Question:
Can you educate me please??
anonymous
2007-10-16 10:23:59 UTC
On Religion????? I was sheltered growing up

and don't know about other religions and

I am thirsty.
21 answers:
DrMichael
2007-10-16 10:43:16 UTC
The term "religion" refers to both the personal practices related to communal faith and to group rituals and communication stemming from shared conviction.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion



American Unitarian Conference

Ancient Order of the Rosicrucians

Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis

Christian Vegetarian Association (CVA)

The Church of Satan

Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans

Gideon Society

The Odinic Rite

Islamic International Foundation of Cooperation(IslamIFC) IslamIFC

Knights of Columbus

Knights of St. Joseph

Knights of St. George

International Humanist and Ethical Union - the world body for Humanists

Interfaith Cultural Organization, established 2004, website

List of Ayyavazhi Organisations

Promise Keepers

Rosicrucian Fellowship (The)

Scandinavian Chinese Christian Church

THC Ministry

Rashtriya swayamsevak sangh

United Pagan Kingdom

Armenian Catholic Church

Belarusian Catholic Church

Bulgarian Catholic Church

Chaldean Catholic Church

Coptic Catholic Church

Croatian Greek Catholic Church

Ethiopian Catholic Church

Georgian Catholic Church

Greek Catholic Church

Hungarian Greek Catholic Church

Italo-Albanian Catholic Church

Macedonian Catholic Church

Maronite Catholic Church

Melkite Catholic Church

Romanian Catholic Church

Russian Catholic Church

Ruthenian Catholic Church (usually called the "Byzantine Catholic Church" in the United States)

Slovak Greek Catholic Church

Syrian Catholic Church

Syro-Malabar Church

Syro-Malankara Catholic Church

Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church

Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia

Anglican Church in Thailand

Anglican Church of Australia

Anglican Church of Canada

Anglican Church of Kenya

Anglican Church of Korea

Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea

Anglican Church of Southern Africa

Church in Wales

Church of England

Church of Ireland

Church of Nigeria

Church of Uganda

Church of the Province of Burundi

Church of the Province of Central Africa

Church of the Province of Melanesia

Church of the Province of Myanmar

Church of the Province of Rwanda

Church of the Province of South East Asia

Church of the Province of Tanzania

Church of the Province of the Indian Ocean

Church of the Province of the West Indies (History)

Church of the Province of West Africa

Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East

Episcopal Church in the United States of America

Episcopal Church of Cuba

Episcopal Church of the Sudan

Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui

Iglesia Anglicana de la Region Central America

Iglesia Anglicana de México

Iglesia Anglicana del Cono Sur de las Americas

Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil

Lusitanian Church of Portugal

Nippon Sei Ko Kai (Japan)

Philippine Episcopal Church

Scottish Episcopal Church

Spanish Reformed Episcopal Church

Orthodox Church of Constantinople: the Ecumenical Patriarchate

Orthodox Church of Finland

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

Orthodox Church of Estonia

Eastern Orthodox Church of Alexandria

Antiochian Orthodox Church

Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

Western Rite Vicariate of the North American Archdiocese

Orthodox Church of Jerusalem

Orthodox Church of Mount Sinai

Russian Orthodox Church

Chinese Orthodox Church

Japanese Orthodox Church

Ukrainian Orthodox Church

Metropolia of Western Europe

Belorussian Orthodox Church

Moldovan Orthodox Church

Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic Church

Serbian Orthodox Church

Orthodox Ohrid Archbishopric

Romanian Orthodox Church

Metropolis of Bessarabia

Bulgarian Orthodox Church

Cypriot Orthodox Church

Church of Greece

Polish Orthodox Church

Albanian Orthodox Church

Czech and Slovak Orthodox Church

Orthodox Church in America

Armenian Apostolic Church

Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria

British Orthodox Church

Ethiopian Orthodox Church

Eritrean Orthodox Church

Indian Orthodox Church

Syrian Orthodox Church ("Jacobite Syrian")

American Catholic Church in the United States

Ancient Apostolic Communion

Brazilian Catholic Apostolic Church

Catholic Apostolic National Church

Catholic Apostolic Church in North America (CACINA)

Catholic Charismatic Church of Canada

Catholic Church, Inc. (Catholic Church, Inc)

Celtic Catholic Church

Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association

Communion of Christ the Redeemer

Free Catholic Church|

Liberal Catholic Church

Mariavite Church

Mexican National Catholic Church, MNCC (MNCC)

North American Old Roman Catholic Church

Old Catholic Church

Old Catholic Church of America

Palmarian Catholic Church

Latin Episcopal Church of Brazil

Philippine Independent Catholic Church, PICC

Philippine Independent Church

Polish National Catholic Church

Spiritus Christi

True Catholic Church

Greek Old Calendarists

Montenegrin Orthodox Church

Macedonian Orthodox Church

Russian Old Believers

Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia

Ukrainian Orthodox Church:

Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church

Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Kiev Patriarchy)

Western Orthodox Church of America

Orthodox-Catholic Church of America (OCCA)

Church of Kristenism&&Katholism [K&K]

African Orthodox Church

African Anglican Orthodox Church Worldwide

American Anglican Church

Anglican Catholic Church

Anglican Church in America

Anglican Church International Communion

Anglican Mission in America

Anglican Orthodox Church

Anglican Province of America

Anglican Province of Christ the King

Charismatic Episcopal Church

Christian Episcopal Church

Church of England (Continuing)

Church of England in South Africa

Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches

Episcopal Missionary Church

Free Church of England

Free Protestant Episcopal Church

Reformed Episcopal Church

Southern Episcopal Church

United Episcopal Church

Hussites

Moravian Church

Taborites

Unity of the Brethren

Utraquists

Wycliffites / Lollards (extinct)

Waldensians

Waldensian-Methodist Union of Italy

Waldensian Church of the Rio de la Plata

American Association of Lutheran Churches (AALC)

Apostolic Lutheran Church of America

Association of Free Lutheran Congregations

Church of the Lutheran Brethren of America

Church of the Lutheran Confession

Concordia Lutheran Conference

Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference

All Saints Lutheran Church of Nigeria - Nigeria

Bulgarian Lutheran Church - Bulgaria

Christ the King Lutheran (Nigeria) - Nigeria

Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Church (Mexico) - Mexico

Evangelical Lutheran Church "Concord" - Russia

Confessional Lutheran Church (Latvia) - Latvia

Czech Evangelical Lutheran Church - Czech Republic

Evangelical Lutheran Confessional Church (Finland) - Finland

Evangelical Lutheran Confessional Church (Puerto Rico) - Puerto Rico

Evangelical Lutheran Free Church (Germany) - Germany

Evangelical Lutheran Synod (Peru) - Peru

Evangelical Lutheran Synod - United States

The Lutheran Church of Cameroon - Cameroon

Lutheran Church of Central Africa Malawi Conference - Malawi

Lutheran Church of Central Africa Zambia Conference - Zambia

Lutheran Confessional Church (Sweden and Norway) - Sweden and Norway

Lutheran Evangelical Christian Church (Japan) - Japan

Ukrainian Lutheran Church - Ukraine

Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod - United States

Evangelical Catholic Church

Evangelical Community Church-Lutheran

Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America (ELDoNA)

International Lutheran Council

China Evangelical Lutheran Church

Christian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bolivia

Evangelical Lutheran Church—Synod of France and Belgium

Evangelical Lutheran Church of Argentina

Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brazil

Evangelical Lutheran Church of England

Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana

Evangelical Lutheran Church of Haiti

Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ingria in Russia

Evangelical Lutheran Church of Paraguay

Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Republic of Chile

Evangelical Lutheran Free Church of Denmark

Free Evangelical Lutheran Synod in South Africa

Gutnius Lutheran Church

Independent Evangelical—Lutheran Church

India Evangelical Lutheran Church

Japan Lutheran Church

Lanka Lutheran Church

Lutheran Church - Canada

Lutheran Church—Hong Kong Synod

Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod

Lutheran Church in Korea

Lutheran Church in Southern Africa

Lutheran Church in the Philippines

Lutheran Church of Australia (associate member)

Lutheran Church of Guatemala

Lutheran Church of Nigeria

Lutheran Church in Singapore and Malaysia

Lutheran Church of Venezuela

Lutheran Synod of Mexico

Laestadian Lutheran Church

Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ - USA

Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Lutheran Church of New Zealand

Lutheran Ministerium and Synod - USA

The Lutheran Evangelical Protestant Church (GCEPC) -USA

Lutheran World Federation

Bolivian Evangelical Lutheran Church

Christian Lutheran Church of Honduras

Church of Denmark (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark)

National Church of Iceland (Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland)

Church of Norway (Evangelical Lutheran Church of Norway)

Church of Sweden

Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church

Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Slovakia

Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil

Evangelical Church in the Republic of Croatia

Evangelical Lutheran Free Church of Norway (Associate member)

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chile

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana

Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Russia and Other States

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Suriname

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Venezuela

Evangelical Lutheran Church of Colombia

Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland

Evangelical Lutheran Church of France

Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hong Kong

Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania

India Evangelical Lutheran Church

Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church

Lutheran Church in Chile

Lutheran Church in Great Britain

Lutheran Church of Australia (associate member)

Lutheran Costarican Church

Mexican Lutheran Church

Nicaraguan Lutheran Church of Faith and Hope

Salvadoran Lutheran Synod

United **Evangelical Lutheran Church (Argentina)

Evangelical Community Church - Lutheran

Augustana Evangelical Catholic

World Alliance of Reformed Churches

Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church

Bible Presbyterian Church

Christ Community Church

Church of Scotland

Church of the Good Shepherd in Poland

Confederation of Reformed Evangelical Churches

Cumberland Presbyterian Church

Evangelical Presbyterian Church

Evangelical Presbyterian Church in England and Wales

Evangelical Presbyterian Church (Australia)

Free Evangelic Church

Free Church of Scotland

Free Church of Scotland (Continuing)

Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland

Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster

Free Presbyterian Church (Australia)

Greek Evangelic Church

Independent Evangelic Church*

Korean Presbyterian Church in America

Orthodox Presbyterian Church

Presbyterian Church in America

Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand

Presbyterian Church of Australia

Presbyterian Church in Canada

Presbyterian Church of Eastern Australia

Presbyterian Church of Ghana

Presbyterian Church of India

Presbyterian Church in Ireland

Presbyterian Church of Korea

Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea

Presbyterian Church in Taiwan

Presbyterian Church of Wales

Presbyterian Church (USA)

Presbyterian Reformed Church (Canada)

Presbyterian Reformed Church (Australia)

Reformed Church of France

Reformed Presbyterian Church of Australia

Reformed Presbyterian Church - Covenanted

Reformed Presbyterian Church General Assembly - http://www.rpcga.org

Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland

Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America

Reformed Presbytery in North America

Southern Presbyterian Church (Australia)

The United Church of Canada - http://www.united-church.ca

United Free Church of Scotland

Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa

Westminster Presbyterian Church

Canadian and American Reformed Churches

Christian Reformed Church in North America

Christian Reformed Churches of Australia

Church of Lippe

Confederation of Reformed Evangelical Churches

Congregational Federation of Australia

Dutch Reformed Church

English Independents - Merged into various groups.

Evangelical Reformed Baptist Churches in Italy

Evangelical Reformed Church of Singapore

Evangelical Reformed Church in Republic of Poland

Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches

Federation of Reformed Churches

Fellowship of Congregational Churches (Australia)

Free Reformed Churches of North America

Heritage Reformed Congregations

Huguenots (virtually extinct as a modern and distinct group)

Hungarian Reformed Church in America

Reformed Evangelical Church of Cameroon

National Association of Congregational Christian Churches

Netherlands Reformed Congregations

Orthodox Christian Reformed Church

Protestant Reformed Churches in America

Reformed Christian Church in Croatia

Reformed Church in America

Reformed Church in Bavaria and Northwestern Germany

Reformed Church in Hungary

Reformed Church in the United States

Reformed Church of Alsace and Lorraine

Reformed Church of Japan

Remonstrant Brotherhood

The United Church of Canada - http://www.united-church.ca

United Church of Christ

United Congregational Church of Southern Africa

United Reformed Churches in North America

Abecedarians (extinct)

Amish

Beachy Amish

Nebraska Amish

Old Order Amish

Swartzendruber Amish

Hutterites

Bruderhof Communities

Brethren in Christ

Mennonites

Alliance of Mennonite Evangelical Congregations

Anabaptist Association of Australia and New Zealand

Chortitzer Mennonite Conference

Church of God in Christ, Mennonite (Holdeman Mennonites)

Conservative Mennonite Conference



Evangelical Mennonite Church

Evangelical Mennonite Conference

Evangelical Mennonite Mission Conference

Evangelical Missionary Church

Fellowship of Evangelical Bible Churches (formerly Evangelical Mennonite Brethren)

Mennonite Brethren Churches

Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches

Japan Mennonite Brethren Conference

US Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches

Mennonite Church Canada

General Conference Mennonite Church (merged)

Mennonite Church in the Netherlands

Mennonite Church USA

General Conference Mennonite Church (merged)

Missionary Church

Old Order Mennonites

Swiss Mennonite Conference

African Methodist - Southern Africa

African Methodist Church - Zimbabwe

African Methodist Episcopal Church

Bible Church

African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church

Bible Methodist Church

British Methodist Episcopal Church

Central Congo United Methodist Church

Chinese Methodist Church

Chinese Methodist Church - Australia

Christian Methodist Episcopal Church - Dallas, TX

Congregational Methodist Church

Church of Christ - Hong Kong & Peoples Republic of China - http://www.hkcccc.org

Church of North India

Church of Pakistan

Church of South India

Church of the Nazarene - http://www.nazarene.org

Evangelical Church

Evangelical Church of the Dominican Republic

Evangelical Church of Uruguay

Evangelical Methodist Church

Evangelical Methodist Church of Argentina

Evangelical Methodist Church of Bolivia

Evangelical Methodist Church of Costa Rica

Evangelical Methodist Church of Panama

Evangelical Methodist Church of Philippines - http://www.iemelif.org

Evangelical Methodist Church of Portugal - http://www.igreja-metodista.pt

Evangelical Methodist Community - Paraguay

The Evangelical Church - Spain - http://www.iee-es.org

Evangelical United Church - Ecuador

Finnish United Methodist Church - Finland - http://www.metodistkirkko.fi

First Congregational Methodist Church

The Free Methodist Church - North America

Free Wesleyan Church - Tonga

Fellowship of Independent Methodist Churches

Fundamental Methodist Conference, Inc.

Independent Methodist Church

Korean Methodist Church

Methodist Church, Hong Kong

Methodist Church in Ireland - http://www.irishmethodist.org

Methodist Church in Singapore

Methodist Church of Bangladesh

Methodist Church of Brazil

Methodist Church of the Caribbean and Americas

Methodist Church of Chile

Methodist Church of Colombia - http://www.metodista.org.co

Methodist Church of Cuba

Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma

Methodist Church of Finland - Finland - http://www.metodistikirkko.fi

Methodist Church of Ghana - http://www.methodistchurchghana.org

Methodist Church of Great Britain - http://www.methodist.org.uk

Methodist Church of Hong Kong & Peoples Republic of China - http://www.methodist.org.hk

Methodist Church of India - http://www.gbgm-umc.org/rdum-gmi

Methodist Church of Indonesia - http://www.gbgm-umc.org

Methodist Church of Italy

Methodist Church of Kenya

Methodist Church of Korea - http://www.kmc.or.kr/eng

Methodist Church of Malaysia - http://www.methodistchurch.org.my

Methodist Church of Mexico Iglesia Metodista de México, Sitio Oficial

Methodist Church of (Lower) Myanmar

Methodist Church of (Upper)Myanmar

Methodist Church of New Zealand - http://www.methodist.org.nz

Methodist Church of Nigeria

Methodist Church of Peru

Methodist Church of Puerto Rico

Methodist Church of Republic of China - http://www.methodist.org.tw

Methodist Church of Samoa

Methodist Church of Sierra Leone

Methodist Church of Singapore - http://www.methodist.org.sg

Methodist Church of Southern Africa

Methodist Church of Sri Lanka

Methodist Church of Sweden - http://www.metodistkyrkan.se

Methodist Church of Togo

Methodist Church of Zimbabwe

North Katanga United Methodist Church - Kitwe Zambia

Primitive Methodist Church

Protestant Methodist Church - Benin

Protestant Methodist Church - Côte d’Ivoire

New Born Church

Salvation Army

South Congo United Methodist Church

Swedish Methodist Church in Finland - http://www.metodistkyrkan.fi

The Southern Methodist Church - USA

United Church - Zambia

The United Church of Canada - http://www.united-church.ca

United Church of Christ of Philippines

United Methodist Church - http://infoserv.umc.org

United Methodist Church of Albania - http://www.umc-europe.org/albania_e.php

United Methodist Church of Algeria/Tunisia - http://www.umc-europe.org/north_africa_e.php

United Methodist Church of Austria - http://www.emk.at/

United Methodist Church of Bosnia and Herzegowina

United Methodist Church of Bulgaria - http://bg.umc-europe.org/

United Methodist Church of Burundi

United Methodist Church of Czech Republic - http://www.umc.cz/

United Methodist Church of Denmark - http://www.metodistkirken.dk

United Methodist Church of East Angola

United Methodist Church of Estonia - http://www.metodistikirik.ee

United Methodist Church of France - http://www.umc-europe.org/ueem

United Methodist Church of Germany - http://www.emk.de

United Methodist Church of Hungary - http://www.metodista.hu/

United Methodist Church of Kroatia - http://www.metodisti.hr/

The United Methodist Church of Latvia

United Methodist Church of Liberia

United Methodist Church of Lithuania - http://www.gbgm-umc.org/lithuania/

United Methodist Church of Macedonia - http://www.umc-europe.org/macedonia_e.php

United Methodist Church of Mozambique

United Methodist Church of Nigeria

United Methodist Church of Norway - http://www.metodistkirken.no

United Methodist Church of Poland - http://www.metodysci.pl/

The United Methodist Church of Russia - http://www.gbgm-umc.org/europe/russia

United Methodist Church of Serbia and Montenegro - http://www.umc-europe.org/serbia-montenegro_e.php

United Methodist Church of Sierra Loene

United Methodist Church of Slovak Republic - http://slovakia.umc-europe.org

United Methodist Church of Switzerland - http://ch.umc-europe.org

United Methodist Church of West Angola

United Methodist Church of Zimbabwe

United Protestant Church - Belgium

Uniting Church in Australia

The Wesleyan Church - Indianapolis, IN

Wesleyan Reform Union

West Africa African Methodist - Philadelphia PA

West African Methodist Church - Sierra Leone

Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Connection

Apostolic Christian Church

Bible Fellowship Church

Christian Baptist Church of God

Christian's Missionary Church

Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A.

Church of God (Anderson)

Church of God (Guthrie, Oklahoma)

Church of God (Holiness)

Church of God (Restoration)

Churches of God General Conference (Winebrenner)

Church of the Nazarene

Missionary Church

United Christian Church

Wesleyan Church

Alliance of Baptists

American Baptist Association

American Baptist Churches USA

Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland

Association of Grace Baptist Churches

Association of Reformed Baptist Churches of America

Association of Regular Baptist Churches

Baptist Bible Fellowship International

Baptist Conference of the Philippines

Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware

Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec

Baptist Convention of Western Cuba

Baptist General Conference (formally Swedish Baptist General Conference)

Baptist General Conference of Canada

Baptist General Convention of Texas

Baptist Missionary Association of America

Baptist Union of Australia

Baptist Union of Great Britain

Baptist Union of New Zealand

Baptist Union of Scotland

Baptist Union of Western Canada

Baptist World Alliance

Bible Baptist

Black Primitive Baptists

Canadian Baptist Ministries

Canadian Convention of Southern Baptists

Central Baptist Association

Central Canada Baptist Conference

Christian Unity Baptist Association

Conservative Baptist Association

Conservative Baptist Association of America

Continental Baptist Churches

Convención Nacional Bautista de Mexico

Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches

Cooperative Baptist Fellowship

Council of Korean Southern Baptist Churches in America

Crosspoint Chinese Church of Silicon Valley

European Baptist Convention

European Baptist Federation

Evangelical Baptist Mission of South Haiti

Evangelical Free Baptist Church

Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches in Canada

Free Will Baptist Church

Fundamental Baptist Fellowship of America

General Association of Baptists

General Association of General Baptists

General Association of Regular Baptist Churches

General Conference of the Evangelical Baptist Church, Inc.

General Six-Principle Baptists

Ghana Baptist Convention

Grace Baptist Assembly

Independent Baptists

Independent Baptist Church of America

Independent Baptist Fellowship International

Independent Baptist Fellowship of North America

Interstate & Foreign Landmark Missionary Baptist Association

Landmark Baptist Church

Liberty Baptist Fellowship

Myanmar Baptist Convention

National Association of Free Will Baptists

National Baptist Convention of America, Inc.

National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.

National Baptist Evangelical Life and Soul Saving Assembly of the U.S.A.

National Missionary Baptist Convention of America

National Primitive Baptist Convention of the U.S.A.

New England Evangelical Baptist Fellowship

New Testament Association of Independent Baptist Churches

Nigerian Baptist Convention

North American Baptist Conference

Norwegian Baptist Union

Old Baptist Union

Old Regular Baptists

Old Time Missionary Baptists

Primitive Baptists

Progressive Baptists

Progressive National Baptist Convention

Reformed Baptists

Regular Baptist Churches, General Association of

Regular Baptists

Separate Baptists

Separate Baptists in Christ

Seventh Day Baptists

Sierra Leone Baptist Convention

Southeast Conservative Baptists

Southern Baptist Convention

Southern Baptists of Texas

Sovereign Grace Baptists

Strict Baptists

Two-Seed-in-the-Spirit Predestinarian Baptists

Union d'Églises baptistes françaises au Canada

United American Free Will Baptist Church

United American Free Will Baptist Conference

United Baptist Convention of the Atlantic Provinces

United Baptists

United Free Will Baptist

Unregistered Baptist Fellowship

World Baptist Alliance

World Baptist Fellowship

Bethesda Ang Mo Kio Brethren church former Bethesda 77 Bras Basah Singapore

Church of the United Brethren in Christ

Plymouth Brethren

Open Brethren

Exclusive Brethren

Indian Brethren

Kerala Brethren

River Brethren

Brethren in Christ Church

Old Order River Brethren

United Zion Church

Schwarzenau Brethren

Church of the Brethren

Conservative Grace Brethren Churches, International

Dunkard Brethren

Ephrata Cloister

Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches

Old German Baptist Brethren

Old Order German Baptist Brethren

The Brethren Church (Ashland Brethren)

Social Brethren

Catholic Apostolic Church

Restored Apostolic Mission Church

Old Apostolic Church

New Apostolic Church

United Apostolic Church

Apostolic Christian Church

Apostolic Church of Christ

Apostolic Church of Pentecost

Abundant Life Worship Centers

Apostolic Assemblies of Christ

Apostolic Church of Pentecost of Canada

Apostolic Faith Church

Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa

Assemblies of God

Assemblies of God in Australia

Assemblies of God in New Zealand

Assemblies of God in the United Kingdom

Assemblies of God in the United States

Assembly of Pentecostal Churches of Jesus Christ

Athens Christian Center

AFFCMI - Australian Fellowship of Faith Churches and Ministers Int.

Bible-Pattern Church Fellowship

Calvary Holiness Association

Charismatic Church of God

Charismatic Episcopal Church

Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches

Christian Apostolic Church

Christian City Churches

Christ Gospel Churches International

Christian Apostolic Church

Christian Church of North America

Christian Congregation of Brazil

Christian Outreach Centre

Christian Revival Crusade

Church of God (Charleston, Tennessee)

Church of God (Chattanooga)

Church of God (Cleveland)

Church of God (Huntsville, Alabama)

The Church of God (Jerusalem Acres)

The Church of God for All Nations

Church of God by Faith

Church of God, House of Prayer

Church of God in Christ

Church of God Mountain Assembly

Church of God of Prophecy

Church of God of the Original Mountain Assembly

Church of God with Signs Following

Church of God of the Union Assembly

Church of the Little Children of Jesus Christ

Church of God of the Full Gospel

Congregational Holiness Church

CRC Churches International

Deeper Life Bible Church[1]

Destiny Church

Elim Fellowship

Elim Pentecostal Church

Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas

Free Apostolic Church of Pentecost

Greek Christian Church

God is Love Pentecostal Church

Harvest Church

Holiness Baptist Association

Holy Mountain Church

House of Prayer Christian Church

India Pentecostal Church of God

Independent Assemblies of God, International

International Church of the Foursquare Gospel

International Pentecostal Church of Christ

International Pentecostal Holiness Church

Kerala Christian Assembly (Canada) [2]

Ministers Fellowship International

New Life Churches

New Testament Christian Churches of America, Inc

Open Bible Standard Churches (association of autonomous churches)

Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada

Pentecostal Assemblies of Newfoundland

Pentecostal Church of Christ

Pentecostal Church of God

Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church

Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches of North America

Pentecostal Churches of the Apostolic Faith

Philadelphia Christian Church

Pentecostal World Conference

Potter's House Christian Fellowship

Redeemed Christian Church of God

Revival Centres International

The Pentecostal Mission

The Revival Fellowship

The Church of God (Jerusalem Acres)

The Church of God for All Nations

The Fellowship (FGFCMI)

United Gospel Tabernacles

United Holy Church of America

United Pentecostal Churches of Christ

Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Africa (ZAOGA)

Calvary Chapel

Charismatic Episcopal Church

Charismatic Church of God

Christian Organization of Peace (Greek orthodox charismatic church)

Faith Christian Fellowship International

Full Gospel

Good News (Greek orthodox charismatic church)

Ministries Without Borders

Ministries of His Glory

Multiply Christian Network (Jesus Army)

New Frontiers

Sovereign Grace Ministries

The Vineyard

City Harvest Church

Catholic Charismatic Renewal(not a separate denomination)

Members Church of God International

Believers' Churches in India

Bible Christian Mission

Church Assembly Hall

Filadelfia Fellowship

Montagnard Evangelical Church

New Birth Movement

New Life Fellowship

New Life Outreach

Rajasthan Bible Institute

Reaching Indians Ministries

True Jesus Church

Destiny Church Groningen

Apostles of Johane Marauke

Celestial Church of Christ

Church of the Lord (Aladura)

Christ Apostolic Church

Kimbanguist Church

Zion Christian Church

China Christian Council

Church of Bangladesh

Church of Pakistan

Church of North India

Church of South India

Evangelical Church in Germany

International Council of Community Churches

Protestant Church in the Netherlands from 1 May 2004

Syrian Marthoma Church in India

United Church of Canada

United Church of Christ

United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands

United Church in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands

Uniting Church in Australia

United Reformed Church

Associated Gospel Churches of Canada

Canadian Evangelical Christian Churches

Children of God a.k.a. "The Family International", "Family of Love", "The Family"

Church of Christ, Instrumental (Kelleyites)

Christian Conventions (non-denominational) (aka Two by Twos, The Truth, The Way) and its offshoot Cooneyites

Christian & Missionary Alliance

Eternal Grace

Evangelical Covenant Church of America ("Swedish Evangelical Mission Covenant")

Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA)

Free Faith Fellowship (Non-denominational Evangelical Liberal Ministry)

Fellowship of Fundamental Bible Churches

Grace Movement Churches

Great Commission Association

Greater Grace World Outreach

Hope Church Singapore

Indian Shakers

Jesus Movement

Metropolitan Community Churches

New Life Evangelic Church

New Frontiers (formerly New Frontiers International)

Schwenkfelder Church

Society of the Excitatus

Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)

Evangelical Friends International

Friends General Conference

Friends United Meeting

Messianic Judaism

Latter Day Saints

Aaronic Order

Latter Day Church of Christ the Lamb

The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ

Restoration Church of Jesus Christ

Branch Davidians

Branch Seventh Day Adventists

Adventist Church

Creation Seventh Day Adventist Church

Davidian Seventh-Day Adventist Association

General Association of Davidian Seventh-Day Adventists

International Missionary Society Seventh-day Adventist Church Reform Movement (external link)

People's Christian Church

Adventist Church of Promise (Brazilian Pentecostal Adventists)

Seventh-day Adventist Church

Seventh Day Adventist Reform Movement

Sabbath Rest Advent Church (external link)

Mission Catalyst Network(external link)

Hevener Adventist Church (external link)

Assembly of God in Christ Jesus

Associated Churches, Inc.

Associates for Scriptural Knowledge

Biblical Church of God

Body of Christ Church of God

Church of God (Anadarko)

Church of God (Jesus Christ the Head) (UNICO)

Church of God (O'Brien)

Church of God (Philadelphia Era)

Church of God (Sabbatarian)

Church of God (Seventh Day, Salem, West Virginia)

Church of God Evangelical Association

The Church of God, International

Church of God's Truth

Church of the Great God

Congregation of God, Seventh Day

Congregation of God

Congregation of Yah

Foundation for Biblical Research

Foundation of Life Fellowship

General Conference of the Church of God (Seventh-Day)

General Council of the Churches of God

Global Church of God

Harmony of Life Fellowship

Intercontinental Church of God (ICG)

The Living Church of God

Philadelphia Church of God

Restoration Church of God

Sabbath Day Christian Church - small church of evangelical Christians from Poland keeping Seventh-day. Branch of Polish SDA Church

Seventh-Day Church of God

The Eternal Church of God

The Pure Truth

Triumph Prophetic Ministries (Church of God)

Twentieth Century Church of God (Pennsylvania)

Twentieth Century Church of God

United Biblical Church of God

United Church of God

United Seventh-Day Brethren

Universal Church of God

World Insight International

Unitarianism and Universalism

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christian_denominations



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Religious_organizations



Fo Guang Shan
Triple Threat
2007-10-16 10:35:40 UTC
AND WHY is someone suggesting CHRISTIANITY? LOL! Exactly! WHY not study and read up on all the religions YOU WANT TO....you don't need to go down the Christian road.....as your open minded, unlike most hard core Christians, of course they will tell you to go there first! They don't know any better because they've been brainwashed from birth. There are MANY religions for MANY reasons, for MANY people, cultures, and Beliefs! You can find the one that appeals to you most by just reading and keeping an open mind.
ShrunkenFro™
2007-10-16 10:51:05 UTC
I too was pretty sheltered and because of that my kids were sheltered. My oldest daughter went to a Jesuit University where you had to take a religion class. It was hard for her because of her lack of religion on her background.



When I was growing up, my mother was a Jehovah's Witness and that was all I kind of knew although to this day there are unanswered questions I have and because of negative things I felt was done to my mother, when she stopped going I never even went back to them again.



When I got older, I had the thirst to learn more. At work, I would hear people talking about their church and I would invite myself along with them. I would ask them questions on how their religion worked. Where I work now there is a woman who practices Buddism and I have gone with her a few times to her meetings.



Just listen to what your co-workers or friends are saying about religion and tag along with them. That to me is a great way of learning something different.
Dragon Prince
2007-10-16 14:24:12 UTC
There are many belief and non-belief systems that currently exist in this world. Seek them one at a time and slowly but always keep your mind open. Learn from each the good they have to offer and distinguish the hate that man has entered on behalf of the Lord.



Seek out those who want to find out about God not those who want to impose themselves as the Left Hand of God.



Good luck on your quest, may you find the answers you are seeking.
Admeta
2007-10-16 10:36:25 UTC
I don't belong to a religion but I do believe in God as my Creator and My Heavenly Father and I believe in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, He died for all our sins.



I have nothing against religion at all, if you find a bible based church that you feel is good for you, then great, but, just keep in mind, that Salvation does not happen in groups. It is an individual reward that comes from our Heavenly Father by acquiring accurate knowledge of Truth from His Word, the Bible, by applying this Truth to our daily life, and by helping spread the good news of His Kingdom.
anonymous
2007-10-16 10:30:39 UTC
It's impossible to explain all the religious in a Yahoo! Answers. However, start a this website: http://www.religioustolerance.org/ because it's unbiased and covers many different religious.



Have fun, spiritual seeker!
PROBLEM
2007-10-16 10:34:57 UTC
Research! That's the great thing about the Internet you can read any Bible, Koran, philosophy, and it's all free. Don't rush, take your time THINK for yourself. That's how I became a Christian.
lana s
2007-10-16 10:31:59 UTC
I suggest you start checking out Christianity first. Attend a church and the Sunday school class that teaches and have a talk with the pastor to explain the religion to you and then makeup your mind if that is right for you. Attend a few times........x
x-||fuuzzzzzbieeee||-x
2007-10-16 10:35:45 UTC
Read the bible, ask questionss (that are more specific) and go to the website i reccomended. When Jehovah's Witnesses are round then ask them questions. You could also ask more specific questions on here and u'll get some answers.
LJ4Bama
2007-10-16 10:29:29 UTC
Read the Bible and accept Jesus as your savior. That's all you need to know. The other religions are nothing but lies and bring you false hope.
Love Yahoo!!! is a prince
2007-10-16 10:27:15 UTC
My suggestions....get a glass of water, then find the closest college with a theology class...



It's too hard to explain all the major religions in detail, esp. on here.
anonymous
2007-10-16 10:30:24 UTC
Religions by and large are explanations about the world, where we came from, who created it etc that were first put forth prior to the development of scientific investigation . Most of it is ancient and inaccurate.
anonymous
2007-10-16 10:29:25 UTC
Which "other." I don't know if you were raiesd Pagan, Jew, Buddhist or Baihai. More Info Por Favor
anonymous
2007-10-16 10:26:51 UTC
Well, I can tell you about MY religion:



We believe Jesus is the Son of God, and died to pay the price for our sins.



Jesus promised, "I will build my Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it" (Matt. 16:18). This means that his Church will never be destroyed and will never fall away from him. His Church will survive until his return.



Among the Christian churches, only the Catholic Church has existed since the time of Jesus. Every other Christian church is an offshoot of the Catholic Church. The Eastern Orthodox churches broke away from unity with the pope in 1054. The Protestant churches were established during the Reformation, which began in 1517. (Most of today’s Protestant churches are actually offshoots of the original Protestant offshoots.) Only the Catholic Church existed in the tenth century, in the fifth century, and in the first century, faithfully teaching the doctrines given by Christ to the apostles, omitting nothing. The line of popes can be traced back, in unbroken succession, to Peter himself. This is unequaled by any institution in history: Even the oldest government is new compared to the papacy.



The Catholic Church has existed for nearly 2,000 years, despite constant opposition from the world. This is testimony to the Church’s divine origin: Any merely human organization would have collapsed long ago. The Catholic Church is today the most vigorous church in the world (and the largest, with 1.3 billion members: one sixth of the human race).
gone
2007-10-16 10:30:39 UTC
The best thing you could do is educate yourself. Then come to your own conclusions.
JA
2007-10-16 10:29:58 UTC
Visit different churchs and get to the truth yourself! That is you best bet.
anonymous
2007-10-16 10:30:19 UTC
FACT - religions are all political ploys to mentally control the poor and take their money.
anonymous
2007-10-16 10:30:07 UTC
Oh, christ now you've done it. They'll be pouring out of the woodwork!
anonymous
2007-10-16 10:27:49 UTC
you can look at the bible as metaphores .....like when the bible says you should have no god before me -it means to love yourself and do things because others want you to
anonymous
2007-10-16 10:26:37 UTC
religion is evil and will leave you in shambles

like love
tania
2007-10-16 10:55:17 UTC
i'm muslim but iam not going to tell u about my religion cause no need for that everyone knew it.just read this up to end.

An Introduction to Islam



Mohammad I. Hussain, M.D.



Islam is the proper name of a religion; it is not pronounced, Izlam, with a "z" sound. The first syllable is pronounced like the end of the word, "bliss." The Arabic word "Islam" means submission in peace, and in practice it is understood to mean submission in peace to the will of God Almighty. It is also understood to mean total peace that comes from surrender to the will of God Almighty (Allah).





The people who profess the faith of Islam are called "Muslims," not "Islamics." The word "Muslim" is not synonymous with the word "Arab." Islam originated in Arabia and many of the Arabic speaking people (Arabs) are Muslims, however most of the Muslims in the world are not Arabs. Islam is not a racial or ethnic term. There are Asian, European, African, American and Middle Eastern Muslims, just like there are American, Italian, Polish or African Catholics or just like there are Russian, German, Polish or American Jews. Similarly, there are Muslims of all colors and races.





Islam is truly a universal religion. There may be 6 to 8 million Muslims in North America, over 30 million Muslims in Western Europe and 50 to 60 million live in different parts of the Republics that were once a part of Soviet Union (Kazakhstan, Turkemenistan, Tajikistan,Kyrghistan, Albania and others). Significant Muslim minorities live in the Far East (such as China, The Philipines, Thai Land, Viet Nam, Burma, Sri Lanka) and in Eastern Europe (Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Bosnia-Herzigovina). Islam prevails in countries like Egypt, Syria, Jordan Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Bangla Desh, Turkey, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sudan, Lebanon, etc.



MOHAMMAD--THE MESSANGER OF GOD





Mohammad (Peace be upon him) was the man through whom Allah (God Almighty) transmitted the teachings of Islam to the mankind. He was born in Mecca, a city on the Arabian Peninsula, in 571 AD. He was orphaned before his birth and his mother died when he was six. He was raised by his grandfather till he was nine when his grandfather passed away and his uncle raised him. He did not have the benefit of education and was an unlettered man. As he grew up he worked as a shepherd and as a trader in the caravans.





At age 25 he was hired by a rich widow, Khadija, to manage her business and trade. Khadija was impressed by the young man's intelligence, hard work, honesty and integrity. They grew to esteem each other's qualities and got married. Mohammad was married to Khadija for twenty-six years and they had five children. Later on Khadija would be the first person to accept Islam, and she is the epitome of a faithful and devoted wife in Islamic history. The society at that time was rife with polygamy, sensuality and sexuality; temporary marriages were a norm amongst the well to do. However, Mohammad remained faithful to his wife Khadija.





Mohammad grew up in an atmosphere and society of cruelty, lawlessness, war and treachery. He grew up untouched by these prevalent evils. He became famous for his truthfulness, uprightedness, charity and helpfulness. He was a man of kind disposition and was loved by all who knew him. He was deeply troubled by the inhumanity that he saw around him and would leave the city to meditate in a cave on a nearby mountain. One day, when he was 40, he received a message from God Almighty that he had been appointed the Messanger of God.





He spent the rest of his life in an unending effort to deliver the message of God. He remained a messanger the rest of his life, and he had no misunderstandings about his role and mission. He said, "God has not sent me to work wonders, He has sent me to deliver His Message," and, "I never said that Allah's treasures are in my hand, that I knew the hidden things, that I was an angel, I am only a messanger of God's words." Like all other prophets who were sent by God before him, he suffered for delivering the God's message. He was ridiculed and persecuted, and the opposition was so intense that Mohammad and his followers left the city of Mecca and migrated to the city of Medina, which is 270 miles North. This migration is an epochal event in the history of Islam. It took place in 622 AD, and it marks the first year of the Islamic calendar.





Mohammad had been invited to Medina by the citizens to assume leadership. He established a city-state, gave it a written constitution and proved to be a very successful politician, statesman, warrior, general and ruler. When he migrated to Medina, the number of fellow Muslims was approximately 5000. When he died at age 63, the whole of the Arabian Peninsula was under the fold of Islam and at the time of his last pilgrimage, at the city of Mecca, he delivered his famous Farewell Address to 150,000 people who had come to Mecca as pilgrims. Within a hundred years, Islam became an established religion in the continents of Asia, Africa and Europe.



FAITH AND PRACTICE





For the purposes of discussion and for teaching, Islam is studied under two broad headings, namely, the articles of faith and the acts of worship. Much is so interrelated in these two headings that they are really inseparable. However, they are perhaps the best way to study the religion and the Islamic system of life.



Articles of Faith--Beliefs





All Muslims profess acceptance of God Almighty (Allah) as the One and Only God and Mohammad as the last and final messanger of God. Muslims believe that angels are spiritual beings who carry out the will of God, that Qura'n is Allah's eternal word, that prophets are messenger of God and that there will be a day of judgment and accountability with resurrection, at which time, those subservient to the will of God will be rewarded and those who failed to observe their obligations will be punished. Muslims also have an understanding of destiny as an essential belief.





One and Only One God





The belief in the existence of One God is the first article of faith. God is the most High and Exalted, the Creator and the Sustainer of all that exists, and He is far above possessing any creaturely attributes. He is not bound by any of limitations of the human being, or of anything else that He has created. He has no body nor form, no physical attributes or characteristics. He has no begining and no end. He does not beget nor is He begotten, and He has no physical dimensions like hunger, sleep, rest, procreation, etc., for He is the one who gives such attributes and dimensions to His creatures.





The Qura'n has described God's attributes in many places, e.g. "God is He than Whom there is no other deity, He knows the Unseen and the Evident. He is the Merciful, the Mercy-giving. God is He than Whom there is no other deity--the Sovereign, the Holy one, the Source of Peace, the Guardian of Faith, the Preserver of Safety, the Mighty, the Irresistible, the Supreme. Glory be to God, high is He, above the partners they attribute to Him. He is God, the Creator, the Evolver, the Bestower of forms. To Him belong the most beautiful names. Whatever is in the heaven and on earth glorifies Him, and He is the Mighty, the Wise" (Qura'n 59:22-24), and "No slumber can over power Him, nor sleep" (Qura'n 2:225). There are 99 attributes of God in the Islamic traditions, however, most Muslims remember God as The Merciful and The Beneficent.





Islam proclaims that God is infinitely beyond anything that the human mind or senses can grasp or comprehend, imagine or explain. He is the Originator and the Fashioner of the whole universe and all of it's perfect systems, which He sustains according to His infinitely wise plans and laws. Islam proclaims that God alone is Divine and no one else shares His Divinity.



The Angels





God created angels as beings with intellect, but unlike human beings the angels have not been granted free will, and they are subservient to the will of God and carry out God's commands. They are engaged in His service and prayers. Angels serve as protectors of man, and they convey God's messages to man. They also carry out the punishment as God wills. Angel Gabriel (Jibreel in Arabic) conveyed God's revelations to the prophets, including prophet Mohammad. Muslims believe that two or more angels are assigned to each human being to keep a record of all of the deeds and actions until death. This account will be presented on the day of judgment, and the person will not be able to deny it's accuracy.



The Revealed Scriptures





The Islamic teaching is that Islam as a religion has been practiced by the righteous since the creation of mankind and that all the prophets of God preached the same message. Many prophets were given scriptures to guide their nations and communities. Muslims believe in the scriptures that were revealed to the prophets before prophet Mohammad, particularly, The Psalms of David, The Torah and The Bible. However Muslims believe that the last revealed scripture is The Holy Quran, and it is the only revealed scripture that has not been changed by human additions or deletions since it's revelation 1400 years ago.



The Qur'an (The Koran)





According to the Muslim belief The Qura'n was revealed to Prophet Mohammad through the angel Gabriel in small parts over a period of 23 years. Mohammad had several scribes, and the text was recorded concurrently. The Qura'n has 114 chapters that vary in length from four to 286 verses and it contains about 78,000 words. The Qura'n is believed to be the word of God , spoken through the angel Gabriel and recorded by Prophet Mohammad as God willed it to be.





The Qura'n regulates every phase of the Islamic law, religious practice, culture and morals. A common Muslim has no doubts about the origin of the Qura'n and does not believe Mohammad to be the author. The Message originated with God Almighty and Mohammad was the chosen man who delivered the Message.





The Quran spells out specific commands, but it also lays down the principles for many of the tenets that Muslims have to abide by. All of these principles are not fully explained in the Qura'n itself, but in another body of the Islamic literature that is called The Hadees (also written as Hadith). There are six such collections and each collection has multiple volumes. The Hadees, or The Traditions, is a recording of the actions, words, and deeds of Prophet Mohammad. For instance, The Qura'n commands that the Muslims should pray and worship, and pay in charity; the Hadees explains the method of prayer, worship and the acts of charity. The Hadees and The Qura'n are complimentary, but the source of all the principles is The Qura'n.





The language of The Qura'n is very different from the language of the Hadees and the difference is obvious to all readers. A complete and detailed account of the life of Prophet Mohammad has been preserved in the Hadees, and it is believed to be unparalleled. It deals with the most personal matters of his life, as well as the conduct of war and the affairs of the state.



The Messengers of God--The Prophets





In Islam the word "Prophet" does not mean the one who prophesies the future, but it means the messanger of God, and it is denoted by the Arabic word Nabi.





The Qura'n states that God sent a warner or a guide to every community, nation or tribe of people, and it mentions the names of many of them, such as Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus. According to The Qura'n, Adam was the first prophet and from Abraham came a long line of prophets through his two sons, Ishmael and Isaac. Ishmael was the forefather of the Arab people and thus of Prophet Mohammad, and, from Isaac descended a number of prophets, including his son Jacob, grandson Joseph, Moses, David, Solomon, John the Baptist and Jesus. The Qura'n tells that Moses, David and Jesus were given written scriptures by God, and only scattered portions of the originals remain today.





Islam teaches that Jesus was one in the line of prophets sent to the children of Israel. He brought the message that reiterated the need of submission to God Almighty and obedience to God's law as had been given to Moses. The Qura'n states the miraculous birth of Jesus to the virgin mother, Mariam, by the command of God Almighty. The Qura'n also compares the birth of Jesus without a father with the creation of Adam, who was born without the presence of any parent. The Qura'n states that Jesus was a human being, who delivered the message of One-ness of God and taught that God should be worshipped.





The Muslims believe in all the prophets that God sent to guide their people, and The Qura'n proclaims that Mohammad is the last of all prophets of God and that he has been given God's final and complete guidance for all mankind.



The Accountability--The Hereafter





Islam teaches that God created human beings and endowed them with immortal souls. Each soul is an individual soul. Each individual is valued and has an eternal soul, where as the body has a transient existence, the soul has permanence.





Each individual is differentiated from every other by the quality of uniqueness that is bestowed on each by God. The duty of each person is to work out his or her own destiny, and each is responsible for his or her own actions. The Qura'n says "If any one sins, he/she alone is responsible for his/her sin" (Qura'n 4:3). Islam has given freedom of choice to individuals, but this does not mean a license to do whatever one wills; it indicates freedom from the egoistic and selfish desires of anything.





Life on earth is considered to be a minute part of the totality of existence. The life in the hereafter is of infinite duration. Every individual is accountable for his performance in the worldly life and is answerable in front of God on the day of judgment after resurrection. The Qura'n has many moving and rather graphic descriptions of resurrection and the day of judgment. God will raise every one from dead and will reward or punish individuals based on their record; those rewarded will enter paradise and those punished will suffer the torment in the hell.





An average Muslim believes that God gives life and death and that death may come at any time; thus, every one should try to send on ahead for future existence good deeds that will earn the pleasure of God. With this perception, a Muslim has to live a virtuous life all the time.



The Divine Decree--The Destiny





Islam teaches that every thing that is or happens in the universe, from the smallest to the greatest events, is controlled by God and is a part of His eternal plan. There is no such thing as random or chance events, and nothing happens without His direction or command. This belief is coupled with the perception that all events, happy or sad, in ease or suffering, are a part of God's wise plan and are for the ultimate benefit of mankind. In the face of an adversity, this belief gives the Muslim a tremendous degree of confidence and peace of heart.





In every situation, the task of a human being is to make a sincere effort and strive to do his best. Islam discourages it's followers to sit in resignation; however, whatever results from effort is to come from God's decision and should be received with patience and acceptance. The Qura'n says, "What God grants to men out of His mercy, no one can withhold, and what He withholds no one can grant apart from Him" (35:2).





The Hadees teaches "When you ask anything, ask it from God, and if you seek help, seek help in God. Know that if the people were to unite to do you some benefit, they could benefit you only what God has recorded for you, and if they were to unite to do you some injury, they could injure you only what God has recorded for you."





Another perception of destiny is illustrated by a well known story. A man came to Ali (one of the first four rulers in the history of Islam) and asked him to explain destiny to him. Ali asked the man to stand on one leg and the man did so. Ali then told him to raise his other leg without lowering his first leg. The man said he could not do that and Ali explained to him that was the concept of destiny; man could do certain things by the will of God and there may be certain other thing that he could not accomplish by the will of God.



Acts of Worship





The basic principle of worship in Islam states that every action of an individual that is carried out to fulfill God's will and is to seek God's pleasure is an act of worship and will be rewarded. According to this principle, for a Muslim to go to work to earn a living, for a father or mother to provide for their children, for a spouse to love and care for the spouse, for parents to raise their children and even to play with their children, and so on, is an act of worship that will be rewarded by God.





In addition, there are five obligatory acts of worship, which are also called the five pillars of Islam. The purpose of worship is to remember God, to strengthen the individual's faith and submission to God and to solidify the individual's character. This process is to make the individual a better and more useful member of the society.





These acts of worship are obligatory to all Muslims at all times and places, except when someone is unable to perform them because of age, sickness, lack of financial resources or the fear of persecution.



Declaration of Faith





Declaration of faith is the first act of worship when it is done with full sense of sincerity and commitment. The declaration that "There is no other God but One God (Allah) and Mohammad is His Messanger and servant" is the simple statement that makes a person become a Muslim and is required to be said once in life time with full conviction and understanding. In practice the Muslims may be saying it several times a day.



The Prayer--Salat





The prescribed prayer is called salat in Arabic. It is the most visible act of worship and it constitutes the second pillar of the practice of Islam. Prayer is to be offered five times a day (at the break of dawn, at noon, mid-afternoon, at sunset and at dusk after dark.) All able bodied Muslims are to pray five times every day, however there are exceptions. A person who can't physically perform the act of prayer because of sickness is exempted without any feeling of guilt. A traveller can offer half of the prescribed prayer.





There are magnificent mosques all over the world, yet a Muslim is not required to pray in the mosque. It can be done anywhere, and in practice the whole world is a mosque for a Muslim. However, it is more meritorious to pray in the mosque with fellow Muslims. Before the prayer, the person has to wash their hands, face, forearms and feet, and a person should be as clean and as pure as possible.





The prayer is offered directly to God Almighty without any intermediary, and Muslims all over the world face towards The Ka'ba, which is in the city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. The grand mosque, Ka'ba was originally built by Prophet Abraham. This practice symbolizes the unity of Muslims and is a respectful remembrance of Abraham.





In addition to the five daily prayers, Friday noon prayer is an obligatory congregational prayer. Muslims are required to pray in the mosque with the congregation on Fridays, but they are permitted to get back to their normal business after the prayer. In practice, across the Muslim world Friday is observed as a weekly holiday.





In the mosque, people stand next to each other in straight rows to offer congregational prayers. There is no seating arrangement and people sit as they please, generally the first comers get in the front rows and the late comers get to sit in the back. There is no preferential seating in the mosque, all being equal in the sight of God, and there is no membership to belong to a certain mosque. All Muslims are welcome to all mosques.





There are people who devote their life to the study and teaching of Islam and they are called the scholars (in Arabic; Ulema). There is no hierarchy in this system and people may be appointed to lead the prayers in the mosque. The leader in the prayer is like a coordinator for everyone to pray together and every individual in the congregation is praying directly to God Almighty.



Fasting





Fasting is the third act of worship in Islam. Muslims fast in the month of Ramadan every year from the break of dawn till sun set. In addition to physical fasting, Ramadan is the month of spiritual activity at a heightened level.



The Ramadan





The month of Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. Muslims fast in Ramadan every year, and it is also called The month of fasting. Only those adults are required to fast who are physically able to fast. Those who are too weak or ill are not required to fast. Fasting is also not ordered for young children. People who are travelling are not to fast. They can fast at a later date to make up for the missed days of fasting.





The fast starts at the break of dawn, which is usually about 90 minutes before sun rise. The fast ends at the time of sun set. At the time of fasting the person does not eat or drink or smoke or have sex with the spouse. A fasting Muslim is expected not to speak ill of others, not to cheat or lie or commit other sins.





A fasting Muslim feels very good, because it pleases Allah very much. Muslims all over the world feel united as one people in the act of fasting. Everyone feels the same way and begins and ends the fast in the same way. People share the same experience and are nice to each other.





Fasting teaches self-control as a person learns to control desires. This can help the person fight and stay away from bad habits like drugs, alcohol or smoking. The person's character also improves as the person learns in the month of Ramadan not to lie or cheat or steal.





During Ramadan the family is together at the time of activities. They eat together before the break of dawn, fast together untill the sun set and break their fast together at sun set. Praying is also done together as a family.





The fasting in Ramadan makes the person experience hunger and the person then feels more compassion for the poor and the hungry.





God has made Ramadan a month of blessings. Every good deed a person does is rewarded many times more than any other time of the year. Prophet Mohammad said that the month of Ramadan is a month of great forgiveness from Allah swt; its beginning is mercy, its middle is forgiveness and its end is salvation from hell fire.





Taraweeh is a special prayer that is performed in Ramadan with Isha prayer.





Eid is celebrated at the end of the month of Ramadan.



Eid ul Fitr





Eid ul Fitr is celebrated after the month of Ramadan. This is a day of enjoyment and it marks the begining of normal activities after a month of fasting. The sighting of the new moon, which is called The Hilal or the crescent on the last day of Ramadan signals the day of Eid. On Eid day the Muslims make preparations to go for Eid prayer by taking a shower in the morning, dressing up in new or clean clothes and putting on perfume or cologne. The Eid prayer is offered at a central place in a big gathering (congregation). The Khutba or the sermon is given after the prayer. Following The Eid prayer, people visit each other, sit and eat together, and exchange gifts.





A few days before Eid, Eid Charity or Sadqat ul Fitr has to be given to the poor and the needy, so that every one can celebrate the Eid. Sadaqat ul Fitr is essential for every Muslim to pay before the day of Eid.





On the day of Eid, Muslims must patch up their differences and forgive each other's mistakes. Eid is an occasion that reflects the unity of all the Muslims of the world as one people and as one nation. Every one looks forward to the day of Eid for enjoyment and festivities and the joy of sharing and participation.



Charity--Zakat





The fourth pillar of Islam is charity or the poor's dues. In simple terms, the rich and the well-to-do are obligated to pay in charity to help the needy. This obligatory tax is called zakat, and it is paid out of all assets that the individual possesses, at the end of every year, above and beyond the individual's personal and family needs. It is calculated at a fixed rate of two and one half percent per year.





This plan incorporates elements of old age pensions, social security and all other welfare needs. Zakat is mentioned in The Qura'n almost as often as the salat or prayer is mentioned, and most of the time they are mentioned together. Islam asserts that to meet the needs of other human beings is more important than to pray to God. The Qura'n says, "It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards East or West (in prayer), but righteousness is belief in One God and The Day of Judgment, and the angels and the scriptures and the prophets and to give wealth out of love for Him, for kinsmen, orphans, the needy, the traveller, those who ask and to ransom captives and establish salat and give zakat (2:177). At another place, The Qura'n says about the righteous, "They would sleep but little at night and in the early dawn they would pray for forgiveness, and in their wealth was remembered the right of him who asked and of him who was prevented (from asking, although needy) (51:15-19).





The person who gets Zakat does not have to be told that he or she is receiving Zakat. It can be given as a gift. Zakat cannot be given to the wealthy, to the parents, children or the husband or the wife.



Haj--Pilgrimage to Mecca





The Haj or the pilgrimage to Mecca is an essential duty of all Muslims. This duty has to be performed once in a life-time. Only those people are required to go for Haj who are in good health (healthy), who have the money (wealthy) and the means to travel to Saudi Arabia (capable). Haj is performed by visiting Mecca in Arabia at the annual time of Haj. The person who travels to Mecca and carries out the prayers and procedures in and around the grand mosque of Kaba at the time of Haj is called Haji (or the pilgrim). Every year more than one and one half million Muslims from all parts of the world perform Haj at Kaba. This large gathering of Muslims of all races and cultures promotes the international brotherhood and reflects that all Muslims are alike and equal in the sight of God.





The Haj is performed in the month of Zulhijjah, and it comes two months and ten days after Eidul Fitar. When Haj is being performed at Mecca, the Muslims in the rest of the world celebrate the festival of Eid ul Adha.



Procedure of Haj





A person who is to perform Haj wears two pieces of white garment. One piece is wrapped around the upper half of the body and the other piece of cloth is to cover the lower half of the body. The head is left bare. Thus every one is dressed in similar clothing. Everyone walks around the Kaba seven times. (It is believed in Islam that The Kaba was built by Prophets Ibrahim - Abraham - and Ismaeel). This is called the Towaf. During Towaf, the person prays to Allah swt and asks for forgiveness, mercy and guidance.





In the next part of the Haj, every one walks between two hills in Mecca seven times. These hills are called Safa and Marwa. This part of the Haj is called Sa'ee. This is to commemorate the tradition of Hajera (Hager in the Bible). Hajera, the wife of Prophet Ibrahim, along with her infant son, Ismaeel, were left in the valley of Mecca by Prophet Ibrahim between the two mountains. Hajera walked between Safa and Marwa in search of water seven times. God sprung a spring of water at that site, and the valley of Mecca still has that spring. So, in this part of Haj people trace the footsteps of Hajera and pray to God.





The third part of Haj takes pilgrims to a place called Arafat. This is very close to Mecca. People stand in Arafat and pray to God and seek His Mercy and Forgiveness any time between noon and sunset. This part of Haj is a reminder that on the day of judgement, everyone will be standing in front of God Almighty and wait for His judgement.





The fourth part of Haj is performed at Mena. This place is also close to Arafat. This day people throw rocks at the devil. This is a symbolic rejection of the devil. Prophet Ibrahim had thrown rocks at the devil when the devil tried to tell him not to obey God.





An animal is killed at this time and the meat is given to the poor to eat. This is to follow the tradition of Prophet Ibrahim. He was told by God to sacrifice his son, Ismaeel, but God replaced it by a ram and the ram was sacrificed. Prophet Ibrahim followed God's orders. By obeying God, he passed the test and pleased God.





In the final part of Haj, the pilgrims go back to Mecca and circle around Kaba in prayer.



Importance of Haj





Haj is an act of obedience to Allah swt. The first Haj was performed by Prophet Ibrahim, and thus the tradition of Haj has been carried out for thousands of years. This journey of Haj is an act of purification in which a person washes away all their sins and becomes as innocent as a newborn. So the Haj is a new beginning in life, and God has promised to forgive all the past sins if the person stays straight afterwards. Haj reminds people that they have to face God one day; it is a reminder that all mankind is equal and one should learn to control one's evil desires.





A pilgrimage performed during other parts of the year is called The UMRA or the minor Haj. This is almost similar to Haj and can be done in any part of the year.



Eid ul Adha





There are two very festive holidays in Islam, the Eid holidays. Eid ul fitar is celebrated at the end of the month of Ramadan. Eid ul adha is celebrated in the month of Zul hejjah or the month of Haj. When Haj is being performed at Mecca, the Muslims all over the world are celebrating Eid ul adha.





The day starts with a congregational prayer (Salat e Eid) at a central gathering place in every town or city. Everyone dresses in new and clean clothes and attends the Eid prayer. This is followed by visiting friends and family, exchanging gifts, and eating and dining together. This holiday is celebrated much like the day of Eid ul Fitr, however Muslims, who can afford to buy a sheep or a goat, offer the sacrifice. The meat of the killed animal is given to the needy and poor people, some of it is eaten by the family and some is given to the friends. A cow or a camel or a bull can be sacrificed for seven adults.





This tradition of the sacrifice is to commemorate the memory of Prophet Abraham, who was asked by God to be ready to sacrifice his son, but God replaced the son by a ram. This act of supreme obedience and the sacrifice reminds Muslims of their responsibility of submission to the will of God.



MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT ISLAM





Islam is a complete way of life. This is denoted by the Arabic word Din (Deen). It embraces the spiritual, social, moral, economic and cultural life of it's followers, as well as their belief in God. It is concerned with the total person, and all acts receive their justification and direction from the teaching that is embodied in Qura'n. The laws that govern the daily practical affairs are given in The Qura'n, because Islam is vitally concerned with how people interact with each other as a community and in the spiritual and material welfare of the individual. The equality of the individuals, race relations, the treatment of men and women, marrige and divorce, family life, justice, conduct of war and health are some of the subjects that have been dealt explicitly in Islam.





Contrary to what has been portrayed by some Western writers in the past, Islam is neither anti-Jewish, nor anti-Christian. In fact Islam teaches religious tolerance, and it explicitly directs it's followers to respect all other religions and faiths. Islam recognizes the truth that is contained in the doctrines of Judaism and Christianity, and confirms Abraham, Moses, Jesus and others as true prophets who preceded Mohammad.





Western writings, historical and religious works that were compiled in the past, often imply that Islam was spread by the sword: but this is far from the truth and the modern scholars admit that. By any account, the followers of Islam cannot be implicated in spreading Islam by the use of force; there may be rare examples in the history of Islam, but those are exceptions and not the rule. In this regard, Muslim zealots pale to nothing in comparison with the disciples and zealots of many other faiths in the history. Muslims adhere to the teachings of Islam and The Qura'n says, "If it had been your Lord's will, they would all have believed--all who are on earth--Will you then compel mankind, against their will, to believe" (2:256), and "Unto you be your religion and unto me mine" (109:6). The Qura'n also says, "Defend yourself against your enemies, but attack them not first, for God does not like transgressors" (2:190).





Islam's achievements are monumental. It gave equal rights to all human beings, regardless of race, color, sex, nationality, status or lineage. Throughout it's 1400 year history, Islam changed barbaric people to civilized people. (The most well known example of this transformation is the conversion of the hordes of Mongols to civilized Muslims).





Islam taught respect for other individuals and their rights. It gave rights to women, who had almost no rights in the history of mankind before that time. Islam set family laws and made rules for inheritance. It discouraged and eliminated slavery. It made the state responsible for the basic needs of all of it's citizens, regardless of their race or religion, and the state is responsible to protect the legitimate rights of the citizens.





Islam encouraged the acquisition and propagation of knowledge. In the dark period of the Middle Ages, Muslims scholars carried all the advances in the fields of science and social subjects. There is a very significant contribution of Muslim scientist and scholars to the subjects of chemistry, physics, mathematics, astrology, anatomy, physiology, medicine, navigation and many other fields. Medical schools were active in Baghdad and later in other parts of the Muslim world in the times of the Dark Ages in Europe. Medical schools had a rigorous curriculum of four years.





Muslim astronomers measured the circumference of the earth with surprising accuracy, approximately eight hundred years before Europe recognized that the world was not flat.





The most outstanding contribution of Muslim scholars to the human knowledge is in the field of mathematics. The Muslim scholars introduced the use of zero and, with it, the modern system of writing numbers in tens, hundreds, thousands, millions and so on. They replaced the clumsy Roman system of numerals with the Arabic numerals that are used in our every day life today. All modern mathematics is founded on these discoveries.





The Muslims invented the sciences of algebra and trigonometry, including logarithms and trigonometrical ratios, and the relations of sine and cosine, tangent and cotangent. All of this learning was widely known by people in the Muslim countries. The Muslims introduced the manufacture of paper on large scale. This in turn reached Europe from Arabs in Spain and Scily. In the ninth century, when Baghdad was the seat of the Caliphate, the city had hundreds of bookshops. As a result of the wide acquisition and dissemination of knowledge, even the peasants and farmers in Muslim Spain could read and write, whereas, the dukes and princes in Europe were mostly illiterate.





Muslim navies commanded the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean, and the merchant naval vessels plied to Indonesia and Far East. At a time when the wealthy in Europe kept their treasures and possessions in the form of sacs of coins, the Muslims had a well developed banking system. The businessmen could write notes and cheques in Canton, China on their bank accounts in Baghdad or other Muslim cities. Similarly, they had reservations in Canton, just as Europeans did in nineteenth century in Shanghai.





Other important examples include the silk and cotton industries, embroideries, carpets, satin, velvet, muslin, and damask in textiles. Weapons, inlaid gold and silver work, glazed colored tiles, pottery lustre and glass are other noteworthy developments. There are numerous architectural wonders of their time that are still preserved across the Muslim world.





In the words of Sir John Glubb (In The Life and Times of Muhammad), "for five centuries after Muhammad, the Muslims dominated the world both culturally and militarily as completely as Europe and America have done for the last two hundred and fifty years".



A SHORT BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR FURTHER STUDY





This writing is based on the author's understanding and knowledge of Islam as a Muslim. The concepts are drawn from the core teachinngs of mainstream Islam and are based upon the practice of Islam by present day Muslims across the world. The following sources/references have been drawn upon in the preparation of parts of this paper and will, in the author's opinion, serve as useful references for further study.



Mahmud, S. F. A Short History of Islam. Oxford, 4th impression 1995.



Lings, Martin. Muhammad: His Life Based on Earliest Sources. Inner Traditions Internatiomal, 1993.



Salahi, M. A. Muhammad: Man and Prophet. Element, Rockport, MA, 1995.



Ali, Abdullah Yusuf. The Holy Qur-an, Text, Translation & Commentary. Ashraf Press, Lahore, Pakistan and Amana Corporation (Revised Translation and Commentary) 1994.



Pickthall, Marmaduke. Holy Quran, English Translation. Taj Company, Karachi, Pakistan, 1977.



Haykal, Muhammad Husayn. The Life of Muhammad. Translation from 8th edition. North American Trust Publications, 1976.



Haq, Mazhar-ul. A Short History of Islam. Book Land, Lahore, Pakistan, 1980.



Hamidullah, Muhammad. Introduction to Islam. Centre Culturel Islamique, Paris, 1969.



Maududi, Abul A'la. The Meaning of the Qur'an. Islamic Publications Ltd, 1982.



Sarwar, Ghulam. Islam: Belief and Teachings. Muslim Educational Trust, London, 1994.



Michener, James A. Islam: The Misunderstood Religion. Reader's Digest, May 1955.



Welty, Paul Thomas. Islam, in the Asians, Their Heritage and Their Destiny. Lippincott, fifth edition, 1976.



Glubb, Sir John Bagot. The Life and Times of Muhammad. Scarbrough House, 1991.



Esposito, John L. Islam: The Straight Path. Expanded ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 1991.



Maududi, Sayyid Abul A'la. Towards Understanding Islam. Islamic Teaching Center, Indianapolis, Indiana,1980.



Farah, Caesar E. Islam: Beliefs and Observances. Fifth ed. Barrons, 1994.



Dr. Mohammad Hussain practices medicine in Evansville, Indiana, where he specializes in General Pediatrics and Pediatric Hematology and Oncology. He is a frequent lecturer on Islam at the University of Evansville.


This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.
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