People & Places. My Community Churches. January 26, Some people think God made us. Some people have a different name for God.

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1 People & Places My Community Churches January 26, 2015 Some people think God made us. Some people have a different name for God. When people talk to God it is called praying. A church is one place where people go to pray. Some people pray in a temple or mosque. A church Getty Images People in a community go to pray, or to talk to God, and give thanks or ask for things in a special building called a church, temple, or mosque (say mosk). Many people believe that there is a powerful spirit who made the planets and sky and stars, and also all living things. Some call that spirit God, but others have different names and different ways of believing. Each way of believing is a religion, and each group of people who follow a religion is a community. Each religion has different festivals or special times. Some are solemn and some are celebrations.

2 Russian cathedral Getty Images People who also follow Jesus are called Christians. There are different Christian religions, and they all have slightly different beliefs and different ways of praying. Most Christians read the Holy Bible. It teaches Christians about God and Jesus. The building in which they go to pray is called a church, or if it is very big, a cathedral. Each Christian religion has its own churches. Some are very big, and others are quite small. Each group s most important church is called a cathedral. Sometimes churches or cathedrals look a bit different in different countries. For example, in Russia the churches are famous for their colorful onion-shaped domes. Christians have many holidays. Many Christians celebrate Jesus birth during a holiday called Christmas. They celebrate by giving each other gifts or presents. Christians also celebrate Lent, Easter, and Good Friday.

3 A synagogue roof Getty Images There are many religions that are not Christian. In the Jewish religion, people believe in God but not in Jesus. The people are called Jews. Jews pray in a synagogue (say sin-uh-gog). Judaism is the oldest religion that is monotheistic (has one god, not many). Jews read the Torah. It is their holy book, and it teaches them about God. When men and boys go inside the synagogue they must wear a small hat and when they pray they put on a special shawl over their shoulders. They say prayers in Hebrew, an ancient language. Jews have many rules about food. For example, Jews cannot eat pork. Their holy day (called the Sabbath) is on Saturday, and it begins with special prayers on Friday night. Jews celebrate Hanukkah for 7 days to remember God. They also celebrate Yom Kippur, and Rosh Hashanah.

4 A mosque Getty Images A hijab People who follow the religion Islam are called Muslims. Their name for god is Allah (say ar-luh), and they pray in a mosque. Muslims have five prayer times each day (called Salat). They go to the mosque at those times or they stop what they are doing to pray. When they pray, Muslims face the direction of Mecca, their holy city. Muslims read the Holy Koran. This book teaches about Mohammad (a prophet or teacher) and Allah. The Koran also teaches about the 5 pillars of Islam: 1) Shahadah: Faith 2) Salat: Prayer 3) Zakat: Giving to others 4) Sawm: Fasting (not eating for God) 5) Hajj: Go to Mecca Some Muslim women and girls choose to wear a scarf called a hijab (say he-job) that covers their head and neck. Muslims celebrate holidays such as Eid Mubarak and Ramadan.

5 A small Buddhist temple in China Getty Images Incense sticks help Buddhists pray. Some people are Buddhists. They follow the beliefs and way of life that was taught by Buddha (say it so it sounds like good-uh) many hundreds of years ago. Siddhartha Gautama, in India, made Buddhism. It is now a religion in many countries. Buddhists are peaceful and respect all living things including animals and insects, so they eat only vegetables. Buddhists pray in a temple. They light incense sticks so the sweet smelling smoke will carry their prayers to Buddha. The Tipitaka is the holy book for Buddhists. They read about Buddha s teachings. Buddhists believe in reincarnation (being born again after you die) and Karma. Buddhists celebrate Buddha s birthday in the holiday called Vesak. Some cultures also have a Water Festival to wash and respect their Buddha.

6 Many gods on the roof of a HIndu temple in Singapore kidcyber Some people follow the Hindu (say hin-doo) religion, which is polytheistic (has more than one god.) It is one of the oldest religions. Hindus pray on their own, repeating the names of their favorite gods and goddesses. They give gifts of flowers, fruit or lit candles to the god they are praying to. Hindus pray in a temple or in a special place called a shrine that they make in their home. Hindus read the Vedas, their holy book. They also believe in the Caste System (a group that you are born into) and Reincarnation (being born again after you die). All Hindus want to be with their god Brahma after they live many good lives. At the end of winter Hindus welcome the spring with a festival of colors, called Holi. They throw powders of many colors and change the winter grey to a blaze of color.

7 A Jewish rabbi Getty Images A Buddhist monk in a temple Getty Images In charge of each church, temple or mosque is special person who helps and teaches people, and who runs the prayer times. This person is called minister, priest, rabbi (say rab-eye), abbot, monk, or imam. Sometimes they wear special clothes. These are people who have studied their religion and all its beliefs for many years. They are honored and respected by their community.

8 Glossary Cathedral Christians Christmas Church: Easter Festival God Good Friday Holiday Holy Bible Holy Koran Jesus Lent Mosque Religion Temple

9 Bibliography Kidcyber. (2016). My Community Churches. Retrieved from Kidcyber:

10 World Religions