Muslims wash themselves before worship, as a sign of respect to God.
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In many religions, people gather together for prayer and worship.
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The holy book of Islam, the Qur'an, is said to have been revealed by God. Muslims treat it with great respect, and often place it on a stand, to read it.
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The architectural design and ornate decoration of St Basil's Cathedral in Moscow was intended to inspire Christians to worship God.
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The Chinese New Year falls near the end of winter and welcomes spring. Noisy processions and dancing are intended to frighten off evil spirits. The men take part in a procession, carrying a model of a dragon to symbolize the bringing of good luck in the coming year.
WORSHIP
WORSHIP INVOLVES SHOWING RESPECT AND DEVOTION TO A DEITY. BELIEVERS OFTEN GATHER TOGETHER TO EXPRESS THE FEELINGS OF WONDER, JOY, AND THANKS THAT THEY SHARE. WHEN THE MEETING TAKES THE FORM OF A CEREMONY IT IS OFTEN CALLED A SERVICE. SET ACTIONS THAT ARE PERFORMED IN WORSHIP ARE CALLED RITUALS. IT IS THROUGH THEM THAT PEOPLE SHOW THEIR BELIEFS.
COMMON RITUALS OF WORSHIP ARE TO COVER THE HEAD AS A SIGN OF MODESTY AND EQUALITY WITH OTHER PEOPLE AND TO KNEEL OR BOW DOWN TO SHOW RESPECT FOR THE DEITY. IN SOME RELIGIONS, OFTEN THOSE THAT BEGAN IN HOT, DUSTY COUNTRIES, PEOPLE ALSO WASH AND TAKE OFF THEIR SHOES BEFORE WORSHIP.
PRAYER AND MEDITATION
PRAYER OFTEN CONSISTS OF GIVING PRAISE AND THANKS OR ASKING FOR HELP AND GUIDANCE FOR ONESELF OR OTHER PEOPLE. THROUGH PRAYER, A PERSON CAN BUILD A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH A DEITY. PRAYER CAN ALSO TAKE THE FORM OF MEDITATION. THE PURPOSE OF MEDITATION IS TO ACHIEVE INNER STILLNESS SO THAT BARRIERS TO UNDERSTANDING FALL AWAY.
PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT RELIGIONS PRAY IN DIFFERENT WAYS. FOR EXAMPLE, SOME PRAYERS ARE SAID ALOUD, WHILE OTHERS ARE WHISPERED OR SILENT. IN SOME RELIGIONS, PEOPLE SHOW RESPECT TO THE DEITY BY KNEELING OR BOWING DOWN; IN OTHER RELIGIONS IT IS THOUGHT RESPECTFUL TO PRAY STANDING UP. SOME PEOPLE PRAY WITH THEIR EYES SHUT AND HANDS CLASPED OR CUPPED TOGETHER. PEOPLE OF MANY RELIGIONS OFTEN USE OBJECTS SUCH AS BEADS, CANDLES, OR INCENSE, TO HELP THEM CONCENTRATE WHILE THEY ARE PRAYING OR MEDITATING.
SCRIPTURES
RELIGIOUS WRITINGS ARE KNOWN AS SCRIPTURES AND ARE TREATED WITH GREAT RESPECT BY BELIEVERS. THIS IS ESPECIALLY SO WHEN THE SCRIPTURES ARE THOUGHT TO HAVE BEEN COMMUNICATED DIRECTLY BY GOD. SUCH DIRECT COMMUNICATIONS ARE KNOWN AS REVELATIONS.
SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT EVERY WORD OF A CERTAIN SCRIPTURE COMES DIRECTLY FROM GOD AND SO HAS UNCHANGING AUTHORITY FOR ALL TIME. THEY ARE KNOWN AS CONSERVATIVES, TRADITIONALISTS, OR FUNDAMENTALISTS.
OTHER PEOPLE MAY BELIEVE THAT THE SAME SCRIPTURE WAS INSPIRED BY GOD BUT FEEL THAT THE SOCIAL CONDITIONS OF THE TIME WHEN IT WAS WRITTEN AND THE INDIVIDUAL VIEWS AND PERSONALITY OF THE AUTHORS HAVE TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN TRYING TO UNDERSTAND IT. THESE PEOPLE ARE OFTEN CALLED LIBERALS OR MODERNISTS.
SACRED OBJECTS
IN MANY RELIGIONS, WORSHIP MAY TAKE PLACE IN A PARTICULAR PLACE, SUCH AS A SIMPLE SHRINE IN A ROOM AT HOME, OR A HUGE, RICHLY DECORATED TEMPLE. WORSHIP MAY ALSO INVOLVE USING PARTICULAR OBJECTS. THESE PLACES AND OBJECTS ARE USUALLY CONSIDERED SACRED AND ARE TREATED WITH GREAT RESPECT.
IN SOME RELIGIONS, SUCH AS HINDUISM, PEOPLE FEEL THAT ONLY THE BEST IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE DEITY. THEY ALSO WANT PEOPLE TO BE INSPIRED IN THEIR WORSHIP BY THE BEAUTY OF THEIR SURROUNDINGS AND THE CEREMONIAL OBJECTS. FOR THESE REASONS, BUILDINGS AND OBJECTS ARE OFTEN CRAFTED BY HIGHLY SKILLED PEOPLE, USING THE MOST PRECIOUS MATERIALS AVAILABLE. MANY OTHER PEOPLE FEEL THAT LAVISH DECORATIONS MAY DISTRACT PEOPLE'S ATTENTION FROM THE DEITY. FOR EXAMPLE, IN ISLAM, THE INSIDES OF MANY MOSQUES ARE KEPT PLAIN, FOR THIS REASON.
FESTIVALS
RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS OFTEN CELEBRATE SPECIAL EVENTS IN THE HISTORY OF RELIGION, SUCH AS THE BIRTH OR DEATH OF A LEADER. THEY ALSO CELEBRATE IMPORTANT EVENTS IN NATURE, SUCH AS SPRING OR HARVEST TIME. FESTIVALS REMIND BELIEVERS OF THEIR FAITH AT CERTAIN TIMES OF THE YEAR AND BRING THEM TOGETHER TO GIVE THANKS FOR THE THINGS THEY CONSIDER VALUABLE.
PRIESTS
MANY RELIGIONS HAVE PRIESTS. THESE ARE OFFICIALS WHO HAVE PUBLIC DUTIES SUCH AS LEADING ACTS OF WORSHIP. THEY MAY ALSO TRY TO GUIDE PEOPLE TOWARD THE SPIRITUAL WORLD AND IN SOME RELIGIONS ACT AS A KIND OF GO-BETWEEN, BETWEEN PEOPLE AND THE DEITY, AND VICE VERSA.
THERE ARE OFTEN STRICT GUIDELINES ABOUT WHO CAN BECOME A PRIEST. FOR EXAMPLE, IN HINDUISM, ONLY MEN BORN INTO A PARTICULAR SOCIAL CLASS CAN BE PRIESTS. CHRISTIANS DISAGREE AS TO WHETHER WOMEN SHOULD BE PRIESTS. TRADITIONALISTS ARGUE THAT THE SCRIPTURES IMPLY THAT PRIESTS SHOULD BE MALE. THE LIBERALS SAY THAT THERE IS NO EVIDENCE FOR THIS.
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