Do we still need religion? This weekend, Christians will celebrate Easter, Muslims will fast for Ramadan and Jews will come together for Passover.
'Hat-trick' of holy days for major faiths
Do we still need religion? This weekend, Christians will celebrate Easter, Muslims will fast for Ramadan and Jews will come together for Passover.
What's happening?
Charlotte jumps out of bed. Easter Day - hurray! She cannot wait for the Easter egg hunt. But is there something else she needs to do? Yes, of course - go to church.
For Christians, Easter is the most important time of year. This year it happens at the same time as Muslims take part in Ramadan and Jewish people mark Passover.
Good Friday is about remembering the death of Jesus. According to the BibleThe collection of religious texts that are central to Christianity. The Bible includes the Old Testament and the New Testament. , he let himself be killed to make up for the sinsThings that someone has done wrong. Sins are things that are considered immoral. of the world.
But on the Sunday he returned to life. Easter is a celebration of his life after death. Easter is also the end of LentIn the Christian calendar the period of penitence runs from Ash Wednesday (when penitents mark their foreheads with ashes as a sign of repentance) to Easter. Deeply significant in Christianity, it is followed by Easter Sunday. Easter and its symbolism coincide with the celebration of spring., a time when many Christians give up a food or habitSomething you do without thinking and would find it hard to give up. .
This year, the Muslim holy month of Ramadan started on 23 March. During Ramadan, many Muslims do not eat or drink anything during the daytime. This is seen as a way of thinking harder about Allah, or God.
Ramadan marks the month in which the QuranThe holy book of Islam, whose words are believed by Muslims to have been passed directly from God to the Prophet Muhammad in a series of visions spanning 23 years. was first shown to the Prophet MuhammadMuhammad, born in 570 in Mecca, is the founder of Islam. .
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At the start of Passover Jewish families have a meal called a Seder.
During the meal, they read the story of their ancestorsThe people related to us who lived a long time ago. ' escape from slaveryWhen people are owned by others, and often forced to work without pay. in Egypt. This says that when Egypt's ruler refused to free them, God sent ten plagues to punish the country.
They left Egypt in such a hurry that the bread they were baking did not have a chance to rise. So today, the Seder includes flat bread called Matzah.
Yes! Religion helps many people find meaning and purpose in what they do in life. Studies even show that religious people are happier than others.
No! Today, scientists have explained to us how the world works. Many people do not follow any religion and live happy and meaningful lives.
Do we still need religion?
Keywords
Bible - The collection of religious texts that are central to Christianity. The Bible includes the Old Testament and the New Testament.
Sins - Things that someone has done wrong. Sins are things that are considered immoral.
Lent - In the Christian calendar the period of penitence runs from Ash Wednesday (when penitents mark their foreheads with ashes as a sign of repentance) to Easter. Deeply significant in Christianity, it is followed by Easter Sunday. Easter and its symbolism coincide with the celebration of spring.
Habit - Something you do without thinking and would find it hard to give up.
Quran - The holy book of Islam, whose words are believed by Muslims to have been passed directly from God to the Prophet Muhammad in a series of visions spanning 23 years.
Prophet Muhammad - Muhammad, born in 570 in Mecca, is the founder of Islam.
Ancestors - The people related to us who lived a long time ago.
Slavery - When people are owned by others, and often forced to work without pay.
‘Hat-trick’ of holy days for major faiths
Glossary
Bible - The collection of religious texts that are central to Christianity. The Bible includes the Old Testament and the New Testament.
Sins - Things that someone has done wrong. Sins are things that are considered immoral.
Lent - In the Christian calendar the period of penitence runs from Ash Wednesday (when penitents mark their foreheads with ashes as a sign of repentance) to Easter. Deeply significant in Christianity, it is followed by Easter Sunday. Easter and its symbolism coincide with the celebration of spring.
Habit - Something you do without thinking and would find it hard to give up.
Quran - The holy book of Islam, whose words are believed by Muslims to have been passed directly from God to the Prophet Muhammad in a series of visions spanning 23 years.
Prophet Muhammad - Muhammad, born in 570 in Mecca, is the founder of Islam.
Ancestors - The people related to us who lived a long time ago.
Slavery - When people are owned by others, and often forced to work without pay.