Evidence indicates that people have had religious beliefs since pre-historic times. These beliefs usually include supernatural explanations for the existence and nature of the universe. One common supernatural element is a god, or group of gods, who may have created the universe, and who control everything that happens in it. The worship of these gods is an important element of many cultures.
Religious beliefs are usually shared by members of a particular community or society, and are passed down from one generation to the next. This sharing is often achieved through teaching, worship, and participation in rituals, all of which generally take place according to traditional rules. The resulting commonality of beliefs tends to encourage conformity to the prevailing views and moral values of the society. In many places religion plays a big role in birth celebrations, marriage ceremonies, and funeral rites.
Many religions represent an attempt to answer basic questions about the human experience and the meaning of life. They typically try to explain suffering, the existence of evil, and what happens after a person dies. The answers to such questions are often sought in sacred writings preserved from the distant past. In primitive societies religion is often invoked to explain natural phenomena such as storms, lightning, changing seasons, lunar cycles, and eclipses.
In the broadest sense, a religion is any belief system that provides a set of teachings about ultimate reality, the meaning of life, and how an individual should behave. This definition could include various philosophies, deism, agnosticism, spirituality, skepticism, and even atheism under its umbrella.
Unfortunately, conflicts have sometimes arisen between groups that adhere to different religions. Invasions, wars, persecutions, oppression, enslavements, and even torture have occurred in many places. In western countries persecution of Jews, atheists, and other religious minorities has a long history. Hopefully lessons will be learned from these past conflicts, and more toleration will be practiced in the future.
A number of beliefs and practices are common to many religions. These include the study of sacred texts such as the bible, Quran, and Christian gospels, the belief in an afterlife, gods and goddesses, spirits and demons, reincarnation, possession, and prophesy.
Religion Gateway can serve as a guide to some of the religious resources available on the web. However, it doesn't provide links to websites that advocate violence, slavery, or religious oppression. It also doesn't list sites which promote gambling or pornography, or encourage aberrant sexual practices or child abuse.
Buddhism -- This page lists some web resources that provide information pertaining to the various branches of Buddhism. This religion is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, also known as the Buddha, who lived in India in the sixth century B.C. Since its founding in India, Buddhism has spread to Central Asia, Sri Lanka, China, Tibet, Korea, and Japan. Today it has approximately 400 million followers altogether.
Hinduism -- Websites that relate to Hinduism are described in this section. Probably the world's oldest major religion, Hinduism evolved from the Vedic religion of the ancient Aryans who conquered northern India in about 1400 B.C. This Vedic religion eventually intermixed with the various indigenous religions of the conquered areas to form Hinduism.
Islam -- This page contains some information about Islam, including various facts about the Prophet Mohammed and the Quran. Islam started in Arabia, and then spread rapidly throughout the other countries of the Middle East, and eventually much farther. It is now a major religion throughout a good part of Asia and Africa, and there are also many adherents in Europe and North America.
Christianity -- These are some resources that relate to various Christian denominations, and which contain information about the bible, Jesus and his teachings, the gospels, heaven and hell, Satan, and the lives of the saints. This is the main religion in many countries of the world.
Judaism -- Websites pertaining to Judaism and the history of ancient Israel are described here. The sacred scriptures of Judaism are found in the Hebrew Bible. This ancient book is a compilation of history, religious laws, moral teaching, poetry, and prophesy. These works were composed over many centuries and by many authors.
Skepticism -- Some sites which express or promote a skeptical view of organized religions are described in this area.
Common Themes -- This page contains descriptions of some beliefs and themes common to many religions. These include reincarnation, sacred texts, belief in gods and goddesses, spiritual possession, and souls.
Weird Religious Beliefs -- As this page shows, many religions contain strange beliefs and practices.
Glossary -- Some religious terms used on this website.