Interfaith Council
 

Faiths Represented In The Interfaith Council:
Judaism
Christianity
Islam
Hinduism
Buddhism
Baha’I

If you would like to see your faith represented in the Interfaith Council, please email Jennifer Anderson.

Judaism: Abraham, about 4000 years ago, entered into an agreement with the one supreme deity. The Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew Scriptures, presents a written account of the people of Israel as they responded to the call of the deity toward worldwide peace and justice. "Hope for redemption of the world" is a central vision. The family is focal point for religious observances, education, and identity. The Sabbath begins on Friday sundown and continues to Saturday sundown and is observed by worship at the synagogue and family events.

For more info, please visit:
www.jewfaq.org
www.chabad.org
www.torah.org

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Islam: Muhammad, about 1,400 years ago, received the sacred words of the deity . The Qur'an, given to Muhammad by the deity through the Archangel Jibraeel, gives instruction for a complete way of life that is the will of the deity and is to ultimately involve all people on earth. "Submission to Allah" is a central vision. Observance of witness, prayer, almsgiving, fasting and pilgrimage are focal points for Islam and the individual Muslim. Friday is the day for meeting at the mosque for assembly prayers and sermons.

For more info, please visit:
http://www.islam101.com/

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Buddhism: Siddhartha Gautama, who came to be known as Buddha, lived 2,500 years ago in India. He was devoted to finding enlightenment. The Buddha has come to be known as one who embodies perfect wisdom and compassion. Primary text is the Tripitaka or Three Baskets. Teachings of the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path center on constant change, the need to eliminate selfish desires, and right ways to live. Shrines, temples and monasteries are for meditation, discussion and retreat.

For more info, please visit:
http://www.buddhanet.net/

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Hinduism: The many spiritual traditions of India arising over some 3000 years came to be known as Hinduism. Sacred scriptures include the Vedas, the Upanishads, and the Bagavad-Gita. They describe the cycles of life and the meaning of existence. Numerous gods and goddesses express human dramas common to all. Temples are places for prayers, offerings, singing and teaching. Families and individuals observe rituals and festivals at home as well. Calendar dates for sacred times are determined by both solar and lunar computations. Dates also vary by region and sub-group.

For more info, please visit:
www.hindu.org
www.hindunet.org

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Christianity: Jesus Christ, about 2000 years ago, presented the human face of the deity. The Bible, a combination of the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament, tells the story of the deity who enters into the lives of people to lead them to responsibility and eternal reality. "Jesus Christ - Lord of all life" is a central vision. The congregation is a focal point for community life, worship, and identity. Sunday is the day for worship and sacred observance at churches and other meeting places in most Christian groups.

For more info, please visit:
www.christianitytoday.com

Baha’I: Bahá’ís believe that there is one God, that all humanity is one family, and that there is a fundamental unity underlying religion. They recognize that the coming of Bahá'u'lláh has opened the age for the establishment of world peace, when, as anticipated in the sacred scriptures of the past, all humanity will achieve its spiritual and social maturity, and live as one united family in a just, global society. The Bahá’í Faith brings new social principles appropriate to the needs of a global society, such as the oneness of mankind, the equality of rights and opportunities for men and women, the abolition of all forms of prejudice, the essential harmony of science and religion, universal education, the need for a universal auxiliary language, and the elimination of extremes of poverty and wealth.

For more information, please visit:
www.bahai.org