Exploring Major World Religions (Religious Education for Children)

Take an exciting journey around the globe to learn about religions. Don’t worry; we won’t get bogged down in complex doctrines and theological arguments. Instead, we will focus on the key figures, captivating stories, and unique practices that make each religion unique.

Christianity

Core Beliefs: The Christian faith believes that one true God created the universe and sent his son, Jesus Christ, as a beacon of love and forgiveness for humanity.

Key Figure: The image of Jesus Christ with open arms symbolizes his message of compassion and acceptance.

Practices: Attending church, praying, and participating in religious holidays like Christmas, with dazzling lights and cheerful melodies, and Easter, with colourful eggs and a message of hope.

Fun Fact: It is interesting to note that the Bible is the most translated book in the world, available in more than 700 languages!

Islam

Core Beliefs: Muslims believe that there is only one God, Allah, who guides and protects them and follows Muhammad’s teachings.

Key Figure: Muhammad inspired millions with his wisdom and compassion worldwide.

Practices: Praying five times a day, facing the holy city of Mecca; fasting during Ramadan, a time for reflection and spiritual growth; visiting a mosque, a place of serenity and community, with its soaring minarets and intricate calligraphy.

Fun Fact: The Quran, the holy book of Islam, is believed to be the literal word of God, revealed to Prophet Muhammad over 23 years ago. It’s recited in Arabic, its original language, by Muslims worldwide.

Judaism

Core Beliefs: Jewish people believe in one God and follow the Torah, a sacred scroll containing the first five books of the Hebrew Bible.

Key Figure: Moses who led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and received the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai.

Practices: Celebrating holidays like Hanukkah, the festival of lights, with its spinning dreidels and delicious latkes; Passover, commemorating the Exodus from Egypt with a special Seder meal; attending synagogue services; following dietary laws (kosher).

Fun Fact: The Torah is handwritten on a scroll and kept on a special ark in the synagogue. It’s treated with deep reverence and considered the most sacred object in Judaism.

Hinduism

Core Beliefs: Hindus believe in many gods and goddesses, each representing different divine aspects. They also believe in karma, the idea that our actions have consequences, and reincarnation, the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

Key Figures: Brahma, the creator; Vishnu, the preserver; Shiva, the destroyer; and a pantheon of other gods and goddesses, each with unique stories and powers.

Practices: Yoga, a practice that unites the mind, body, and spirit through physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation; celebrating vibrant festivals like Diwali, the festival of lights, and Holi, the festival of colours, where people joyously throw coloured powder and water at each other.

Fun Fact: Hinduism is one of the oldest religions in the world, with roots dating back 4,000 years! It’s a rich and diverse tradition with many beliefs and practices.

Buddhism

Core Beliefs: Buddhists follow the teachings of the Buddha, who taught that the root of all suffering is attachment and that we can achieve enlightenment by following the Eightfold Path, a path of wisdom, ethical conduct, and mental discipline.

Key Figure: The Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama), a prince who renounced his luxurious life to seek enlightenment and teach others how to find lasting peace and happiness.

Meditation is a practice that cultivates mindfulness and inner peace, living a life of compassion and non-violence and visiting temples and serene places of worship adorned with Buddha statues and colourful prayer flags.

Fun Fact: Buddhism originated in India but has spread worldwide, adapting to different cultures and giving rise to diverse traditions and practices.