Religions

New Religious Movements

New religious movements are developing all the time. If you are interested in a particular group, it's a good idea to get some impartial information about it.

You can get information from:

INFORM (information Network Focus on Religious Movements)

Tel: 020 7955 7654 

Religions, History & Golden Rules - World Religions

There are many different religions, far too many to list here! This is not meant to be comprehensive, but just a taster to get you thinking!

BAHA'I

The founder of this faith was Baha'u'llah, whose followers believe was the most recent Messenger of God.

A central belief is that humanity is one single race and that there should be one global society.

Equality for all is also a major principle.

The Baha'i faith is widespread, with about 5 million people following it.

Baha'i UK

Call the National Centre for more information: 020 7584 2566 

Buddhism

According to Buddhist teaching, Siddharta Gautama found the path of enlightenment and became known as the Buddha.

Rather than worshipping a god or gods, Buddhism centres on the importance of the teaching, or the dharma.

Buddhists believe in Kharma (actions have consequences), rebirth, liberation of kharma, enlightenment and dharma (the teachings and the way to paradise or nirvana).

They belive in the 'four noble truths'.

There are about 350 million Buddhists worldwide.

of the many Buddhist festivals, Wesak in May is the most important and celebrates the birth of Budha, and for Therevada Buddhists it celebrates Buddha's birht, enlightenment and death.

For more information contact:

The Buddhist Society

Tel: 020 7834 5858

Christianity

Christianity is based on the life and teachings  of Jesus of Nazareth, who lived approximately 2000 years ago.

There are many churches and denominations within Christianity, with the mainstream being Protestant, Roman Catholic & Orthodox. In fact there are more than 22,000 different ones.

There are over 1,000 million followers of Christianity, and their Bible is their Holy Book.

Christians believe Jesus to be the Son of God, that his life on earth was sacrificed for the sins of humanity, and that he rose from the dead and lives on.

Christians have faith that if you are a believer, and repent for your sins, you will be forgiven, and after death you will go to heaven.

Important dates are Christmas Day (celebrating the birth of Jesus), Good Friday (commemorating his death) and Easter Sunday marking his resurrection. On Pentecost Sunday, Christians celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit onto the disciples.

There are many different forms of Christianity. For more information, go to a local church or Centre of Worship, or do some research at the library or on the internet. 

Hinduism

Hinduism is not strictly a religion, but a way of life, and is referred to as Sanatan Dharma, meaning the eternal faith.

There are more than 700 million Hindus int he world, who believe that there are circles of life, death and rebirth.

The Veda is the name of our four ancient and Holy Scriptures that are important in the Hindu religion. They also believe in non-agression.

A major Hindu festival in Diwali, festival of lights, which is held in late Autumn.

To find out more contact the UK Hindu Council

Islam

Islam has over 1,000 million followers, called Muslims.

Muslims believe that the Prophet Muhammad was the last prophet of God, revealing Islam to humanity.

The Muslim scripture is the Holy Qur'an, and there are 'five pillars of Islam' which help people put their faith into action.

These are; Shahadah (declaration fo faith), Salah (ritual prayer 5 times a day), Zakah (giving a fixed proportion of earnings to charity), Sawm (fasting) and Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah).

There are two Muslim festivals set down in Islamic law: these are Eid-UI-Fitr and Eid-UL-Adha, however there are other days that are celebrated too.

For more information contact the UK Islamic Mission 

Tel: 020 7387 2157

Judaism

There are around 12 million Jews around the world who worship in Synagogues.

The early part of the Jewish history is told in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament).

Jews believe in only one God, and have a day of rest on the Sabbath (Shabbat) that is on Saturday.

They believe that God appointed them to be his chosen people in order to set an exmaple of holiness an ethical behaviour to the world.

Jews believe that a Jew is a person born to a Jewish mother, and who has not taken on another faith, but it is possible to convert to Judaism.

There are many importnat days in the jewish calendar. High Holydays are, Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year), Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement) and the Days of Awe or Repentance in between.

For further information contact the Board & Deputies of British Jews

Tel: 020 7543 5400

Sikhism

Guru Nanak, who was born in the 15th century, founded the Sikh faith. There were 9 other Gurus after him.

The Sikh Holy Book is called Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

There are around 20 million Sikhs worldwide.

Sikhs believe that there is only one God and that all religions have the same one. they don't use images or statues, and public worship takes place in a Gurdwara.

They also believe that God is all around and inside all of us. three important duties are to pray, work and give.

Sikhs are not allowed to cut their hair, neither men nor women and men often wear a turban.

Vaisakhi is the Sikh New Year festival, which is held on April 13th or 14th, and Gurpurbs are festivals associated with the lives of the Gurus.

For further information contact:

Sikh Missionary Society or Tel: 020 8574 1902

Sikhs in England or Tel: 07958 946868

More Information?

If you are interested in any of the above religions and more, then you can find out more on these websites:

BBC website

www.multifaithnet.org

Share religious values - religion or belief discrimination

In the UK and Europe it is illegal to discriminate against a person's beliefs.

Jersey does not currently have any laws to protect this.

The Jersey Relation Trust has drawn up a voluntary code called the 'Anti-Discrimination Promise 2006'

This is a 6 point pledge that employers/companies are asked to sign up to.

For more information on this, contact the Trust:

Community Relations Trust   or email them at info@jerseycommunityrelations.org or Tel: 07797 817950

Alternatively you can contact JACS or CAB for more information and advice.