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Holidays of Different Religions
Introduction
Religion is an important aspect of the society because of the fundamental roles that it plays. Recent religious research ascertains that currently, the world comprises of twelve major religions. Before 1800, there were only three world religions that included the Christians, Pagans and Jews. Then, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism emerged in the 1800s. Since then, various other types have emerged although it is widely contended that they derive their fundamental faiths from these original five. Traditions and practices amongst these differ considerably and are influenced by the ethnic background and nationality of the same. Notably, religious holidays play a significant role in these religions. They give respective adherents a chance to reinforce their common beliefs collectively as well as mark specific times that are important to their faith.
These are usually celebrated annually and they comprise of different activities. While some imply a joyous period that is characterized by laughter and celebration, some are more somber and imply a period of reflection and/or mourning. These events characterized the holidays that constitute various day(s) during which the activities and traditions are observed. It is certain that some holidays are specifically meant for particular religions. However, some are common and therefore shared amongst various groups. It is against this background that this paper provides an intrinsic analysis of the holidays of different religions. It is posited that this would enable the reader to understand and appreciate the inherent differences as well similarities between the same.
In his analysis, Roy ascertains that the Muslims have two main religious holidays that comprise of Eid al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha (44). To begin with, Eid al-Fitr is usually celebrated at the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Usually, this month is characterized by fasting and praying. Eid is an Arabic word that denotes festivity while Fitr implies to break the fast.
Thus literary, this holiday is an indication that the Muslims have officially broken their fasting period. The holiday lasts for three days and usually, the adherents are expected to wake up on the first day and have breakfast that symbolizes that they are no longer fasting. Usually, this is accompanied by a date fruit, after which they are expected to attend a special prayer that is held either in mosques or in open places. This is also characterized by asking for forgiveness from persons they have wronged and helping the needy as an indication of mercy. Usually, they are encouraged to dress on their best clothes and they visit the graveyards, friends, relatives and acquaintances after this special prayer.
Eid Al-Adha on the other hand is also referred to as the greater Eid is a holiday that is cerebrated in remembrance of the willingness that was exhibited by Abraham when he accepted to sacrifice Isaac, his son although God provided him with a ram instead. This was an important symbol of faith as well as obedience to God and Muslims especially in Agrarian communities often sacrifice different animals as an act of observance. Usually, this lasts for a period of three days. However, Rosenberg indicates that in most instances, the period of celebration it is determined by the specific country (39). It is celebrated on an annual basis and specific celebrations begin after the Mecca pilgrimage.
With regard to the holidays of the Hindu religion, it is indicated that this religion has the highest number of the same. In his review, Roy posits that the religion tends to have a religious holiday daily (45). This is due to the fact that currently, more than one thousand holidays have been listed as festivals. Traditionally, it is indicated that the Hindu holidays were entirely influenced by the natural cycle. As such, holidays were celebrated to mark different changes in seasons, to encourage land fertility and to celebrate various harvests. Then, other holidays are associated with certain deities like Ganesh or Shiva. In addition, other holidays were celebrated in remembrance of various events that took place in the lives of the Krishna or Rama. Further, Spicer notes that apart from the national holidays and festivals that the Hindus celebrate collectively, there are numerous more regional celebrations that are upheld to honor different deities (67).
Generally, it is contended that the holidays are geared towards purifying the adherents, averting malicious influences, renewing the society, strengthening the society to overcome challenges and face critical moments with ease, renewing the society and stimulating the vital productive powers of the natural environment. Usually, they are comprised of numerous rituals that range from eating, drinking, love making, feeding the poor, music to processions, prayer, magical actions and worship. Of these numerous holidays, studies cite ten specific ones that are considered to be more important than the rest. These include Diwali, Holi, Rama Navami, Shiva Ratri, Dassera, Navaratri, Kumbh Mela, Ganesha Utsava, Taksabandhana and Krishna Jayanti (Anonymous 1).
The Jewish religion also has a significant number of religious holidays that are celebrated for various purposes. Spicer notes that in some cases, these tend to coincide with the national holidays (67). Traditionally, these holidays were entirely base on the various seasons of the year that are defined by the Agricultural cycle. In this respect, it is contended that there are two cycles of the Jewish religious holidays. These begin with Rosh Hashanah that constitutes the New Year. This is then followed by the day of the atonement and finally the holiday of the booths. They usually take place for several days and in some instances, the government offices remain closed and adherents are allowed to go on vocation.
The following holiday period occurs in spring and is characterized by the Passover and the day of the independence. This usually coincides with the months of April, May and June. During this time, Roy indicates that most of the businesses tend to remain closed and the individuals are allowed to go on vocations (49). The most important holidays in Jewish religion according to studies include Day of Atonement that is characterized by consistent repentance and the festival of lights that is a representation of religious freedom. This usually lasts for a period of eight months and traditionally, participants wear disguises. Further, the Sabbath is also considered very vital and it on Friday afternoon and ends on Saturday evening. Spicer posits that it is usually considered very holy and as such perceived a national holiday too (72).
The Buddhists have also been cited to have numerous religious holidays and relative festivals. In his review, Roy indicates that these are celebrated throughout the year and mainly seem to remember vital events that occurred in the life of various Bodhissattvas or Buddha (57). These holidays are mainly joyful occasions that entail various events. Essentially, on such holidays, adherents begin their day by visiting the temples in which they distribute vital items including food to the monks. In addition, they listen to the Dharma talk. In the afternoon, they usually give food and other important item to the poor within their society, circumambulate as a sign of honoring the Three Jewels, and engage in meditation and chanting.
The first important holiday is called the New Year whose time of celebration varies from country to country but it takes a period of three days. Vessak, which implies Buddha’s birthday, is also an important holiday in Buddhism that is celebrated in May. Further, the Dhamma day implies the day that Buddha made the very first sermon that was delivered at Sarnath Deer Park. The Uposatha that is also referred to as the observance day constitutes four historical days within every month that are mainly observed by Theravada Countries. Then, Rosenberg cites that Kathina ceremony that is marked by the laity offering new robes and numerous other necessities to various monks and nuns (88). This usually happens at the end of a rains retreat season that lasts for a period of three months. Other important holidays and festivals include the floating Bows festival, the elephant festival, the ancestor day that is also called Ulambana and the tooth festival.
Finally, the Christians also have a host of holidays and relative festivals that play a vital role in their worship. Numerous studies of whom Spicer is represented contend that these are characterized by various feasts that commemorate different events in the life of Jesus Christ (78). Thus while some celebrate joyous events like the birth of Christ, others celebrate somber events the entail the death and resurrection of the same. Usually, these provide the Christians with a chance to lay particular focus of their personal discipline, self reflection as well as repentance. At his juncture, Rosenberg appreciates the fact that holidays have often played a critical role in Christianity since historical times (81). The oldest holiday according to this is Easter.
The Christian calendar begins with advent that is celebrated towards Christmas and entails the preparation of the birth of Christ. Christmas festival that is celebrated across the globe and coincides with the end of the year celebrations marks the birth of Jesus Christ who is a central figure in Christian faith. This is then followed by the period of lent whose beginning is marked by Ash Wednesday. According to Roy, Ash Wednesday is characterized by placing of ashes on the foreheads of the adherents (62). The lent period is leads to Easter and entails intensive praying as well as fasting. Before eater, there are other festivals that are celebrated. These include the Mardi Gras that gives the Christians and opportunity to enjoy a feast prior to lent. In addition, there is the Palm Sunday that comes on the last Sunday of the lent season. This is marked in commemoration of the triumphant entry of Jesus in Jerusalem. The lent period takes a total of forty days.
Easter is considered the oldest holiday in Christianity and basically, Christians celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ. It begins on Thursday and goes on till Monday evening. It is considered the most important event in Christian faith because it defines the purpose of their faith. As such, it is posited that this is held in very high regard. After these, there are numerous other feasts and festivals that are celebrated by the church. These include the epiphany that constitutes the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles, the Pentecost that entails the descending of the Holy Spirit to Christ’s apostles, the ascension of Christ in heaven and various other feasts of saints.
At this juncture, it is worth noting that there are numerous factions of Christianity that have different practices. Although the above feasts, festivals and holidays constitute the most fundamental ones, most of the feasts and festivals are not upheld by the various factions. Notably, the catholic church that it also the oldest of all other factions is the only one that upholds all these (Roy 69). Nevertheless, the major holidays such as Christmas and Easter are celebrated by al factions of the same.
Conclusion
At this point, it can be ascertained that religious holidays across various religions are wide and varied. According to this study, these are central in worship and are upheld by the adherents of different religions. It is also certain that different religions celebrate different festivals that are in line with their religious practices. Furthermore, these practices are also considered unique to the particular religion. Thus while there are number of similarities amongst a few religions, most of them differ considerably. It is in this regard therefore, that this paper concludes by appreciating that there are differences in the existing religions that largely define the nature of worship assumed by the specific religions.
Works Cited
Anonymous. Religious Facts. Retrieved, 3rd March, 2010, from: http://www.religionfacts.com/big_religion_chart.htm
Christian, Roy. Religious Festivals: An Encyclopedia. USA: ABC-CLIO, 2005.
Dorothy, Spicer. Understanding Religion. USA: Omnigraphics, 2000.
Neil, Rosenberg. Blue Grass: A history. Illinois: University Press, 2005.
