Key WordsAgnostic: someone who says we cannot know whether God existsAtheist: someone who does not believe that God existsOmnibenevolent: all-loving; all-kind; all-goodOmnipotent: all-powerfulOmniscient: all-knowing; all-awareTheist: someone who believe that God exists

The Nicene Creed says: “WE BELIEVE in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.”Th

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The Qur’an says: ”This is Allah: your Lord, there is no God but He, the creator of everything.” (Surah 6:102)

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Christians, Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus all believe in one God. They each understand God in their own way, using their own holy books to explain what God is (and

sometimes isn’t).

Most Christians think of God as Trinity: God the Father who created everything, God the Son (Jesus) who died to save humanity from their sin, and God the Holy Spirit who still exists in the world today and inspires Christians.

Muslims believe that God is One. The Arabic word for God, Allah, means ‘One God’ and cannot have a plural. They believe that God has many characteristics, as described in the Qur’an, that help people to have a better understanding of God, but never a complete one. Like Christians, Muslims believe that God is the all-powerful creator of the universe.

Hindus refer to God as Brahman, the Supreme Being. They believe that God has no partners, equals or physical form and is an entirely spiritual being. They also believe that the divine soul of Brahman can manifest itself in

different bodies, such as the Trimurti (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva) but that these bodies are not Brahman as Brahman is beyond human understanding. They believe that the Universe was created from Brahman.

Sikhs know God as Waheguru. They believe that God created the universe at a time known only to God. They believe that before creation, God existed in a state of deep meditation, and that creation began because God willed it.

Religion in Middlesbrough: Christianity

Key WordsChristian: someone who believes in God and follows the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Church (C): a group of Christians.

church (c): the building where Christians meet and worship.

Salvation: the Christian belief that they have been saved from a punishment (going to hell when they die) through the death of Jesus Christ.

Trinity: the Christian belief that there is one God who is known to them in three different ways.

Religion in Middlesbrough according to the 2011 census: Religion Religious people

Christianity Christian

Islam Muslim

Hinduism Hindu

Sikhism Sikh

Buddhism Buddhist

The Trinity is God the Father, God the Son (Jesus) and God the Holy Spirit

26 While they were eating, Jesus took some bread. He thanked God for it and broke it. Then he gave it to his followers and said, “Take this bread and eat it. This bread is my body.” 27 Then Jesus took a cup of wine. He thanked God for it and gave it to the followers. He said, “Every one of you drink this. 28 This is my blood which begins the new agreement that God makes with his people. This blood is poured out for many to forgive their sins. 29

Jesus is also called:• God the Son• Jesus Christ• The Messiah• The Son of God• The Son of Man

Key WordsBrahman: the ultimate reality – one 'Supreme Spirit' in many forms. Brahman is male, female and even animal.Deity: a god. Murti: a picture or a statue of a Hindu god or goddess. Puja: an act of daily worship.

Religion in Middlesbrough according to the 2011 census: Religion Religious person

Christianity Christian

Islam Muslim

Hinduism Hindu

Sikhism Sikh

Buddhism Buddhist

Diwali is usually in October and November. It celebrates the victory of good over evil and is linked to stories about demons being killed by Krishna and Rama, and Lakshmi being born and married.

Religion in Middlesbrough: Hinduism

Religion in Middlesbrough: Islam

Key Words

Allah: an Arabic word which means “God” Muhammad: an Arabic, male name. In this case we are referring to the Prophet Muhammad. Muslim: someone who believe in Allah and follows the teachings of the Qur’an. Prophet: a messenger from God.Qur’an: a book Muslims believe to come from Allah. Their Holy Book.

Religion in Middlesbrough according to the 2011 census:Religion Religious person

Christianity Christian

Islam Muslim

Hinduism Hindu

Sikhism Sikh

Buddhism Buddhist