The Beauty and Diversity of Muslim Life
Bassam Tariq is a blogger, a filmmaker, and a halal butcher -- but one thread unites his work: His joy in the diversity, the humanness of our individual experiences. In this charming talk, he shares clips from his film "These Birds Walk" and images from his tour of 30 mosques in 30 days -- and reminds us to consider the beautiful complexity within us all.
The Big Religion Chart
This "Big Religion Chart" is our attempt to summarize the major religions and belief systems of the world - Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and dozens more - into a quick-reference comparison chart. Oversimplification is unavoidable in charts like these, and it is not intended to be a substitute for advanced religious study and exploration, but simply a fast overview. It is our hope that this chart becomes a useful tool for you to compare basic religious beliefs and practices of the world's religions and belief systems.
Buddhist Beliefs: The Four Noble Truths
The Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path are fundamental teachings in Buddhism. They are considered equally important among all the Buddhist schools and are central to the core of Buddhist beliefs. Sometimes Buddhists are criticized for always talking about suffering (because of the First Noble Truth); yet the majority of Buddhist teachers I've come across, if not all, are the most peaceful and joyous people I've ever met. So surely, there is more to Buddhism than just suffering.
Compare Christian Denominations: Beliefs and Theology
Quick rundown chart of the difference between the seven denominations of Christianity
Do You Know the Basics of Buddhism?
Two hundred years after Siddhartha Gautama died, missionaries of his movement were sent out. Otherwise known as the Buddha, Gautama unofficially founded Buddhism after achieving ultimate enlightenment. This movement remained fairly local to Siddhartha’s home in northern India until King Ashoka sent Buddhist missionaries throughout India and into Sri Lanka, China, Tibet, Mongolia, Japan, South Korea, most of Southeast Asia, and parts of North Africa.
Do You Know the Basics of Hinduism?
Mahatma Gandhi, the famous nonviolent Hindu reformer, explained that Hinduism is not an exclusive religion. Gandhi said, “If a man reaches the heart of his own religion, he has reached the heart of the others too. There is only one God, and there are many paths to him.” Although some ideas unify Hinduism, it is an extremely tolerant religion that allows its followers full freedom to choose their own belief system and way of life.
Do You Know What A Sikh Is? 70% Of Americans Don't.
José Díaz-Balart talks with Jasjit Singh, director of the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund, about a powerful public service announcement aimed at clearing up misconceptions around the Sikh community.
The Five Major World Religions
Explore the intertwined histories and cultures of the major religions: Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam.
A Glossary of Islamic Clothing
Muslims generally observe modest dress, but the variety of styles and colors have various names depending on the country. Here is a glossary of the most common names of Islamic clothing for both men and women, along with photos and descriptions.
Head Coverings Used in Abrahamic Religions and Their Cultural Significance
Wearing head coverings is an extremely prevalent practice in Abrahamic religions. Globally, each practice has its own unique cultural background, often ordered by gender, offering insight into its traditional significance. In order to understand this, it is of utmost importance to be educated about various head covering practices and what they represent for the people who follow them.
Hinduism: Basic Beliefs
The fundamental teaching of Hinduism, or Vedanta, is that a human being's basic nature is not confined to the body or the mind. Beyond both of these is the spirit or the spark of God within the soul.
Judaism Explained: Religions in Global History
What do Jews believe? What are the basic beliefs of the Jewish faith? A short overview of Judaism.
My Turban and Me Documentary
Documentary with actor and comedian Sanjeev Kohli, who goes on a personal journey to find out more about the significance of the Sikh turban in Britain today.
What is Paganism?
Website about what Paganism is and what their religion consists of.
What Is Paganism? YouTube Video
Thousands of forest fires are raging through Indonesia creating a toxic haze over Southeast Asia. So what is the cause behind these deadly fires?
Religious Clothing Explained: Understanding Turbans, Hijabs, and More
Most of us have crossed paths with someone identifying with a religious group different from our own, and are left with a natural curiosity about why they wear what they wear. Here, we explore the significance of wearable symbols of faith.
Sikhism: A Very Short Introduction
Eleanor Nesbitt, author of the Very Short Introduction to Sikhism, tells us 10 things we should know about Sikhism.
Sikhism: 5 Things To Know About The Sikh Religion
Sikhism is the fifth largest religion in the world with a population of upwards of 30 million worldwide. There are an estimated 250,000 Sikhs in the United States having first arrived in the late 19th century.
Top ten facts about Buddhism
Damien Keown, author of Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction, tells us ten things we need to know about Buddhism.
What Being Jewish Means to Me
As recent surveys reveal a disturbingly large number of American Jews—millions, in fact—who feel disconnected from their Jewish identity, allow me to share what being Jewish means to me.
What does the Quran really say about a Muslim woman's hijab?
In recent times, the resurgence of the hijab along with various countries’ enforcement of it has led many to believe that Muslim women are required by their faith to wear the hijab. In this informative talk, novelist Samina Ali takes us on a journey back to Prophet Muhammad's time to reveal what the term “hijab” really means -- and it's not the Muslim woman's veil! So what does “hijab” actually mean, if not the veil, and how have fundamentalists conflated the term to deny women their rights? This surprising and unprecedented idea will not only challenge your assumptions about hijab but will change the way you see Muslim women.