Faith Magazine

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Faith contents

READ IT6 Major World Religions7 Major Religions in New Zealand10 Religious Symbols

100% REALITY 14 Yound Muslim speak about their daily life16 Interview: Muslim student18 I decided to devote myself to God when I was 1619 Celebs show off their faith, loud and proud22 I went on a Buddhist pilgrimage26 Diwali: Festival of lights

REGULARS2 Masthead5 Karina’s letter40 Subscribe

FEATURES28 Religious celebs32 Prayer accesories36 Religious buildings 41 Celebs with religious tattoo

FUN STUFF46 Which religion is for you?49 Wordfind50 Wordfindglossary

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Editor - Karina TedjapoernamaDeputy editor - Milutin Ilic

ArtArt director - Ariesha Tedjapoernama

Deputy art director - Matthew PetersonDesigner - Karina TedjapoernamaContributor - Boyana Golubovich

Features and CopyChief sub-editor - Gemma Gooding

Deputy Chief sub-editor - Noreen BurchellEntertainment/photo editor - Melissa Rall

Features editor - Paul IanovskiFeatures writer - Caitlin Smith

AdvertisingAdvertising director - Gisela MahadiAdvertising manager - Raewyn Csore

Senior account manager - Anastasia MaramisAccount manager - Jason Harvey

Advertising co-ordinator - Sarah CowdenPromotions art director - Jack Crichton

FaithNZ first Religious magazine for teens

AUCKLAND · WELLINGTON · CHRISTCHURCH29 Jan–7 Feb 11 Feb–20 Feb 25 Feb–04 Mar

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Welcometofaithmagazinefirst issue!I’m so excited to be a part of your world. As you can imagine, I was thrilled when I found out I was going

toplayahugepart inbringingyouNZfirstteen’sreligious magazine. I grabbed my mobile phone and started lazy group text to let my family and friends in on my good news. Thankfully, before I pressed the send button, I suddenly realised how impersonal this text would seem once received by everyone. So I changed my plan of attack and reached for the telephone. I felt kind of good about myself as they got to listen to my excitement, I got to hear their supportive and stoked reactions – something a million texts could never replace.

Anyway, as you head into a fresh year at school, go with the knowledge that I and the rest of us at FAITH are backing you up 100 percent. Your potential is infinite, so if you’ve got an idea or adream, don’t just wish it to happen, make it happen. I know you can do it.

Faith is your magazine so I’d love to hear your thoughts and requests. You can email me at [email protected]

Seeyounextseason!

Hi boys and girls

AUCKLAND · WELLINGTON · CHRISTCHURCH29 Jan–7 Feb 11 Feb–20 Feb 25 Feb–04 Mar

WORLD

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Major world religions

Religion MembersChristianityIslamHinduismBuddhismSikhismJudaismBada’i Faith

1.9 billion1.1 billion781 million324 million19 million14 million6.1 million

Major world religions (2005)source: www.adherents.com

Christianity

Islam

Hinduism

Buddhism

Judaism

Sikhism

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*ChristianityThefirst new groupofChristians after the 19th-century settlers were other Pacific peoples, whobegan to immigrate in 1950s. The identity of each Pasifikagroupisstrengthenedbymeetingregularlyto worship in their own language and style. During the 1990s, Christians were among the immigrants from Asian countries such as Korea. Their churches offer worship in their own languages, as well as English language classes to support new immigrants. Also in the 1990s, South African immigrants, for whom churchgoing was a regular part of their culture, joined churches around the country.

*IslamDuring the 100 years from 1874 onwards, small numbers of Muslims arrived in New Zealand. They included gold-diggers from China, families from India, students from Asia, and refuges from Eastern Europe. In the 1970s, Indo-Fijian Muslims began to immigrate, due to political unrest in Fiji. After 1987 Muslim refugees arrived from war-torn Somalia in Africa, from Bosnia and Kosovo in Europe, and from Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan in the Middles East.The Muslim population is very diverse and includes growing numbers of New Zealand-born Muslims. Muslims have built mosques and have also established centres in New Zealand cities. These centres aim to help build good relationships with the community and to extend people’s knowledge of Islam.

Although the number of cultures in Aotearoa New Zealand is large, the number of religions is much smaller. This is because the major religions of the world have spread into many countries.

Major religions in New Zealand

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*HinduismThe Hindu religion has not been a missionary religion. When Britain ruled India, however Indians were sent as indentured labour and as soldiers in the British Army to places as far distant as Fiji and South Africa. Thus they took their religion out into the world. New Zealand’s immigration laws restricted the number of Hindus until after World War II. Young men worked on land and in menial jobs for money to send home. After 1945 women were able to join their men. Gradually families moved into towns and could afford to buy small businesses. The women set up homes and organised their family shrines and religious rituals. Today Hindus from several parts of the world, including Fiji are found throughout the professions in New Zealand.

*BuddhismThe first Buddhists came to New Zealand fromChinain1890,toworkinthegoldfieldsofOtagoand the West Coast. The number increased in the 1970s, when New Zealand received Cambodian and Vietnamese refugees. During the 1990s, Buddhists were among the Asian immigrants who had been encouraged by the New Zealand government to bring their capital to New Zealand. Other Buddhist groups include the Friends oftheWestern Buddhist Order. They have adaptedBuddhistpracticestofitthemodernWesternworld.There are many temples and centres around New Zealand, belonging to the different branches of Buddhism. They offer activities, teaching and retreats to the general public as well supporting their own people.

*JudaismThere has been a small Jewish population in New Zealand since 1830s, when a few Jewish businessmen helped to develop New Zealand trade. Synagogues were built in Auckland and Wellington as early as 1870 and 1885. During the World War II the Nazi regime set out to exterminate the Jews. Six million were killed in Europe during the ‘holocaust’. Very few of those who escaped persecution were allowed into New Zealand. Although the Jewish community has remained small, it has made a significant contribution tosociety. For example, there have beenfive Jewishmayors of Auckland.Attheturnofthe21stcentury,asignificantnumberof Jews were immigrating to New Zealand from South Africa.

*SikhismWhen Britain ruled India; many Sikhs joined the British Army and travelled, some as far as Fiji. This experience of the outside world led to Sikh emigration from Punjab.In 1890 a few Sikhs lived in New Zealand, scrub cutting in the back blocks. Later, despite discrimination and hardship, these men were able to buy into small businesses, a few buying dairy farms in Waikato. The Sikh community was becoming morevisiblewhenthefirstgurdwarawasopenedinHamilton in 1977. Here Sikhs were able to welcome and assist new migrants as they increased in number over the following years. Today, New Zealand-born Sikhs and more recent immigrants, by gaining better education, have moved into their professions.

“Major religions of the world have spread into many countries.“

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Religious symbols

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CrossThe most well known cross today is the Latin cross, which for Christians represents the cross of Christ’s crucifixion.WhenshownwiththeimageofChrist,it is called a crucifix. The empty cross usuallyfavoured by Protestants reminds Christians of the resurrection,whilethecrucifixfavouredbyCatholicandOrthodoxchurchesisareminderofChrist’ssacrifice.

Star and crescentStar and crescent is the best known symbol used to represent Islam, signifying divine authority, resurrection, and the star representing paradise. The star and crescent features prominently on the flagsofmanycountriesintheIslamicworld,suchas Turkey and Pakistan.

OmOm(Aum) isHindusacred soundconsidered thegreatest of all mantras. The syllable om is composed of the three sounds a-u-m. Including the three worlds; earth, atmosphere, and heaven, the three sacred Vedic scriptures; Rg, Yanur, and Sama, and the three major Hindu gods; Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva

Dharma ChakraThe dharma chakra, also known as the wheel of law has eight spokes, each representing one of the eight tenets of Buddhist belief. The circle symbolises the completeness of the Dharma, the spokes represent the eightfold path leading to enlightenment: Right faith, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right endeavour, right mindfulness, and right meditation.

Religious symbols have been interpreted and engrained into society for generations. These symbols areofgreatsignificancetomanyanditisimportantthatweunderstandtheirappropriatemeaningsand uses.This article focuses on four religious symbols of the four most popular religions. This is based

on the estimated number of adherents for Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism. The four most recognised symbols are the Latin cross representing Christianity, Star and Crescent for Islam, Om forHinduism, and the Dharma Chakra wheel for Buddhism.

Christian

Islam

Hinduism

Buddhism

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‘Iamfifteenyearsold.WecamefromPakistanfiveyears ago. I have been learning to read Arabic since I was eleven years old. Now I am learning to recite the Qur’an from memory. I know six sections, so I have twenty-four more to learn. The words are Allah’s words – they are precious.’ -Yusuf (far left in the photo)

‘I am from Indonesia. We take the day off school for Id-ul-Fitr. It is a happy festival at the end of Ramadan. The whole family go to the mosque to thank Allah for helping us through the month of fasting. We also give money, enough for one meal for one person from each member f our family, through an organisation which helps people in need.’ -Didid

Young Muslims speak about their daily lives

Did you know...These following things might offend muslims:

*Pork*Breast Feeding*Airport security*Witchcraft*Alcoholics

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‘Ten years ago our family left Fiji and migrated to New Zealand. My mother is originally from Malaysia andmyfatherfromFiji.Mydayisfilledwithprayers,thefirstonebeforedawnandthelastbeforeIgotosleep. I eat halal food and don’t smoke or drink. I dress and behave modestly, and choose to veil my hair as well. I respect the environment and people around me. Every day is devoted to the Almighty’ -Rameesha

‘I have a sense of direction in my life and I know Allah is helping me. We came to New Zealand from Indonesianwhen Iwas six years old.Once Iwentwith my friends to McDonalds during Ramadan. Onefriendsaid,“Poorthing,Ican’teatinfrontof you!” But I told her I didn’t mind. I felt quietstrong. I knew I was doing it for Allah. It felt good to know I could be so disciplined. I also knew I was sharing the experience of people, who are hungry in the world today.’ -Sasya

‘I am from Malaysia. Ramadan is not just going without food. It’s also not getting angry, not gossiping and not having bad thoughts about other people. It is the time to concentrate on controlling ourselves –insideandout!Yes,itwasdifficulttobedifferentfromotherkidswhenIfirstcametoNewZealand.But after a while I realised that drink and parties and drugs was all a way of escaping from reality. I think that real happiness is being contented with oneself and sharing one’s positive energy with other people.’ -Rafi

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F : Why do you wear your scarf to school?D : It’s part of my religion.F : But do you have to wear it? Are you made to?D : No, I have not been forced to wear it. I decided when I wanted to start wearing a scarf. F : Don’t you get teased?D :Yes,weallgetsometeasing.WhenIfirstworeascarftoprimaryschoolthisboy mocked me. He told me I looked stupid. I was nine years old and of course I cried, but I put my scarf back on and have worn it ever since.F : All the time? D : No. We don’t wear scarves when we are at home with the family.F : Why do you want to wear it?D :Well,Islamisawayoflife.Ourreligiontellsushowtoliveourlives.Itsaysinthe Qur’an that women should cover their heads and the words in the Qur’an are the word of Allah. You can’t argue with Allah. F : But why don’t all the Muslim girls wear their scarves to school?D : Some girls decide earlier than others that they want to begin wearing the scarf. You see, youcan’tputitononedayandtakeitoffthenextday.Onceyoustartwearingit,itisapartofyour everyday life. F : So, do you have fun?D : Yes, we have as much fun in our lives as other people. Another thing is that if boys look at me and just see the scarf then they are just going for looks. If they get to know me, what I am reallylike,iftheygettoknowmypersonality,thenthatismuchbetter!Idon’twanttobeknown just for what I look like.F :OthergirlscomplainbecausetheyhavetocoverupandhidetheMaorisymbolsthey want to wear. It’s the same with Christian girls who want to wear a cross.D : But those are cultural and religious symbols they choose to wear. We believe the scarf is an obligatory practice of our religion. We can’t leave our religion at home, it is a way of life and goes with us wherever we go…

A school situation

Faith magazine interviewed Dieta Febriyanti regarding school uniform, took place in a New Zealand single-sex

high school for girls in 2010

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"I decided to devote myself to God when I was 16"

I firstdecidedtodevotemyselftoGodwhenIwas 16. It was my second year at Easter Camp down at Mystery Creek in Hamilton, but unlike the year before I knew that God was trying to

speak to me.

I have come from an atheist family and have always disregarded Christianity as a religion that I would turn to. Since becoming a teenager I have always been in search of a religion that would give me some purpose in the world. My life felt vacant and void of meaning. I investigated various religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism, but I only became confused and more lost. But at Easter Camp 2009 I really listened to what the speakers were saying and I began to understand how living with Jesus as my saviour would give me a sense of purpose in my life.

On the second to last day of Easter Camp myfriends took me down to the stage where I stood with a small group of other teenagers, as we prayed and committed ourselves to God I felt a hand on my shoulder, and I knew that for the rest of my life, as long as I followed Jesus I would never be alone again. My life would always have purpose and meaning.

Even though I have come from a non-religious family, they have been supportive and understanding towards my new beliefs. Not once have my parents insulted or mocked my faith in God, they have only encouraged me and loved me just the same. I often

pray for my family and thank the lord for all that he has given us.

Ever since I have joined a Church and devoted my life to Jesus Ihave feltmore fulfilled. Iamneveralone, as the lord is always there for me. I will never forget that Jesus gave his life on the cross to save me and forgive my sins, for that I am eternally grateful.

[email protected]

Caitlin Smith, 18 has always been in search of a religion that would give her some purpose in the world.

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Celebs show off their faith, loud and proud

Beyonce Despite having a bit of a penchant for hot pants and booty shaking, the ex destiny child singer is actuallyadevoutandconservativeChristian.“Ihavestandards.ThesearethingsIwillnotdo,”shesays.

Guy Sebastian This Australian idol along with Paulini Curuenavali, DanO’ConnorandAnneRobertsonarealldevoutChristians. Maybe it’s their Christian supporters amping up their popularity.

Jess and Ash Jess and Ash’s dad Joe was a Baptist minister before he became theirmanager. Jess’ beliefs influencedher famous decision to stay a virgin until she got married.

Did you know...The Bible contains about 773,692 words! Itwould take you approximately 70 hours to read the whole Bible out loud.

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Natalie Lambert, 17, was blessed by the Dalai Lama during a spiritual journey through India.

"I went on a Buddhist pilgrimage"

disoriented watching the Indian version of Video Hits! Our days in New Delhi were absolutelypacked full, visiting holy Buddhist sites and being greeted by Buddhist meditation masters.A few days later, we caught a train to Varanasi – an experience Iwon’tforget!Arrgh!Ittook30hoursandIgot motion sickness and was throwing up every ten minutes. The train toilet was feral – just a hole on to the tracks (a few people had missed) and a dirty sink.

Christmas day was another early start, to watch the sun come up on the sacred Ganges River in Varanasi. Some merchants attached their boat to ours and we

My mum has been a Buddhist for the past seven years. When the opportunity to go on a Buddhist pilgrimage to India with her teacher, Lani Rinpoche, she

suggested the whole family could go. India was amazing. It was so different to anywhere I’ve ever been and anything I ever known. I think you can only really appreciate the place you live in and the things you take for granted once you have experiencedtheThirdWorldfirsthand.

OuradventureinIndiabeganjustbeforeChristmasin2003.Afteran18hourflight,wearriveinNewDelhi. I was pretty jet-lagged and got even more

Natalie in the middle with her mum, her sisters, and Lani.

[email protected]

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"Fact: India smells. My nose came alive!"

haggled over their treasures. A tiny Indian girl sold uscandles inflowercupsandwefloatedthemonthe river. It was such a magical sight – the candles just looked like little lights dotting the water in the grey light of dawn.

New Year’s Eve, after being blessed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, was spent waiting in Jammu (the biggest hole in the world) for a train that was 18 hours late. Later, we found out that part

of the train station had been blown up just a few hours after we left.

Bodh Gaya is where the Buddha is said to have gained enlightenment, and it was beautiful. The huge Bodhi tree there now is a direct descendant of the tree Buddha meditated under. Buddhists from all around the world come to pray and light candles.Fact:Indiasmells.Mynosecamealive!True,someof the smells were pretty gross, but the richness of all the other aromas made up for it.

However, India is also devastated by poverty. Beggars were all around us, but there was no way

we could help them all and it was so sad. I felt so helpless in the face of it. We passed shantytowns wherepeoplestaredatourflashywhitetouristbuslike it was from another planet.

I met some Indian kids around my own age while I was there. They would just come up to you and start chatting. I had an amazingly in-depth convo with this one 17-years-old guy. He was already studying at uni and he told me he

wanted to be a Bodhisattva (an enlightenment being). A Bodhisattva stays in the world working to alleviate the suffering of all living beings. Not your averagecareermove!

There are so many memories I have, little things like seeing the Dalai Lama’s bathroom, tress covered in dust in Delhi and a man asleep on a tiny roundabout rightinthemiddleofbusytraffic.Idefinitelywantto go back to India one day. I can’t wait to be part ofthesmellsandchaosagain!

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Each year, Hindu families evoke the story of Rama’s and Sita’s way home being lit with lamps by decorating their own homes with lights, which shine in the windows, doorways, and down the path of streets. This Hindu festival of lights is called Diwali, and it is to the Indian community what ChristmasistoWesternculture.Shoppingfordecorations,partyfood,fireworks,newclothesand

presents adds to the excitement.Diwalimarks theHinduNewYear,which falls on the newmoon duringOctober –November, so thelights are also to welcome Lakshmi, goddess of light, wealth and good fortune, into the home. The family hope for prosperity and pray that ‘good’ will overpower ‘evil’ during the coming year. The day has a special significanceforthebusinesscommunity.

Diwali The festival of lights

My favorite festival is Diwali. It is known for its beautiful fireworks. Also lots of peoplespend time with their families and have a goodtime.IliketodofireworksandIliketohang out with my friends. I enjoy celebrating Diwali also because there is a lot of excitement along with fun activities happening everywhere. Many friends, families, relatives and communities get together and enjoy the beautiful event. It brightens our hearts when wesayHAPPYDIWALIEVERYONE!

- Havinder Kaur (17) My favourite festival would have to be Diwali. During Diwali everyone is happy, optimistic, and hopeful for the New Year to be even better than the one we are leaving. It is a time where families and friends get together and have fun with each other. During Diwali we also get to decorate our mandir and to do a lot of seva. But I think that the best and most important thing about Diwali is that during this time we get to thank our beloved Lord Sahajanand Swami for all the things he has done and given us in the year. Every year I look forward to Diwali as a day of all aroundexhilaration!

-Varun Khetrapal (18)

“I believe in the religion of islam. I believe in allah and peace.” -Muhammad Ali

“Chant, pray and celebrate. I’m definitely a

practicing hindu.”-Julia Roberts

“I believe in the religion of islam. I believe in allah and peace.” -Muhammad Ali

“Buddhist have helped me find inner peace.” -Orlando Bloom

"Catholicism will keep me going.

I’m a catholic girl. it will always

stay with you.” - Nicole Kidman

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Buddhist Prayer Beads Mala

Buddhist Prayer Wheel

Tibetan Prayer Flags

Rosary Beads

Holy Bible

Prayer Accessories

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Al Quran

Muslim Prayer Beads

Muslim Prayer RugHindu Prayer Shawl

Satya Incense Sticks

35Suprisingly crispy

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Burkhan Bakshin Altan Süm

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St. Mary of Sorrows Catholic Church

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Bahrain’s Grand Mosque

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Malibu Hindu Temple

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Which religion is for you?

Celebs with religious tattoo

Religious Symbols



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Celebrity with religious tattoos

Madonna has some Hebrew script tattooed on her right shoulderwhichsays,“lamed,”“alef,”and“vav,”whicharethedifferent names for God written in the Kabbalah.

Justin Timberlake has a large Celtic cross on his shoulder. He’s a Memphis boy, the son of a Baptist church choir

director and the grandson of a minister.

Alyssa Milano has a rosary tattooed on her right shoul-der blade, a sacred heart on her lower back and a couple of Buddhist tattoos on her wrist and neck.

KatyPerryhas“Jesus”tattooedonherleftwrist.ShetoldFaithmagazine,“IseeiteverytimeI’mplayingguitar.It’slooking

back up at me. That’s where I come from, and probably where I’mgoingbackto.”

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Angelina Jolie has a Buddhist prayer tattooed on her back written in Khmer, which is the native language of Cambodia. Maddox, her adopted son, is from Cambodia.

David Beckham also has a tattoo on his right side that depicts Jesus preparing to be nailed

to the cross.

David and Victoria Beckham have matching Hebrew tattoos thatread,“Iammybelovedsandmybelovedismine,whobrowsesamongthelilies,”whichisfromtheSongofSongsintheOldTestament.

Eva Longoria has a Celtic cross tattoo on her lower middle back.

Socialite-celeb Nicole Richie has a rosary tattooed around her ankle.

Drew Barrymore has a gothic-looking cross entwined with a rose vine on her right leg.

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Which Religion is for you ?

1. How many, if any, gods do you believe in?a. Just one god with no incarnations.b. I believe in one god of three essences. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit.c. Allah, one and only.d. Many gods/things

2. Do you believe that there should be laws on your diet?a. I can eat anything that says parave on it.b. Only on Friday at a special time of the year.c. I can’t eat pork.d. I am a vegetarian.

3. Is there a special book that leads your current religion?a. The Torahb. The Biblec. The Korand. No

4. I feel that.....a. I should live a pure, good life.b. I should live a good life and get into heaven when I die.c. Ishouldlivebythefivepillars.d. I should live a life without harming anything.

5. Do you believe in a Sabbath day?a. Yes, Friday until Saturday.b. Sunday.c. Just on Friday.d. No

6. Prayer should be...a. To god and god onlyb. Before I sleep, eat and when at servicesc. Five times a dayd. I don’t pray, I meditate.

7. Do humans inherit sin?a. No, sins come after birth, not by inheritance.b. Yes because of Adam and Eve.c. No human should be ever marked with sin.d. No particular inheritance.

? ?? ?

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8. When I think of the holidays, I think...a. A dinner, prayer, games and presents.b. A big dinner, decorations and lots of presents.c. Fasting and then a large dinner.d. My birthday.

Mostly A’s : Judaism For its origins Judaism looks to the biblical covenant made by God with Abraham, and to the laws revealed to Moses and recorded in the Torah, which established the Jewish people’s special relationship with God. Since the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in AD 70, the rituals of Judaism have centred on the home and the synagogue, the chief day of worship being the Sabbath (sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday). The annual observances including Yom Kippur and Passover. Judaism is alsothefirstmonotheisticreligion.

Mostly B’s: Christianity Christianity is today the world’s most widespread religion, with more than a billion members. Mainly divided between the Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Eastern Orthodox Churches. It originatedamong the Jewish followers of Jesus of Nazareth, who believed that he was the promised Messiah (or ‘Christ’), but the Christian Church soon became an independent organization, largely through the missionary efforts of St. Paul. Most Christians believe in one God in three Persons (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) and that Jesus is the Son of Godwhorosefromthedeadafterbeingcrucified;a Christian hopes to attain eternal life after death through faith in Jesus Christ and tries to live by his teachings as recorded in the New Testament. Mostly C’s: Islam

Founded in the Arabian peninsula in the 7th century AD. Islam is now the professed faith of nearly a billion people worldwide, particularly in North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. The ritual observances and moral code of Islam were said to have been given to Muhammad as a series of revelations,whichwere codified in theKoran.Islam is regarded by its adherents as the last of the revealed religions, and Muhammad is seen as the last of the prophets, building on and perfecting the examples and teachings of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. There are two major branches in Islam: Sunni and Shia.

Mostly D’s : BuddhismBuddhism has no creator god and gives a central role to the doctrine of karma. The ‘four noble truths’ of Buddhism state that all existence is suffering, that the cause of suffering is desire, that freedom from suffering is nirvana, and that this is attained through the ‘eightfold’ path of ethical conduct, wisdom, and mental discipline (including meditation). There are two major traditions, Theravada and Mahayana.

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C A B D F Y V Z Q PAHLOHALALOR S A B B A T H N DD I K K W U C V JISTORBGMDSN I A R K A M A H A AOXALADNAML S I N R I L R M Y NKJRQSZOTPP T E S I D A R A P

Find these words and turn the page to find out its meaning!

Cardinal Chakra Halal INRI Kama Koran Mandala Masjid Paradise Sabbath

Word Find

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Word Find Glossary

Cardinal: Bishops in the Roman Catholic church who advise the pope. They meet as a group to elect a new pope as needed.

Chakra: This is a term used in some traditions in Buddhism and the New Age to refer to seven points of energy concentration throughout a person’s central nervous system - in their brain and along their spine.

Halal: A set of Islamic dietary laws which regulate the preparation of food.

INRI:AnacronymfortheLatinphrase“IesusNazarenusRexIudaeorum”whichmeans:“JesusofNazareth,KingoftheJews”

Kama: From the Sanskrit word for love and desire. Kama is the Hindu God of love and erotic desire.

Koran: The name of the God-inspired text of Islam. Most Muslims prefer an alternative spelling: Qur’an.

Mandala: An object that one can focus on during meditation. It is usually a painted diagram that shows the unfolding of the cosmos. It is widely used by Buddhists and Hindus.

Masjid: This is a Muslim term for a mosque - a house of worship.

Paradise: From the Greek word for park or garden. The afterlife destination taught by Islam that will be attained by persons who have done a predominance of good works.

Sabbath:OriginallySaturday:adayofrestandholiness;observedbyJewsandaminorityofChristiandenominations. Most Christian groups observe Sunday as the Sabbath.

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