by Anna Krum
What is Christianity?
Description of Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion. They worship God. They have a holy book called the Bible. Major holidays include Easter and Christmas, but there are also holidays like Good Friday and Palm Sunday. Highly practiced rituals include going to church every Sunday and attending possible activities within a church. Specifically, anything that includes worshiping God. Christians believe that God sent his only son, Jesus, down to the earth to help us (humans) and save us from our sins. They believe that Jesus is the Messiah.
What is Judaism? Video
Description of Judaism
Judaism is monotheistic. They worship God. They trace their religion back to Abraham, who set up the belief for them that there is only one god. Their holy book is the Torah. Major holidays include Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shavuot, and Passover. For some, Hanukkah is included as a major holiday too. Highly practiced rituals include having bar mitzvahs and bat mitzvahs, and Kosher dietary practices.
What is Hinduism?
Description of Hinduism
Hinduism is polytheistic. They worship miltiple gods, including Ganesha, Balrama, Brahama, and Vishnu. There is not one specific holy book for Hinduism, but instead three main books called Bhagavad-Gita, Ramayana, and Veda. Major holidays include Holi, Diwali, and Dassera. Some highly practiced rituals include Namaste greeting and Puja. Hinduism had gradually developed over the last four thousand years and they believe that there is no one founder or origin of the religion hinduism.
What is Buddhism - Buddhism classes
Description of Buddhism
Buddhism is polytheistic. They worship Buddha, but also many different forms of Buddhas. These forms are hundreds of different Buddha statues that represent different things. For example, the unclothed Buddha stature with no jewelry on represents simplicity and detachment from material things. The start of Buddhism tradition can be traced all the way back to 563 BCE, which is a very long time ago. Buddhism is basically the practice of finding peace within yourself. The holy book for Buddhism is the Tipitaka (also called the Tripitaka or Tripika) and also The Diamond Sutra. Major holidays for Buddhism include Uposatha, Makha Bucha, Vesakha, Asalha Puja Day, Kathina Ceremony, and Sanghamitta Day. Some highly practiced rituals include meditation, mantras, and mudras.
What is Islam? (What's the Deal with Islam?)
Description of Islam
Islam is monotheistic. Islam worship Allah. Islam began in the 6th century B.C. Islam includes Muslims, or that is what the people of Islam religion are called. They respect Hebrew and Christian scriptures, but they have their own separate beliefs. They believe that Prophet Muhammad is the last messenger of God. Their holy book is the Quran and they believe it to be the book of the unchanged word of God. Major holidays include Id-Ah Fitr and Id-Al Adha (the festival of breaking the fast and the festival of sacrifice), Ashura, Ramadan, and Al-Hijra. Highly practiced rituals include fasting, confessions, and ritual prayer.