MEETING AND VISITING INDIVIDUALS FROM OTHER RELIGIONS AND BELIEFS.

Transcription

1 MEETING AND VISITING INDIVIDUALS FROM OTHER RELIGIONS AND BELIEFS. Including Hinduism, Islam, the Bahá í Faith, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, Sikhism and Paganism. TOPICS INCLUDE: Clothing and modesty l Communication and greeting l Dietary needs l Fasting l Religious practice l Washing and toilet l Background l Founder l Beliefs and practices l Holy Days and Celebrations

2 CONTENTS Introduction The Bahá í Faith Buddhism Christianity Hinduism Islam Judaism Sikhism Paganism A final thought

3 INTRODUCTION This ebook is designed to support those who may be meeting, working with or visiting people of various faith traditions. There is a useful profile on each religion or belief covering topics such as clothing and modesty, communication and greeting, dietary needs, fasting, religious practice, washing and toilet, background, founder, beliefs and practices, and holy days and celebrations. 2

4 THE BAHÁ Í FAITH CLOTHING AND MODESTY No specific needs COMMUNICATION AND GREETING No specific needs DIETARY NEEDS No alcohol or narcotics unless essential for medical treatment. FASTING The ill, children, elderly and expectant or nursing mothers are exempt from the Bahá í period of fasting, which normally takes place from 2 20 March between sunrise and sunset. RELIGIOUS PRACTICE Bahá ís usually recite daily prayers. WASHING AND TOILET Bahá ís may perform ablutions before prayers. BACKGROUND There are around 5 million Bahá ís worldwide. The religion was founded in Iran approximately 160 years ago, making it the world s youngest monotheistic faith. FOUNDER Mírzá Husayn- Alí, surnamed Bahá u lláh (the Glory of God). His coming was foretold by Mírzá Ali-Muhammad, also known as the Báb (Gate). BELIEFS AND PRACTICES The Bahá í goal is lasting world peace and unity. Earth is one country and all people are equal, part of God s creation. All humans are on a spiritual journey which begins in the womb, continues throughout life and goes on after death. They recognize the validity of all the world s major religions and do not believe that non-believers will not reach God. Instead, they will not have come as far along the way. However, Bahá ís believe that, in the end, we are all dependent on God s mercy. Practical expressions of service to humanity are equal to worshipping God, and there are many Bahá í social and economic development projects around the world. However, worship is still considered important and Bahá ís pray and meditate, hold an annual fast, and study the Bahá í writings. 3

5 HOLY DAYS AND CELEBRATIONS Naw-Rúz The New Year, celebrated on the first day of spring (March 21st). Ayyám-i-Ha 26 February 1 March. Days in which followers should offer hospitality, gift-giving and kindness. Fasting 2 21 March. Fasting is required from sunrise to sunset. This occurs during the last calendar month of the Bahá í year. Ridván 21 April 2 May. It marks the time that the Bahá u lláh spent in the garden of Ridván, just before he announced that he was the prophet heralded by the Báb. Bahá u lláh s public declaration of His mission 21 and 29 April and 2 May. Bab s declaration of His mission 23 May. Ascension of Bahá u lláh 3am, on 29 May. Martyrdom of the Báb 9 July. Birth of the Báb 20 October. Birth of Bahá u lláh 12 November. The day of the Covenant 26 November. The Passing of Abdu l-bahá 28 November. BUDDHISM CLOTHING AND MODESTY Only monks and nuns will wear special robes and shave their heads. Lay Buddhists will not. COMMUNICATION AND GREETING Buddhists may place both palms together and then bow gently in greeting or place their hands folded over their heart. Hand shaking is permitted. In some Asian Buddhist cultures, direct eye contact means confrontation. DIETARY NEEDS Most are vegetarian or vegan. FASTING Buddhists may fast on new moon and full moon days and specific festival days. Some Buddhists may also eat only one main meal a day. PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS Do not touch any religious objects or shrine unless absolutely necessary. Remove headgear and shoes when entering a shrine room in a home. RELIGIOUS PRACTICE Most Buddhists practice meditation and chant prayers or sacred texts. 4

6 WASHING AND TOILET No specific needs BACKGROUND There are 350 million Buddhists worldwide. The religion was founded in India approximately 2500 years ago. FOUNDER Siddhartha Gautama (Lord Buddha). BELIEFS AND PRACTICES Buddhists do not believe in God or gods. Instead they believe the Buddha discovered the best way to live and aim to follow the same path. The Buddha taught that the world is full of suffering and that we are trapped in a cycle of rebirth, because of our attachment to desires. We can only be free if we relinquish these attachments. To do this, we must appreciate the limitations of human existence: that nothing is permanent and there is no enduring selfhood. The Eightfold Path helps achieve this. Three aspects of Buddhist practice are dana (giving or generosity); sila (ethical conduct) and bhavana (meditation), where practitioners use exercises to cultivate mental calm enabling observation of mental activity, and hence the arising of insight. There are currently two major schools of Buddhism: Theravada (the Way of the Elders), which focuses on personal liberation, and Mahayana, which focuses on compassion and service to others. Two other forms which are derived from Mahayana Buddhism are Tibetan and Zen Buddhism. HOLY DAYS AND CELEBRATIONS As there are many different schools of Buddhism, it is impossible to represent all the denominations and traditions. However, generally, the main events of the Buddha s life are celebrated (though in different ways): Nirvana Day Celebrated on 15 February, it is the date that Buddhists observe his passing. Buddha Day This is the celebration of the Buddha s birth. It occurs on 8 April. Bodhi Day This day marks the day that Siddhartha sat under the tree (a Bodhi tree) to meditate and eventually attain enlightenment. CHRISTIANITY CLOTHING AND MODESTY No specific needs COMMUNICATION AND GREETING Many Christians will be offended by the use of God, God s sake, Jesus, Jesus Christ and Christ as expletives. 5

7 DIETARY NEEDS No specific needs FASTING Some Christians will fast at various times but there are no universal fasting regulations. PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS Do not interrupt worship unless absolutely necessary. RELIGIOUS PRACTICE Key Christian practices, depending on denomination, are Holy Communion, confession, absolution and the anointing of the sick. Prayer is also very important. WASHING AND TOILET No specific needs BACKGROUND There are over 1 billion Christians in the world today, making it the world s largest religion. It was founded around 2000 years ago in what is now Israel/Palestine. FOUNDER Jesus Christ, the Son of God. His Coming was foretold by John the Baptist. BELIEFS AND PRACTICES Christians believe in one God who created Heaven and Earth and that there are three persons (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) within this one God. They believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who, to save humankind, became a human being, lived on earth, was crucified, died and was buried but rose again from the dead. By believing in Jesus and his resurrection, Christians believe it is possible to have a right relationship with God. They believe in Life after Death on Earth. Prayer is the vehicle to communicating with God. Christians should be baptized for the remission of their sins. They believe in the Eucharist (also called the Lord s Supper, Holy Communion, The Mass, the Divine Liturgy and Blessed Sacrament). It consists in the ritual of repeating Christ s actions at his last supper with his disciples to remember the sacrifice he made for the atonement of the sins of the world. THE MAIN DENOMINATIONS ARE: Roman Catholic: Its claim to authority in the Christian world rests upon the belief that the Pope, the Head of the Catholic Church, is in continuous line of succession from St Peter, on whom Jesus Christ bestowed authority in the Church. Clergy are not permitted to marry. Anglican: There are many different strands of belief, but traditionally it sees itself as part of the universal catholic and apostolic church, while not accepting the authority of the Pope. The Scriptures and the Gospels, and writings of the early Church Fathers, provide the foundations for Anglican faith. Clergy are permitted to marry. 6

8 Protestantism: Martin Luther may be regarded as the father of Protestantism. It has many forms. Lutheranism is based on Martin Luther s teachings and it forms the second largest Protestant group. Reformed and Presbyterian churches are based on the teachings of John Calvin. Free or independent churches (like Baptist and Congregationalist) exercise congregational government. Each congregation within the groups is autonomous. Clergy are permitted to marry. Orthodoxy: Orthodoxy denies the authority of the Pope to speak and act for the entire church by himself without a church council. Parish priests are expected to be married, but bishops are chosen from among monks, and are therefore not married. HOLY DAYS AND CELEBRATIONS Different forms of Christianity celebrate different festivals and observe different holy days, but all forms observe (though might not celebrate it in the same way) the following 6 holy days: Christmas: 25 December Marks the birth of Jesus Christ. Epiphany: 6 January Marks the Journey of Three Kings to worship Jesus in Bethlehem. Good Friday: The Friday before Easter (March/April) - Commemorates Jesus passion (suffering) on the cross. Easter: (March/April) Marks the resurrection of Jesus from the tomb. Ascension: Forty days after Easter - The ascension of Christ to heaven is commemorated. Pentecost: The seventh Sunday after Easter - Marks the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, which began the work of the Church. HINDUISM CLOTHING AND MODESTY Cross gender communication can cause difficulties or offence. Do not remove beads, bangles or sacred thread sash without permission. COMMUNICATION AND GREETING Hindus from Gujarat generally speak either Gujarati or Hindi. Do not to shake hands with members of the opposite sex unless a hand is offered first. Hindus do not like to discuss family problems with outsiders. Family elders are expected to resolve issues. They may be reluctant to disclose the family name, as a form of rejection of the caste system. If offered refreshments, it is polite to accept. Outside footwear it not worn inside. DIETARY NEEDS Mostly vegetarian. Some do not eat onions, leeks, garlic, mushrooms, tea/coffee or alcohol. 7

9 FASTING About two days a month, some Hindus will abstain from foods containing grains and pulses. Taking of medication is not generally considered as breaking a fast. PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS Outside footwear is not normally worn in the home. RELIGIOUS PRACTICE Some Hindus may not wish to take drugs for relief of pain. Some Hindus will recite or chant mantras or prayers at dawn, midday and dusk. Treat religious objects with respect and only handle if necessary. Statues should be lifted by the base. Do not place artifacts on the floor or put other objects on top of them. Do not interfere with any burning lamps. They are usually used for prayers and worship. Remove shoes before entering the shrine room. WASHING AND TOILET Hindus may want to wash in flowing water (i.e. shower not baths). Hindus may wash hands before and after food. Offer a jug of water by the bedside if too unwell to use the basin. Do not wash off coloured spot on the forehead before asking. BACKGROUND There are approximately 800 million Hindus in the world today. The earliest references to the Hindu scriptures date back to around 7000 years ago, though it is difficult to say exactly when Hinduism was founded in India. FOUNDER Hinduism is more of an amalgamation of several faith traditions, Hindu being a geographical designation originally. It therefore has no single founder. BELIEFS AND PRACTICES These traditions are linked by their common belief in the difference between spirit (eternal) and matter (temporary). Hindus believe all living things have a spirit and are trapped in the material world and the cycle of birth, death and rebirth (samsara). Escape is only possible by breaking this cycle through spiritual activities. For Hindus, this is possible in three ways: Work (karma yoga): The performance of meritorious religious deeds including rituals, giving charity, and performing pilgrimages. Knowledge (jnana-yoga): Realisation of the true nature of matter and spirit. Devotion (bhakti-yoga): Devoting one s life to developing a loving relationship with God. 8

10 One s next birth is decided by one s karma (work) and consciousness at the time of death. Karma is a principle of universal justice. Whatever action is performed, good or bad, there is a subsequent reaction, if not in this life then in the next. The identity of God varies widely. Some Hindus believe God is impersonal and has no form. Others believe He is the Supreme Person. Hindus worship one Supreme Spirit but worship different forms of the same God. A central figure in Hinduism is that of the guru, the teacher who passes on the teachings of his or her lineage. The three main branches of Hinduism are Vaishnavism, Shaivism, and Shaktism. The Vaishnavas worship Lord Vishnu as God, specifically in His Krishna, Rama and Narayana forms. Shaivites worship Lord Shiva and Shaktas worship Durga-devi, the Goddess of material energy. HOLY DAYS AND CELEBRATIONS Hindu holy days and festivals follow a lunisolar calendar, thus dates vary from year to year. A few of the most popular are: Diwali Known as the festival lights, it commemorate the return of Lord Rama from his exile in the forest. It takes place between late October and the middle of November. Dussehara A celebration of conquering evil, this festival lasts ten days and takes place between late September and the middle of October. Holi A spring festival to celebrate creation and renewal, linked with Lord Krishna. Navaratri A nine day festival which celebrates the triumph of good over evil. Janmastami A celebration marking the appearance of Lord Krishna. ISLAM CLOTHING AND MODESTY Modesty is important, especially to women, in terms of dress and personal care. May require same sex carers. Some women wear a headscarf (hijab) and face veil (niqab) when in public. COMMUNICATION AND GREETING Most men and women do not shake hands with someone from the opposite sex or with anyone just before prayers. Wait for them to offer their hand first. It may also be difficult for them to speak to the opposite sex (unless family), particularly for women. Do not touch people of the opposite sex, unless essential. Muslims believe Jesus was a prophet and will be offended when Jesus! or Jesus Christ is used as an expletive. Remove footwear at the entrance or wear clean plastic overshoes. It is polite to accept refreshment. 9

11 DIETARY NEEDS No pork or alcohol. Halal meat required. Keep fish and eggs separate from meat during preparation. FASTING In Ramadan, most will not eat or drink from dawn until sunset. The sick, menstruating women, and new/expectant mothers are excused but may still choose to fast. A decision to fast is based on different priorities, not on ignorance or being uncooperative. Taking medication during a fast may be difficult. Discuss with the person and their family. PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS If you arrive unannounced, you may interrupt prayers. If possible, wait a short period to enable prayers to finish. RELIGIOUS PRACTICE Do not touch artifacts, especially the Qu ran. Devout Muslims will pray five times a day at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, just before sunset and before bed. Privacy is appreciated. WASHING AND TOILET Ablutions in free flowing water before prayers and wash hands before/after eating. Toilet paper is considered inadequate and they wash in running water (from a tap or jug). The right hand is used to perform rites and to eat with. The left is considered unclean as it is used for washing after the toilet. BACKGROUND There are over 1,000,000,000 Muslims in the world today. It was founded around 1300 years ago in Arabia. FOUNDER Rather than founder, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh*) is God s final messenger. (pbuh peace be upon Him. Muslims say this out of respect after referring to the Prophet.) BELIEFS AND PRACTICES Muslims believe in one God (Allah) and that Muhammad (pbuh) was His prophet. The Qur an (Muslim holy book) is the direct word of God mediated through the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). It is considered authoritative only in Arabic. The Hadith provides explanatory text on the Qur an. The Qur an outlines the five obligations or pillars of Islam: Shahadah Confession of one s faith in God and in his Prophet Muhammad. There is no God but God; Muhammad is the Prophet of God. 10

12 Salat Ritual worship. Prayer five times a day (before sunrise, after midday, at midafternoon, shortly after sunset and in the fullness of night) Zakat Almsgiving. This is an obligatory charitable giving once a year and is derived from a small percentage of an individual s wealth, business and property. Sawm Fasting. Fasting is observed during the holy month of Ramadan from the Call to Prayer (the true morning) until sunset. Hajj Pilgrimage. Every Muslim who is of sound body and mind, and able to afford the journey is expected to make a Hajj (pilgrimage) to the holy city of Mecca. There are two main sects in Islam. Sunnis (85%) follow the political successors of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh). Shiites (15%) follow His family successors and are the strongest sect in Iraq, Iran and Lebanon. HOLY DAYS AND CELEBRATIONS Ramadan This takes place throughout the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is a time of fasting and daily repentance. The Qur an was first revealed during this month. Muslims attempt to recite as much of the Qur an as they can. Eid al-fitr The feast period just after the month long fast of Ramadan 1-3 days. Eid ul-adha On the 10th day of Dhul Hajj, for 3 days, animals are slaughtered to feel the whole community to celebrate faithfulness to God and follow Abraham s tradition. Al-Isra Wal Miraj Some Muslims celebrate Muhammad s journey from Mecca to Jerusalem on the 27th day of the 17th month in the Islamic Calendar. Maulid al-nabi Some Muslims celebrates the birth of Muhammad. JUDAISM CLOTHING AND MODESTY Modesty is very important, especially to women. Cross gender communication could be difficult. Do not remove head coverings without asking (skullcaps, scarves, wigs, hats). COMMUNICATION AND GREETING In Britain most Jews speak English; many will also speak Hebrew, Yiddish and Ladino. Male/female social contact is prohibited between non family members within orthodox communities. Do not offer to shake hands with members of the opposite sex. On entering a Jewish home, you may see a small container fixed on the doorpost. Jews will touch these when entering or leaving. They are called mezuzah and hold part of the Shem (scrolls). DIETARY NEEDS No pork or shellfish. Meat must be Kosher. Meat and dairy should be prepared and eaten separately using separate utensils. No leavened bread during Passover. 11

13 FASTING Most Jews fast during Yom Kippur, a 25 hour fast from sunset the day before to nightfall. Children under 9 and women up to 3 days after childbirth are forbidden from fasting even if they want to. There are five other fasts which some Jews may observe. RELIGIOUS PRACTICE Work is prohibited during the Sabbath (from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday. Devout Orthodox Jews will also not use vehicles or telephones, write or sign a document, switch electric appliances on or off or carry any items. Devout Jews pray 3 times a day and more on Shabbat and at the start of each Jewish month. WASHING AND TOILET Orthodox Jews may not eat or drink before washing their hands. Some may not wash during major festivals. Men may not shave. BACKGROUND There are approximately 12 million Jews in the world today. Judaism was founded in the Middle East over 3500 years ago. FOUNDER Judaism has no founder as such, though Moses is considered to be the most important Prophet and Abraham was the first follower of God from which all Jewish people descended. BELIEFS AND PRACTICES Judaism follows the Torah (the first part of the Bible). Abraham s people were saved from slavery by G-d and, in return for accepting the Torah, G-d gave them Israel as their home. The connection between G-d, His people and the Land is very important. Jews do not share the Christian belief that Jesus was the Son of God. Jews follow a detailed code of conduct, including strict dietary laws. Jews must eat kosher food, including meat from animals that chew the cud with cloven hooves, fish and poultry, prepared in a special way. Eating dairy with meat is forbidden. Group prayer at the synagogue is important and men wear skullcaps (yarmulke) to pray. A Rabbi is a religious leader who leads the worship. The Jewish holy day Shabbat is from sunset on Friday until nightfall on Saturday. Judaism has been grouped in various movements or denominations. In Scotland, these are: Orthodoxy (the majority) - focuses on the traditional Jewish life by following Jewish Law as defined by the Torah and Rabbinical interpretation throughout the ages. Innovation is accepted, only in so much as it can be harmonised with Jewish legal tradition. 12

14 Reform Judaism - believes the individual should interpret correct behaviour. Previous Jewish practice and law are considered an important guideline but not binding. Liberal Judaism - a peculiarly British movement, it shares its basic ideology with Reform. Liberal Jews will tend to be more open to far reaching change than Reform JEWS. HOLY DAYS AND CELEBRATIONS Rosh Hashanah The Jewish New Year. Occurs around the middle of September/ October. It celebrates the creation of the earth. Yom Kippur Shortly after Rosh Hashanah, it runs from sunset to nightfall and Jews do not eat or drink anything. It is a time to repent for actions of the past year. Sukkot The feast of Booths. It lasts for nine days and occurs around the end of September/October. It is known as the Harvest celebration. Channukah (Hanukkah) (Late November to mid December). Known as the Festival of Lights it celebrates the historical victory of the Maccabees over the Syrians. Purim (Late February to early March). It remembers the deliverance of the Persian Jews from destruction. The day before Purim is spent fasting, the actual day is joyous. Pesach (Passover) (Late March to early April). It honours the delivery of the Jewish people from slavery. It lasts 8 days. Shavout (May/June). For 2 days this harvest festival celebrates the gift of the Torah. SIKHISM CLOTHING AND MODESTY Modesty important to both sexes. Men may keep their Sikh undershorts on when washing. May require same sex carers. Do not remove turban/headscarf or 5 articles of faith without asking (long hair, comb, short-sword, bangle and under-shorts). COMMUNICATION AND GREETING Do not shake hands with members of the opposite sex unless a hand is offered. Women may prefer having a family member present during communication. It is polite to accept refreshment. DIETARY NEEDS No alcohol. May be vegetarian. May also not eat eggs/fish. FASTING Sikhs do not fast. 13

15 PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS The Sikh name is usually in three parts. The first name, middle name ( Singh for men meaning lion and Kaur for women, meaning princess ), and family name (although this may not be used). RELIGIOUS PRACTICE Before entering a prayer room, remove your shoes and cover head. Devout Sikhs pray in the morning and evening and recite hymns in the day. It is impolite to interrupt prayers. WASHING AND TOILET May prefer to wash in free flowing water (i.e. shower not bath). May require water to wash with after going to the toilet. May wash hands and rinse mouth before eating. Uncut hair is washed regularly and combed twice a day. Assistance welcome if the person is not well enough. BACKGROUND There are an estimated 25 million Sikhs worldwide. Britain has the highest population of Sikhs outside of India, with 500,000 living in the UK. It was founded in the fifteenth century in the Punjab (northwest India). FOUNDER Guru Nanak ( ) was the founder of Sikhism and the first of ten human Gurus, before eternal Guruship was conferred onto the Sikh scriptures, called the Guru Garanth Sahib. BELIEFS AND PRACTICES Sikhs believe in one God, creator, sustainer and destroyer. Daily devotion and prayer is required including group worship at the Sikh place of worship (Gurdwara) on Sundays. Sikhs reject the caste system and any distinction made for class, race, creed or sex. Sikhs believe in full equality for all people. The Sikh goal is to end the cycle of birth, death and rebirth, and unite the separated individual soul with the Universal Soul (God). The way to attain this goal is through applying the teachings of the Gurus to all situations, continuous meditation on the Holy Name, selfless service, control of mind and correct regulation of desires and impulses. Sikhism identifies five vices which a Sikh must regulate and control.these are Kaam (lust), Krodh (anger), Lobh (greed), Moh (worldly attachment) and Ahankar (egotism). Once initiated, a Sikh wears the Five K s. These are: Kesh Uncut hair covered with a turban, respecting natural form. Kirpan A short sword which can be seen as a metaphor for God and the struggle against injustice. It is also a symbol of defence of the good or the weak. Kangha A wooden comb to keep hair tidy, a reminder to maintain cleanliness and keep thoughts pure. 14

16 Kara A steel wristband, a reminder to maintain self-restraint and gentility as well as a symbol of God having no beginning and no end. It is also a symbol of the permanent bonding and community link to the chain of Khalsa (initiated) Sikhs. Kachera Cotton shorts or breeches for chastity and self-respect. HOLY DAYS AND CELEBRATIONS Gurpubs The marking of important anniversaries relating to the birth of death (martyrdom) of a Guru. This includes the full recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib as well as the singing of hymns and Sikh lectures. Baisakhi (Vaisakhi) The day is celebrated around 13 April. It is the celebration of the founding of the Khalsa Order and Sikh nation. Many Sikhs choose to be initiated on this day. Often, a religious street procession marks this key event. Bandi Chhor Sikhs commemorate the release of Guru Hargobind (Sixth Guru) from the false imprisonment. It coincides with the Indian Festival of Lights (Divali) between the end of October and mid-november. A Muslim saint laid the foundation stone of the Golden Temple, also on this day. Maghi This celebration occurs around the middle of January and marks the martyrdom of forty Sikhs at the hands of the Mughai army. Hola Mohalla On this day, Sikhs practice military exercises, stage mock battles, perform martial arts and organize sports competitions. This is to keep the martial skills and spirit alive. Hymn singing and lectures also take place. It occurs the day after the Indian festival of Holi around mid-march. PAGANISM CLOTHING AND MODESTY No specific needs COMMUNICATION AND GREETING No specific needs DIETARY NEEDS May be vegetarian or vegan or prefer organic/free-range. FASTING Some Pagans may choose to fast in preparation for Ostara (spring equinox). RELIGIOUS PRACTICE Observance of seasonal festival important though practices vary. WASHING AND TOILET No specific needs. 15

17 BACKGROUND There are some hundreds of thousands of Pagans in the modern world. It is a very diverse religion with roots in the indigenous, pre-christian faiths of Europe. BELIEFS AND PRACTICES Pagans are predominantly polytheists, pantheists and animists. They emphasise observation of Nature as a means to spiritual understanding and venerate it, seeing it as the visible part of the Divine world. They recognise many deities, both goddesses and gods. Goddess-worship is one of the most distinctive characteristics of modern Paganism. Human beings are seen as very much part of Nature, along with other animals, trees, stones, plants and everything that makes up the living world. Most Pagans believe in some form of reincarnation. Religious ceremonies are held in woods, on hilltops, along the seashore, at standing stones, in parks, gardens and private homes. Many Pagan homes include small houseshrines or altars with candles, pictures, statuettes, incense, shells, stones and/or other artifacts of religious significance. Many Pagans carry out private devotions daily. Most also celebrate acts of collective workship at the season festivals and, in some traditions, at the point of the lunar cycle. There are many distinct paths or traditions within Paganism, of which the largest are Wicca, Druidry, Heathenry and Shamanism. HOLY DAYS AND CELEBRATIONS Pagan religious festivals mark the turning of the seasons and honour Pagan deities. Nearly all Pagans celebrate a cycle of eight seasonal festivals: Samhain (31 October). Midwinter or Yule (21 December) Imbolc (2 February) Spring Equinox (21 March) (Late November to mid December). Beltane (30 April/1 May). Midsummer (21 June). Lughnasadh (1 August). Autumn Equinox (21 September). 16

18 A FINAL THOUGHT... People of other faiths do not live in books, but in houses or flats. They wait for buses, look after children, and suffer from backache. Once we meet, we realise that Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs or Jews, or whoever we are meeting, are not what we thought. Many of the inherited stereotypes, the images we have subconsciously absorbed, the assumptions we have built up over the years, are simply wrong. There are no text-book Buddhists or Jews. There are only people. Written by Fiona McLeod & Des McCabe Copyright 2011 Diversiton All rights reserved worldwide. No part of this ebook may be copied, sold, shared or given away as this is an infringement on the copyright of this work. This ebook is for your personal use and you cannot distribute it to other people. You may however use the material / content provided that you acknowledge Diversiton and the author where relevant. Thank you for buying this ebook. Diversiton is non profit making and all resources are used to support the development of new products and services to promote equality and inclusion. Diversiton 8 Osborne Promenade Warrenpoint Co Down BT34 3NQ Northern Ireland Europe Tel: