Beliefs of the world. Types of primitive, early, pagan, eastern religion

We all know that planet Earth is multinational and, of course, each country has its own religion, and some even have several. Some people have chosen the path without faith and call themselves atheists. In this article we will try to list various religions and show their main differences from each other. So, religions of different countries of the world.

Religions around the world

• Christianity is the largest world religion in terms of number of believers. This religion is based on the teachings Jesus Christ. In addition, since 1054, the Christian Church split into the Orthodox and Catholic Churches, and even later (in the 16th century) another piece broke away from the Catholic Church (as a result of the Reformation movement) and the new movement began to be called Protestantism. Thus Christianity includes three religions -Orthodoxy, Catholicism and Protestantism. Protestantism includes several more branches, such as Baptism, Anabaptism, Calvinism, Lutheranism, Mormons and, of course, Jehovah's Witnesses.

The main book of Christianity is the Bible. Christians believe in one God who exists in three forms - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The main sacred symbol is the cross. Every religion has its own place where you can communicate with the Almighty. In Christianity, all prayers and services take place in the Houses of God, i.e. Churches, Cathedrals, Temples, Chapels.

• Islam is the second largest religion. The adherents of this religion are called Muslims who believe in a single creator - Allah(Allah is translated as “He Who is Worshiped”). This religion appeared in the 7th century in Arabia. The founder of this religion is considered prophet muhammed, and the main holy book is the Koran. The Muslim Church is called a Mosque.

• Buddhism is one of the world's oldest religions, which originated in the 6th century BC. This religion was founded by a prince Siddhartha Gautama, who later received a new name - Buddha, which means “Enlightened One”. The main teaching is Karma, i.e. all your actions will be credited to you in your next life when you are reborn, so a Buddhist should be in a state of peace and not do harm to anyone. When a Buddhist achieves complete peace, i.e. Nirvana, then he merges with Buddha. The main difference between Buddhism and other religions is that they don't have God.

• Judaism is considered primarily a Jewish religion. They believe in one God and in the immortality of the soul. The main holy book of the Jews is considered Talmud, and their church is called Synagogue.

OM is a sacred, “eternal syllable” used in Hinduism and Buddhism during religious ceremonies, when reading prayers, and at the beginning of texts with religious content. OM is the symbol of the highest holiness, Brahman - the Absolute of Indian philosophy and the God of the Hindu religion.

• Hinduism is a purely Indian religion, which in fact is not integral, but simply includes many small Indian religious movements, therefore there are no unified teachings or any systematicity in this religion. There is a common key concept - Dharma, which means “Eternal order and integrity of the world.”

Symbol of Confucianism

• Confucianism is not just a religion, but a philosophical religion. It appeared in China in the 6th century BC, and it was created by the wandering teacher Confucius. Religion is common only in China. The basic principle is “Do not wish for others what you would not wish for yourself,” and the main concept of this religion is ideal relationships in family and society.

• Atheism - Our list of religions is completed by anti-religion. Atheism is translated as “Godlessness,” i.e. atheists are people who deny the existence of God, or another higher power. They adhere to the worldview that nothing supernatural can exist.

All world religions, with the exception of Buddhism, originate from a relatively small corner of the planet, located between the deserted shores of the Mediterranean, Red and Caspian seas. From here come Christianity, Islam, Judaism and the now almost extinct Zoroastrianism.

Christianity. The most widespread of the world's religions is Christianity, with 1.6 billion followers. Christianity retains its strongest position in Europe, America and Australia.

Christianity appeared at the beginning of our era as a development of biblical wisdom that had been created over the previous 2000 years. The Bible teaches us to understand and realize the meaning of life. Biblical thinking attaches decisive importance to the issue of life and death, the end of the world.

Jesus Christ preached the ideas of brotherhood, hard work, non-covetousness and love of peace. The service of wealth was condemned and the superiority of spiritual values ​​over material values ​​was proclaimed.

First Ecumenical Council, who gathered in Nicaea in 325, laid the dogmatic foundations of the One Holy Catholic Apostolic Church for many centuries to come.

Christianity adopted the view of the “inseparable and inseparable” union of two natures in Jesus Christ - divine and human. In the 5th century supporters of Archbishop Nestor were condemned, who recognized the basic human nature of Christ (later separated into Nestorians), and followers of Archimandrite Eutyches, who argued that in Jesus Christ there is only one divine nature. Supporters of the one nature of Jesus Christ began to be called Monophysites. Adherents of monophysics make up a certain proportion among modern Orthodox Christians.

In 1054, the main split of the Christian Church took place into the Eastern (Orthodox, centered in Constantinople (now Istanbul)) and the Western (Catholic) church, centered in the Vatican. This division runs through the entire history of the world.

Orthodoxyestablished itself mainly among the peoples of Eastern Europe and the Middle East. The largest number of adherents of Orthodoxy are Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, Greeks, Romanians, Serbs, Macedonians, Moldavians, Georgians, Karelians, Komi, peoples of the Volga region (Mari, Mordovians, Udmurts, Chuvash). There are pockets of Orthodoxy in the USA, Canada, and a number of Western European countries.

A tragic split occurred in the history of Russian Orthodoxy, which led to the emergence of the Old Believers. The origins of the schism go back to the years of the adoption of Christianity by Russia. In those days, two closely related statutes dominated in Byzantium, according to which the rite of worship was carried out. In the east of Byzantium, the most widespread was the Jerusalem Charter, and in the west the Studian (Constantinople) Charter prevailed. The latter became the basis of the Russian charter, while in Byzantium the Jerusalem Charter (St. Sava) increasingly became predominant. From time to time, certain innovations were introduced into the Jerusalem Rule, so that it began to be called modern Greek.

Russian Church until the middle of the 17th century. conducted the ritual according to the archaic Studite Rule with two-fingered baptism, preserving Orthodoxy in the highest purity. Many Orthodox peoples looked at Moscow as a spiritual center.

Outside the Russian state, including in Ukraine, church ceremonies were carried out according to the modern Greek model. Since the union of Ukraine and Russia in 1654, Kyiv begins to exert a huge influence on the spiritual life of Moscow. Under its influence, Moscow begins to turn away from antiquity and adopts a new way of life, more pleasing to Kyiv. Patriarch Nikon introduces new ranks and rituals. The icons are updated according to Kyiv and Lviv models. Patriarch Nikon edits Church Slavonic liturgical books based on modern Greek editions of the Italian press.

In 1658 Nikon founded the New Jerusalem monastery and city near Moscow New Jerusalem, according to his plan, the future capital of the Christian world.

As a result of Nikon's reforms, six major innovations were introduced into the canon. The two-fingered sign of the cross was replaced by a three-fingered sign, instead of “Jesus” it was ordered to write and pronounce “Jesus”, during the sacraments it was ordered to walk around the temple against the sun.

The introduction of non-Orthodox veneration of the king placed him above religious spiritual dominion. This reduced the role of the church in the state, reducing it to the position of the Church Prikaz (prikaz, this is a kind of ministry in Russia at that time). Many believers perceived Nikon's reforms as a deep tragedy, secretly professed the old faith, went to torment for it, burned themselves, went into forests and swamps. The fateful year of 1666 led to a catastrophic split of the Russian people into those who accepted the new rite and those who rejected it. The latter retained the name “Old Believers.”

Catholicism is the other main branch of Christianity.It is common in Northern and South America. Catholics include Italians, Spaniards, Portuguese, some French, most Belgians, some Austrians and Germans ( southern lands Germany), Poles, Lithuanians, Croats, Slovenes, most of the Hungarians, Irish, some Ukrainians (in the form of Uniatism or Greek Catholicism). A major center of Catholicism in Asia is the Philippines (the influence of Spanish colonization). There are many Catholics in the countries of Africa, Australia, and Oceania.

The Western Catholic Church boldly discarded the old ones and came up with new rituals that were closer in spirit to the Europeans and their ideas about the world as a space calling for conquest. Expansionism and enrichment of the church were dogmatically justified. The speeches of non-Catholics and heretics were brutally suppressed. The result was continuous wars, massive repressions of the Inquisition and a decline in the authority of the Catholic Church.

In the XIV-XV centuries. ideas of humanism and renaissance arose in Europe. During the Reformation of the 16th century. Protestantism separated from Catholicism. Protestantism, which arose in Germany, was formed in the form of several independent movements, the most important of which were Anglicanism (closest to Catholicism), Lutheranism and Calvinism. From the Protestant churches, new movements were formed that were sectarian in nature, their number currently exceeds 250. Thus, Methodism spun off from Anglicanism, and the Salvation Army, organized on a military scale, is closely associated with Methodism. Baptism is genetically related to Calvinism. Pentecostal sects emerged from Baptistism, and the Jehovah's Witnesses sect also separated. Mormons of non-Christian confession occupy a special place in the Protestant environment.

The stronghold of Protestantism is Northern and Central Europe. In the United States, about 64% of the population is Protestant. The largest group of American Protestants are Baptists, followed by Methodists, Lutherans, and Presbyterians. In Canada and South Africa, Protestants make up about half the population. There are many adherents of Protestantism in Nigeria. Protestantism predominates in Australia and most countries in Oceania. Certain forms of this branch of Christianity (especially Baptism and Adventism) are common in Russia and Ukraine.

The founder of Protestantism, the Catholic monk M. Luther, came out with demands to limit the excessive power of the church and calls for hard work and frugality. At the same time, he argued that the salvation of the human soul and deliverance from sins is accomplished by God himself, and not by human forces. The Calvinist Reformation went even further. According to Calvin, God pre-eternally chose some people for salvation and others for destruction, regardless of their will. Over time, these ideas turned into a revision of Christian dogmas. Calvinism turned out to be imbued with an anti-Christian denial of asceticism and the desire to replace it with a cult natural man. Protestantism has become the ideological justification of capitalism, the deification of Progress, and the fetishization of money and goods. Protestantism, like no other religion, reinforces the dogma of the conquest of nature, which was later adopted by Marxism.

Islam the youngest world religion. Islam dates back to 622 AD. e., when the Prophet Muhammad and his followers moved from Mecca to Medina and the Bedouin Arab tribes began to join him.

Traces of Christianity and Judaism can be seen in the teachings of Muhammad. Islam recognizes Moses and Jesus Christ as the penultimate prophet as prophets, but places them below Muhammad.

IN privacy Muhammad banned pork, alcoholic drinks and gambling. Wars are not rejected by Islam and are even encouraged if they are fought for faith ( Holy war jihad).

All the foundations and rules of the Muslim religion are united in the Koran. Explanations and interpretations of obscure passages of the Koran made by Muhammad were recorded by his close people and Muslim theologians and compiled a collection of traditions known as the sunnah. Later, Muslims who recognized the Koran and the Sunnah began to be called Sunnis, and Muslims who recognized only one Koran, and of the Sunnah only sections based on the authority of the prophet’s relatives, were called Shiites. This division still exists today.

Religious dogma formed the basis of Islamic law, Sharia - a set of legal and religious norms based on the Koran.

Sunnis make up about 90% of Muslims. Shiism predominates in Iran and southern Iraq. In Bahrain, Yemen, Azerbaijan and mountainous Tajikistan, half the population is Shia.

Sunnism and Shiism gave rise to a number of sects. From Sunnism came Wahhabism, which is dominant in Saudi Arabia, spreading among the Chechens and some peoples of Dagestan. The main Shiite sects were Zaydism and Ismailism, influenced by atheism and Buddhism.

In Oman, the third branch of Islam, Ibadism, has become widespread, whose followers are called Ibadis.

Buddhism. The oldest of the world's religions is Buddhism, which arose in the middle of the 1st millennium BC. e. in India. After more than 15 centuries of dominance in India, Buddhism gave way to Hinduism. However, Buddhism spread widely throughout the countries South-East Asia, penetrated into Sri Lanka, China, Korea, Japan, Tibet, Mongolia. The number of Buddhist adherents is estimated at approximately 500 million people.

In Buddhism, all the social and moral dogmas of Hinduism are preserved, but the requirements of caste and asceticism are weakened. Buddhism pays more attention to current life.

At the beginning of the first millennium, Buddhism split into two major branches. The first of them - Theravada, or Hinayana - requires believers to undergo mandatory monasticism. Its adherents - Theravadins - live in Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand (about 90% of the population of these countries), as well as in Sri Lanka (about 60%).

Another branch of Buddhism - Mahayana - admits that lay people can also be saved. Mahayana followers are concentrated in China (including Tibet), Japan, Korea, and Nepal. There are some Buddhists in Pakistan, India, and among Chinese and Japanese immigrants to the Americas.

Judaism. Judaism can be classified among the world religions with a certain degree of convention. This is the national religion of the Jews, which arose in Palestine in the 1st century. BC e. Most adherents are concentrated in Israel (the official religion of the state), the USA, European countries and Russia.

Judaism retained the ideas of brotherhood and mutual assistance from the Egyptian religion with the ideas of righteousness and sinfulness, heaven and hell. New dogmas responded to the unity of the Jewish tribes and the increase in their belligerence. The sources of the beliefs of this religion are Old Testament(recognized by later Christianity) and the Talmud (“commentaries” on the Old Testament books).

National religions. The most common national religions are those of India. What is noteworthy is the introversion of Indian religions, their focus on such an internal and spiritual connection that opens up wide opportunities for self-improvement, creates a feeling of freedom, bliss, humility, dedication, tranquility, and is capable of compressing and collapsing the phenomenal world until a complete coincidence of the world essence and the human soul.

Religion of China consisted of several parts. The earliest beliefs are those associated with agriculture, developed in the 7th millennium BC. They believed that there was nothing higher than in which a country man finds peace and beauty. About 3.5 thousand years ago, previous beliefs were supplemented by the cult of veneration of great ancestors - sages and heroes. These cults were embodied in Confucianism, formulated by the philosopher Confucius, or Kung Fu Tzu (551-479 BC).

The ideal of Confucianism was the perfect man - modest, selfless, with a feeling self-esteem and love for people. The social order in Confucianism is one in which everyone acts in the interests of the people, represented by the extended family. The goal of every Confucian is moral self-improvement, respectful respect for elders, honoring parents and family traditions.

At one time, Brahmanism and Buddhism penetrated into China. On the basis of Brahmanism, almost simultaneously with Confucianism, the doctrine of Taoism arose. Chan Buddhism, which spread in Japan under the name Zen Buddhism, is internally connected with Taoism. Together with Taoism and Confucianism, Chinese religions have developed into a worldview, the main features of which are the worship of the family (ancestors, descendants, home) and a poetic perception of nature, the desire to enjoy life and its beauty (S. Myagkov, 2002, N. Kormin, 1994 G.).

Religion of Japan. From about the 5th century. AD The Japanese became acquainted with the wisdom of India and China, adopted a Buddhist-Taoist attitude towards the world, which did not contradict their primordial faith, Shintoism, the belief that everything is full of spirits, gods (ka-mi), and therefore deserves a reverent attitude. The main feature of Japanese Shintoism, transformed under Chinese influence, is that it, like Taoism, does not teach goodness and does not expose evil, for “the tangled threads of happiness and misfortune cannot be separated.” The eradicated evil will inevitably emerge in such vigorous growth that the world builder did not even suspect about it. The Japanese perceive their homeland as the sacred property of the nation, which is in the temporary care of the living for transmission to descendants. Several million Japanese are adherents of Shintoism (T. Grigorieva, 1994).

Zoroastrianism distributed mainly in India (Parsis), Iran (Gebras) and Pakistan.

In addition to the major religions, there are dozens of local traditional beliefs in the world, mainly in the form of fetishism, animism and shamanism. There are especially many of them in Africa, primarily in Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Togo, and Benin.

In Asia, followers of tribal cults predominate only in East Timor, but are also common on the islands of western Oceania and among the peoples of Northern Russia (shamanism).

In a world where more than seven billion people live, there are many types of faiths, movements and sects. The types of religions that have the largest number of followers are identified: Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism. It is to these faiths that various national groups in most countries of the world belong. Other types of religions do not have such a worldwide distribution. These include Confucianism, Jainism, Judaism, Taoism, Shintoism, Sikhism and so on

Definition of religion

IN explanatory dictionary religion is defined as awareness of the world through belief in supernatural forces. She has always been a compass for humanity for spiritual development and preservation of traditions. All types of religions have their own attributes and sacred places where believers can come. In Hinduism and Buddhism there are temples, in Christianity there is a church, and in Islam there is a mosque. Each denomination has a sacred book, which sets out the rules of serving God and the saints.

Christianity

Christianity arose in the first century AD. The main idea of ​​this religion is that God will be able to save those who believe in him from the anger and injustice of the world. All teaching is aimed at getting rid of torment, helping the humiliated and needy. The messenger of God was Jesus Christ, who was crucified and killed in the name of faith and all humanity. The holy book is the Bible. Christianity split into several movements: Catholicism, Orthodoxy and Protestantism.

Buddhism is considered the most ancient religion, which originated in the fourth century BC. There are now over eight hundred million of his followers. This teaching was conveyed to people by Buddha - a man who received enlightenment. The main meaning of Buddhism is the recognition of human inner light and its search, and not the search for God, as in all other teachings.

Islam

Islam arose in the seventh century AD. God is Allah, and the founder of the religion and the prophet was Muhammad. Muhammad declared that God chose him as a prophet, and he brings light and truth to people. The Koran is considered a holy book. It, like the Bible, spells out the rules of life for followers. There is also the holy book Sharia, which contains the rules of conduct for believers, and the Sunnah - the history of the Prophet Muhammad.

Types of religions in the past and modern world

For many centuries, the church ruled society and had greater power over states than the government. But times have changed, and now only in a few countries it has such power. Almost every world religion has experienced persecution, and even now there are enough wars on religious grounds. Although, as mentioned earlier, all teachings are based on similar beliefs and laws. Unfortunately, some followers and adepts express their love for God through violence and the use of weapons. Some branches of religions preach their own dogmas and rules to serve the God they themselves invented. As the founder of one of the most widespread sects in the world said: “If you want to become a millionaire, create a religion.” There is no need to confuse sects with Churches of world denominations. Many people put a stigma on nations only because people from these countries belong to a sect that becomes destructive not only for the person himself, but for the world as a whole. All varieties of religions should be for the benefit of people. True believers will not start wars. Any types of churches - Orthodox churches, Catholic cathedrals, Islamic mosques - will always provide assistance to the suffering.

The official textbook for the course Fundamentals of Orthodox Culture (OPC) is the textbook prepared by Protodeacon Andrey Kuraev. Orthodox St. Tikhon's humanitarian university prepared Toolkit for teachers. Kuraev A ... Wikipedia

- ... Wikipedia

Compiled on the basis of the reference book by S. D. Miliband “Orientalists of Russia” (in 2 volumes. M.: Vost. lit., 2008) The list, as a rule, does not include translators of Japanese literature (except for cases when the translation is accompanied by a commentary and has ... ... Wikipedia

List of scientists who were awarded the title “Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation” in 2002: Abarenkov, Igor Vasilievich, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Professor of St. Petersburg state university Abacharaev, Musa... ... Wikipedia

Engraving by A. Skino, 1853 based on the drawing by A. Ushakov “View of Vologda cathedrals”, 1837 ... Wikipedia

This page needs significant revision. It may need to be Wikified, expanded, or rewritten. Explanation of reasons and discussion on the Wikipedia page: For improvement / July 9, 2012. Date of setting for improvement July 9, 2012 ... Wikipedia

See also: Ancient Egyptian religion List of Egyptian gods a list of supernatural beings of the pantheon of the ancient Egyptians, which includes gods, goddesses, deified concepts, parts of human (and divine) essence, monsters, ... ... Wikipedia

This list contains planets from the fictional StarCraft universe that have appeared in official Blizzard Entertainment materials. Contents 1 List of planets 1.1 Koprulu Sector 1.1.1 Ayur System ... Wikipedia

- ... Wikipedia

- ... Wikipedia

Books

• Islam. Culture, history, faith, Avayldaev E.. The book is an illustrated dictionary-reference book. The history of the emergence and development of Islam in the world, on the territory of the Russian Federation, is briefly outlined. Includes descriptions of prominent mosques, rules…
• History of religions. Textbook for academic bachelor's degree, V. Yu. Lebedev, A. M. Prilutsky, A. Yu. Grigorenko. The textbook "History of Religions" is intended for a wide audience. It contains diverse, often unique information about ancient and new religious traditions. The reader who wants to understand...

Adventism

Adventism(from Latin adventus - “coming”) - a movement in Protestantism that arose in the USA in the 30s. XIX century The founder of A. - farmer William Miller - predicted the imminence of the end of the world and the onset of the thousand-year Kingdom of Christ (he believed that this would happen in the forties of the 19th century). At present, the belief in the imminent second coming remains the basis of A. His followers do not consider the soul to be immortal; in their opinion, she dies and is resurrected with her body. Adventists are confident that God will resurrect all people, but the righteous will receive eternal life, and sinners will be destroyed along with Satan after Last Judgment. The largest movement of A. is the Seventh Day Adventists, formed in 1844 in New Hampshire (USA).

Anabaptism

Anabaptism(from the Greek anabaptizo - “I immerse again”, “I baptize again”) - a movement in Protestantism that arose in Switzerland in the 30s. XVI century Anabaptists advocated baptism at a conscious age (those baptized in infancy were baptized again), placed personal faith above the authority of Holy Scripture, demanded the complete separation of Church and state, and called for the introduction of community of property.

Anglican Church

Anglican Church b - Protestant Church of England. In IS34, King Henry VIII broke off relations with the Pope and declared himself the head of the Church, the doctrine of which was proclaimed in 1562. Many of its rituals are close to Catholic ones (church hierarchy with episcopate and celibate clergy; magnificent cult; liturgy, etc.) . Anglicanism combines the Catholic doctrine of the saving power of the Church with the Protestant doctrine of salvation by personal faith. From the end of the 17th century. In Anglicanism, three parties were identified: “high” (closer to Catholicism), “low” (closer to Protestantism) and “broad” (occupies an intermediate position).

Armenian Gregorian Church

Armenian Gregorian Church- is part of the Ancient Eastern churches. Founded in 301 by Bishop Saint Gregory the Illuminator. It is headed by the Supreme Patriarch - Catholicos of all Armenians, whose residence is in the city of Etchmiadzin.

Baptistism

Baptistism(from the Greek baptizo - “baptize”, “immerse”) - a movement in Protestantism that arose at the beginning of the 17th century. The founder of the first community in Amsterdam was the Anglican priest John Smith. B. considers it unnecessary to baptize infants whose parents are Christians. Baptism is seen as an act of conscious conversion to faith, spiritual rebirth. Baptists adhere to the doctrine of salvation for all who believe in Christ.

Brahmanism

Brahmanism- An ancient Indian religion that grew out of Vedism. It is based on the doctrine of Brahman - the divine basis of all things - and Atman - the individual spirit. B. spread to India in the middle of the 1st millennium BC. e. In this religious system, the primary role was given to brahmanas - experts in the Vedas. Under the influence of the Brahmanical teaching on karma, a strict caste system developed in India, built on the belief that all people are different from the very moment of birth (Brahmins were considered the highest caste). Animistic ideas and the cult of ancestors played a major role. B. is distinguished by complex rituals and strict ritual regulation of life. The main texts of B. are the Upanishads (lit., “sitting at the feet of the teacher”).

Buddhism

Buddhism- the oldest of the three world religions, which arose in northeast India in the 6th-5th centuries. BC e. Its founder is considered to be Prince Siddhartha Gautama, who later received the name Buddha (lit., “awakened” or “enlightened”). At the beginning of our era, B. was divided into two branches: Hinayana and Mahayana. In B. there is no opposition between subject and object, spirit and matter. The religion is based on the teaching of the “four noble truths”: there is suffering, its cause, the state of liberation and the path to it. According to B., life is an expression of “flows” of immaterial particles - dharmas, the combinations of which determine the existence of everything that exists. Rebirth occurs in accordance with the law of karma - retribution depending on behavior in a previous life. B.'s moral ideal is not to harm anyone. The goal of any Buddhist is to achieve nirvana - a state of peace, bliss, merging with the Buddha.

Wahhabism

Wahhabism- a religious and political movement in Islam that emerged at the end of the 18th century. in Arabia. Its name comes from the name of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, the first preacher of the movement. V. preaches the restoration of the purity of original Islam and monotheism. Wahhabis reject the cult of prophets and pilgrimages to holy places.

Vedism

Vedism(Vedic religion) is the oldest Indian religion, which developed in the 2nd millennium BC. e. after the invasion of the territory of India by nomadic tribes - the Aryans. The hymns and prayers of the Aryans made up a huge collection of sacred traditions - the Vedas. A characteristic feature of V. is the deification of the forces of nature. The basis of the Vedic cult is sacrifice, accompanied by a complex ritual. The concepts of samsara (the circle of existence) and karma (the law of retribution) first appeared in India.

Gnosticism

Gnosticism(from the Greek gnosis - “knowledge”) is a religious and philosophical teaching that spread in the first centuries of our era in the east of the Roman Empire. The Gnostics believed that the basis of the universe were two opposing principles - the Highest Spirit (World Soul Sophia) and matter. The highest spirit - the focus of light - is the source of spiritual particles (eons, ions). According to the Gnostics, people consist of body, soul and spirit (the latter is a particle of the Divine, imprisoned in matter). The spirit strives to free itself from prison, so the world is filled with continuous struggle. The Gnostics argued that man is elevated above the world in order to catch the spark of reason emanating from the supreme deity.

Georgian Orthodox Church

Georgian Orthodox Church - is part of the Churches of Ecumenical Orthodoxy. Divine services are performed according to the Julian calendar, mainly in the Old Georgian language. The Church is headed by the Catholicos-Patriarch, whose residence is in Tbilisi.

Taoism

Taoism- Chinese religion that arose in the 6th-5th centuries. BC e. Traditionally, the sage Lao Tzu is considered its founder. His work “Tao Te Ching” is devoted to two basic concepts of Taoism: Tao (lit., “path”, “method”) and Te (lit., “grace”). Lao Tzu proposed a model of the world in which Tao - the mysterious force that governs the Universe - stands above all gods, acts at all levels of existence, and leads everything to harmony. The cornerstone of D. is the doctrine of immortality, the achievement of which, according to Taoists, is facilitated by religious contemplation, breathing and gymnastic training, sexual hygiene, and alchemy.

Jainism

Jainism- a religion that arose in the VI-V centuries. in the east of the Hindustan Peninsula. Its founder is considered to be the kshatriya Vardahamana. Jains claim that the world exists forever, that it was never created by anyone. The main thing in their teaching is the self-improvement of the soul, thanks to which its liberation from the earthly world occurs. Jains believe in the transmigration of souls and that a new incarnation depends on how a person lived his previous life. The final goal of a person should be liberation from rebirth - nirvana, which only an ascetic can achieve. Therefore, in D. great importance is attached to the practice of asceticism.

Zen

Zen- the Japanese name of one of the schools of Buddhism that penetrated into Japan from China in the 8th-12th centuries. The basis of the concept of D. is the proposition that it is impossible to express the truth in human language and images. The state of enlightenment can be achieved suddenly, solely through inner experience. In the field of dogmatics, D. went to the extreme denial of authorities, morality, good and evil.

Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism- an ancient monotheistic religion that arose at the turn of the 1st-2nd millennium BC. e. in the eastern regions of the Iranian Plateau. The prophet Zarathushtra (Zoroaster) is considered its founder; his revelations made up the sacred book 3. “Avesta”. Zarathushtra taught to worship the highest and all-knowing God, the creator of all things - Ahura Mazda, from whom all other deities originated. He is opposed by the evil deity Angra Mainyu (Ahriman). In the ethical concept of Z., the main attention is focused on human activity, based on the triad: good thought, good word, good deed. The worship of Ahura Mazda was expressed primarily in the worship of fire (which is why Zoroastrians are sometimes called fire worshipers).

Jerusalem Orthodox Church

Jerusalem Orthodox Church- is part of the Churches of Ecumenical Orthodoxy. The oldest of the Christian Churches. The Apostle James is considered the first bishop. The main Christian shrines are also located in Jerusalem: the Holy Sepulcher, Golgotha, etc.

Hinduism

Hinduism(Hindu-sama, Hindu-dharma - “religion of the Hindus”, “law of the Hindus”) - a religion originating in the Harappan or Indus civilization, which existed in the 3rd-2nd millennium BC. e. I. is not actually one religion, but represents a system of local Indian beliefs. It does not have a coherent system of doctrine, a single symbol of faith and uniform dogmas. Key concept I. - dharma - universal and eternal order that preserves the integrity of the world. The main sign of belonging to Hinduism should be considered recognition of the authority of the Vedas and the Brahmanical order based on it. There are common attitudes: karma (literally, “deed”, “deed”), samsara (literally, “circle of being”) and the need to liberate from them. Only a person who has at least one Indian parent can profess I.

The main symbols of Hinduism

Lotus- one of the oldest and leading symbols of Hinduism. Its flowers open in the light of the sun, and its numerous petals resemble its rays. That is why the lotus became the emblem of the sun and the life-giving cosmic force that brings life, as well as unsullied purity and spiritual perfection. The lotus has become a symbol and attribute of many solar deities - Surya, Vishnu, Lakshmi, who are often depicted sitting on lotus thrones. As a symbol of fertility, it is also associated with the Mother Goddess, conveying the image of the creative womb and special sacred power. Rosettes, medallions and ornaments with lotuses are often used in iconography.

Yantra(lit. amulet, magical drawing) - a diagram that can denote a deity or serve as a kind of map that helps to master or strengthen meditation. To address each revered deity, a specific yantra is prescribed.

Swastika- a sign of good wishes and prosperity. The swastika is a cross with the ends bent clockwise or counterclockwise (right- and left-handed swastika). The right-handed swastika is regarded as benevolent, the left - as malicious. Since ancient times, the swastika has been a sign of the sun and light, and therefore of life and prosperity.

Ohm- the sound and the syllable representing it have been used since ancient times as bringing good. It is a symbol of totality, universal integrity and continuity; considered the source of all sounds and the main mantra. Yogis strive to comprehend its meaning in deep meditation; it is pronounced at the beginning and at the end of all significant matters, in the titles of texts, etc.

Islam

Islam- one of the three world religions that arose in the 7th century. in Arabia. Its founder is Muhammad, who appeared as a prophet in Mecca in 610. The holy book of Islam is the Koran, compiled after the death of Muhammad according to his sayings.

Five main "pillars of Islam":

• 1) the belief that there is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is His prophet (shahadah);
• 2) five times daily prayer (salat); 3) alms in favor of the poor (zakat);
• 4) fasting in the month of Ramadan (sawi);
• 5) a pilgrimage to Mecca, performed at least once in a lifetime (Hajj). The entire legal system of India is based on a special set of rules - Sharia. Muslims recognize the immortality of the soul and afterlife. Required condition For every believer there is a rite of circumcision. In India there is a ban on depicting living beings. In the 10th century a system of theoretical theology - kalam - was created.

Judaism

Judaism- the earliest monotheistic religion that arose in the 1st millennium BC. e. in Palestine. Distributed mainly among Jews. Jews believe in one God, the immortality of the soul, the afterlife, the coming coming of the Messiah, God's chosenness of the Jewish people (the idea of ​​a “covenant,” a union of the people with God, in which the Jewish people act as the bearer of Divine revelation). The canon of sacred books of Israel includes the Torah (the Pentateuch of Moses), the books of the prophets and the Scriptures. Various interpretations and commentaries of the canon are collected in the Talmud.

Calvinism

Calvinism- one of the Protestant movements, the origins of which are the work of the French theologian Jacques Calvin, “Instruction in the Christian Faith.” K. is characterized by the recognition only of the Holy Scriptures and the doctrine of predestination (God determined in advance for everyone his fate, which cannot be changed. A person’s success serves as a sign that he is faithfully fulfilling his destiny). Having appeared in Geneva, K. spread to France, the Netherlands, Scotland and England.

Catacomb Church

Catacomb Church- a collective name for that part of the Orthodox clergy and Orthodox communities that in the 20s of the 20th century. left the jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate, accusing it of collaborating with the Soviet authorities, and took an illegal position. Catholicism is one of the three main directions in Christianity, which finally took shape after the division of churches in 1054. The Catholic Church is strictly centralized, has a single center in the Vatican, a single head - the Pope (the dogma of the infallibility of his judgments has been accepted). Holy Bible equalized with Sacred Tradition. Seven sacraments accepted. Icons and saints are venerated. There is a dogma about the immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary. Catholics believe in the existence of purgatory. Worship services take place on national languages, and also in Latin.

Quakerism

Quakerism(from the English quake - “to shake”) is one of the Protestant denominations founded in the 17th century. in England by George Fox. Quakers emphasize the need to be in constant awe of God. Their worship consists of internal conversation with God and preaching. Quakers developed a doctrine of absolute pacifism, rejecting any violence.

Confucianism

Confucianism- a philosophical and religious system that appeared in China in the 6th-5th centuries. BC e. The philosophical system of China was created by the wandering teacher Confucius (Kung Tzu). This religion is based on the concept of “heaven” and “heavenly decree” (fate). A person endowed by Heaven with certain qualities must act in accordance with them, as well as the moral laws of the Tao (path) and improve his qualities through training. One of the central places in Confucianism is occupied by the concept of Ren (humanity) - ideal relationship between people in the family, society and state. The basic principle of this concept is: “What you don’t wish for yourself, don’t do to others.” Characteristic feature This religion is anthropocentrism. Under Emperor Wu, China occupied a dominant position in China (it was combined with the doctrine of space forces Yin and Yang and the five primary elements of Wu Xing).

Krishnaism

Krishnaism (« International Society Krishna consciousness") is one of the movements in Hinduism. The founder of the society is the Indian preacher Abdam Charin De (1896-1977). According to his teachings, there is only one absolute God - Krishna. The goal of K.'s cult practice is to achieve the so-called “Krishna consciousness” - a state in which the believer is freed from the power of the material world and returns to God. Love for Krishna in highest degree manifests itself in the achievement of religious ecstasy through individual or collective meditation.

Lutheranism

Lutheranism- a Protestant movement, the beginning of which can be considered October 31, 1517, when the monk Martin Luther nailed a list of 95 theses to the gates of Wittenberg Cathedral. L. denies that the clergy is endowed with the grace of a mediator between God and people; asserts that a person is saved only by personal faith in Christ, and not by the special merits of saints and not by good deeds in favor of the Church. In L. there is a clear distinction between the sphere of the Gospel (religious) and the sphere of law (state). Sacraments such as confession and absolution are denied; it is believed that repentance includes only alms and faith.

Manichaeism

Manichaeism- ancient Iranian religious teaching about the eternal struggle between the forces of Light and Darkness, that is, between universal good and evil. The founder of the doctrine is the preacher and mystic Mani, who lived in the 11th century. n. e. M. attributes the act of creation of the world to the good Demiurge, called the Spirit of Life. Manichaeans believe that he created the world in order to separate the mixed particles of light and darkness from each other.

Mahayana

Mahayana Buddhism(Sanskrit mahayana - “great chariot”) is the largest direction of Buddhism, which took shape in the first centuries of our era. From India, M. spread to China, Tibet, Nepal, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, and Southern Siberia, receiving the name Northern Buddhism. M. argues that salvation is possible for everyone, and not just for members of the Buddhist community. A bodhisattva (literally, “one whose essence is Enlightenment” is the ideal of M.) must take care of the salvation of all living beings. In M. Buddha is no longer just a Teacher, but a supernatural being who can be worshiped as a deity.

Methodism

Methodism- a Protestant movement that appeared in England in the 18th century, the founders of which were the brothers John and Charles Wesley. M. sets a goal for a person: to live according to the Gospel, devote his time to prayer and good deeds, study the Holy Scriptures in the original, strictly adhering to the established method, observing discipline and order.

Mormons

Mormons(Church of Jesus Christ of Saints last day) is a Protestant church founded in 1830 by the American Joseph Smith. By analogy with the early apostolic church, Mormons have established positions of apostles, prophets, shepherds, teachers and evangelists. The central theological theme of Mormon teaching is “the gathering of the tribes of Israel and the restoration of the true Christian church.”

Pietism

Pietism(from Latin pietas - “piety”) - a religious movement in Lutheranism that arose in Germany at the end of the 17th century. P. puts religious feelings above all theological dogmas, church authorities, etc. His supporters opposed philosophy and culture. In a broad sense, “pietism” denotes a religious-mystical mood, formal piety.

Orthodoxy

Orthodoxy(Greek orthodoxia - “ correct judgment", "right glory") is one of the three main directions of Christianity. It became independent after the division of the churches into Western and Eastern in 1054. There is no strict organizational unity; there are numerous differences in ritual and canonical issues. The dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God is not recognized. Scripture is seen as part of Sacred Tradition. Seven sacraments accepted. In most countries, services are held in national languages.

Presbyterians

Presbyterians(from the Greek presbytes “elder”, “elder”) - a Protestant movement that arose in the second half of the 16th century. in England and Scotland under the influence of Calvinism. The name itself indicates a special form of church organization. P. does not have centralized administrative leadership. Their doctrine is based on ideas about the ineradicable sinfulness of man and about salvation as an undeserved and predetermined grace of God.

Protestantism

Protestantism- one of three main directions of Christianity. Its appearance is associated with the Reformation - a powerful anti-Catholic movement in the 16th century. in Europe. The name of P. is associated with the protest of 6 German princes and 14 cities against the decision of the Speyer Reichstag (1529), which voted for an intolerant attitude towards Lutheranism in Germany. Belief in the direct and personal connection of the believer with Christ determines the three basic principles of P.: 1) Only Holy Scripture is true, and the Bible is the only source of divine revelation. 2) Salvation is God's gift, embodied in the atoning death and resurrection of Christ; it is achieved only by personal faith. 3) Every believer is a priest. Protestants deny the authority of the Pope, the mediation of the Virgin Mary, the intercession of saints, indulgences and sacraments not administered by Christ (in most Protestant churches only baptism and communion are recognized). The first Protestants were actively involved in translating the Bible into national languages.

Puritans

Puritans(from Latin purus - “pure”) - a religious movement in the Anglican Church that arose in the second half of the 16th century. and fought to “cleanse” the Church of England of Catholicism. P. was united by the idea of ​​the “kingdom of saints” and the “conciliar” Church; they sought freedom from episcopate control.

Revivalism

Revivalism(from the English revival - “rebirth”, “awakening”) - Protestant movement of the 17th century. in Britain and the American colonies. R. insisted on the possibility of cleansing not only personal sins, but also from original human sin. This is achieved through “being born again” - a spiritual rebirth that miraculously changes the whole person.

Russian Orthodox Church

Russian Orthodox Church(ROC) - is part of the Churches of Ecumenical Orthodoxy. Founded in 988 under Prince Vladimir I as a metropolis of the Church of Constantinople with its center in Kyiv. In 1589, Metropolitan Job of Moscow was elevated to the rank of patriarch. Divine services are performed according to the Julian calendar. The main language of worship is Church Slavonic.

Satanism

Satanism- a generalized name for anti-Christian sects whose members worship Satan. The first of the Satanic sects of the New Age is considered to be the “Church of Satan”, founded in 1968 by Anthony LaVey.

Jehovah witnesses

Jehovah witnesses(Jehovah's Witnesses) - one of the later movements in Protestantism, founded by Charles Russell in 1870. Plaintiffs' Witnesses deny the dogma of the Trinity, but recognize all three of its hypostases. Jehovah God is considered the source of all life. Jesus Christ - only begotten son supreme god; only he was created by Jehovah directly, everything else was created through Christ. Jehovah's Witnesses are confident that the leaders of their organization and religious authorities will be resurrected immediately after death and will enter the “government of Christ”; everyone else is promised eternal life after Armageddon.

Sikhism

Sikhism(from Sanskrit sikh - “student”) - one of the national religions of India. Formed at the end of the 15th - beginning of the 16th centuries. under the influence of Islam that penetrated into India and originally represented a Protestant trend in Hinduism. The founder of Sikhism was guru (teacher) Nanak (1469-1539). This religion is based on the belief that true devotion to God lies in deep inner faith. Sikhism is monotheistic, does not recognize the clergy, denies public worship, external attributes and caste differences. It developed the path of spiritual improvement - nam-marg, or Sahaj Yoga.

Shintoism

Shintoism- a religion common in Japan. It arose from the pagan veneration of kami - the omnipresent manifestations of everything sacred. In the 7th century the unification of all local kami cults into a single whole began. The most ancient forms of beliefs (magic, totemism, fetishism) have been preserved in Shinto. In this religion there are no clear distinctions between humans and kami. S. does not promise salvation in some other world, but considers the harmonious coexistence of man with the world around him as an ideal.

Old Believers

Old Believers(Raskolism) - a set of religious movements that arose as a result of the split of the Russian Orthodox Church in mid-17th century V. Opponents of Nikon's reform, who sought to unite the Russian and Greek Orthodox churches, believed that after this reform official Orthodoxy ceased to exist. There are practically no dogmatic differences between the Old Believers and the Russian Orthodox Church. The discrepancies concern only some rituals and inaccuracies in the translation of liturgical books. The Old Believers retained the two-fingered sign of the cross, they only recognize the eight-pointed cross, etc.

Sunnism

Sunnism- the main direction of Islam, which considers the first caliphs - Abu Bakr, Omar and Osman - to be the legitimate successors of Mohammed. Along with the Koran, the Sunnah (traditions about the prophet) is recognized. When deciding on the highest Muslim authority, they feast “on the consent of the entire community” (its religious elite).

Sufism

Sufism(from Arabic, suf - “wool”) - a mystical trend in Islam that arose in the 8th-9th centuries. S. is based on intimate knowledge, thanks to which the individual received the opportunity for self-improvement. The basis of Sufi teaching is the desire to comprehend the secrets of faith. The method of Sufism was instant illumination. Through music and dance, Sufis try to achieve sacred ecstasy, which they understand as a state in which in consciousness there is no longer any division into good and evil, truth and falsehood, faith and unbelief.

Hinayana

Hinayana(from Sanskrit hinayana - “small vehicle”) - one of the main directions of Buddhism, which arose at the beginning of our era, includes 18 different schools. It established itself in Southeast Asia, receiving the name “Southern Buddhism.” X. believes that only members of the Buddhist community, that is, monks, can achieve nirvana. The ideal of X. is an arhat (literally, “one who has achieved Enlightenment”), X. also requires monks to tirelessly work on themselves and complete loneliness on the path to the highest goal. Buddha in X. is a man who, after more than five hundred rebirths, was destined to reveal the “four noble truths” to living beings.

Christianity

Christianity- one of the three world religions that arose in Palestine in the 1st century. n. e. At the beginning of the 4th century. X. becomes the state religion of the Roman Empire, and by XIV it spreads throughout almost all of Europe. At the heart of X. is the belief that two thousand years ago God sent into the world his son, the God-man Jesus Christ, who lived, preached, suffered and died on the cross as a man. The main book of Christians is the Bible. X. believe in one God, existing in three persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Very important for Christians is the idea of original sin. Another characteristic feature of X. is that it can only exist in the form of a Church (this is either a community of believers, or a temple, or a form of the Christian faith). The sacred symbol of X is the cross. All Christians believe in the coming end of the world and the second coming of Christ.

Shamanism

Shamanism(from Evenk, saman - “excited”) - one of the oldest forms of religious practice of mankind, the central figure in which is the shaman - a mediator between the world of people and the world of spirits, who has the ability to heal people. Unlike priests and priests, he performs sacred acts with the help of spirits. In addition, the shaman undergoes “re-creation” in another world. Communication with spirits, during which the shaman falls into a trance, is called ritual. Currently, shamanism is widespread in many Asian countries, in Siberia, and interest in Indian shamans has increased.

Shiism

Shiism(from Arab, ah-shia - “followers”, “party”) - one of the directions in Islam. Originally formed as political party, which recognized Muhammad's son-in-law, Ali, as the prophet's successor. In Sh., the doctrine of the “hidden imam” arose, that is, about the mysteriously disappeared twelfth imam, who must return to earth at the appointed hour and restore justice. Shiites do not recognize the Sunnah and have their own tradition.

Greek Orthodox Church

Hellenic (Greek) Orthodox Church- is part of the Churches of Ecumenical Orthodoxy. In 1850, according to church canons, it was recognized as “the Church of Constantinople itself.” The Gregorian calendar is used. The seat of the Archbishop of Athens and all of Hellas is Athens.