Feldscher,+Morgan

**Research Question**: What are the different types of rituals that different religions practice in comparison and indifference from one another?
=**Religion**: Judaism = ==== The religion of Judaism is a very complicated religion, unlike any other. There are many different rituals and traditions practiced by the people of the Judaism religion. An example of a Jewish ritual would be a Bar or Bat- Mitzvah. This is when at the age of thirteen, Jewish law considers boys to have reached adulthood. A special service is held in the boy's honor, and he is permitted to read from the Torah for the firs time. The comparable ceremony for girls is a Bat Mitzvah which varies in religious significance depending on the sect of Judaism.” Judaism is one of the oldest religions still existing today. Modern Judaism is a complex phenomenon that incorporates both a nation and a religion, and often combines strict adherence to ritual laws with a more liberal attitude towards religious belief. The rules that are followed by the Jews are found in the Jewish bible known as the Torah. The Torah can be found in a synagogue which is the Jewish house of warship, where many Jews go every day to pray.
 * Introduction:**

“Judaism is the religion of the Jews. There are an estimated 14 million followers of the Jewish religion around the world. Most of the world's Jews are concentrated in three countries: the United States (six million), Israel (3.7 million), and the Soviet Union (2.5 million). Other nations with significant Jewish populations are France (650 thousand), Great Britain (400 thousand), Canada (300 thousand), Argentina (300 thousand), and Brazil (150 thousand).”
 * Quotes:**

“Judaism was the first religion based on monotheism, the belief in one God. All of the major Western religions found their roots in Judaism.”

"Bar Mitzvah- at the age of thirteen, Jewish law considers boys to have reached adulthood. A special service is held in the boy's honor, and he is permitted to read from the Torah for the firs time. The comparable ceremony for girls is a Bat Mitzvah which varies in religious significance depending on the sect of Judaism.”

"The torah, which is the Jewish bible, quoted that “Energy is the basis of everything. Every Jew, no matter how insignificant, is engaged in some decisive and immediate pursuit of a goal… It is the most perpetual people of the earth…” Essentially this quote is saying that every Jew no matter how different they are or what they are associated within has a goal in life and is always set down a path to being successfully happy. It also is saying that Jews are the most “perpetual” people on the earth, which is quoted in the Torah. "

"Today, the Jewish house of worship is a //synagogue//. The primary purpose of the synagogue is as a house of prayer "

"The synagogue replaces ritual sacrifice with Torah readings, prayer and teaching. "

"Although "synagogue" is the most common term for the Jewish place of assembly, not all Jews use this term. Reform Jews refer to it as "the temple," which reflects their view that the synagogue is a permanent replacement for the Temple."

" Baby naming ceremony: Traditionally, the Simchat Bat ceremony for baby girls, takes place in the synagogue on the first Shabbat following her birth. During the ceremony, either the father or both parents are called to the Torah for a reading and blessing. Today, many families choose to have the ceremonies in their own homes."

The torah, which is the Jewish bible, quoted that “Energy is the basis of everything. Every Jew, no matter how insignificant, is engaged in some decisive and immediate pursuit of a goal… It is the most perpetual people of the earth…” Essentially this quote is saying that every Jew no matter how different they are or what they are associated within has a goal in life and is always set down a path to being successfully happy. It also is saying that Jews are the most “perpetual” people on the earth, which is quoted in the Torah. I don’t agree with this quote from the torah because although it is stated as an opinion it is showing hatred towards other religions. This quote is stating that Jews are the most perpetual people on earth, which is showing hatred towards people from other religions, it is also saying that they always have a goal, so is that saying people of other religions don’t know what they want? Even though this torah was wrote in a different time of today I still believe it is showing hatred.
 * Analysis:**

The Jewish culture practices many unique traditions and rituals that have been carried down through several years. When a Jewish baby girl is brought into the world they have a baby naming ceremony also known as the "Simchat Bat Ceremony" which takes place in the synagogue on the first Shabbat after her birth. During the shabbat either the mom or dad are called to the Torah for a reading and a blessing. Now a days though they families decide to have this service done in their own home rather than in a synagogue.

At the age of thirteen in the Jewish religion, Jews consider that to be the age of adulthood. There is a A special service held in the boy's honor, and he gets to read from the Torah for the first time, which is a huge honor in this religion.

=**Religion:** Christianity = Christianity is currently the largest religion of the world. Christians believe Jesus rose from the dead three days later, and in so doing made it possible for those who believe to be forgiven of sin and attain eternal life. Much of Christian belief and practice centers on the resurrection of Christ. Christianity has been divided into three major branches. Roman Catholicism represents the continuation of the historical organized church as it developed over the centuries, and is headed by the Pope. Distinctive beliefs of Catholics include the doctrines of Transubstantiation and Purgatory, and distinctive practices include devotion to the saints and Mary and use of the rosary. The most important Christian holiday is Easter, a spring holiday that celebrates Christ's resurrection from the dead. Easter is immediately preceded by Holy Week, which includes Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday. The 40 days prior to Easter form the Lenten season, a time of fasting and repentance. Another holiday that came to be important is Christmas, which commemorates the birth of Jesus on December 25. Saints' days are also important. Some of these, such as St. Patrick's Day and St. Valentine's Day, have come to play a prominent role in popular American culture.
 * Introduction:**

"Christian rituals are basically the seven sacraments: " Most Christians attend worship services at **church** on Sundays, which generally include singing, prayer and a sermon. Most Christian churches have a special ritual for ordination, or designating a person fit for a leadership position in the church. At home, most practicing Christians pray regularly and many read the Bible."
 * Quotes:**
 * Baptism,
 * Confirmation,
 * Eucharist/Communion,
 * Marriage/Matrimony,
 * Confession,
 * Holy Orders, and
 * Anointing of the Sick
 * Pentecost

"Nearly all Christians will have been **baptized**, either as an infant or as an adult, and regularly participate in **communion** (also called the Lord's Supper and the Eucharist). Baptism and communion are considered sacraments - sacred rituals instituted by Christ himself."

"The Christian Church recognizes five additional sacraments, as well as many other distinctive practices that are known as "**sacramentals**" or "devotions" and include praying the rosary and going on pilgrimages. Both Catholic and Orthodox Churches have **religious orders**. The most distinctive practice of Orthodoxy is the emphasis on icons, although Catholics use them as well. "

"Lent: Forty-day preparatory period of repentance, fasting and self-denial. Linked to Jesus' forty-day fast in the desert Begins on Ash Wednesday."

People who believe what christians believe, think of themselves as very intelligent people. "My examination of the Bible shows that modern Christians' beliefs do not agree with much of the Bible as it is. Most Christians today are good people in spite of the bible. They are smarter than Jesus. They are nicer than the God of the Bible. Many of them have risen above the brutalities of Christianity to become good, caring people because they possess a respect for human values"
 * Analysis:**

When you say that someone is a Christian, you normally mean that he accepts the major Christian beliefs. That's not the whole story, since Christianity is also a way of life and a community. But most Christians do not think it is appropriate to apply the term Christian based simply on the fact that someone has Christian parents and grew up as a Christian, or even based on the fact that they admire many of Jesus' teachings. To be thought of as a Christian, one is normally expected to accept the major Christian beliefs, to be following the way of life that Jesus taught, and to be a part of the Christian community. Most Christian groups have standards of belief. Members are expected to accept the standards of their community. This is not to say that Christians have no questions or doubts. Most groups permit members to express uncertainty and to question beliefs.

In my views of this quotes, I believe that most Christians that understand the bible to its full extent have a different view on it then people of other religions. Christians believe that from reading the bible and understanding God and Jesus' accomplishments that they are smarter and nicer and should be respected more.

=Religion: Islam =

= = Islam is the second-largest religion in the world, with over 1 billion followers. It is a monotheistic faith founded by a man named Muhammad in 7th-century Saudi Arabia. According to the Muslim Beliefe the angel Gabriel appeared to Muhammad, a camel driver, in a mountain cave and delivered a message from the one true god. The prophet Muhammad dedicated the remainder of his life to spreading a message of monotheism in a polytheistic world. His life's work is recorded in the Qur'an, the sacred text of Islam. The word "Islam" means "submission," reflecting the religion's central tenet of submitting to the will of God. he sacred text of Islam, the Qur'an, was written in Arabic within 30 years of Muhammad's death. Muslims believe it contains the literal word of God as gradually revealed to Muhammad by the Angel Gabriel over the course of 20 years. The word "Islam" means "submission," reflecting the religion's central tenet of submitting to the will of God. Muslims are a group of people belonging to the Islam religion who do not believe in celebrating any holidays. = = "**Akikah**. An informal birth ceremony. This ceremony is not practiced widely. = = = = = = = =
 * Introduction:**
 * Quotes**:
 * Shadada**. The marking of a young Muslim’s formal entry into Islam. There is no set age for this rite, though it is most commonly celebrated during the teenage years.
 * Marriage Ritual**. Witnesses observe the groom’s formal offer of marriage and the brides acceptance of it. There is no elaborate ceremony. The **waleemah** is the reception which includes music and dancing.
 * Funerals and Mourning**. This includes the recitation of the **janazah** (prayers for the dead) at the gravesite and may include a service at the funeral home. Muslims do not condone cremation and burial of the dead takes place within 24 hours of death. The official mourning period for a family member is 40 days"

"**Ramadan**. This Holy Festival takes place in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is a time of fasting and daily repentance. " = =

"The sacred text of the Muslims, the Qur'an, or "Recitation," is, unlike either the New Testament or the teachings of Buddha, absolutely authoritative and subject to no questions since its redaction only a couple decades after the death of Muhammad." = = Islam is the religion articulated by the Qur’an, which is a book considered by its adherents to be the verbatim word. The word Islam means acceptance of and submission to God. People of the Islam religion are very strict about their religion and follow their beliefs word for word. A big ritual practiced by this religion includes the Five Pillars of Islam, which are five duties that unite Muslims into a community. The Five Pillars of Islam are five practices essential to Sunni Islam. The Shadah, Salah, Zakat, Sawm, & the Hajj are the make-ups of the Five Pillars of Islam. A man who was very important to the Muslim people was Muhammad. Muhammad was the prophet of Islam. He was a religious, political and military leader who founded the religion of Islam. Muslims looked at him as the “restorer” of the original, uncorrupted monotheistic faith of Adam, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and others. Muhammad was known a descendant of Prophet Ismail through the lineage of his second son Kedar. The **mission** of Prophet Muhammad was to restore the worship of the One True God, the creator and sustainer of the universe, as taught by Prophet Ibrahim and all Prophets of God, and to demonstrate and complete the laws of moral, ethical, legal, and social conduct and all other matters of significance for the humanity at large.
 * Analysis:**

What is a religion? A religion is an organized approach to human spirituality which usually encompasses a set of narratives, symbols, beliefs and practices. There are twelve classical world religions, which are the most popular ones that are practiced today. Some of them have things in common and some of them are totally and completely different with nothing in common. The 3 different religions that I've been researching are Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Something in common between Judaism and Christianity is that they both celebrate high holy days unlike Islam. Jews celebrate many special days throughout the year and throughout each person's life. Major religious holidays include Passover, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur. Hanukkah, historically a minor holiday, has become more prominent in the last century for Jews who live in areas that celebrate Christmas. The Sabbath, a day of rest and worship at the synagogue, is observed each Saturday. In Judaism, all days begin at sunset, so all holidays begin at sundown and end at sundown. The most important Christian holiday is Easter, its a spring holiday that celebrates Christ's resurrection from the dead. Easter is immediately preceded by Holy Week, which includes Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday. The 40 days prior to Easter from the Lenten season, a time of fasting and repentance. Another holiday that came to be important is Christmas, which celebrates the birth of Jesus on December 25. Unlike Judaism and Christianity, Islams do not celebrate anything, besides for birthdays.
 * Final thoughts:**

Something that all three religions do have in common, that most religions do have are sacred texts. The Jewish sacred text is the Tanakh**,** whose name is an acronym of //Torah//, The Tanakh consists of the same books as the Christian Old testament, although in a slightly different order and with other minor differences. The sacred text of Christianity is the Bible, which consists of the Old Testament (the Jewish Bible) and the New Testament. **T**he New Testament contains 27 books.

=**Works Cited:**= 1) http://www.religionfacts.com/judaism/fastfacts/overview.htm 2) http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/overview.htm 3) http://www.religionfacts.com/islam/overview.htm 4) http://www.religioustolerance.org/islam.htm 5) http://www.islam.com/ 6) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judaism 7) http://www.jewfaq.org/index.htm 8) http://geneva.rutgers.edu/src/christianity/