Религии мира

Religions

A huge number of people all around the world profess some religion – Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, or some other – and find in their religions the answers to the most urgent problems in their lives. 

Christianity

Christianity is the world’s biggest religion, with about 2.2 billion followers worldwide. Through its missionary activity Christianity has spread the most parts of the world.

This religion was originated in Israel by Jesus of Nazareth (Jesus Christ) who lived in the Holy Land 2.000 years ago. Christianity is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ who came to earth to teach about love and fellowship. Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. God sent him to earth to save humanity from the consequences of its sins. So, Jesus was born about 2000 years ago in Bethlehem. Jesus lived for 33 years before being crucified by the Romans. He was tortured and gave his life on the cross. Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. Christians believe that Jesus Christ was the Savior and are now waiting for his second coming.

There are different branches of Christianity The Roman Catholic Church

The Church of England

Orthodox Church

Baptists

Methodists

Seventh-day Adventists

Сhristians believe that there is only one God, but this one God consists of 3 “persons” – God the Father, God the Son, The Holy Spirit. The Christian holy book is the Bible. It is divided into the Old and New Testaments.

The Christian place of worship is called a Church, also a Chapel and a Cathedral. They are often built in the shape of a cross with the altar facing east towards the rising sun. Churches are usually beautifully decorated. Christian worship involves praising God in music, speech, readings from scripture. There are many holy places for Christians but the main ones are Jerusalem, Betheleum, Rome, Nazareth, Canterbury and Lourdes.

As concerning the Christian symbols the main one is the cross. It reminds Christians that Jesus died on the cross to save them. The dove is the symbol of the holy spirit and peace. The fish symbol was created using the Greek letters. In the Romans times it was dangerous for the Christians to meet. So, they devised a secret code. They drew half a fish in the sand. Of a person completed the fish, they knew he or she was a believer to. Under the fish sign the Christians wrote the Greek word fish which means Jesus Christ God’s Son Saviour. The major Christian festivals are Lent, Easter and Christmas

Islam

Islam is the second most popular religion in the world with over a thousand million followers. It is more often thought of as a complete way of life rather than a religion. The word “Islam” means submission and obedience, and derives from a word meaning ”peace”. Those who follow Islam are called Muslims. They believe that there is only one God Allah, who is the sole and sovereign ruler of the universe.

Islam began in Saudi Arabia and was revealed to humanity by the Prophet Muhammad, a holy man to whom God (Allah) told many things which are recorded in the Koran, the Holy Book of Islam, translated as “the word of God”.

The symbol of Islam is the moon with the star. The symbol of Islam is the moon with the star.

The Muslim building for worship is called a mosque. Very often Mosques have a doomed roof and a tall tower called a minaret. Muslims pray five times a day and face the direction of Mecca while praying. Muslims take off their shoes before entering the mosque and wash themselves to be clean to meet the God. The Muslim building for worship is called a mosque. Very often Mosques have a doomed roof and a tall tower called a minaret. Muslims pray five times a day and face the direction of Mecca while praying. Muslims take off their shoes before entering the mosque and wash themselves to be clean to meet the God. Women do not pray in the same place as men, there is usually a screened off area for them in the mosque.

The holy places for Muslims are Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem The holy places for Muslims are Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem

The Muslim year is based on Lunar calendar. They celebrate Ramadan, Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha, Dhu Al-Hijja and Al Hijra, the last is the Islamic New Year.

Buddhism

Buddhism began in India and is based on the teaching of the Buddha. The religion is 2,500 years old and is followed by 350 million Buddhists worldwide. The founder of Buddhism is Siddhartha Gautama. He was born into a royal family. One day he want outside the royal palace and saw what real life was like. He was worried by what he saw. He stopped being the prince and became a homeless holy man. He found the path to Enlightenment and became known as the Buddha or “awakened one”.

Buddhists believe that there is a cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth. But if a person can gain Enlightenment, they can break out of this cycle. Breaking out of the cycle is called Nirvana. Buddhists try to reach Nirvana by following the Buddha's teaching and by meditating. Meditation means training the mind to empty it of all thoughts.

Buddhists worship at home or at a temple. They may sit on the floor barefoot facing an image of Buddha and chanting. It is very important that their feet face away from the image of Buddha.