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Christians are not allowed to commit adultery and they cant consume prohibit foods that include any form of all animals 

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Christians are not allowed to commit adultery and they cant consume prohibit foods that include any form of all animals 

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Islams are not allowed to steal, lie, commit adultery, gamble, eat pork, or drink alcohol 

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Islams are not allowed to steal, lie, commit adultery, gamble, eat pork, or drink alcohol 

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Christianity has 2.382 billion followers  

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Christianity has 2.382 billion followers  

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There are different branches of Christianity because some Christians worship in different ways.

What are the different branches (denominations) of Christians?

There are several denominations of the Christian faith, however all Christians share common beliefs.

Church of England - Anglicanism
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England.

Roman Catholic
The Catholic Church is the oldest institution in the western world. It can trace its history back almost 2000 years.

Baptists
For Baptists, the church is not just a particular place or building, but rather a family of believers, committed to Christ, to one another and to the service of God in the world.

Methodist
The calling of the Methodist Church is to respond to the gospel of God's love in Christ and to live out its discipleship in worship and mission.

Orthodox The Orthodox Church shares much with the other Christian churches in the belief that God revealed himself in Jesus Christ, and a belief in the incarnation of Christ, his crucifixion and resurrection.

Seventh-day Adventist
The belief which makes Seventh-day Adventists really stand out, though it is not the most important part of the faith, is the belief that Saturday is the Sabbath (the day of worship)

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World Religions for Children doing their homework

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Jesus and Followers

Christianity grew out of Judaism in the Middle East. In about 29 ce a Jew named Jesus began to preach in Galilee. He attracted many followers because of his healing powers and his religious teachings. But people in power feared that he might lead an uprising, and they put him to death. The Bible holds that Jesus rose from the dead three days after being put to death, spent 40 days on Earth, and then was taken up to heaven.

For many years, Jesus' followers continued to practice religion in the same way as Jews, except they believed that Jesus was a savior sent from God. In the 1st century ce a missionary named Paul helped separate Christianity and Judaism into two distinct religions.

Spread of Christianity

To help spread Jesus' teachings, some early Christians wrote about him. Writings by four men-Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John-were chosen as the standard account of Jesus' life and teaching. These four narratives now form part of the New Testament.

In the early days of the church, the Roman Empire controlled most of the Mediterranean region. Life was difficult and dangerous for Christians living within the empire. They were treated harshly for their beliefs. In 312 ce, however, the Roman emperor converted to Christianity. By the end of the 300s, Christianity was the empire's official religion. This power helped secure Christianity's place in the world.

Christianity in the Middle Ages

Christianity continued to gain strength during the Middle Ages, a period from about 500 to 1500. Its leaders became powerful and wealthy, and the church was the chief cultural institution in Europe.

But as Christianity expanded, it could not remain unified. In 1054 the Eastern church at Constantinople separated from the Western church in Rome because of differences in beliefs and practices. This split created the Eastern Orthodox churches and the Roman Catholic church.

Another major development was the Crusades. In the 11th century a Muslim Turkish empire conquered Southwest Asia, including many places associated with Jesus. Over the next two centuries, armies of European Christians fought Muslim forces in the Middle East, partly in an attempt to recapture the Holy Land.

Modern Period

In the 1500s a German priest named Martin Luther began to question certain practices and teachings of the Roman Catholic church. Luther's criticism helped bring about the religious revolution known as the Reformation. As a result, various reformers eventually founded the first Protestant churches.

As Christianity flourished in Europe, Christians came to believe that their religion should be taught to people in other lands. Beginning in the 16th century and continuing into the 21st, Christian missionaries brought their faith to parts of Africa, Asia, and North and South America. These efforts helped make Christianity the most widespread religion in the world.

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With some 2 billion followers, Christianity is the world's most widespread religion. Christianity is based on the life, death, and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. The...

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Islam is one of the world’s major religions. Its founder was Muhammad. The religion has about 1.6 billion followers worldwide. Most of the followers of Islam, called Muslims,…

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Islamic leaders are tied to the government to uphold justice and Iran, Mauritania, and Pakistan is governed by Islam  

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Islamic leaders are tied to the government to uphold justice and Iran, Mauritania, and Pakistan is governed by Islam  

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Christianity started in 1st century Ce  

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Christianity started in 1st century Ce  

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Islam is mainly followed by Middle East, Asia, and north Africa

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Islam is mainly followed by Middle East, Asia, and north Africa

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Europe, Russia, North America, South America, parts of Africa, Timor Leste, the Philippines, and Oceania follow or at least practice Christianity 

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Europe, Russia, North America, South America, parts of Africa, Timor Leste, the Philippines, and Oceania follow or at least practice Christianity 

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Christianity moral code is the standard of right from wrong 

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Christianity moral code is the standard of right from wrong 

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Islam believe in charity, kindness, forgiveness, honesty, patience, justice, respecting parents and elders, keeping promises, and controlling one's anger 

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Islam believe in charity, kindness, forgiveness, honesty, patience, justice, respecting parents and elders, keeping promises, and controlling one's anger 

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The Muslim year is based on Lunar calendar.

(Ramadhan)
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and a time when Muslims across the world will fast (do not eat) during the hours of daylight.

The Muslim year is a lunar (moon) year, so Ramadan moves forward by ten or eleven days each year. The day Ramadan begins is decided by the sighting of the new moon.

Muslims believe that the gates of Heaven (Jannah) are open and the gates of Hell (Jahanam) are locked for the duration of Ramadan.

During Ramadan, Muslims celebrate the time when the verses of the Qur'an were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Ramadan is a time of worship and contemplation. A time to strengthen family and community ties.

Every Muslim is expected to fast from sunrise to sunset. Muslims must not eat or drink during daylight hours. During Ramadan Muslims get up early before dawn (Fajr) and have a light meal. This time is known as Suhoor.

At the end of each day (Maghrib), Muslims traditionally break their fast with a meal called the iftar. Following the custom of Prophet Muhammad, the fast is often broken with dates, then followed by a prayer and dinner.

Ramadan concludes with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr.

(Id-ul-Fitr)- The festival for the first day after Ramadan.
Eid-ul-Fitr marks the breaking of the fast for Muslims at the end of Ramadan. Lasting three days, it is a time for family and friends to get together, for celebrating with good food and presents for children, and giving to charity.

The Festival of Sacrifice which occurs 70 days after Eid-al-Fitr.Eid ul-Adha is the second most important festival in the Muslim calendar. It is to remember the time when Abraham was going to sacrifice his own son to prove obedience to God and marks the end of the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca). It takes place on the 10th day of Dhul-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar.

Dhu Al-Hijja:
The month of pilgrimage during which all Muslims, at least once in their life, should try to make the pilgrimage to Mecca.

Al Hijra:
The Islamic New Year begins on the day Muhammad left Mecca to travel to Medina.
Calendar of Religious Festivals 2008

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The Muslim year is based on Lunar calendar. (Ramadhan) Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and a time when Muslims across the world will fast (do not eat) during the hours of daylight. The Muslim year is a lunar (moon) year, so Ramadan moves forward by ten or eleven days each year.

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Catholic Church and Cathedrals

History >> Middle Ages for Kids

Christianity and the Catholic Church played a major role in Europe during the Middle Ages. The local church was the center of town life. People attended weekly ceremonies. They were married, confirmed, and buried at the church. The church even confirmed kings on their throne giving them the divine right to rule.

Wells Cathedral by Adrian Pingstone

Rich and Powerful

The Catholic Church became very rich and powerful during the Middle Ages. People gave the church 1/10th of their earnings in tithes. They also paid the church for various sacraments such as baptism, marriage, and communion. People also paid penances to the church. The wealthy often gave the church land.

Eventually, the church owned about one third of the land in Western Europe. Because the church was considered independent, they did not have to pay the king any tax for their land. Leaders of the church became rich and powerful. Many nobles became leaders such as abbots or bishops in the church.

Structure of the Church

The leader of the Catholic Church was the pope. Right below the pope were powerful men called cardinals. Next were bishops and abbots. Even bishops held a lot of power on the local level and often served on the council of the king.

Cathedrals

Many churches were built during the Middle Ages. The biggest of these churches were called cathedrals. Cathedrals were where bishops had their headquarters.

Cathedrals were built to inspire awe. They were the most expensive and beautiful buildings built. Sometimes construction on a cathedral could take two hundred years to finish.

Most cathedrals were built in a similar fashion. They generally were laid out in the shape of a cross. They had very tall walls and high ceilings.

Layout of a cathedral in the shape of a cross by Unknown

Gothic Architecture

Around the 12th century, cathedrals began to be built with a new style of architecture called Gothic architecture. With this style, the weight of the vaulted ceilings rested on buttresses rather than on the walls. This way the walls could be thinner and taller. It also allowed for tall windows on the walls.

Art

Some of the great art of the Middle Ages was produced in cathedrals. This included stained glass windows, sculpture, architecture, and painted murals.

Other Religions

Although Christianity dominated Europe during the Middle Ages, there were other religions. These included pagan religions such as the Viking worship of the god Thor. Other religious groups included the Muslims, which ruled much of Spain for many years, and the Jews, which lived throughout many cities in Europe. The Jews played a significant role in the economy because they were allowed to loan money and charge interest.

Interesting Facts about the Catholic Church and Cathedrals

Conversion of a country generally took place from the king down. Once the king was converted to Christianity, his nobles and people followed suit.

Some master masons were able to work on a single cathedral for their entire life.

Cathedrals and churches were often used for meeting places when a large location was needed.

Catholic Bishops often sat on the king's council.

Churches provided education and looked after the poor and the sick.

The main body of a cathedral is called the "nave", the ends of the cross section are called the "transepts", and the entrance is called the "narthex".

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History >> Middle Ages for Kids

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Kids learn about the Catholic Church and Cathedrals during the Middle Ages and Medieval times. The pope and his bishops were powerful and wealthy men.

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Kids and students learn about the history of early Islamic world including the Caliphate, daily life, art, architecture, religion, commerce, science, and more.