Exploring World Religion

This resources explores 4 elements of six major world religions: Beliefs, Festivals, Places and Writings.

Beliefs

All religions have their core beliefs - a set of events or actions accepted as the truth by the followers of that religion. Some beliefs are based on things that have happened, for example God as the Creator of the Earth (common in many religions); some beliefs are based on things that are still to happen, for example Reincarnation (re-birth into a new life) is a Buddhist belief.

The beliefs of a religion are explained, celebrated and expressed in the teachings of a religion through its Writings, Festivals and holy places.

Festivals

Religions have festivals that link to their beliefs. Festivals give believers the opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the meaning of the beliefs in their religion. Some festivals are very joyous occasions, others are solemn.

Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year and takes place in September or October. It is believed to be the day when God created the world. Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of Ramadhan, the month of fasting, and is celebrated with the giving of gifts and food by followers of Islam.

Places

Each religion has places that it considers to be holy or sacred. Usually these places are where significant events in the religion's past have taken place. Believers often like to visit these places in pilgrimage and offer special prayers or offerings at these holy sites.

Jerusalem is a holy city for Christianity, Islam and Judaism. The River Ganges is the most important place of Hindu pilgrimage. Hindus go there to wash away their sins, to pray and to make offerings.

Writings

The beliefs of a religion are written down in holy books or scriptures so that they can be studied and passed down through the generations. The Writings of a religion help explain how and why events took place and often contain rules or advice for followers on how to live their lives in accordance with the core beliefs.

The Bible is a collection of writings gathered together, studied and followed by Christians. All versions of the Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh writings) are exactly the same, with 1,430 pages in each copy