World Religions

Our lives are full of questions, many of which are very hard to answer. Why are we born? Why do we die? How did the world come into being? Why is there unhappiness and suffering in the world as well as joy and love? Religions are sets of ideas and beliefs that try to make sense of these mysteries. In many cases, they also offer principals by which people should live their lives. The first religions were spirit religions dedicated to the many spirits or gods of nature. Spirit religions were not written down, but used stories and myths to explain the world. Today there are many different religions, each with its own god or gods. Two of the major religions: Islam and Christianity. The third, Hinduism, has many gods.

Christians are the followers of Jesus Christ, a preacher who lived 2,000 years ago in Palestine. Many people were suspicious of Jesus and his teachings and while still a young man he was arrested and crucified (hung on a cross to die). Three days after his death his tomb was found empty and he appeared to his followers several times before he finally ascended into heaven. Christians believe that Jesus was the son of God and that he died to release people from their sins. The symbol of Christianity is the crucifix (cross) on which Jesus Christ died.

The religion of Islam began 1,400 years ago in the city of Mecca when Allah (the Muslim name for God), spoke to Muhammad the prophet. Muhammad wrote down Allah's word in the holy book, the Quran. Islam means submission, and the followers of Islam, called Muslims, submit themselves to Allah's will and try to live in a way that is pleasing to Him. When they die, Muslims believe that they are judged and sent either to heaven or hell. Muslims pray five times a day facing towards Mecca, but can worship anywhere, even in the street. All Muslims must try to make a pilgrimage (called Hajj) to the holy city of Mecca once in their lives.

Hinduism began in India around 5,000 years ago and is one of the oldest religions. Hindus believe in a supreme soul or spirit without form, called Brahman. There are many other Hindu gods, but they all represent different aspects of Brahman's power and character. Hindus believe that when you die your soul is reborn in another body as a person or an animal. This is called the cycle of rebirth, and your actions in this life influence what you become in the next life. Every Hindu seeks to live a good life so that their soul can break out of this cycle and join with the Brahman.

The first religions were based on the worship of the spirits or gods of the natural world; in the animals, plants, rivers and mountains. These are called animist religions and they are traditional religions passed down by word of mouth. Animist religions are still practiced all over the world.

The information gathered in order to write the article is taken from the notes of mine which were in a raw form, after modification and addition of some of my own knowledge, i came up with this finished form of article.