The history of Sikhism started with Guru Nanak Dev Ji. He was the first Guru of the fifteenth century in the Punjab region in the northern part of the Indian. The religious practices were founded by Guru Gobind Singh Ji on 13 April 1699. He traveled to places like Baghdad, Mecca, and Medina of the Arabian Peninsula and Bengal, Assam, Kashmir, and Tamil Nadu of India to spread the religion. The basic beliefs of Sikhism is there’s only one God, God is without form, or gender, everyone has direct access to God, everyone is equal before God, a good life is lived as part of a community, by living honestly and caring for others,and empty religious rituals and superstitions have no value. Worship for Sikhs is every morning and evening by meditating, praying, singing of hymns and reading words from Guru Granth Sahib. Sikhs acts of worships take place individually or communally in a place called gurdwara which means “doorway to god”. Sikhism was found in the Indian region of Panjab by Guru Nanak. Sikhism is a monotheistic religion. The Sikhs holy book is called the Guru Granth Sahib.  The teachings of the Sikh religion were passed down from Guru to Guru and then written down in their holy book. Vaishaki is a festival which celebrates Sikh New Year and the founding of the Sikh community in 1699. Diwali is essentially a Hindu festival, but the Sikhs have found themselves enough good reasons to celebrate this day as another important festival. Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, came from a Hindu family in a village populated by both Hindus and Muslims. At 13, the Guru declined the sacred thread at his coming of age ceremony. Years later, after vanishing for three days, the Guru returned to his family with a revelation from God. Sikhism has an emblem called the Khanda that looks like two swords crossed and another double edged sword. Most practicing Sikhs have one of the five articles of faith which are kesh (uncut hair), kangha (comb), kara (steel bracelet), kirpan (sword), kachhera (special undergarment). There really is no fear causing aspects in Sikhism because it is a religion based off of peace and equality. Sikhism got rid of the caste system that categorized individuals as poor or rich, encouraged their followers to participate in trade and agriculture, and had a lot to do with the rights women have today. There have been no major or significant changes in Sikhism overtime.

Abraham, founded Judaism around 1812 BC in Israel. Jews believe that there is a single God who not only created the universe, but with whom every Jew can have an individual and personal relationship. Every week religious Jews observe the Sabbath, the Jewish holy day, and keep its laws and customs. Judaism originated in Israel and there are large amounts of Jews in Israel and in the U.S. Judaism is the world’s oldest monotheistic religion. The most holy Jewish book is the Torah. Others include Judaism's oral tradition, the written form of which is known as the Talmud. Holy days for Jews are Bar mitzvah is for boys and means Son of the Commandment and Bat mitzvah is for girls and means Daughter of the Commandment. They are both special ceremonies where Jewish boys (aged 13) and girls (aged 12) can become adults in the eyes of the Jewish religion. Passover (Pesach in Hebrew) is celebrated to commemorate the liberation of the Children of Israel who were led out of slavery in Egypt by Moses. Hanukkah is the Jewish Festival of Lights. It is an eight day holiday starting on the 25th night of the Jewish month of Kislev. Religious leaders include the Rabbis and another historical leader is Abraham, the founder. The symbol or emblem of the Jewish people is the Magen David (Shield of David), also known as the Star of David. There are numerous legends or myths in the holy books of Judaism. Jews worship in Synagogues. Men and women usually sit separately and men are required to cover their heads with caps called “kippahs”. In most cases worship takes place in Hebrew. There is nothing within Judaism that causes fear in society because it’s a peaceful religion. The beliefs of Judaism has had an impact on other religions because they all cover the same concepts and have integrated them into their societies lifestyles. There have been no significant changes in belief overtime. 

Christianity was founded in Israel by Jesus, and was spread by its missionary activity. The main beliefs of a christian is that there is one God and his son is Jesus Christ. They believe that Jesus died for humanity and he will be resurrected. Christians worship in a place called a Church. Christian worship involves praising God in music, speech, readings from scripture, prayers of various sorts, a sermon and various holy ceremonies. Most Christians go for worship on Sunday mornings. The place of origin was Israel and it’s found all over the world today. Over 2.2 billion followers around the world. Chrisitsnity is monotheistic. The Christian holy book is called the Bible which is now in Old and New testaments. The two main Christian festivals are Easter and Christmas. They are major milestones in the Western secular calendar. An historical leader would be Jesus and present day religious leaders would be Priests of the Church. The cross is the main symbol. It reminds Christians that Jesus died on the cross to save them. The dove is the symbol of the holy spirit and peace. Christian mythology is the body of myths associated with Christianity and the Bible. Chrisitan personal practices include a Sunday worship service, private and corporate prayer, study and reading of the Scriptures, and participation in ceremonies such as baptism and communion. Nothing within the religion could cause fear within society because it’s a peaceful religion. The impact it has on the world is through the missionary act Christianity spread to most parts of the globe making it the world’s biggest religion. The only changes in Christianity overtime is the New Testaments of the Bible. 

Hinduism was found about 4000 years ago in Northern India, it’s said to be the oldest religion. Hinduism has no specific founder but it was developed from Brahminism. Hindus believe in a universal soul or God called Brahman. They believe he or she takes on many forms that some Hindus worship as gods or goddesses in their own right. Hindus believe that there is a part of Brahman in everyone and this is called the Atman. Hindus believe in reincarnation with that they also believe that all forms of life contain a soul, and all souls have the chance to experience life in different forms. Hindus believe that when a soul is reincarnated then the next life is dependent on how they lived their previous one. They call this karma. Most Hindus worship, which they call puja, every day at there home from a shrine. A shrine can be anything from a room to a small altar or simply pictures or statues. Hindus also have a temple of worship called a Mandir. Most Hindus go for worship at the Mandir on weekends. Family members often worship together. Hinduism originated in India, and is mainly seen today in India, Nepal, and the U.S. and the U.K. The religion is monotheistic as well as henotheisitc, meaning the worship of one God without denying the existence of other Gods. The most ancient sacred texts of the Hindu religion are written in their holy book, Sanskrit and called the Vedas. Hinduism does not just have one sacred book but several scriptures. The two main categories are the Shruti ("that which is heard"), and Smriti ("that which is remembered"). A major holy day for Hindus is the Divali or “festival of lights”, which celebrates the new year. The most famous religious leader of Hinduism was Ramakrishna who was the founder of a religious school. Aum is the main symbol of Hinduism. It’s the sound heard in deepest meditation, and it’s said to be the name most suited for God. Hindu mythology can be found in Hindu texts such as the Vedic literature, epics like Mahabharata and Ramayana, the Puranas, the regional literatures like Periya Puranam are examples of mythology. The practice of Hinduism consists of rites and ceremonies centering on birth, marriage, and death. The first practice is worship, the second practice is cremation, and the third is compliance with the rules if the caste system. Hinduism does not bring any harm to society because it’s a peaceful religion. Hinduism has impacted the world in the sense that it has risen to become one of the top 3 religions in the world today. Hinduism has changed over time because it does not have one founder so people have been able to slightly altered the beliefs.

The founder of Islam is the prophets of God, but Prophet Muhammad (believed to be the last prophet) is said to be the one who revealed the religion in Saudi Arabia. Islam spread through military conquest, trade, pilgrimage, and missionaries. Muslims believe that Allah is the one and only God and he has no sons, daughters, mother, etc. They believe in angels, the holy books, God’s Prophets, the Day of Judgement, and predestination. Muslims are required to pray five times a day whether it’s at their own home or at the dedicated place of worship called a Mosque. Every Friday there is a special ceremony called Jummah. The place of origin is Saudi Arabia and it is found all over the world today. It’s the second most popular religion in the world. Islam is a monotheistic religion because Muslims only believe in one God. The holy book of Islam is called the Qur’an, which they believe is the word of God. Holy days for Islam include Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha. Eid-ul-Fitr is the celebration of the end of Ramadan, which is the month of fasting. Eid-ul-Adha is when Muslim families sacrifice a goat or other animal to Allah in remembrance of the mercy Allah showed Abraham. It also marks the end of Dhu Al-Hijja which is the month when all Muslims at least once in their life should try to complete a pilgrimage to Mecca if they’re able to. Historical leaders in islam are the prophets and present day leaders are the religious leaders of the Mosques called Sheikhs. A crescent moon with a star in the middle is used to symbolize the religion. Islam doesn’t have much myths, but legends were woven around the Prophet Muhammad and the members of his family. There are five duties a Muslim is obligated to complete if they’re are able to they are Shahadah (the declaration of faith), Salah (prayer), Zakat (charity), Saum (fasting), and Hajj (the pilgrimage to Mecca). The religion is mostly about peace so there isn’t any fear causing aspects within the religion. There has been no major or significant changes in Islam overtime. 

Islam was founded by Muhammad, but the “Shia Muslims” founder is his nephew, Ali ibn Abi Talib. The religion was founded during the time and as a result after Prophet Muhammad’s death around 632. Shia Muslims believe that just as a prophet is appointed by God alone, only God has the prerogative to appoint the successor to his prophet. They believe God chose Ali to be Muhammad's successor. Shias prayer is very similar to the Sunnis in the sense that they pray five times a day. The place where it originated is the Middle East and it’s also found there today. It is a monotheisitic religion. The sacred text or holy books for the Shias is also the Qur’an. Shia have a holy day once a year called Ashura. It’s a day of mourning recognized throughout the Shia world and by pilgrimage to the Karbala. A historical leader for the Shi’ite is Ali, Prophet Muhammad’s nephew, who is the founder of the religion. The present day leaders are the Imams or the religious leaders of the mosque. Common symbols for the religion is the lion, sun, and the shahada (testimony). It is said that the founder Ali was to be appointed Prophet Muhammad’s successor but there were others who denied this. The Shia Muslims also have to do Shahadah (the declaration of faith), Salah (prayer), Zakat (charity), Saum (fasting), and a different pilgrimage called to Karbala. One thing that could cause fear in society is when the Shias have their ceremony of self-flagellation. The impact the religion has on world history is that it split the religion of Islam into sub-groups the Sunni Muslims and the Shi’ite Muslims. There is no major changes in beliefs overtime.     

Buddhism was founded in North East India over 2,500 years ago by Siddhartha Gautama, also known as the Buddah). The basic beliefs are Belief in Buddha, Dharma (The teaching of Buddha), and the Sangha (the Buddhist community made up of ordinary people as well as the monks and nuns). The purpose is to help others and by doing so to cease to become selfish and to move on the way towards enlightenment. Buddhisits worship in temples or at home. Every month usually when the moon is full Buddhists visit temples for special religious days. Buddhism originated in North East India and is seen today in Srilanka , Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, Tibet, Thailand, Japan,Korea, Burma, Malaysia ,-Singapore, Vietnam, Taiwan, Cambodia, India. Buddhism is non-theistic meaning it denies that there is a creator or God. The sacred book of Buddhism is called the Tripitaka. It is also called the Pali Canon, after the language in which it was first written. The Buddhits holy day is called Wesak which is the celebration of Buddah’s birth, enlightenment, and death. Buddah is Buddhists historical leader. Symbols of Buddah are the wheel of life which symbolises the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. There is a myth or legend that Buddah was a God. Buddhist worship is called puja they chant to show their love for Buddha and make offerings of flowers, candles, incense and pure water at a shrine. When Buddhist worship alone they usually meditate and read from the Buddhist holy books. Buddah is a peaceful religion and doesn’t cause fear in society. When Gautama passed away around 483 B.C., his followers began to organize a religious movement. Buddha's teachings became the foundation for what would develop into Buddhism. There has been no major or significant changes in the understanding of Buddhism history overtime.

Shinto originated in Japan and does not have a founder.Shinto has four basic beliefs which are tradition and family, love of nature, physical cleanliness, and “Masturi” which is the worship or honor given to the Kami and ancestral spirits. Shinto originated in Japan and is seen mostly in Japan. Shinto polytheistic because its followers worship more than one god. Shinto has no holy or sacred scriptures. Some of the holy days for Shintoism Matsuri it includes music, dance, sumo wrestling, and eating. Shinto doesn’t have any religious leaders because the followers mainly worship nature. The religious symbol is the torii which is a traditional Japanese gate it symbolically marks the transition from the mundane to the sacred. A myth or legend of the religion is that nature such as the sun, mountains, trees, etc. are direct communications from the gods.  People visit shrines at their convenience and some may go to the shrines on the first and fifteenth of each month and on the occasions of rites or festivals (matsuri), which take place several times a year. Devotees, however, may pay respect to the shrine every morning. Nothing in the religion really causes fear in the society. Shinto has formed the way Japanese culture is. There have been no major changes in belief overtime.  

Baha’i originated in Iran in 1844 by the Bab. The basic beliefs of Baha’i is the unity of God, the unity of religion, and the unity of humanity. Bahá'í scripture recommends that the community should meet together for prayer each morning, although this is not commonly done by modern Bahá'ís. The origin of Baha’i was in Iran and is still seen there and some in the United States. The Baha'i Faith is monotheistic they believe that There is only one God, and he can only be understood and approached via his prophets and messengers. The Kitáb-i-Aqdas, or Aqdas, is the holy book of the Bahá'í Faith written by Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the religion, in 1873. Some of the main holy days are the birth of the Bab and the birth of Baha’u’llah both annually in October or November. An historic leader of Baha’i is Baha’u’llah the founder of the faith. The religious symbol is a five-pointed star. The personal practices of Baha’i is obligatory daily prayers, reciting the prayer for the dead at a funeral, and the simple marriage rite. Nothing within the religion could cause fear because it’s about unity. Baha’u’llah’s teachings had the influence of peace on it’s followers. The religion has no major changes overtime.