| Religion has played an important part in the history of | | | | the whole world. Their God sent his son Jesus (called |
| our world. Religious knowledge has bent the lives of | | | | the "Messiah") into the world to save humanity from sin |
| people since prehistoric times. Judaism, Islam, | | | | and to make eternal life possible for them. That son |
| Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism have been major | | | | died to accomplish this purpose. This is the same God |
| powers in the creation of Western culture. They have | | | | that followers of Judaism worship. |
| also played a vital role in the expansion of Middle | | | | ISLAM is the name of the religion sermonized by the |
| Eastern life. Asian civilizations have been affected by | | | | Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.). He was a Mecca born |
| Buddhist teachings. | | | | Arab, who had been sent by Allah to guide his people |
| Religion has been a major basis of inspiration for the | | | | and be their messenger. People who follow the ideas |
| arts. Houses of worship are some of the world's most | | | | of Prophet (P.B.U.H.) are known as Muslims. The word |
| beautiful buildings. Many paintings, sculptures, books, | | | | Islam means "submission" and Muslim means to "one |
| dances, and motion pictures have been created with | | | | who submits" (to God). There is only one religion which |
| religious themes. | | | | has more followers worldwide than Islam and that |
| The five religions listed in this essay have a joint | | | | religion is Christianity. |
| membership of 3 1/2 to 4 billion people. This is about | | | | HINDUISM is also one of the oldest religions of the |
| 80% of the world's total populace. | | | | world. It was referred for the Indus River in India. Over |
| JUDAISM is one of the oldest religions of the world. | | | | 2/3's of the world's Hindus live here; great numbers live |
| The Jews were the first to teach belief in only one | | | | in Africa too. Hindus believe in many gods. They make |
| God. Two other significant religions shaped from | | | | out one supreme character called Brahman. The |
| Judaism are: Christianity and Islam. Jews believe that | | | | objective of Hindus is to sooner or later join with |
| God will send a Messiah (a deliverer) to bond them | | | | Brahman. Until that union takes place, believers are in a |
| and lead them in His way. Christians believe that Jesus | | | | continuous process of rebirth called "reincarnation." |
| was the Messiah. The Jewish people do not agree; | | | | BUDDHISM was originated in India about 2,500 years |
| they anticipate His arrival in the future. Judaism | | | | ago by an educator named Prince Siddhartha |
| educates that death is not the ending and that there is | | | | Gautama. To his supporters he was the Buddha. At |
| another world waiting. Exact details of the afterlife are | | | | number of times in the history, it has been a leading |
| not part of Jewish belief. | | | | religious, civilizing, and social force in most of Asia. |
| CHRISTIANITY is the basis of the life and learning of | | | | Today, there are 300 million Buddhists in the world; |
| Jesus Christ. People following Christianity are known | | | | most live in Sri Lanka, southern Asia, and Japan. |
| as "Christians." They believe in one God who created | | | | |