Religion SOCIETY and BELIEFS
Religion involves belief in divine beings along with a set of practices and a moral code that
help to reinforce that belief. A religion’s teachings, usually written down in a holy book, and its
stories, are intended to help people to understand the meaning of life. Each religion has its own
idea of the ultimate goal of life, its own place for worshipping. GOD or gods, its
own rituals, and its own rules for living.
Most religions believe in one or many
gods. A god is a supernatural being, with
power over human lives. In some religions,
believers pray to their god or gods for help.
In others, they use meditation to help them
focus on their duties.WHY IS THERE SUFFERING IN THE WORLD?
Each religion has its own explanation for suffering.
Often it is seen as punishment for sin, or bad
behaviour. People may be tricked into being bad by
a devil figure, or they may be misled by their own
desires. Western religions generally see suffering as
the result of human failing. Eastern religions see
it as the result of human ignorance.DO ALL FAITHS HAVE A GOD?
Although Buddhists share common roots with Hindus,
they worship no gods but instead use Buddha’s
teachings to encourage spiritual progress. Confucians
strive for cosmic harmony by creating a society based
on order and virtue. Many local religions worship
spirits that inhabit the natural world around them.ARE THERE MANY RELIGIONS?
Religions are not easy to count. Islam, Judaism, and
Christianity share some common origins, but are all
separate. Each of these may contain more recent
differences, such as Sunni and Shia Muslims, or
Catholic and Protestant Christians.1 ILLUMINATED GOSPEL
Before printing was invented, holy books were beautifully written out
by scribes. Christian Bibles, like this 1503 New Testament in Ancient
Greek from Moldavia in present-day Romania, were all hand-copied
in monasteries by monks.4 HOLY RIVER
The River Ganges, also worshipped
as the goddess Ganga, is
considered the holiest of all rivers
by Hindus. Pilgrims drink, bathe,
and scatter their loved ones’ ashes
in the sacred waters in an act of
spiritual purification.RELIGION
GOD
Hindu pilgrims
ritually wash
themselves in the
Ganges during a
religious festival in
the holy city of
Varanasi (Benares)