Religion

To give meaning to life or explain the origin of life or the universe are some of the purposes of religious narratives, symbols, traditions, and sacred histories. Morality, ethics, religious law, or a preferred lifestyle are often drawn from their beliefs about the universe and human beings. The number of religions, churches, denominations, religious bodies and faith groups, tribes, cultures, and movements is expected to grow exponentially shortly.

Although the terms “faith” and “belief system” are sometimes used interchangeably, religion has a public component that private belief does not. Organized religious practices include clerical hierarchies, a definition of what constitutes adherence or membership, regular meetings or services for reverence for a deity or prayer, holy places, or religious texts in most religions. The sacred language of some religions is also used in their liturgical services. 

As well as preaching, a commemoration of the activities of a deity or deities, trance, and other trance-like practices are part of the practice of religion and other aspects of human culture such as public service and music. Out-of-body experiences, near-death experiences, and reincarnation are all examples of paranormal and spiritual l experiences that can be explained by faith in God. Here on the religion hub page, we touch upon these subjects. 

What is Religion?

Organized religion is a set of ideas and rituals dedicated to the belief in and worship of a supreme being, such as a personal god or a higher spiritual power. However, there are many different interpretations of religion, and not all religions are based on the belief in a god, gods, or other supernatural forces.

A wide variety of rituals, beliefs, and texts that have spiritual significance to followers of a particular faith are part of the religious experience: sermons, rites of passage, prayers, meditations, pilgrimages, holy sites, symbols, trances, and feasts.

Religion, according to renowned psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud, is a form of wish fulfillment. On the other hand, modern psychology recognizes that religion can play an essential role in an individual’s life and experiences and even improve health and well-being. 

Studies have shown that religion can help other people develop healthy habits, control their behavior, and better understand their emotions, all of which can significantly impact their overall well-being. Let’s explore more as the religion hub page dives deeper into the types of religion.

Types of Religion

The world has seen the rise and development of a variety of religions. Some have been short-lived, while others have remained and thrived. In this article, the religion hub page will take a look at 7 of the world’s most popular religions in this section.

Christianity

Jesus founded Christianity as the world’s most popular religion more than two thousand years ago in Palestine. He was a charismatic leader who taught his followers about Caritas or treating others as you would like to be treated yourself.

The Bible is considered holy by his followers, the Christians. The religious beliefs of Jews, Christians, and Muslims differ, although they share many familiar historical stories. A messiah or God’s son is prophesied to return to save God’s people in the sacred stories they have in common. 

In contrast to Christians, Jews and Muslims believe that he has already appeared in the form of Jesus Christ. Some believe Christ is an important historical figure but do not believe he is God’s child, and their faiths do not believe the prophecy that he will come is yet to be fulfilled.

The sacred texts of different Christian denominations differ. In the case of Mormons, a well-established Christian sect, this book also explains other aspects of Christian doctrine and Jesus’ life that the Bible doesn’t cover. Protestant Bibles no longer include the Apocrypha, which was included in the 1611 King James translation but is no longer included in Catholic versions of the Bible. 

Despite their monotheistic beliefs, many Christians believe in a God manifest in three persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Spirit (the Holy Spirit). Christians frequently refer to the “Holy Spirit” when describing their religious experiences or the sense of the sacred in their daily lives. The Ten Commandments are a central tenet of Christian teaching, and they condemn a wide range of sins, including theft, murder, and adultery.

Festivals

Easter

During Easter, Christians remember the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus, whom they believe was God’s son, died for everyone’s sins, was resurrected three days later, and those who consider Him will live eternally in Heaven.

Christmas

A distinction was made between the date of Jesus’ birth and the observance of that event in the early Christians’ liturgical calendar. A long time passed before the date of Jesus’ birth was finally observed. Even Jesus’s birthday was opposed in the first two centuries of Christianity because of the persecution of Christians. 

Sarcastic comments about pagan birthday traditions were made by numerous Church Fathers, who felt that the actual “birthday” of a saint was on the day they were martyred rather than on the day they were born.

Ascension Day

On the fourteenth day of Easter, Ascension Day is officially observed (or 39 days after Easter Sunday). Those who work in countries where Ascension Day is a public holiday can take a day off to celebrate the holiday. Because it falls on a Thursday, a lot of people opt for a long weekend. Shops and offices tend to be less crowded on Fridays between significant holidays. Public holidays and special services are held at churches across Indonesia on Ascension Day, even though Christianity is a minority religion there.

Often referred to as Father’s Day, Ascension Day in Germany is celebrated by many Protestant men with herrenpartien “outings.” Many Swedes get up early in the morning to hear the birds chirping before the sun rises. If a cuckoo can be heard from the east or west, it is considered good luck. They are referred to as “gökotta” or “early morning cuckoo” in Finnish.

Hinduism

Next up on the religion hub page insight is Hinduism. More than 80% of Indians practice Hinduism, making it the country’s dominant religion. It has no founder, unlike other religions. It is widely regarded as the world’s oldest religion, dating back to prehistoric times.

There is no single religion or philosophy that binds Hindus together. One can be a monotheist, a polytheist, or even an atheist in their beliefs. Hinduism is a religion that accepts and incorporates a wide range of influences from other religions. Written in Sanskrit and referred to as the Vedas, these sacred texts are considered the foundation of Hinduism. 

The Rig-Veda is the oldest of the four Vedic books. Various gods, the universe, and creation are all addressed in this book. Some of the Upanishad commentaries speculate about deity’s nature and how atman and Brahman are related. Meditation, yoga, and karma are all endorsed by them.

Epics, which tell tales of gods and humans, are another type of sacred writing. There’s the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, which date from roughly 200 BCE to 200 AD. Bhagavad-Gita, an influential text, is included in the former. It describes the three paths to salvation. In the Puranas, myths of Hindu gods and heroes are detailed and religious practices and cosmology.

Hindus believe that Brahman is the fundamental principle and source of all things. There is a divine intelligence that permeates all living things, including the soul. Consequently, Brahman manifests itself in the form of numerous Hindu gods and goddesses. According to the Hindu belief system, all living things, from plants on the ground to divine beings in the sky, are entangled in an endless cycle of rebirth and death.

The rites and ceremonies of Hinduism revolve around birth, marriage, and death. Various Hindu temples are considered the residences of the deities, and offerings are made to them. Varanasi, on the banks of Ganges, is one of the most sacred cities in India and a place of pilgrimage. Vishnu, Shiva, and Shakti, and their various incarnations, are among the most popular Hindu deities. Brahma, the God of creation, is also important. Hindus also revere the human saints.

Festivals

Diwali

Diwali, or Deepavali, is the most widely celebrated festival in the subcontinent of India. The triumph of good over evil is at the heart of Diwali’s central theme of light triumphing over darkness. Evening festivities include glistening lamps, spectacular fireworks, and a sumptuous traditional banquet.

Holi

In India, Holi is a celebration of color and the beginning of spring. An effigy of Holika, a demon from Hindu mythology, is burned at the beginning of Holi to symbolize the victory of good over evil. There is no end to the partying around the bonfire until the embers have died out. The following day begins with people dousing themselves in colored powder, drinking, and occasionally consuming bhang, a cannabis-based edible.

Onam

Traditional sports like boat races and tug of war are part of the fun at Kerala’s state festival, Onam, which is celebrated with great enthusiasm. A demigod named Mahabali makes a triumphant return to the land of his birth during the Onam festival, which has its roots in the same mythology as Holika and the Holi festival. 

Although Mahabali is held in the highest regard while Holika is not, the triumph of hope over despair is celebrated in both cases. Onam is becoming a religiously diverse festival in Kerala as it spreads across the state’s religious divides.

Maha Shivaratri

The Hindu pantheon is headed by Shiva, who is revered as the destroyer of all evil. The ‘great night of Shiva,’ also known as Maha Shivaratri, honors Shiva’s omnipotence. Praying to the lord instead of going to sleep is a common practice. Fasting and chanting the Tandava hymns, a dance performed by Lord Shiva, are the mainstays of Maha Shivaratri for most of Lord Shiva’s devotees.

Rama Navami

In Hinduism, the epic poem Ramayana holds great religious significance. Immoral creatures are killed, the realm is conquered, and order is established by Lord Rama’s divine powers and benevolence. Rama Navami, the date Lord Rama was born, is marked by charitable acts, recitations, and prayers.

Taoism

China’s religion of Taoism is heavily influenced by ancient philosophical works, such as the Tao Te Ching, which is known as The Classic of Tao and its Virtue. In the past, scholars thought this book was written by Lao-tzu, a 6th-century B.C. quasi-historical philosopher; now, they believe it was written in the 3rd century B.C. The philosopher Chuang Tzu also had a significant impact on Taoism’s fundamental beliefs.

To the Taoists, the ultimate reality of the universe is Tao, also known as the Way. Humans can live in harmony with this creative process if they remove themselves from the WayWay. The simplicity and spontaneity of Tao can be experienced by cultivating Wu-wei, a type of inaction that is characterized by humility and prudence. 

It is counterproductive and unnecessary to strive for virtue or achievement. Taoism places a high value on inner reflection and harmony. The Chinese concept of yin and yang, or complementary duality, serves as a model of harmony for the human being, viewed as a microcosm of the universe.

These ancient philosophies and Chinese shamanistic traditions spawned the religious practices of Taoism, which developed into an organized religion by the 2nd century A.D.; Breathing exercises, meditation, and the use of medicinal plants, talismans, and magical formulas were used to achieve long life and immortality. It also emerged that Lao Tzu had been reincarnated as a deity. Taoists established monastic orders as a result of Buddhist influence. The I ching and other forms of divination, such as temple worship, were commonplace.

There have been numerous Taoist sects since Taoism’s inception. Faith healing, exorcism, immortality worship, meditation, and alchemy are some of the practices that adhere to the philosophical roots of the religion. Some sects were influenced by Buddhism and Confucianism, while others were secret societies.

Taoism is still practiced in mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong despite efforts by the current Chinese government to suppress it. It had a significant impact on Chinese art and literature, and Westerners have been interested in Taoist philosophy.

Festivals

The Lantern Festival

On the 15th of the first month of the lunar calendar (Yuan), the Lantern Festival, also known as Yuan Xiao Festival, is celebrated in China and other Asian countries to honor deceased ancestors. Reconciliation, peace, and forgiveness are the goals of the Lantern Festival. This holiday marks the beginning of the new lunar year and the end of Chinese New Year celebrations.

When the festival is in full swing, houses are decorated with colorful lanterns, often with riddles written on them, and those who correctly answer the riddle receive a small reward. Additionally, there are parades, lion-and-dragon-dancing, and firework displays at festivals. Yuanxiao or Tangyuan, a glutinous rice ball filled with fruit and nuts, is eaten during the festival. The roundness of the balls is a metaphor for the cohesiveness of the family.

Tomb-Sweeping Day

To the Han Chinese of mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and the ethnic Chinese of Malaysia and Singapore, the Qingming festival or Ching Ming Festival (also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day in English) is a traditional Chinese festival. The 5th solar term of the Chinese lunisolar calendar begins on this day. In most cases, offerings would include traditional food and the burning of joss sticks and joss paper. The holiday honors the Chinese tradition of respecting ancestors.

Hungry Ghost Festival

When ancestors’ spirits come back from the underworld, the 15th day of the seventh lunar month is known as “Ghost Day” in Chinese culture, and the entire seventh month is known as “Ghost Month.” Instead of paying homage to their departed ancestors as they would during Qingming or Double Ninth Festival, the living participants in the Ghost Festival when the dead are said to visit the living in the form of ghosts.

Buddhism

Siddhartha Gautama, son of a warrior king, founded Buddhism in northern India during the fourth or fifth century B.C. According to some scholars, he lived between the years 563 and 483 BC. As a twenty-nine-year-old, he left his privileged upbringing in Nepal and comfortable existence to become an ascetic, searching for religious insight and a solution to the difficulties of human life. He went through a lot of hardship and self-sacrifice. 

As he meditated under the bodhi tree, he reached a state of spiritual enlightenment and shared this knowledge with his followers.

At Gautama’s death, he advocated anatman, which is the idea that existence is fleeting. This realization aids in letting go of the desire for fleeting things..” Gautama did not advocate extreme self-denial but rather an orderly existence is known as the Middle Way. Reincarnation, a cycle of rebirth and death, was the belief he shared with the Hindus. 

As far as he was concerned, the only way to break it was to completely detach yourself from the rest of the world. Nirvana, an incomprehensible state of total transcendence, could then be achieved. To spread the dharma, Gautama traveled the world and became known as the Buddha. They developed doctrine and practice based on the Three Jewels: the Dharma, the Sangha, and Buddha after he died. 

Thanks to Ashoka the Mauryan, it is thanks to Buddhism spread across India and Asia in the Mauryan period. Buddhist temples and monasteries were built during this time. His relics were revered at shrines known as stupas. While Buddhism was dying out in India by the fourth century A.D., it thrived elsewhere in Asia.

Festivals

Ullambana

Just like Halloween, this famous Buddhist festival is held on October 31st in the lunar calendar, which is a lot like how Americans celebrate it. Reincarnation is a return of the deceased to see those they left behind for Buddhist ancestors, who hold that this is the day on which the “Gates of Hell” open. Good luck and prosperity are brought in by feeding the spirits of the dead and other hungry souls.

Losar

When it comes to Tibetan Buddhism, this is one of the most important festivals. People dress up in new clothes and visit family members to celebrate the holiday season. As a way of asking for blessings on good health and harmony, they offer religious institutions. The Buddhist monks perform an awe-inspiring Cham Dance as part of this festival. Positive forces triumph over negative ones, and that is what the dance depicts. The Losar festival marks the starting of the new year for Tibetans.

Pavarana Day

The Aashvin supermoon of the lunar month marks the end of the three lunar moons of Vassa, also known as Buddhist Lent, which is celebrated during this time. To atone for any transgressions committed during the rainy season of Vassa, each monk must attend the Sangha on this day of the festival. This ritual marks the end of the rainy season.

Islam

570 C.E. Mecca-born prophet Muhammad is the guiding figure of the Islamic faith, based on Islam’s holy book, the Koran. Muslims regard Muhammad as the prophet and the messenger of Allah, both deities rather than a deity. In the United States, Muslims practice Islam and are expected to double in population in the next twenty years.

In Islam, “submission” is a synonym for “peace.” The Qur’an is the Muslim faith’s sacred text. Few of the stories in the Qur’an are similar to those found in the Bible’s Old Testament. These five beliefs or practices, or “pillars,” guide all Muslims, regardless of religious affiliation. First and foremost, Allah is the only God. Muhammad is Muhammad’s messenger; second, daily prayer; third, helping the poor; fourth, fasting; and fifth, pilgrimage to Mecca, the holy center of Islam.

Festivals

Eid-ul-Fitr

During this festival, Muslims celebrate the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. It comes to an end when the new moon is spotted in the sky. Special prayers are said, family members are reunited, food is eaten, and gifts are exchanged during the annual pilgrimage to their mosques. As a result of fasting during Ramadan and experiencing Allah’s blessings firsthand, it’s a time of gratitude.

Hajj

In this case, the Kaaba pilgrimage to Mecca is taking place. It’s a goal for Muslims to do this at least once in their lifetime. It is a common practice for pilgrims to wear identical clothing to show that they are all equal in the eyes of Allah. They walk counterclockwise for seven laps. 

Muhammad preached his final sermon from Mount Arafat, where they walked or ran seven times between two hills. Muslims throw stones at three stone pillars depicting Satan as they make their way back to Mecca. A final seven-circle around the Kaaba follows.

Eid-ul-Adha

Eid-ul-Adha, the final day of the Hajj, is marked by the slaughter of a sheep or goat. Ibrahim (Abraham) was asked to sacrifice his son, Isma’il is recalled in this memorializing (Ishmael). God provided a lamb for Ibrahim to sacrifice instead of his son to signify his submission to Him. In honor of God’s kindness and Ibrahim’s obedience, this festival is held annually. There are numerous varieties of this story in different religions’ sacred texts, including the Koran, the Bible, and the Old Testament.

Eid Ul-Ghadir

Shia communities around the world mark the anniversary of the completion of the final message of the Holy Prophet Mohammed regarding his succession. Mohammed migrated from Mecca to Medina during Hajj in the tenth year of Hijra, or Ghadir-e-Khun.

Judaism

Jewish religion dates back nearly 4,000 years, making it the oldest monotheistic religion in the world. Judaism adherents believe in only one God who was revealed to them by the prophets of old. The history of Judaism is necessary to grasp the depth of the Jewish faith’s rich legacy of law, culture, and traditions.

Prophets are used by their God to communicate with believers and reward good deeds while punishing evil. Synagogues and rabbis are sacred places of worship for the Jewish people. The six-pointed Star of David is the symbol of Judaism.

There are currently 14 million Jews in the world. In the United States and Israel, they make up the majority of the population. The Tanakh, or “Hebrew Bible,” is the Jewish sacred text. It has the same books as the Christian Bible’s Old Testament, but they’re arranged differently.

Judaism’s laws are laid out in the Torah, which is the first five books of the Tanakh. In some circles, it’s known as the Pentateuch or the Torah. The Torah explains the origins of Judaism in great detail. Textual evidence suggests that he first showed a Hebrew man named Abraham God’s face. He is credited with founding Judaism.

That Abraham and his descendants were chosen for a great nation by God is one of the core beliefs of Judaism.

Isaac and Jacob, Abraham’s son and grandson, were also important figures in Jewish history. As a result of Jacob’s decision to call himself Israel, his descendants and their descendants became known as Israelites. 

After being enslaved for hundreds of years, Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt more than 1,000 years after Abraham. At Mt. Sinai, God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, according to the Bible.

Festivals

Hanukkah

The festival of lights, Hanukkah, is celebrated every eight days during December. In late November or December, it takes place. There was only sufficient oil to last a few days when the temple was rededicated following a period of persecution. For some reason, the oil supply lasted for an incredible eight days before more had to be sourced. Hanukkah prayers revolve around lighting the Menorah, an eight-candle candelabra that represents the festival’s eight days and has an extra candle for lighting the others.

Passover or Pesach

Spring marks Passover or Pesach, commemorating the Jewish people’s liberation from slavery in Egypt and their journey to Israel. Celebrations of Passover are marked by the reading of the Haggadah, which tells the story of the Jewish people’s Exodus from Egypt. The Exodus can be relieved at the dinner table thanks to a variety of ritual objects.

Shabbat

It is customary for Jewish holy days to begin and end at the same time each day. The Shabbat begins at sunset on Friday and ends at sunset on Saturday. Songs, readings, and prayers are all part of the special Sabbath meal. Begin with the blessing of Shabbat candles, wine, and bread, and continue with the recitation of the Torah.

Confucianism

Chinese people have practiced Confucian ethics for more than two millennia, based on the teachings of Confucius in the sixth and fifth centuries B.C. For centuries, it has served as a means of education and a moral compass for Chinese people. As a result, it has significantly impacted other countries, including Korea, Japan, and Vietnam.

Confucianism is a worldview, a social ethic, a political ideology, a scholarly tradition, and a way of life with no Chinese equivalent. Confucianism is a faith practiced by many people in East Asia, even scientists, Daoists, Buddhists, Muslims, or Christians.

Consistent with the major religious traditions of the past, Confucianism is not an organized religion. Despite this, Chinese literate culture has spread to other East Asian countries and profoundly impacted spiritual and political life. Confucianism’s theory and practice have profoundly impacted East Asian society, government, education, and family life. 

Even if it is an exaggeration to characterize traditional Chinese life and culture as Confucian, Confucian ethical values have served for more than 2,000 years as the source of inspiration and People’s Court of Appeal for Human Interaction in the Sinitic World.

Festivals

Confucius birthday

In honor of Confucius, China’s ‘First Teacher,’ the annual Grand Ceremony dedicated to Confucius is held on September 28th. Confucius’ birthplace, Qufu, and the Confucius temple in Taipei, Taiwan, are the primary locations where the event is celebrated. The ceremony begins with three drum rolls and a procession of musicians, dancers, and participants stopping every five steps from pausing before moving on to their designated location for the 60-minute long presentation. 

As a result, the temple’s gates open, allowing the departed master’s spirit to enter. After bowing three times, food and drink offerings are made, and “The Song of Peace” is played with traditional Chinese instruments. To show respect to people of different social classes, the Zhou Dynasty began performing the Ba Yi dance.

Qing Ming

More than twenty-five hundred years after it was first celebrated, the Chinese Qingming Festival is still observed. Chinese mugwort (also known as barley grass) and glutinous rice make the traditional green dumplings called qingtuan.

On April 5th, Taiwan used to have a public holiday to commemorate Chiang Kai-death. She was on that date in 1975, but now that Chiang’s popularity has waned, this tradition is no longer observed. There, people eat a Jersey cudweed confection known as caozaiguo or shuchuguo.

Chongmyo Taeje

The Chongmyo (or Jongmyo) Shrine in Seoul, Korea, hosts the Confucian memorial ceremony known as Chongmyo Taeje to honor the Yi (or Joseon) Dynasty’s kings and queens (1392-1910). The royal ancestors’ tablets are housed in a serene garden in the heart of Seoul at this shrine. 

Many royal descendants, dressed in their ancestors’ traditional attire, participate each year as a tribute. Music and dance accompany the rituals. Confucianism has a long tradition of honoring ancestors, and this ceremony is a grand expression of that tradition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Hindus worship cows?

Assumptions like these are common, but they are incorrect. Cows are not worshiped in Hinduism, but they are held in high esteem because of their bestowing gifts upon humanity. If we stop to think about it, the milk cows produce helps us grow into healthy adults and is often consumed throughout our lives. 

In addition to milk, cows provide us with butter and yogurt, by-products of the milking process. Dairy cows play an important role in Hinduism because of the pancagavya—the five components of the pancagavya—milk, curds, ghee, urine, and cow dung. In India, cow dung is sometimes used to make tilaks or forehead markings. 

They believe that cow excrement can be used to clean and disinfect the human body, and thus, they believe that cows are an excellent source of natural cleaning and sanitation products for humans. 

Isn’t faith just irrational and emotive? 

The Oxford English Dictionary defines belief as evidence, testimonies, or authority. Evidence and testimony are not the opposite of faith. A person’s faith is based on logic. A lot of evidence backs up this claim. However, not all aspects of your trust are proven when you place your faith in something or someone. You may have a good reason to believe in someone, and that’s all you need to do. 

Every time we walk into a doctor’s office and put our health in their hands, we’re practicing faith. We’re putting our faith in their authority, documentation, and other such things. And we agree there is a lot of evidence to support Christianity, both biblical and philosophical. There needs to be enough evidence for someone to believe that this is a reasonable way of understanding the world. 

Is a God or deity a requirement for a religion?

Attempts to communicate with God through religion are a human endeavor. The existence of a supreme deity is not required in this view of religion. Many people embraced deities like the sun and pantheons like the Greeks throughout history as they sought to connect with God through “anything goes” religions.

Who was Jesus?

Throughout the history of Christianity, people have always held to the belief that Jesus was more than just a good man. That he came from and returned to his Father’s presence is a belief that we hold. Whether or not Jesus was who he claimed to be is critical to the entire Christian faith.

Today, there is no credible academic who denies that Jesus existed. 

Historians widely agree that he was a remarkable teacher who performed miracles 2,000 years ago that people couldn’t understand. As a result, a number of those disciples were put to death for refusing to back down. If they didn’t believe Jesus had been raised, why would they do it?

Similarly, Jesus claimed to be God in human form, sent to save us from ourselves. “He was either mad, bad, or God,” wrote CS Lewis, a Christian author, and pastor. This man was either delusional or telling the truth. Because he claimed to be more than just a good teacher, it’s impossible to dismiss him as such.

Why should I go to church?

Many people think the church is out-of-date and even reactionary. The dreary sermon, the endless fundraising, and the untidy churchyard are all well-known church stereotypes. It is possible to find God’s love in the warmth of the fellowship and the energy of the worship at churches. 

As a result of their concern for the world we live in, many are eager to study what it means to be loved ones of Jesus today. This is not a group of saints but a group of sinners who meet every week to ask God for forgiveness.

As Christians, we can grow in our faith and commitment to God by attending church regularly. It is probable to be a Christian without attending church; doing so would be like cutting off your oxygen supply while climbing Mount Everest. In the long run, it’s better to have the support and encouragement of others.

Why did Jesus get crucified?

Why did Jesus get crucified? The simple answer might be that he was a radical preacher who disturbed his time’s religious and political leaders with his radical ideas, exposing their hypocrisy and causing their jealousy.

It ignores the fact that Jesus gave up his life voluntarily and that no one took it from him. For our sake, he gave up his life. His death on the cross means that we can be free of our sins.

We all know that forgiveness is expensive, and God’s forgiveness of us was expensive for him. That is why Jesus Christ had to die.

While writing this piece for the religion hub page, we realized that there are things we all do that we know are wrong. We can’t have a proper relationship with God because of these things. We can begin a new relationship with God only when we approach him and ask for his forgiveness. We can have this relationship because Jesus died for us. God’s love for us and all of his creation becomes clearer as we begin to understand what that means.