Religious freedom has given birth to some interesting beliefs (outside of religious beliefs) as to how we should consider, think about, or believe about those who exercise their political freedom to believe what they want when that belief doesn’t coincide with our own.

Of course religious freedom means that we must tolerate each other’s beliefs: meaning that we don’t malign, hate, discriminate, or lash out verbally or physically against those who believe different than we do. And that includes those who believe in nothing at all.

 

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This freedom we enjoy, however, has also created some interesting beliefs of its own that do spill over into an almost “religious belief.”  To begin with, and which seems to stand to reason due to the fact that each religion is so divergent from the other is the concept of “Exclusive Belief.” This idea, simply put, is that a person believes that the religion he accepts as “gospel,” is the only true religion sanctioned by God and designed to bring about God’s will for mankind.  There is nothing new about this particular belief.

But the open mindedness that our religious tolerance has led to a newer concept: “Plurasim.” This idea is taking tolerance a step further by excluding the idea that there is only one true religion. God, in essence didn’t have a particular plan for mankind, but had many. This means that all religions are true – at least for those who practice that particular religion. This isn’t quite the same as taking tolerance to acceptance, but it is bringing it really close.

The final idea which religious tolerance has led to is the idea that one’s religion is the only true religion, but that other religions have elements of truth to them. This is more an “Inclusive Belief,” where though the other religions don’t quite get what God had in mind, they have stumbled across some of the true faith and are therefore partially correct in their thinking.

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Many persons try to categorize different religions on the basis of violence. Some religions are considered aggressive and violent while others are considered passive and peaceful. Well, Christianity was considered a violent religion during the Holy Crusades. Hinduism was considered a violent religion as compared to Buddhism which spoke of peace and harmony without excessive emphasis on rituals. Jainism focuses on an even more peaceful approach where killing a fly was considered as bad as killing a human being.

It is important to understand that religions are a bit like parents. Some parents may advise their children to be aggressive but that does not mean they want their children to get into unnecessary trouble, right? In the same way, some parents advise their kids to keep their head down and focus on studies. However, they don’t want their children to grow up as cowards, right?

A lot depends on the context in which instructions were given. Religions that are based on the life of a single individual must be understood in that context. A person who lived a few thousand years ago would obviously not have predicted the problems that we would face today. Of course, trying the solutions suggested by religion in a holistic and sincere manner will always provide good results.

However, the main reason for failure is that we lack faith in ourselves. We feel that having the biggest stick in hand makes us the safest. The truth is that all holy seers have suggested that dropping the stick and embracing the other person is the best way to ensure peace on the planet.

As far back as most people can remember, you notice that pants have been the most worn piece of clothing. Why? Pants are functional. A pant keeps the legs warm, safe, and in most cases allows mobility with safety in mind. While we have seen changes in the styles of pants over the years, they remain constant. They cover the legs, protect the legs, and allow you to move with minimal worry. Dereon pants are a great example of timeless fashion, modern fashion needs, and quality clothing.

Why are pants so functional? The most argued case in this instance is the protection aspect. While you see in most commercials that people go hiking in boots and shorts, this is not necessarily the most advised way to hike. There are many considerations to think about when hiking. From poisonous plants to snakes, wearing pants can protect your legs from dangers you might not see or understand. This reason alone is why pants will forever and always remain the number one, most functional piece of fashion. Functionality does not mean you must sacrifice fashion, with Dereon pants, you can protect your legs and remain functional at the same time.

Not all pieces of clothing are as functional as pants; shirts for example, may protect you from the sun, but not the poisonous plants and animals that may creep into your hiking experience. This is why you will see people for years to come wearing pants regardless of the economical climate or the so-called fashion “do’s and don’ts.

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The history of Judaism and the Jewish people is intertwined with the history of the world in which they lived. In spite of being persecuted, reviled and shunned at one time or another by every country where they sought dignity and the right to thrive, the Jews survived and flourished.

The foundation for the resilience of the Jewish people is in Judaism’s focus on a set of codes rather than on the temple or a priest. According to Jewish scholar Eli Burnbaum, these codes transformed the religion to one based on knowledge and leadership rather that family lines. The writing and compilation of the Oral Law into the Mishna and Talmud – the code of regulation in all Jewish life – also helped to unite and build Judaism’s modern foundation.

In America, another important contribution to the Jewish people’s unique view of themselves came from the Menorah Journal between 1915 and 1925. The publication stressed the importance of Jewish ethnicity and culture and contributed to the revival of American Jews’ recognition of their identity and uniqueness. The success of Jews in the United States is based on being accepted and the freedom to prosper. The culture has effectively united ethnic identity with the heritage of American citizenship

World-wide, Jewish values and culture remain strong. One of the core values of Judaism has always been philanthropy, which was originally directed at helping poor Jews. Today, that philanthropy is focused on hospitals, higher education and Israel.  Professionally, the highest numbers of Jews find their calling in business, academia and politics – areas in which they have historically excelled.

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From the start, the immigration of Jews to the United States marked an important new direction for a people who, with few exceptions, had been persecuted throughout their history. It also set the stage for remarkable prosperity and growth for the Jewish people.

The first Jewish colony in the New World was established in Recif, Brazil in 1642. Seven years later, in 1649, the first Jew – Soloman Franco – immigrated to Boston from Spain via Holland. While he was initially unwelcomed, the matter was resolved and he stayed. In 1654, a group of 23 Sephardic Jews immigrated from Dutch Brazil to New Amsterdam (now New York City). By 1776 there were 2,500 Jews living in the colonies.

The first significant wave of Jewish immigrants began in 1826. German Jews began entering the United States and by 1850 the Jewish population had risen from 6,000 to 50,000. Ten years later the population was 150,000.  Most of this first wave were middle class professional and businessmen. The second and largest wave of European Jews began in 1881 and lasted until 1924. During this period, one third of Europe’s Jewish population immigrated to the US, swelling this population from 250,000 in 1881 to 4.5 million in 1924. The Emergency Quota Act of 1921 placed restrictions on the number of immigrants and dramatically slowed the influx of Jews through the end of World War II. The population of Jews peaked in 1937 at 3.7 percent.

Jewish immigrants brought with them the skills and talents that had allowed them to survive elsewhere – along with the drive to be succesful in business, academia and politics.

One way to encourage harmony among people of other faiths is to accept another person’s beliefs. Knowing the reasons why someone follows the Islamic religious movement helps to understand them better.  The process of accepting others involves knowing why others join a religion. The following are a few reasons that people are attracted to the Islam religion.

The statements below are not the only reasons to become a Muslim. Not all claims may apply to every Muslim due to people having their own individual motives. Remember to keep an open mind when considering other people’s opinions.

For many, the social unity is a factor in choosing to become a follower of Islam. They are part of a religion that believes in one God, Allah, and that his word was given to the prophet Muhammad. The words revealed to the prophet were used to construct the Quran, the religious text of the Islamic faith.

Identity and Unity

Many countries are in a constant state of influx, which elevates some groups and demotes others on the social hierarchy. The role of becoming a Muslim means achieving a higher identity status than that of your own country, village or clan. Members of the Islamic faith are a large grouping because followers are from different countries including Central Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East.

Set a Higher Standard

Another reason that Islam appeals to so many is that the religion provides standards that cover all aspects of life. The followers of Allah believe that his words revealed to Muhammad are the only true and not distorted word. They feel secure that principles are not altered to fit the shift into societal standards.

Islam’s religious text provides clear answers to questions regarding spirituality, home and other areas of life. Directions are given on food hygiene, the social contract of marriage and hygiene. Many appreciate the clear guidelines that Islamic faith endorses.

The key to understanding others is becoming aware of why they support one idea over another. Choosing a religion to follow is a decision that many consider a difficult one. Knowing why people choose Christianity can help believers of other faiths to respect and display tolerance.

Christianity is a religion that believes in one God and the teachings of his son, Jesus Christ. Christians accept as true that God, through his son, came to earth in human form to save all people. Their religious text is the Holy Bible.

A Group Mentality

One attraction to this religious following is the sense of belonging that is gained when, becoming part of large group. Christians make up a large number of the population that makes it easy to find people that think the same way. A majority of Christians share the same views on politics and values, especially the issues of abortion and same sex marriage.

Love and Justice

A second reasoning that attracts Christianity is attributes of God and how he fits in people’s lives. The foremost concept is unconditional love that is guaranteed to all by their Father (God). An added reassurance for Christians is that justice is provided through God. This helps those who feel that bad actions should be punished.

Attainable

The fact that Christianity is available to everyone is cited as a reason to follow this religious movement. Unlike education or wealth, it is reassuring that God’s work and promise is for everyone. Examples are found in the bible of instances when Jesus aligns himself with the rich and poor.

One way to understand other religions is to recognize why members practice it. Catholicism has many members that remain followers throughout their lives. This written piece will uncover some of the reasons that people are Catholics.

The (Roman) Catholic Church is a Christian religion that has billions of followers. The leader of the Catholic Church is the Pope who lives in Vatican City. One aspect of the catholic faith is the high esteem for the mother of Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary.

People whose families are raised Catholic usually remain so for the rest of their lives. Listed below are a few of the reasons that Catholicism attracts so many people. The explanations do not apply to all catholic followers but is a combination from various groups.

Supportive Community

The most fascinating appeal of Catholicism may be their huge community support. People of this faith come together for mass and other occasions for the whole family to enjoy. Catholics participate in neighborhood and social events together more than other groups. They are more likely to hold similar political views and feel an attachment to their parish. The camaraderie of attending religious, political and entertainment events with the same type of people is a large reason that many remain catholic.

Educated and Nurtured

A large number of families that follow the catholic faith attend parochial schools. A foundation of parochial education is based on practices of the religion. This means that children start education and catholic principles early in life. As a child ages, the ideals are encouraged and embedded into their own values.

Mother and Child Affect

The bond of mother and child is highly visible and revered in the Catholic Church. The reason may be that it reflects the love that God shows his people to a mother for her child. For many, the love from a mother is the strongest bond throughout their lives and any religion that values it, is worth worship.

It is a ritual.  It is an important ritual.  If you are a Catholic and you lose a loved one, you know that there will be a few days preparation before the actual funeral.  It is said that these rituals are in place so that for at least a few days, we can override our grief reaction if just for a short time.  If you grow up in the Catholic faith, you have learned from little up that we are all hoping to share in God’s eternal kingdom one day.  It is the ultimate goal, to sit at the right hand of the Father for all eternity.  While we cannot fathom eternity, we almost feel a jealousy for those who have achieved it.  If a Catholic is admitted to the hospital and death is imminent a priest is called.  One of the Catholic sacraments is that of Last Rites, which has since changed its name to the Blessing Of The Sick.  It is in this sacrament that the ill person is blessed and prayed over, with those around him praying for a miraculous recovery or the strength to deal with whatever the Lord has coming.

Once someone dies, there are hymns to be chosen for the burial Mass.  There are readings to be chosen.  The person closest to the deceased will meet with the priest to plan the Mass, as well as possibly with the musical director.  Most Catholics have let their loved ones know which hymns they want at their funeral, which readings they want and whom they want to sing or do the readings.  We all say goodbye, we have a burial mass in which we share the celebration of the Eucharist and we then take our loved one to their final resting place, knowing that this only their earthly vessel, their soul is in Heaven with God.

Lent is a Christian tradition celebrated by Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants alike. The occurrence begins on Ash Wednesday and takes place until Easter. Prayer and self-denial are done to celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ.

People use the period of Lent as a time to shed old habits and reflect to become better. Activities include fasting, prayer, performing charity work and studying religious text. Some doctrines represent Ash Wednesday by applying ‘ash’ on followers’ foreheads.

Fasting

The act of fasting is done differently depending on the Christian group’s beliefs. Catholics are allowed one full meal and must abstain from products made from meat. Some groups, like eastern Catholics, uphold a more stringent fast with products to give up include meat, wine and dairy products.  Protestants may choose to withhold from other activities such as coffee or smoking instead of food.

Prayer

Some people use the custom of Lent as a time to start or increase their spiritual or prayer time. An additional prayer may be added daily or time set apart to reflect in silence for reflection. Places of worship may have more services available during this season.

Alms (Offerings)

Contributions are made to the church as tithes and offerings. These procurements are used to further the church’s mission, promote charity work and help the poor. These funds may be used to assist missionary work in other countries.

Scripture

Christians rely on reading the Bible to prepare them for life events and for spiritual growth. Churches may provide literature for members to read and meditate during the time of Lent.

Every Christian church or school has a Christmas pageant.  The Christmas pageant can be anything from a choir singing beautiful  holiday hymns, to the retelling of the birth of Christ.  Different Christian religions tell the story their own way.  At any given time during the Christmas season you can hear the Christmas story, the story of the birth of Christ through the eyes of Mary, through the eyes of Joseph, his father.  There are even versions that tell the story from the point of view of the animals in the stable the night Jesus was born.  Everyone wants to tell the story of the birth of the Savior.  A Christmas pageant can be an adult cast, or the cast can be made completely from the children of the church.  On any given weekend you can get both versions in the weeks leading up to Christmas.  Churches often have choirs singing the joyous news that the Savior has been born.  Beautiful voices in perfect harmony singing for joy, worshiping the newborn Son of Man. Children’s choirs logs many, many practice hours trying to perfect the harmonies that make the religious hymns so beautiful.

On a larger scale, religious movies and plays have done very well throughout the years.  Jesus Christ Superstar, Godspell, two award winning musicals, one comprised solely of the story of the life of Christ, the other highlighting different parts of the Christian Bible, stories set to song and dance.  More recently we have seen Mel Gibson’s The Passion Of The Christ surpass all expectation to become a huge money maker.  We do not all have to agree on one religion, but we will always have the fascination of the story that is told over and over, and never gets old.

The Vatican in Rome, home base of the Catholic church, is the house to many priceless pieces of religious art.  The cloth that wiped the face of Jesus, The Shroud of Turin, artifacts that lay claim to have actually touched Jesus, The Savior.  These articles can only be described as priceless pieces of religious art.  They are heavily guarded and do not even have estimates on their value, they are unable to be valued they are so priceless.

Then there are the religious art websites.  There are many artists out there making a good living recreating the priceless religious art of the Vatican and other museums that house priceless religious art.  There are entire books of saints, and there are legions of artists trying to capture their images.  There are so many interpretations of images of Christ, his disciples, the saints, the martyrs.  There are almost as many different crucifixes.  There are many Christian religions whose followers all hang crucifixes somewhere in their homes.  Everyone can choose the crucifix that best represents their family.

Religious art can be very collectible.  There are collectors who are searching all the time for the religious art that will get the big bucks.  While extremely collectible, religious art for the most part is a personal choice, you will find that one picture, painting, sculpture, crucifix that for you will represent your religious beliefs.  Maybe it is something that reminds you of the crucifix that hung in your grandmother’s house or the painting of Christ that your aunt always spoke to, even prayed to when she needed it.  Religious art is as valuable as what it means to the individual.  While there is priceless art in the Vatican, there is irreplaceable art, handed down through the generations is most any Christian home in the country.   Our religious art is a direct representation of the icons to which we pray, to which we worship, and represent our feelings towards the way we see our own faith.

Through the Constitution of the United States, every person in the country has the right to worship as he or she chooses.  Every person is free to engage in whatever religious beliefs they find work for them.  There are many, many Christian religions, many different sects of Christianity, each with their own unique worship.  While all Christian religions believe in Christ, as opposed to the Jewish religion who believe they are still awaiting their Savior, each religion has different worship practices.  Most Christian religions use communion.  This is a place in their worship ceremony that mimics The Last Supper.  In most Christian religions, there is a plate of bread passed around, as well as a cup, or individual cups of wine.  For most Christians, these represent the body and blood of Christ that was shared at the Last Supper.

For Catholics their belief takes this to a higher level.  In the Catholic religion, during the Consecration, the priest has the power to change the bread into the Body of Christ and the wine into the Blood of Christ.  This process is called transubstantiation.  The Catholic religion is the only Christian religion to practice this.  They believe that the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ.  This is why the Catholic religion does not participate in the communion of other Christian religions, as these religions use their bread and wine as symbols only.  While they are constantly seeking for full communion with all Christians, they believe that they should only receive communion as the Body and the Blood of Christ.  When Christians attend other Christian ceremonies, they do partake of the passing of the bread and wine.  When a priest takes his final vows, he is given this power, to perform transubstantiation during the Consecration of the Body and Blood at Mass.

This is another way in which all Christian religions, while sharing many of the same beliefs, have their differences to set them apart from one another.

While the Constitution makes freedom of religion one of those inalienable rights of every person, it is not always accepted.  Religious persecution is as old as religion itself.  There are people who have died for their religious beliefs, and it should not be this way.  Why can’t everyone worship the way they choose? Why are there people out there who believe it is okay to tell someone they can only worship one way.  We do not have a God that even constrains us this way.  He has given us the freedom of choice, and as dangerous as that can sometimes be, we are free to worship any way we choose.  We are free to worship on our own time, in our own way, in whatever venue we like, whatever building we like, with whomever we choose to share that worship with.

If you believe that you should be able to choose your own religion, then it only stands to reason that you should believe that everyone else has that same right as well.  Allowing someone to exercise their own right is not a statement against the way you worship.  If anything it is just the opposite.  If you are strong enough in your own faith, how someone else chooses to express their faith is neither a threat to your faith, nor is it a judgment that your faith is the wrong one.  God is God, He is Perfect Love.  You may choose to worship in a temple, a church, a hut.  You may choose to go to services, Mass or a gathering with people who share your same religious beliefs.  You can discuss the finer points of your faith, you can sing, you can pray, you can do whatever it is your religious sect uses as their rituals.  The most amazing thing about all of these forms of worship is that Jesus told us in his own words, “Where there are two or more gathered in my name, there am I.  There is love.”  What could possibly be wrong with that?

Just as all things evolve over time, so has religion and religious beliefs.  The dividing lines have become gray, no more black and white.  There are almost as many religions as there are groups of people.  Anyone with $20 and a computer can become a minister and start their own church.  Of course, along with that, comes the growing problem of religions made up for personal gain.  Never before have we lived in such a world that literally allows us to worship in any way we choose.  We just have to be careful how we choose.

Maybe you were raised in traditional Judaism, believing in God, waiting for the Savior.  Perhaps you were raised strict Catholic, following the Gospels and believing that Jesus is our Savior.   There was a time when people of these two religions could not see eye to eye.  It was unheard of for a Jewish person to marry a Catholic or any other Christian for that matter, and most Christian religions stayed to themselves as well.

It is written in our Constitution that we have Freedom of Religion.  We have a right to worship any way we want.  Nobody gets to tell us how, of even if, we have to worship.  As this freedom grows in our country, with the springing up of many, many different religions, tolerance has become an important part of our religious worship culture.  We do not have to agree with the way other people worship God, but part of what the Bible preaches, is that we have to accept that they have the right to do so.  No one has the right to tell you not to pray, anymore than they have the right to make you pray.  You can choose to baptize your children into your faith, or you can choose not to.  These are our rights, God given rights, supported by the Constitution of the United States.  We just need to remember that everyone else has that right as well, and we should not judge them.

Have you really stopped and thought about what you believe and why you believe it. What we believe can determine how we live and act. For example, during the time of Christopher Columbus people believed that the world was flat like a piece of paper. Columbus was thought of a crazy man for wanting to travel. As a result they did not travel to other countries because they were afraid that they would fall off the Earth. Imagine having a fear like this!

We might shake our heads or laugh at this. However, we should continually look at ourselves and see what we believe and understand our beliefs. We can use what we belief to strengthen us and those around us. Spend some time thinking about any areas that you might not have solid convictions or beliefs in. You can also think about those areas that you know for certain that you do not understand why you believe this. This cannot only apply to religion but to other aspects of our lives. If there are areas you are unsure about, now is the time to seek the answers or clarification.

You can start by doing further reading, either a book or magazine. You can seek the answer by asking someone who might know. This can be someone older or more experienced than yourself. Regardless of how you get the answers or clarity, this is something that should be done to understand what and why you believe this. This can also be used as a time to see if your thinking might be incorrect or incomplete in certain areas. By doing so, we can pass down good values and belief systems to the future generations. We should be able to explain our religious and mental beliefs to our children and to other future generations.

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When you are tolerant of other religions this does not mean that we are saying the we believe the same thing that the other religious followers might believe. Instead it is a matter of just respecting the person’ right to the beliefs. Without this tolerance of other religions, we have seen the examples in the past of what this can lead to. Even today we are still seeing holy wars and battles being fought due in the name of religion or because someone other group might believe something different.

Even more so should the people who have religious beliefs be one of the first set of people to show tolerance or be the guardians of religious tolerance to others. In the past throughout history, the society has shown that when people believe that religious tolerance means that you agree with the other religion and their beliefs, this can lead to people rejecting the idea or notion of tolerance. This does not have to be the case.

Tolerance of religion in someone else is not saying that your beliefs are wrong and the other person’s beliefs are right. However, tolerance does allow you and the other person to have those religious beliefs. Even if you were to look at the beliefs of other religions and think, “This is so contradictory to mine.”

Another scenario is that you might hear a religious belief or dogma and think how can anyone possibly believe this. Just remember there might be someone thinking the same of your own religious beliefs. However, neither of these are tolerant situations. Instead you should see this as an opportunity to show the world and those that are not religious that tolerance of religion does exist and it is not something that can be overlooked or swept under the carpet.

As humans we should be looking towards the laws and commandments established by our Creator. Instead we are constantly thinking of new things to get involved in. Instead our focus should not be on the busy world but rather seeking to find the rest that we are commanded to have. In the world in which we live, it is hard to imagine that we are called to rest. However, we are reminded that the world was created and formed with a period of six days.

After the the six days God rested on the Sabbath and commands us to do the same. We can read the account of what happen, and how everything in the known and unknown universe was fashioned during this time. From all the birds in the air to the fish in the sea, they were created in the beautiful mystery of the six days of creation. To think about those six days is to think about every living thing being created during this time.

To suddenly have waters teeming with life or to have the vegetation appear. During one of those six days we also see the creation of human beings. Our own human brains cannot fully understand all that happened during this time. However, we should not overlook the importance of the seventh day or the Sabbath. It is the day that the Creator rested himself. Not because of tiredness or fatigue but rather to enjoy the quiet and beauty of everything that had happened.

We should step back if we find ourselves in a stressful situation during the six days and remember that the  Sabbath calls us to rest and reflect. By doing so we can truly enjoy all that has been created in our life. We can truly enjoy the full glory of Him and everything that has been created.

The term “meditation” is used in different ways to refer to certain exercises that can be completed to help with your emotional, spiritual, and physical management. These are exercises that cause a very pleasant mental state of deep awareness, and also generate a powerful spiritual state. There are various techniques and ways in which be are encouraged to undergo meditation and reflection. However, ultimately the purpose of meditation is to create a more aware spiritual state. This can create new possibilities for a person who practices it.

Some people have declared that they have more confident people, who are sensitive and open to understanding. They are able to reflect on their existence in the world and why they have been created. It is an extraordinary tool for personal growth and deep psychological fulfillment. Meditation has been practiced for years as it provides tremendous benefits. and every time they checked, the advantages of practice. The ability to meditate on His truth bring benefits both spiritual, emotional and physical well-being.

Physical benefits of practicing meditation are quite numerous. They include physical relaxation and the relief of discomfort caused by muscle tension. Some people have stated that it has helped them with the gastrointestinal problems related to stress. The person is able to learn how to breathe slowly and deeply. This can lead to better circulation of the blood throughout the body. From this point, the original meditation results in more oxygen going to the tissues and organs.

Some of the spiritual benefits of meditation can include the ability to focus more on God. It is also a great way to overcome the flesh and focus on the commandments that were given. Spiritually meditation can help people understand the current circumstances that might be plaguing them. Therefore, you can develop a deeper sense of love and happiness.

When we think of tolerance, we want it when it is directed towards us, but how tolerant are we of others?  Do we believe the way in which the media has portrayed others such as ethnic minorities  single mothers, or people who are currently out of work. Tolerance should not only be enjoyed when it is extended towards us, but we should show an example ourselves in all areas and extend it towards others.

One area we can examine if we are tolerant of others is in their age. In the pase we used to be a society h that valued people of all ages. For example we had respect of the elders in the community and not just those who were related to us. Now this has changed in some people. Are we tolerant of the older age person and still see them as a valued member of society? Or do you think of them as just people who should be locked away, out of sight because you feel they are past their prime.

Let us look inside and see how tolerant we are in terms of someone’s age. In the same way that we might expect people to tolerate the characteristics about us, we should be like that with others.

On the opposite side of this, how as a society  do we treat and view young people. Do we see them as the future of the nation or just lazy and selfish…causing trouble. This is not a tolerant attitude to have towards the youth. In the same way we can value people within an older age bracket, we should do the same for young people. They might not have the experience of older people, but they can present fresh and innovative ways to looking at a problem. So let’s be mindful of their contribution in all areas.

A fast is something that can work wonders for your mental, physical and spiritual health. Fasting can have both religious and non-religious meanings attached to it. When it is involved in the religious processes, we can see that we are commanded to fast and that this is a process that has been going on for centuries.

What a fast essentially means is that someone decides to give up food. This is difficult but there are times when it is necessary for the body. We are able to see if we can go without something as basic as food. Instead of running to food to comfort us, we turn our focus and attention to the Creator to help sustain us during the time when we just want to eat. This is the main goal of a fast when it is performed for religious reasons.

When a fast does not involve the religious aspect, some people can just do this as a way of detoxification of the body. When fasting it is food that is given up. Food is delicious and it nourishes and sustains us physically. However, we can eat to excess or depend on food to comfort us when this comfort should only come from God.

However, when we are hungry, we are forced to take our thoughts away from the state that we are in and instead fix it on God in our lives. Fasting is a good way to see if anything has taken over us and if we are using this as a substitute for God. If you have not fasted, keep in mind that a fast can be used to help us repent. It can also be used as a way to brin g our focus on the the sin that we may have in our lives. These are all situations that brings the focus back to God.

These days we have so many forms of communication. There is still the regular telephone line and old-fashioned letters, but now we also have mobile cellular phones, email and social networking sites to keep in touch. But how does one keep in touch with God? There are times when we can over generalize things or make it more complicated than it really is.

Thus there are moments in which some people can hear about prayer but not truly understand the act and meaning behind praying. Prayer is the way that we can communicate with God. It is like the telephone or cellular call to the Creator in which we should speak, but also wait to hear Him speak. Just like our mothers would encourage us to call more often, even more so with God.

He seeks to communicate with us and prayer is one of the ways in which we can do so. It does not have to be complicated. In the same way that we would contact a friend or loved one daily to keep the relationship going, this should be the same attitude towards prayer.

Also when we pray we should remember that it is not just about asking for things that we would like to see happen. We shouldn’t try to dominate the conversation. This would be similar to having a conversation with a friend in which they call you and spend the conversation asking you to different something without waiting for your answer.

You would be surprised at the end of the conversation when they end by saying that they enjoy speaking to you, when all you probably said was “hello”. Instead prayer could and should be used as a time to seek the heart of God. We can spend this time thanking Him for everything or even asking Him for forgiveness. Just by using simple words in a reverent manner.

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When our grandparents or parents were growing up, there was probably nothing known as noise pollution. We have become a society that not only has more gadgets, but more gadgets that make noise. Anyone living in the city knows that they only have to step out of their door to encounter this “noise pollution”.

Have you given any thought to the amount of peaceful and quiet times that we have through the day. It might be those five minutes right before we rise out of bed. It van be the “alone” time while in the shower or while drinking a cup of coffee and quietly reading the newspaper. For some people, the queit time can be the morning drive to work.

Whenever we are able to find this quiet time, we should remember that it is necessary for our brains and our body to process information and slow down. We would all like to think we are invincible but the quiet time is a great way of us rejevenuating us not only physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It is a great time to listen to what God might be saying to us.

Sometimes while we are going through the busy times we forget that we were not made to continually be working like ants. The best thing we can do for ourselves is find that quiet time. This can so much for our physical and mental health by us stopping and enjoying the beauty of the quiet around that is around us. If you are not somewhere that is quiet, it would be a good idea to find a quiet place to be. This is important because we should be looking for quiet on the outside so we can find quiet on the inside. Today is a great day to start looking for this.

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How happy are you? Is this something that you have stopped and thought about. When we talk about happiness, it can mean the sense of balance and fullness that fills your life. For some people it is the state of peace or quiet confidence that they are aware of and that is constant in their life. Happiness is not associated with the specific circumstances you are experiencing, so don’t think of your present matter. Therefore, whether you are rich or poor, happy or sad, casual or strict.

Happiness will not be in the pain, sorrow, suffering and sadness that accompanies the pain of a loved one dying but remember that this is just a temporary circumstance of your life. True happiness can be present at any time and it looks become the circumstances of your life. This is why for some people they can feel sad, but still be at peace with themselvesyourself at the same time. Sad but happy. This type of happiness should really be referred to as joy.

This joy is not synonymous with money, women, success or fame. Therefore, keep in mind that all the things relative to your current experience, it can be one thing after the other, but in truth they should not affect your true happiness or inner joy. Of course, you can strive to get everything material in this world thinking that this will bring you happiness.

However, you can wake up one morning and feel that you are more isolated and lonely than before. This is because so many people look to objects to bring happiness instead of looking to the Creator. Happiness and joy are things that can bring both a mental and spiritual balance to you. It gives you the strength to find peace in all circumstances. At the end of the day, keep in mind that the circumstances should not really dictate the true joy that you feel inside.

We live in a society and a generation in which people are more concerned about themselves than about others. We may ask someone how they are doing, but for some people they really do not stop to hear the answer or even care when they do hear the answer. It may just be the sake of asking. We are called to be better than this.

The beginning step is to start looking at people not just as objects to listen to what we have to say, but rather as human beings with thoughts, feelings and emotions. We should help carry the burden that the people in our world have. This does not mean that we take on the problems of everyone, but rather that we are more open to what is happening to those in our daily life. For society, it might be acceptable behavior to not really care, but we should be above this.

Start by looking at people. Really looking at them. When you ask how they are doing, wait to hear if they are feeling angry or fearful. If they say they are fine, but it is obvious they might cry any moment, then try to be a good friend to them as far as they will let you. The point is to take the focus off overselves and to put the focus on others.

If at all possible, try to put yourself in their place and imagine how they might be feeling. Even if we are not sure, it might be possible for someone to hide your they are really feeling and the problems they are going through. We should not just look at the outside or the socio-economic background of the person and assume that everything is okay. The reason we have been placed in their world is to be a true friend to them.

We can become more spiritual by understanding how important it is for our body to have inner peace. Someone who needs to bring their life into focus will understand that one of the best ways to do so will to look for the peace that comes from the Creator. Instead we are always looking for ways to throw ourselves into turmoil. The body and spirit are constantly fighting against each other for each to get its own way.

The body will do whatever it takes to be the victor. Instead we must suppress the inner turmoil we feel and find a way to reach the peace that we need. All we have to do these days is open up a newspaper or turn on the television to see the conflict that is currently happening in the world. A new war or conflict seems to happen everyday. There is nothing that is good about a war or conflict. Even though it might unite the people within the country, it stills leads to death and destruction. The same can be said of the conflict between our body and spirit.

Even though our own immediate world might have conflict, this does not mean that we should let this conflict creep into our spiritual world. The destruction that is felt when the body would like to overtake the spirit can only lead to destruction. It can result in us having both mental and physical health problems. Therefore, it will be necessary to daily strive for inner peace. As hard as this might sound, it is indeed achievable.

Our human body can sometimes be like a spoiled child wanting its own way. Instead we should lift the spiritual aspect within us to try to overcome the spoiled child within that does not want to follow the commandments and just wants his or her own way. Only by doing so can we truly find inner peace.

Who are the Jews? These unique individuals who remain the focus of humanity for nearly 6,000 years, and despite the adversities they have suffered, have contributed to human development. Since the reestablishment of Israel, the meaning of being Jewish has taken a new turn, as there are Israelis who are not Jews, and millions of Jews who are not Israelis.

This religious unity that characterized the nation of Israel from everyone else is taking a new course, which has been unmatched during the years of biblical Israel. There is obviously a genetic factor transmitted ancestrally in Talmudic perspective. To be a Jew you must be born of a Jewish mother. But Judaism also accepts conversion, to the point that there are Jews by choice and some are Jews by birth.

There are no people who have mixed much with others. In the last 3,000 years, the Jews and the Chinese have had the same population. Considering all the suffering experienced by the Jews, they have suffered much through history but still remain strong to the point that there are at least thirteen million people who are Jewish. But regardless of the number that is on the Earth, it is also important to consider how the Jewish nation has influenced mainstream.

There has been a large amount of positive scientific, business, and cultural influence in society that has been the result of influence from the Jewish people. The media might ask the question “Who is a Jew? They might need to know this information or ask this question as they try to label or categorize people. A Jew is simply someone that openly practices their Jewish faith. They are connected within the local Jewish community and this leads them to the study and observance of the laws. Therefore, they would believe in the traditions and customs of the Jewish people.

Religion is all about humans and human society. Just as it is impossible to categorize human beings in stereotypes, it is impossible to categorize religions into the same stereotypes. Morality tells us that being violent towards one’s fellow human beings is wrong. However, the same morality tells us that protecting the week and innocent by punishing evil is good.

Punishing evil involve violence. How to settle this moral issue? It is obvious that you cannot adopt a literal and casual approach towards the whole affair. You will have to adopt a pragmatic and sensible approach.

Contradictions are inherent in each and every aspect of human life, religions included. To simply focus on the literal meaning of the words spoken and to ignore context and theme – this is the primary reason why the problem of intolerance arises.

Many persons see and understand only what they wish to see and understand. The end result is that people end up with false notions about their as well as religions belonging to others. To classify religion as militant or peaceful does not make sense. These attributes can be attached to human beings alone. As far as religions are concerned, it is the behavior of followers that makes it good or bad. Sadly, this level of maturity is virtually absent in all those who claim to be religious.

If you want to really understand the meaning of religion, you will have to study not just your religion but all the religions in the world. Thankfully, the religious teachings of different individuals belonging to different sects can be found easily. Even the internet can help in this regard. The next step is to understand the lessons without any preconditions or prejudices. More often than not, we allow what we think or feel to cloud what really is.

The third step is to put the teachings into practice. That is when we find that all religions teach the same lesson.

We surround ourselves by many forms of artwork. In fact, we can’t escape a day without being exposed to some artist’s vision. It could be a family portrait hanging in the living room or a cereal box in the kitchen cabinet. Personally, I prefer the mini works of art that can be found in postcards. Vintage postcards are quite the hot commodity among collectors. These are the sort of travel snapshots you pick up on vacations and send back to family and friend in the hopes of making them jealous. Lately, local businesses in my neighborhood have gotten in on that by creating all kinds of fun images. Who knew my dry cleaner was so clever?

If the postcard I get sent by a business is cool it goes right up onto the fridge. If it is really exceptional, then it earns an honored place on the bulletin board over my desk. Obviously, the postcards that really get my attention are the ones that offer a special discount. Here’s what I’ve earned from postcards in the last couple of months: Ten percent off an oil change, a free room of carpet steam cleaning and a tire rotation. All I had to do was show up with the postcard in hand and I got the discount. Perfect trade off!

This got me thinking that postcards don’t have to be for businesses or vacations. We can make up our own postcards and send them out to friends. When was the last time you actually got a piece of mail that wasn’t junk? I found out that online printing companies who make postcards can convert any image to a postcard. They can also imprint it with all kinds of awesome fonts. Sure, an email is going to get to someone faster, but can you really claim an email is a mini piece of art?

With the winter holidays approaching it is a great time to think about customs that different cultures may celebrate during this time. The winter season is a season full of Jewish celebrations and traditions. Jewish custom celebrates Hanukkah and Tu B’Shevat. These two holidays are both important traditions in the Jewish religion, with both having significant meaning to those of the Jewish faith.

Hanukkah, also called Chanukah, is the Jewish Festival of Lights. It celebrates the victory of the Maccabees and their subsequent rededication of the temple. Hanukkah also celebrates the oil that burned brightly for eight days in Jerusalem after God supplied one day’s worth of oil to the people. The Hanukkah holiday is celebrated for eight days, beginning in the middle of December. Since this is the Jewish festival of lights, candles are lit every night of the celebration. The candles are put in a candelabra that holds nine candles, with one being lit every night. The middle candle is the candle used to light the others. Other Hanukkah traditions including eating fried foods to celebrate the miracle of oil, playing the spin the dreidel game and giving and receiving gifts during the eight day celebration.

Tu B’Shevat, the Jewish Arbor Day, is celebrated in the month of February. In Israel the weather is quite mild at this time and it is a time for farmers to plant their crops. The Tu B’Shevat holiday is a celebration of the upcoming Spring season, the time when crops starting growing and producing. In the United States many families plant parsley seeds during this holiday, and use the parsley for their Passover green vegetable. This holiday should be celebrated by eating fruits, nuts and grains-all items that are given to humankind by the planet Earth. During Tu B’Shevat candles are lit, wine and fruit eaten and stories are read about fertility, seasons and nature.

Dr. Shiferaw Tekelemariam, Ethiopia’s Federal Affairs Minister, believes that the world can learn about religious and cultural tolerance by looking to Ethiopia as an example. He and other Ethiopian leaders hope that their country can serve as a model for other countries of the world that are struggling with religious and cultural tolerance.

Tekelemariam was recently a speaker at the seminar Religious Tolerance, Traditional Conflict Resolution, and Federalism: Contribution of Ethiopia to the Alliance of Civilizations at the UN Conference Center.

Ethiopia is the second largest country in Africa with a population of over 80 million. Ethiopia is also made up of over 80 different ethnic groups of diverse religions. The country is home to 84 different indigenous languages. For centuries, these groups have lived together in Ethiopia peacefully.

Ethiopia is a common ancient site of Islam, Christianity, and Indaism. Many Jewish scholars also believe that modern day Ethiopian Jews are actually the historic Lost Tribe of Israel.

Officials have sought to make Ethiopia an example of cultural and religious tolerance that has sustained and built the foundation of a society. Ethiopian officials believe that the dialogue between these diverse groups of people is at the foundation of sustaining peace and building a prosperous state.

Pastor Daniel Gebreselassie, president of the Justice for All and Prison Fellowship Ethiopia, has spoken out against extremists that seek to destroy peace and destabilize countries like Ethiopia. Gebreselassie sees balance, peace, and respect are the ultimate goals in any society.

Ethiopia became part of the Alliance of Civilizations in November 2008. The Alliance of Civilizations, established in 2005, is part of the United Nations and includes 127 member states. The Alliance of Civilizations seeks to build a network of states, develop projects that support and promote understanding and tolerance, and facilitate dialogue between cultural and religious groups that are experiencing tension and instability.

Jewish weddings are full of meaning and rituals. The rituals are meant to symbolize the responsibilities of the bride and groom to each other, their families and the Jewish community.

Jewish culture believes that the wedding day should be one of the happiest and most spiritual days of a person’s life. On this day, all prior mistakes are forgiven and life starts anew.

On the wedding day, the bride, or the chatan, and the groom, or the kallah, fast from the time they awake until the wedding ceremony ends. This is the same ritual that Jews perform on Yom Kippur, one of the most important holidays for Jewish people. The wedding day is considered to be a private Yom Kippur for the couple.

Jewish customs call for the couple to avoid seeing each other for one week prior to the ceremony. Since they are not supposed to see each other before the wedding, the couple greets their guests separately.

While the bride and groom greet their guests, their mothers participate in a ceremony called Ashkenazi. The women stand together and break a plate. This symbolizes how serious the ceremony is. Just as it is impossible to perfectly repair a broken plate, so too is it impossible to perfectly repair a broken relationship.

The ceremony is performed under a canopy, which is meant to symbolize the home that the bride and groom will create together. The couple is officially married under Jewish law at the point in the ceremony when the bride gives a valuable object, usually a gold ring, to the groom. After the groom receives the ring, he declares his devotion in a short oath and places the ring on the bride’s hand. At that point they are married.

The wedding ceremony is one that is central to the Jewish faith. It is full of ritual and spirituality and an excellent example of the Jewish religion.

Like with most other religions, there are a number of important holidays that those people of the Jewish faith observe. Some of these holidays are already familiar to most people. For example, most people have heard of Chanukkah. This holiday starts on a day between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

In spite of what many people might believe, Chanukkah, also spelled Hanukkah, is not the Jewish version of Christmas. Rather it is a celebration commemorating the miracle that the Jewish people experienced when they were able to keep their lanterns lit for eight days although the lamp oil was supposed to last only one night. For this reason, Chanukkah is often called the Festival of Lights.

Rosh Hashanah is a Jewish holiday that is similar to the American New Year. Although more subdued than the festivities usually associated with New Year, Rosh Hashanah is still the time of the year that those people of the Jewish faith look back on the past year. In addition, they look forward to the coming year as well as the time of atonement, Yom Kipper. Rosh Hashanah begins on a day between Labor Day and Columbus Day, and is typically observed for one or two days.

Yom Kipper is a day of atonement for those people who are of the Jewish faith. It begins nine days after the observance of Rosh Hashanah’s first day. For this reason, it is usually observed in late September, or even early October. Yom Kipper signals the beginning of a 25 hour long feast. In order to prepare, many Jewish people will make the time for a long and leisurely evening meal. Many people of the Jewish faith visit their local synagogue in order to atone for their wrongdoings from the previous year. In fact, many people of the Jewish faith who do not regularly attend services at their synagogue will do so on Yom Kipper.

There are few religions that come under the scrutiny that Scientology does. It’s a religion that was founded over 50 years ago by famed science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard. It’s has grown today to be a religion of somewhat selectivity. It’s members rank as some of Hollywoods elite and it’s this sort of thing that makes Scientology such a controversial subject.

But looking at Scientology there is much less reason to be offended by it than you might feel. A lot of times the faith comes under fire due to it’s sort of preoccupation with money. If you have never had a chance to study the religion it breaks down as sort of a price point religion from a distance. You are required, in order to cleanse yourself of all the irrational fears you have felt your whole life, to take these intense therapy sessions. These sessions are not cheap. However, that doesn’t mean they are off limits to you if you are unable to afford them. They, like many colleges, offer work study programs as a way to offset the cost of these sessions.

If you talk to any of the figureheads in Scientology they will tell you that the reason for charging money isn’t for financial gain, but rather for financial reimbursement of the time put in and setting up a financial gain for the future. This gain isn’t to line pockets, but rather, to afford the advancement of the religion in the future.

Scientology will tell you that getting celebrities and people with money isn’t a priority so much as it is a helpful added bonus of basing their religion outside of Los Angeles. Scientology, being a newer religion, doesn’t have the benefit of old money the way many other religions due. This is why the religion is so controversial but if you look at it differently you’ll see there is nothing unusual about what they are charging for.

While the tragedies of September 11 are behind the country, the sensitivity of the issues that have come out of September 11 have not. September 11 did a lot to make the tensions between Muslims and those people of other faiths in the United States to a boiling point. While it can clearly be stated that it was radically ignorant Muslims that caused the tragedy of the world trade center, it is not the belief of many American’s that there is a division between those radical Muslims and those of the everyday Muslims.

The tension over the Muslims is at an all time high these days because many in the Muslim religion would like to build a mosque near ground zero. This is creating a firestorm of controversy and dividing people all over the country. There are those that see the Muslim point of view. They believe that Muslims are doing this as a way to ease tensions and promote the love and unity of the Muslim faith and to show that there religion is not in favor of the unspeakable acts of 9/11.

On the other hand there are those that have a hard time seeing it that way. They believe that this want to build a mosque is equivalent to putting a flag down on the territory that was the World Trade center. They believe that it’s rubbing the tragedy into to face of the victims family.

At the center of it there seems to be a belief of two things. One, they believe that ground zero should be about remembering the heroes and the victims. Two, they believe the land should be about healing. However, the issue is how to heal and that is where the division seems to be. It’s an issue that won’t have resolution any time soon.

The Internet is the information superhighway. Everyone knows that. But what you might not know is that the Internet can be the mis-information superhighway. Especially when it comes to world religions and the tolerance we have and the information we share. If you are interested in other religions then you should applaud yourself because learning about the different religions. It’s a great way for you to learn and become more understanding of why other religions are the way they are.

Occasionally in your quest to find truth you will come across some rather harsh and negative things about the religion. This is not uncommon if you receive email forwards or go on to the right site. The truth is there is a lot of bad things out there for just about any religion. So the question becomes: how do you know what you are reading is the truth or if it is hateful rhetoric.

So when you come across a rather negative endorsement of a religion ask yourself what they are saying. Are they using words like “every” as in “every jewish person only cares about killing people.” This is an absurd statement as there is no rational thought behind. The more what you are reading paints in generalities the less likely you should be to believe it.

Always look for concrete evidence. These hateful speech will accuse other religions of crimes against humanity. However, you need to ask where the evidence is. Plus you need to know where they got their information from. Also make sure you take a serious look at the organization that is sending out the information. What is their motives? What are they trying to accomplish? These are the questions that you need to ask. Don’t be swayed by ignorant rhetoric when learning about other religions.

Tolerance is very important as far as the religions are concerned. The maximum number of deaths related to fighting is because of religious intolerance. It is imperative that the people from all over the world try to build increased tolerance of world religions. This is because the people who are involved in many of the deaths have themselves been wronged. So the intolerance is a cycle of events that causes death and destruction that is never ending.

There are various methods that can be used to build tolerance of world religions. These methods are listed here.

The first method in building tolerance of world religions is to make sure that the children are educated to be tolerant. These days, many of the children are made intolerant by the words and the actions of the older generation. The people in the older generation make it a point to talk ill of other religions and of other groups of people. This causes the children to learn intolerance from a very young age. The children have all these in their mind and the hatred for the other religions is placed there strongly, leading to problems later on.

The other method that can help to build tolerance of world religions is restraint. The politicians and other people who are in administrative and religious posts need to show restraint when talking about or dealing with people of the other religions. Though in spite of maximum restraints, there will be some people who talk of bias, at least restraint will prevent massive intolerance.

These two methods are the most important in the bid to maintain tolerance of world religions in the society. This will prevent various fight, death and destruction in most parts of the world that are reeling under the intolerance of various groups of people.

Tolerance is a word that means that people should not be against each other. It means that one person should be considerate and live and also let the other person live peacefully. As far as the religious tolerance is concerned, the people of certain parts of the world may be unhappy because of the actions of the people in other parts of the world. This leads to various problems and almost all the problems in the world are put down to intolerance.

The tolerance of the world religions means that the people who are from one religion should not only respect the people from the other religions, but they should also make sure that the people of the other religions and their values and other aspects of their religion are tolerated. Many people will tolerate another human being, but tolerating the religion of the person is another matter altogether. This should not be the case and the religion should be tolerated too. This is the meaning of the tolerance of world religions.

It is very important to understand what intolerance is if one will be able to understand what the meaning of tolerance of world religions is. There are people from various parts of the world who do not know the meaning of the tolerance of world religions. This lack of understanding causes them to say things that are blasphemous to other religions. This breeds hatred and contempt for each other. There are times when the hatred and contempt is not just on an individual level, but is translated at the national level.
The lack of tolerance makes it very difficult for the people to live peacefully in a society and the society will be divided on the lines of intolerance. This should be prevented at all costs if the people are to live peacefully.

Every religion all over the world has a custom and tradition that they follow when a person passes on. Each religion is filled with customs and traditions that are unique and original to their specific religion.

The Jewish religion is no exception. It has some of the most well known traditions and customs for funerals and funeral preparations.

Here is a look at some of the traditions that many Jewish funerals follow.

Jewish tradition calls for the coffin to be that of one made of simple wooden pine. There are no elaborate embellishments or gold encrusted caskets.

Cremation and embalming are forbidden by Jewish tradition.

The ceremony is very brief. It begins with the loved ones and those closed to the person who has passed starting out with a simple tearing of their garments to signify the loss that they are going through by losing the loved one. Sometimes this tearing of garments can be done by the Rabbi but most of the time it is done by the loved ones themselves. Some forms of Jewish religion now engage in tearing of a black piece of garment and have the loved ones pin it on them instead of actually tearing their clothing.

The actual ceremony consists of Psalms, a eulogy and then a memorial prayer. At the end of the ceremony the casket will leave the building with loved ones following it. The casket is wheeled out by members of the community that are known as Chevra Kaddisha and are usually male.

At the cemetery there is a tradition that requires that the casket stop 7 times before it reaches its final resting place. After the burial those attending the funeral will form two lines, one for the family one for the supporters. They will pass the loved ones and recite a blessing to them.

After the funeral there is a period of morning for the family that lasts 7 days.

There are two major Muslim holidays that are celebrated by those that practice the culture and religion all over the world. These holidays are that of Eid ul-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha. Each of these holidays are celebrated at different times throughout the year as they are based off the lunar calendar and not on the physical calendar year. This means that every year it is celebrated at a slightly different time of year.

Eid ul-Fitr is commonly called Eid as an abbreviated name for the holiday. It is a three day Muslim holiday that is celebrated as an end to Ramadan, which is a month of fasting from sundown to sunup, that many Muslims observe. It is usually celebrated around the months of August and September but varies depending upon when Ramadan is celebrated.

Many traditions that occur on Eid ul-Fitr can vary depending upon the country that is celebrating it. However, there are many common traditions that are followed no matter what country celebrates it.

These traditions include:

Breaking fast. It is forbidden to fast on the day of Eid. Although there will be much feasting and many people do not want to overfill themselves they will often eat a small breakfast as a sign that they are not fasting for the day.

Special Day of Prayer. There is a special Eid ul-Fitr that is said on this day of Eid. It is required that a small donation be given to a charity or the poor before saying this special prayer that is said by everyone. These prayers can often be held in large public areas where everyone can hear and observe it.

Gifts. Gifts are often exchanged during the day of Eid. Mostly to children and immediate relatives only but it can also be extended to close friends. Many children are also given money during this time as a part of the holiday.

Many persons fail to understand that religion was not imported from an alien planet. Even if god created religion, it was created in the form a human prophet, seer or an avatar. People often underestimate the importance of this aspect when focusing on tolerance in religious practices. It is but natural that different religions will have different methods of leading humans to god.

They are products of different times and different civilizations. A religion created in a peaceful society will obviously be different as compared to a religion that was created when people were warring with each other constantly. Gentleness may be a great trait in a peaceful community. However, it can become weaknesses in a warring clan. This is the fundamental reason why religions differ despite having the same goal of leading man to salvation.

If you understand this, you will find it easier to assess the level of understanding and tolerance in different religions. Role of religion in a society with democracy, equality, written laws and emphasis on universal brotherhood is obviously going to be different as compared to a society where dictatorship ruled and there is no respect for human rights.

Some religions seem to handle this change better. Of course, there always are entities and organizations in different religions that promote intolerance and try to create misunderstandings. No religion can claim a monopoly over tolerance. Hence, it is but natural for differences to arise.

It is only by tolerating the differences can religious persons prove that they have indeed learnt what their religion taught. One can easily be tolerant towards something that one agrees with. Religion faces its real test when we have to tolerate something we cannot agree with.

Religion faces its real test in this regard. With closer interaction, it remains to be seen whether religion will survive or whether it will lose out to the fanatics from all sides who believe that they are always right.

Religion is all about humans and human society. Just as it is impossible to categorize human beings in stereotypes, it is impossible to categorize religions into the same stereotypes. Morality tells us that being violent towards one’s fellow human beings is wrong. However, the same morality tells us that protecting the week and innocent by punishing evil is good.

Punishing evil involve violence. How to settle this moral issue? It is obvious that you cannot adopt a literal and casual approach towards the whole affair. You will have to adopt a pragmatic and sensible approach.

Contradictions are inherent in each and every aspect of human life, religions included. To simply focus on the literal meaning of the words spoken and to ignore context and theme – this is the primary reason why the problem of intolerance arises.

Many persons see and understand only what they wish to see and understand. The end result is that people end up with false notions about their as well as religions belonging to others. To classify religion as militant or peaceful does not make sense. These attributes can be attached to human beings alone. As far as religions are concerned, it is the behavior of followers that makes it good or bad. Sadly, this level of maturity is virtually absent in all those who claim to be religious.

If you want to really understand the meaning of religion, you will have to study not just your religion but all the religions in the world. Thankfully, the religious teachings of different individuals belonging to different sects can be found easily. Even the internet can help in this regard. The next step is to understand the lessons without any preconditions or prejudices. More often than not, we allow what we think or feel to cloud what really is.

The third step is to put the teachings into practice. That is when we find that all religions teach the same lesson.

Jews that just as there is a way to live, so too there is a way to die. Jews strongly emphasize on being buried the Jewish way. After the demise of someone in the family, Jews are required to contact the synagogue or the rabbi. Once the synagogue is intimated about this, it proceeds to take over the funeral processions. This is subject to the condition that the family belongs to a synagogue. If not, a rabbi can be requested to come and take over the funeral arrangements.

Jewish burial processes are done quickly. No time is wasted in keeping the dead body, and it is quickly buried with due respects in the traditional Jewish way. Burials are postponed if very important family members of the dead person have not arrived. In some cases there might not be enough burial spaces available. Only in these situations, the burial is postponed.

For burial a space has to be bought. If the space has not been bought, a representative of the burial ground has to be contacted. Also, a funeral parlor has to take the body to the burial site, and plan the burial. Body-burning of preserving is not favored by the Jewish religion. Yes, some rabbis approve this. Cases of this are seen as a new wave of reformed Jewish religious law.

Only men can prepare the body of a man, and only women can prepare the body of a woman for burial. After washing the water, they take care never to place the body with the face facing downwards. The body will always have the face facing upwards.
Jewish funeral customs are uncomplicated. They are short, and simple. Before the burial the relatives of the dead person tear their clothes to show the loss that has hit them. Sometimes a portion of their clothes will be torn by the rabbi. After narrating a short blessing prayer, the rabbi proceeds to bury the body.

Jewish babies undergo circumcision on the eight day. This procedure is called brit milah. It is different from medical circumcision. The person who does this is called a Mohel. The circumcision is carefully done and cleansed using a Jewish procedure called m’tzitzah. All babies undergo this. Only if there are strong medical reasons will such a procedure be delayed.

The naming ceremony for baby girls is called Simchat Bat. After the baby girl is born, the day after the Shabbat is chosen for this. The Shabbat is the seventh day in the week, and a day when Jews rest. The naming ceremony is held at the synagogue. But the trend is changing today as many people prefer to have the naming ceremony at their residences. For boys, the names are given by the Mohels themselves. This usually happens when the circumcision is done.

When girls or boys enter puberty, a Bar and Bat Mitzvah ceremony is held to acknowledge their passage into puberty. Boys need to attain thirteen years of age, and girls need to be twelve years of age. This ceremony is held to make the boys and girls understand that they are no longer in the protective caretaking of their parents. They will have responsibility unto themselves, and they will be responsible for all their actions. The boys will be called to read the Torah at the ceremony, and also asked to discuss what they have read at a congregation.

The marriage ceremony is called Simcha. Simcha is actually a Hebrew word meaning happiness. This ceremony signifies the union between two individuals of the Jewish community. The ceremony is quite simple. The groom and bride exchange rings. Jewish tradition has it that marriages should be simple. The wedding takes place under a movable canopy called the chuppah. Brides wear the veil and the grooms a suit.
Jewish traditions are simple and uncomplicated. They are a joy to witness because of their simplicity.

Few ideas in the world are more contentious than that of the basic premise of most world religions, who claim that their God is the one true being to be both followed, and worshipped. This claim naturally breeds a lack of acceptance and tolerance, as so many believers then hold every non-member whom they encounter in low regard. It is frustrating for most people to witness this phenomenon, even more so when they are themselves at the center of the drama.

Take for example the crossing of paths between the Muslim and a Christian. The devout Muslim believes in the existence of Allah, and the Christian believes in the existence of the Creator, whose son goes by the name of Jesus, but whom himself is referred to by several names, including Yahweh. Each believing in their own God, and only their own God, believes wholeheartedly that the other is a disbeliever, a bad person, a sinner.

On the stage of world religions, it is necessary for the furtherance of the species – to avoid large scale religious war – for all religious people to come to a simple understanding. This understanding necessarily revolves around the acceptance of others and their belief systems, not as inferior, but as a legitimate attempt to do what they themselves have attempted to do – to raise their awareness and consciousness to a new level. This is the ultimate basis for what all religious people strive to achieve, yet in judging other religions as false, they lower their awareness and step further away from the message of doing good which is central to all world religions.

Only by active thought and challenge of the doctrines as espoused, can the congregations of each sect of belief begin to see others as equals, rather than as somehow inferior. This step involves the courage of one’s convictions, and may expose one to judgement be fellow believers, but is a worthy step nonetheless.

Today, there are many religions that exist throughout the world. Each of these religions has its own particular set of beliefs. Although each of these religions can vary dramatically, they all bring forth positive and beautiful teachings in which the entire world can benefit if people of all faiths would simply put aside their intolerances.

In almost all religions, the people who follow it believe in the teachings of a central leader. In most instances, the leader of each religion has a text in which his followers refer to when they need guidance in the matters of life. Those members who practice the Jewish faith look to the Torah as the backbone of their religious teachings. Most followers of Islam are of Muslim descent. They follow the teachings set forth in the Koran. Catholics typically use a particular version of the Bible to carry out their teachings.

In spite of what some people who hold radical beliefs want you to believe, there are few instances in which religious texts advocate doing harm to those people who do not share the views of that particular religion. Rather, these texts impress upon its followers to be tolerant of differences while also trying to teach those people about the advantages of that particular religion.

In addition, these texts set out times to pray, rest, and work. These are all similar objectives in each of these books. By following the detailed guidelines in each of the texts, these religious followers find themselves to be in an agreeable rhythm. This rhythm allows each person the time to be introspective with regards to their spirituality while also leaving time for socialization. The social times are the periods when a person might share the attributes of his or her religion to those people who are non believers. Learning about each religion can be a mind expanding experience.

It is so important to be tolerant of others in this life, especially when it comes to religion. Most people aren’t exposed to other religions besides the one that they practice. This can cause ignorance and hatred of other customs and religions. We all have to get along and as long as a person isn’t forcing his religion on others there is nothing wrong with learning about and understanding the practices of other religions. The Jewish religion is one that has suffered much persecution throughout the ages. People need to be educated about the significance of tradition in the Jewish religion and then maybe they would be more tolerant of Jewish people.

Sometimes people fear that which is different. Because the Jewish religion is steeped in tradition and ritual there are many instances where Jews seem to separate themselves from other religions and people. One such instance is with the dietary laws that Jewish people must follow. These laws are set forth in the Old Testament of the Holy Bible. There are certain foods that cannot be eaten. The food which can be eaten is considered kosher. Many outsiders to the Jewish religion do not understand this, but traditional Jews consider these dietary restrictions to be a command from their creator.

A food can be considered kosher in and of itself, but it must be prepared according to certain standards in order for it to remain kosher. That is why many of the commercial processing plants will be overseen by Jewish priests who can attest to the fact that the food was, indeed, prepared according to the Jewish kosher standards. Jews don’t eat pork because this is an animal that isn’t considered a cloven-hooved, cud-chewer. In the books of Deuteronomy and Leviticus in the Holy Bible it is written that it is permissible to eat any animal which has cloven hooves and chews its cud.

Human beings are said to be naturally good since they are humane. However, the monster within them occasionally afflicts their goodness. For some people, this monster happens to be religion. People from different religions find it difficult to tolerate each other simply because they have been hypnotized during their upbringing. Many religious families bring up their children as Jews, Hindus, Muslims, Christians etc but not as human beings. This makes it difficult for people from different religions to tolerate each other because deep down their hearts, they know that all other religions are wrong, stupid or committing a great crime through their religious practices. It is common practice for different religious communities to try and convert other people to their own believe and make them see things in their way by simply putting them into their flock.

Judaism recognizes that Muslims and Christians worship same God and they are considered righteous before God for as long as they follow the teachings of their religions. Jews maintain that they are God’s chosen people but do not view themselves as better than other people in any way. According to their teachings, God chose them to demonstrate his mighty power because they were the lowliest of nations.
Traditional Judaism disapproves of interfaith marriages simply because such marriages would interfere with religious commitment to Judaism, a fact supported by recent statistics that show that only 15 percent of intermarried Jews belong to a synagogue, while 59% of Jewish couples do.

Unlike Muslims, Catholics and other religions, Jews never try to convert non- Jews to their religion Judaism. As a matter of fact, they are required to make three attempts to discourage any non- Jew who wants to convert to Judaism. Furthermore Jews believe that they have many religious responsibilities and anyone who decides to convert Judaism must first learn Jewish laws and customs for at least one year.

It is disconcerting for parents of a strong religious affiliation to watch their children discover a different religious methodology than they’ve been brought up believing. Catholics have firm ideas about Christmas and the meaning of the celebration at hand, as do Jews about Hannukah and the multi-day celebration that entails. While each of these religious celebrations seem to revolve around family and good cheer, each has a deeply seated religious basis.

The surprise and shock to parents of their offspring no longer conforming to their standard beliefs and the rituals they entail can be somewhat overwhelming; usually more so for the parents than the children who consider themselves to be newly enlightened. One way to ease the transition is to be completely frank if questioned, but to otherwise maintain one’s newly affected disbelieving silence and to try to accept that others still have a deep faith.

Wires are crossed when people in either camp strongly voice their opinions and expect others to conform to those attitudes. This might work with young children with no experience and have been taught not to question anything, but it doesn’t work on highly educated adults who have put serious thought into leaving the faith of their childhood behind.

The only real solution to being an accepting, loving faith practitioner is to put aside one’s own beliefs and take the time to understand where those who no longer share those beliefs are coming from. It’s not an easy proposition, but it is one that seems to follow the core mantras of many faiths, such as, Treat your neighbor as you yourself would like to be treated.’ Express interest in the opinion and the reasons behind the choices of the person or people undergoing a faith transition. Perhaps in learning about their thinking processes, you can learn an idea or two which had never before crossed your own mind. This sort of mind expansion should never be a bad thing.