INTRODUCTION

The following faith group snapshot videos are provided by practicing members from various religious groups. They are intended to orient viewers to basic religious aspects/beliefs and raise awareness of the referenced group for the purpose of better understanding the religious practices of others. These individual perspectives should not be interpreted as official or final religious doctrine or as the official views of, or endorsed by, the United States Government, the Department of Defense, or the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute.

AGNOSTICISM

When asked whether a deity or deities exist, Agnostics don't have a definite yes or no answer. They hold these beliefs about God's existence. Each Agnostic has been unable to find convincing evidence that one or more deities exist. They have also been unable to find convincing proof that no deity exists.  Nathan Raju presents the following perspectives.

BUDDHISM

Buddhism follows the teaching of the Lord Gautama Buddha, born Siddhartha, an Indian prince who lived circa 560-480 BCE.  The following perspectives are presented by Mr. Andrei Adaryukov.

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CHRISTIANITY

Historically, Christianity can be considered and broken down into three main branches consisting of Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestantism, as, respectively, within and outside the "mystical body" of the Church. However, the gradual movement toward ecumenism since the mid-20th century, particularly between the Roman Catholic and major Protestant Churches, has led theologians and popes to search for a more inclusive understanding of membership in the mystical body of Jesus Christ.  Deacon Michael McElwee presents the Roman Catholic perspective, Chaplain (Capt) Jason Gunnels present the Protestant-Baptist perspective, and Chaplain (LtCol) Calvin Dixon the Protestant-Pentecostal perspective.

HINDUISM

Hinduism is a religion that originated and developed in India over the last 3000-3500 years. Hinduism is today practiced by the majority in India. It is the third largest world religion.  Dr. Minal Desai offers the following perspectives.

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ISLAM

The Prophet Mohammad, born in Mecca, in what we now know as Saudi Arabia in about 570 CE, received the Book of Allah, the Qur'an, through divine revelation beginning in 610 CE. Over a period of 23 years, the Qur'an was completed and defined the faith of Islam, which is today one of the major religions of the world. Mohammad died in 632 CE.  The following perspectives are provided by Dr. Muzaffar Shaikh.

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JUDAISM

Jews trace the history of their faith back to the beginning of time and the creation of the world and humanity. The Torah, the sacred scripture of Judaism, begins with the Book of Genesis, telling of God's creation of the world and of humanity.

Additional Resources

► Facts on Judaism
► Day's of Remembrance Resource Base
► U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum

Introduction to

WICCA

Most followers of Wiccan believe in a single ultimate reality that pervades the universe and is expressed in the Goddess and God. Most Wicca traditions worship the two deities as equals where none deserves more importance than the other. An attempt is usually made to reflect this balance in the coven, although men tend to be a minority in the Wiccan religion. 

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