Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak around 500 years ago in a place called the Punjab. This is an area which spans part of India and Pakistan in South Asia today.

Sikhs believe in one God who guides and protects them. They believe everyone is equal before God. Sikhs believe that your actions are important and you should lead a good life. They believe the way to do this is:

• Keep God in your heart and mind at all times
• Live honestly and work hard
• Treat everyone equally
• Be generous to those less fortunate than you
• Serve others

Judaism began nearly 4,000 years ago in a place called the Middle East. This is a large area on the border of Asia, Africa and Europe.

Jews believe that there is only one God. They believe they have a special agreement with God called a covenant. Jews promise to obey God’s laws to say thank you to him for looking after them.

Christianity is focussed on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe to be the Son of God. Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the Middle East over 2,000 years ago.

Christians believe there is only one God, but that he is revealed in three different forms:

• God the Father
• God the Son
• The Holy Spirit

Christians model themselves on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus taught people to love God and love their neighbour.

Christians believe that God sent Jesus to live as a human being in order to save humanity from the consequences of its sins – the bad things humanity had chosen to do which had separated them from God.

Christians believe that through the death and resurrection of Jesus this broken relationship with God is restored.

The word ‘Islam’ in Arabic means submission to the will of God.

Followers of Islam are called Muslims. Muslims believe there is one true God Allah (the Arabic word for God).

Muslims believe that Islam was revealed over 1,400 years ago in Mekkah, Arabia through a man called Muhammad.

Muhammad is so respected that it is usual for Muslims to say ‘peace be upon him’ whenever they mention his name.

Muhammad is believed by Muslims to be the last prophet sent by God (Allah). They believe God sent prophets to mankind to teach them how to live according to His law.

Jesus (Isa), Moses (Musa) and Abraham (Ibrahim) are other respected prophets.

Buddhism started in India over 2,500 years ago. Buddhists follow the teachings of a man called Siddhattha Gotama. He became known as the Buddha, which means ‘enlightened’.

Siddhattha Gotama was a prince who lived a life of luxury. When he was 29, Siddhattha went outside his palace and saw people suffering for the first time.

He decided to leave his palace and live among holy men in search of truth. His search took him six years, but he became enlightened while meditating under a fig tree.

Following this, Siddhattha became known as the Buddha, which means the ‘awakened’ or ‘enlightened’ one. From then on, he dedicated his life to spreading his teachings.

Hinduism is over 4,000 years old, making it one of the world’s oldest religions. It is made up of a variety of different religious beliefs and practices. It originated near the Indus River in India. The name ‘Hindu’ comes from the word Indus.

Central to Hinduism is the belief in a supreme God Brahman. Brahman is present everywhere and there is a part of Brahman in everyone.

Brahman takes many forms. Especially three forms called the Trimurti.

• Brahma is the creator of the world and all creatures. He is usually shown with four heads.

• Vishnu is the preserver of the world. His role is to return to the earth in troubled times and restore the balance of good and evil. He has blue skin and four arms.

• Shiva is the destroyer of the universe. Shiva destroys the universe in order to re-create it. Shiva has blue skin, a third eye and carries a trident.

Hindus believe that life is a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. They also believe that the next life depends on how the previous life was lived.