Religion
Christianity is the most popular
religion in USA and Britain
Religion is reflected in art, culture,
and even politics
eg Christian Coalition (a group within
the Republican Party)
Christianity
Jesus Christ lived 2000 years ago, in
the Middle East
Bible (holy book of Christianity):
Old Testament: Jewish writings
New Testament: early Christian
writings (including the life of Jesus)
Christianity says:
There is one God
Jesus was God, in human form
Love God
Love your neighbour (other humans)
Roman Catholic Church
Pope in Rome
before 1517 AD: Roman Catholic
church was the most powerful
organisation in Europe
597 AD: the Roman Catholic church
was formally established in Britain
Reformation
1517 AD: the Protestant church
originated in Europe
1534 AD: Church of England was
established
Religion in Britain
Most English are Protestants
Church of England (Anglican), Methodist, Congregational,
Baptist, Quakers, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, etc
Roman Catholic
Jews
Other (especially new migrants)
<1% English regularly go to church
Northern Ireland
17th century: English migrants
late 19th century: campaign for
“home rule”
1914: violence increases
1922: Northern Ireland created
Northern Ireland
60% Protestant, 40% Catholic
1960s: Catholic civil rights movement
1972 “Bloody Sunday”: British
soldiers kill 13 Catholics in a peaceful
march
violence continues
Religion in USA
American Constitution:
– freedom of religion
– separation of religion from government
About 50% of Americans regularly go
to church
(much more than many Western
countries)
Religion in USA
Over 1000 religion groups
60% Protestant
25% Catholic
3% Jewish
The many Protestant groups exist
side-by-side, and may even preach
in each other’s churches.
Cults
– small, very religion group
– usually under one person’s control
– may leave their jobs and families
People’s Temple 1978: 914 people
killed themselves by drinking poison
Heaven’s Gate 1997: 39 people
killed themselves, to get to heaven