Judaism is the religion of the Jews who believe that the world and all the things in it were created by a single divine God to fulfill certain divine meaning and purposes. This religion teaches that the will of God for the people was revealed to Moses and the Israelites at the mountain of Sinai. The commandments, referred to as Torah, were a gift to people from God, to regulate how humans should live and interacts with one another.
Jewish individuals fit into one of the three branches of Judaism depending on beliefs and lifestyles. Orthodox Jews are traditionalists who observe all traditional laws and meals of Judaism. Conservative Jews put more importance on the religious and historic aspects of Judaism but do not hold any importance to Jewish political Aspects. Reform Judaism is a liberal branch of Judaism where members do not put much emphasis on the religious or doctrinal belief of Judaism but rather associate themselves with the race and culture of Jewish.
To be considered a true Jewish, one must observe weekly, one day Sabbath rest starting from Friday evening. Male Jewish are expected to attend the synagogue regularly and all Jewish must observe annual festivals which include the Passover, Rosh Hashanah, or the Jewish New year’s holiday, among other festivals. The main leader of the synagogue is the Rabbi chosen by the member of the congregation. The Rabbi has to be well educated and versed with Jewish traditions. Anyone who is born to a Jewish parent or converts to Jewish according to Jewish Laws automatically becomes Jewish.
Shinto is an indigenous religion of Japan that involves the worship of spirits, known as Kami. Kami can be a natural object or a process. The sun and mountains are a good example of Kami worshiped in Japan. Shinto was once Japan’s state religion especially at the height of the Meiji emperor.
In Japan today, four forms of Shinto are practiced. Koshitsu Shinto is the religion practiced by the emperor, or the head of state, praying to deities for the happiness of all people, world peace, and continuity of the Japanese Nation. Shuha Shinto is another branch of Shinto where a group of people with common believes and doctrines follow traditional rites and have a central figure or Kami, whom they pray to. Another form of Shinto includes Minzoku Shinto and Jinja Shinto.
In Shinto, fitting in the world and being in harmony with nature is the primary objective, the afterlife is not a major concern. Rituals and practices are meant to meditate individual or a group of people’s relationship to the Kami. The veneration and love for nature is the most striking theme in Shinto. Rocks, the moon, sun, and waterfall are some of the most common kami.
A child becomes Shintoist automatically by birth and the name of the child is added in the Shinto Shrine records on the day of birth. Most Japanese practice Shinto and Buddhism back to back. Issue related to birth and life is practiced in Shinto while issue related to death and funeral is left to Buddhism.
Islam is a religion originating primarily with the teachings of Muhammad who was both a political and religious figure in the 7th Century. A Muslim is a follower of Islam. Muslims believe that Muhammad was God’s final prophet and the one who God revealed the Holy Qur’an.
As a Muslim, one is expected to practice many religious activities. Of most importance is the observance of the Five Pillars of Islam which includes Shahadah, the basic tenets of Islam, there is the Salah, the ritual prayers performed fives times a day. The Zakat is the practice of giving to the less fortunate depending on one’s wealth. The fasting during the holy month of Ramadan is known as sawm, where Muslim followers are not expected to eat or drink anything between dawn and dusk. The Hajj is another component of the Five Pillar of Islam where healthy men are expected to make at least one Pilgrimage to Mecca during the Islamic month.
Islam rules come from the Sharia or the Islamic Law that touches all aspects of Muslim life and the society in which he/she live. Sunni and Shi’a are the two major denominations of Islam with the majority of Muslims belonging to Sunni Islam. The Qur’an is the central religious Islam text.
When greeting a fellow Muslim, one is expected to include “peace be with you” in his greeting. One should always eat and drink with the right hand and say a prayer, known as Bismillah, before taking food. Muslims do not take any meat products from pigs and are restricted from taking alcohol. Halal is a term used to refer to food that’s permissible to Muslims.