
and the belief that those who die, and with God's help have lived such
a good life, shall live forever with God.
 ISLAM
The word Islam is Arabic and translated into English means “submission”
or “obedience”. A Muslim , a follower of Islam is one who submits
to Allah.
Islam began in Mecca, which is in that part of Arabia known as
Saudi Arabia, in 610 of the Christian era. There are Muslims throughout
the world, in excess of 1,000,000,000 and over two million live
in Britain.
Muslims believe in one God Allah and that His followers must display
total obedience to His will. Muslims believe that Allah is the
only true God. A number of prophets have brought the word of Allah
to mankind but the last and final prophet was Muhammad pbuh to
whom the Angel Gabriel revealed Allah’s word. These revelations
were recorded by Muhammad’s followers in the Qur’an. The Qur’an
is the sacred book of Islam and is believed to be the actual word
of God and to contain all the direction as to how the faithful
should live their lives.
The main tenets of Islam are some times referred to as the 5 Pillars
of Islam. This is a useful term as the faith of a Muslim is founded
on these pillars. Shahada. There is only one God, Allah, and Muhammad
is his messenger.
Salat. Prayers five times each and every day.
Zakat Giving to charity and the poor.
Saum During the month of Ramadan undergoing a fast.
Hajj. A pilgrimage to Mecca at least once during a Muslim’s life.
The place of worship is known as a Mosque. The traditional day
for prayer at the Mosque is Friday at mid-day. There are two main
Muslim groups in the world. Sunni Muslims and Shi’ite Muslims.
The two groups share a common understanding of belief and practice
to the greatest extent but differ over the form of leadership
of the Muslim population.
 SIKHISM
The Punjab region of North India is the home of Sikhism which
was founded in the 15th Century by the first of the ten Guru’s
Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
The word Sikh has its origins in the Sanskrit and means DISCIPLE.
The word Guru means “Teacher”.
The religion is based on the teachings of the Ten Gurus the last
of whom was Guru Gobind Singh Ji. He stated that there would be
no human Gurus after him. The Holy book of Sikhism is the Guru
Granth Sahib.
Sikhs believe that:
There is one God, the creator, the truth, without fear or hate,
timeless, formless, enlightened. God can be known by the Gurus
grace.
That all human beings, men and women are equal
That service to God Sewa is a right thing to do
That one should earn their living honestly
That one should be charitable to the needy.
The 5 “K’s the articles of the Sikh faith.
Kes All bodily hair must remain uncut
Khanga A small wooden comb to keep the hair well groomed.
Kara An iron bangle worn on the right wrist
Kirpan A steel sword.
Kacchahra. A special undergarment.
The wearing of the Turban is synonymous with Sikhism.
All the Gurus wore Turbans.
The Sikh place of worship is known as a Gurdwara. There are two
in Stoke on Trent
Acknowledged as the oldest religion in the world Hinduism has
its origins in India. It is the third largest religion with regard
to followers with some 550,000,000 adherents.
Of these some 300,000 live in Britain. Those resident here in
Stoke on Trent originate from Northern India in the main. It remains
the largest religion within India, some 80% of the people in that
country being Hindu.
The Religion.
It is difficult for many westerners to appreciate the concept
of Hinduism, as our western philosophy does not readily equate
with its rational. Its application of a caste system and manifestations
of God together with much of the news carried in the 1960’s concerning
Pop Stars their lifestyles and enlightenment have added to the
confusion. Hinduism has no particular founder nor are there identifiable
prophets with a universally accepted teaching. It has no set creed
or hierarchical structure of management. It is focussed on the
“ right way of living” and encompasses a wide range of differing
practises and religions.
Hindus may be theists (believe in one God) or non-theists they
may not believe in God or may practise worship of a number of
Gods and Goddesses.
A common thread through all Hindu worship is the concept of reincarnation.
The process of birth and death and rebirth is called samsara.
The type of life lived on earth will have a positive or negative
effect on the type of life next time around. This is karma a human
who lives a good life in terms of his or her hinduism will be
rewarded with a better life. Hindus do not eat beef. There is
a strong tradition of vegetarianism amongst Hindu worshippers.
Many Hindus will not drink alcohol or smoke as part of their religious
commitment.
 JUDAISM
Judaism has its origins with Abraham and has a history of over
4000 years. The religion began in the Middle East but now has
its followers throughout the world, particularly concentrated
in Israel, America and Europe. Most of the cities in England have
a Jewish community and Stoke on Trent has a relatively small but
vibrant Jewish community. Jews worship at a Synagogue and there
is a fine example of such a building in Birches Terrace Hanley.
Anyone who has a Jewish mother is “born” into the faith it is
possible but to convert to Judaism.
Jews believe that there is only one God and that he has revealed
His law (Torah) to his appointed people the Jews. This bond or
covenant is central to the religion. This focus of the religion
is contained in the Shema prayer recited twice each day. “ Hear
O Israel the Lord our God is one Lord: and you shall love the
Lord your God with all you heart, and with all your soul, and
with all your might. And these words which I command you this
day, shall be on your heart”.
They believe that God has revealed his word through the writings
of their holly book the Torah and another book the Talmud contains
the rules and laws of life both civil and religious.
There are a number of different groups within the Jewish faith
who have variants in how they worship and express their religion.
Worship is centred in the home, in life and within the synagogue.
The Holy day of the week is the Sabbath ( Shabbat ). This day
begins at the sunset on Friday and lasts until one hour after
sunset on Saturday. Devout Jews will carry out no work or business
on the Sabbath.
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