Christianity-+Group+2

=Period 2= =http://www.sacred-destinations.com/israel/jerusalem-christian-sites.htm= = = = **RESEARCH GUIDE: CHRISTIANITY** = **1. What are the religion's followers called?** **Christians** **2. Religious Text:** (What is it made up of? Give a short explanation.) The Bible -The Old Testament (39 books) composed of many laws -The New Testament (27 books) composed of Jesus' life stories -It's a collection of books, written by many people -It is presumed by Christians to be the final revelation of God

**2. Special Days:** (What are they celebrating? Are there any special activities?) a. Christmas -Celebrated by Christians now on December 25th because it is the believed date of Christ's birth (although many other dates have been considered) - Believed to first be celebrated in Rome, 336 AD; focused more on the death of Christ than his birth - Early Christians did not celebrate it until the late 3rd century AD b. Easter -When Jesus resurrected from the grave -Celebrated in the spring (April Sunday) -Believed to be dead for three days, and then rose from the grave

**3. Person:** (What was this person's role?) Jesus- -When he was 33, Roman authorities in Palestine executed him - Died on a cross, (believed by Christians that this paid for the sins of the world) - Son of God - 1/3 of the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Ghost) - Main part of the religion - Believed by Christians to be the only way to get to God, and through God gain eternal life. - He has many names such as Yahweh and Yeshua of Nazareth -Bethlehem is where he was born

**4. Sacred Sites:** (Where is this site and why is this site special?) Jerusalem- - Located in Israel - Mainly where he preached to people who traveled far to see him speak - The history of Jerusalem is about 5,000 years old - Where Jesus died and rose from the dead Bethlehem- -Jesus was born here, in a manger -It is disputed that the 'stable' he was born in was actually a cave

**5. Major Branches:** (what are the differences in beliefs and actions between these sects?) a. Catholic- -Also known as (Roman Catholic) -A lot of focus and respect for the Virgin Mary(Jesus' Mother) - They believe in a location called purgeratory. People that are living might pray for the dead person, so they can leave purgeratory before they needed to. -Based on works to gain eternal life

b. Protestant- -There are many divisions including but not limited to (Brethren, Mennonite, Lutheran, ect.) -Believes that the only thing you need to do to gain eternal life is accept Jesus' gift of dying on the cross for the world.

**6. Primarily Located in the following countries:** (give numbers/percentages if available) -US: 9 Million -UK: 5 Million -Italy -Mexico -Spain -Poland -33% of people in the world are Christians

**7. Core Beliefs:** (What are the central ideas to the religion? a. There are not many gods, but one God, who who has a son, Jesus  b. You may obtain salvation if you believe and accept that Jesus saved the world from sin*  c. Jesus is eventuallty coming back and judging everyone


 * If you do believe, Christians think that you will be able to go to Heaven, and if you don't, it is believed by many Christians that you will go to Hell. The defenition of Hell is being seperated from God eternally.

[|Christianity]