Kaothar Abdulrasoul

HUMA-2300-007-Sp15
05/04/2015
Religions Comparison

A religion is an organized collection of beliefs, cultural systems, and world views that
relate humanity to an order of existence. Many religions have narratives, symbols, and sacred
histories that aim to explain the meaning of life, the origin of life, or the Universe. From their
beliefs about the cosmos and human nature, people may derive morality, ethics, religious laws or
a preferred lifestyle. Many religions may have organized behaviors, clergy, a definition of what
constitutes adherence or membership, holy places, and scriptures. The practice of a religion may
include rituals, sermons, commemoration or veneration (of a deity, gods, or goddesses),
sacrifices, festivals, feasts, trances, initiations, funerary services, matrimonial services,
meditation, prayer, music, art, dance, public service, or other aspects of human culture. Religions
may also contain mythology. The word religion is sometimes used interchangeably with faith or
set of duties; however, in the words of mile Durkheim, religion differs from private belief in
that it is "something eminently social". So I will shows how the Christianity, Islam, and Sikh are
similar or different in the sacred space, beliefs, and ritual.
Sacred spaces of Christianity that is worship in churches. It is customary to worship on
Sunday, the Sabbath, and on other special festivals and celebrations. Some people, especially
monks and nuns, attend church daily. In addition, most Christians pray or worship at home
through individual or family devotions. Church services are most often led by an ordained priest

or minister. Often there is also lay (non-ordained minister) leadership in a service. The services
usually include participatory prayers and hymns, readings, and a sermon. For most Christians the
primary service is the Holy Eucharist, also known as the Holy Communion or the Mass. The
center of this service is the sharing of bread and wine, representing Christ's body and blood,
which he sacrificed for God's people on earth. The model for the Holy Eucharist is the Last
Supper, Jesus' last meal with his disciples. At this meal, Jesus instructed his disciples to share
bread and wine together as a way of remembering him.
According to beliefs, Christianity has historically taken correct doctrine very seriously.
The early fathers and church councils carefully distinguished between "orthodoxy" from
"heresy" in an effort to preserve what they saw as the true Christian message. Throughout the
Middle Ages, the decisions of the ecumenical councils and the doctrine of apostolic succession
ensured that correct belief was safeguarded. However, this did not stop great minds like Thomas
Aquinas from exploring and even questioning all aspects of Christian theology within the bounds
of orthodoxy. During the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, attention turned once again
to preserving the original message of Christianity. Reformers called for the stripping away of the
many superfluous and even erroneous doctrines that had developed over the centuries and
demanded that theology be based on the Bible alone. The importance of right belief was brought
even more to the forefront with the reformers' emphasis on true faith as the only requirement for
salvation. Almost all of the denominational divisions that have arisen since the Reformation
center around matters of doctrine, not practice. Given the great historical attention that has been
devoted to it, the 2,000 years' worth of available writing on its many subjects, and its sometimes
complex philosophical arguments, Christian doctrine can be an intimidating subject for the
beginner. The following articles therefore attempt to summarize the general consensus of

Christian beliefs on everything from God to the afterlife, with historical development and
denominational differences taken into account as much as possible.
The sacred rituals of Christianity, called sacraments or ordinances, vary greatly between
Christian denominations. Almost all Christians practice baptism and the Eucharist, which are
ancient traditions connected to Jesus and the apostles
While in Islam Muslims pray five times daily in their homes or wherever they are, in fact
even in the streets, Muslims also worship in mosques. Mosques can be very elaborate, large
structures or very simple ones. However most have these common features. Mosques are
decorated with a special kind of art. Muslims do not believe in making images of Allah,
Muhammad, any other prophets, or any person or animal. There are two reasons for this. One is
that the worship of images is forbidden in Islam. The other reason is that no artist's
representation of Allah's creation would be able to show its true beauty. It is a way of honoring
Allah. So, instead, Islamic artists use geometric shapes and patterns on their walls, floors, in their
holy books, and on other decorative items. Islamic mosques are known for incredible complex
mosaic work. This medium suits the geometric nature of Islamic art. Stars and crescents are also
found on mosques and are symbols associated with Islam. The crescent comes from the fact that
Islam has a lunar calendar. In the Koran, stars are often signs from Allah.
According to beliefs, Quran is Gods last word to the world. It states that both the Old
and New Testaments are likewise divinely inspired, but have been altered by Christians and
Jews. In any place where they conflict, the Bible is wrong and the Quran is correct; the Quran is
the final authority. Islams basic teaching, called the Islamic creed, consists of six basic beliefs,
found throughout the Quran. The favorite creed of Islam is, There is no God but Allah, which
is recited daily by the faithful Muslim. The unity of God is a basic tenet of the Muslim faith.

Another cherished belief of the Muslims is the belief in angels as messengers of Allah. That
concept in Islam differs little from the biblical view. Muslims also believe that Allah has revealed
himself through Scripture, including the Old Testament, the Gospels (though not believing them
to be accurate), the Quran, and the traditions not contained in the Quran called the Hadith. Of the
above sources, only the Quran is totally trusted by Muslims. Islam also holds a strong belief in
the prophets, Mohammed being the greatest since he was sent to the entire world. Jesus is viewed
as a prophet sent only to the Jews. There is a great emphasis in Islam concerning the Day of
Judgment. All men will be judged according to their works. Muslims will enter paradise (though
some must first be purged for their sins); non-Muslims will be condemned forever to a pit of fire.
Besides the five basic beliefs, Muslims also have five pillars or observances that follow as part of
their faith. They are: The creed or statement of belief: There is no God but Allah, and
Mohammed is the prophet of Allah. The ritual prayers performed five times a day facing Mecca.
Alms giving, offering 1/40 of their income for the needy. Their observance of Ramadan where
they fast during the daylight hours. Their pilgrimage to Mecca required of all Muslims before
death, there is an unofficial sixth pillar known as the holy war. This is used to spread Islam.
Finally, Muslims view God as an absolute deity whose will is law. God is unknowable in
the personal sense; thus the goal of Islam is to obey Allah, not to know him. Also the rituals of
Islam is the Five Pillars of Islam (Arabic arkan ud-Din, "pillars of the faith") are the five
religious duties expected of every Muslim. The five pillars are mentioned individually
throughout the Qur'an and Muhammad listed them together in the Hadith when he was asked to
define Islam.

While in Sikhism, the Sikh place of worship is known as a Gurdwara. The Gurdwara is a
place for spiritual learning and religious ceremonies. Sikh children learn about the faith, ethics,
customs, traditions and texts. It also serves a community shelter offering food and shelter to
people that need it.
According to their beliefs, they belief that There is one God, God is without physical
form or gender, Everybody has direct connection with God, Everybody is equal in the eyes of
God, One should live a good life by living honestly and caring for others, One should not carry
out empty religious rituals and superstitions. For their daily lives Sikhs must carry out; Nam
japna, keeping God in mind at all times; Kirt Karna, earn an honest living and avoid crime; and
Vand Chhanka, giving to charity. These are known as the three duties. The five vices that create
a barrier between people and God are; lust, greed, attachment to worldly items, anger, and pride.
If a Sikh follows the three duties and overcomes the five vices, they are on the way to breaking
the cycle of rebirth.
Sikhs strive to achieve divine consciousness in all aspects of their daily lives. This search
is rooted in set daily prayers (early morning, sunset, and before sleep) and contemplation of the
divine name (simran). Sikhs also congregate to sing the Guru's hymns (kirtan) and hear
discourses (katha) on the Gurus' teachings.

All in all there are so many religions around this world. As people migrate from one place
to another, they take their religion with them and stick into their culture and traditions and apply
them everywhere. The USA has diversity. You can find people from all around the world who
have different backgrounds, culture, traditions, and even food. And as we can see those religions,

Christianity, Islam and Sikhs how they are separated spread in all around the world spatially in
the united states of America.