Welcome to Greenwich Multi-Faith Forum

Religion

Religion is a complex adherence to deeply held spiritual beliefs. These may be adhered to by people of many different cultures and ethnic groups. Having some understanding of the world's major religions may help to avoid giving offence, albeit unwittingly, and to help respond in a positive way to people whose beliefs differ from ones own. Having a better understanding of other religions and cultures helps us to value and respect them. It is also important to remember that valuing diversity is about acknowledging what we have in common as much as about our differences. Increasing our knowledge of other people's cultures and beliefs will often lead us to recognise the similarities as much the differences.

Below we offer a basic understanding of some of these different faiths. While only the major world religions have been chosen it is important to recognise that the UK has other religious communities and that beliefs and practices may vary widely within religious and cultural traditions. It is important to remember that all faiths are practised by people from differing backgrounds and traditions and with varying degrees of adherence. For example, not all the Muslims you meet say their prayers five times a day, just as not all Christians go to church every Sunday. However, even people who do not strictly adhere to all of the practices of their religion are affected by the beliefs, rituals and history of the faith they were born into or later adopt. It is equally as important to recognise and respect those people who have no religious belief. Back to top

Bahá'í

The Bahá'í faith is one of the youngest of the world's major religions and was founded by Baha'u'llah in Iran in the 19th century.

The Bahá'í faith accepts the validity of all other religious faiths and traditions. The central idea of the faith is that of unity, and Bahá'ís seek to remove barriers of race, gender, and belief. They believe that people should work together for the common benefit of humanity. Bahá'ís believe in one God

Their main prophet, Baha'u'llah taught that God intervenes throughout human history at different times to reveal more of himself through his messengers (called Divine Messengers, or Manifestations of God).

Bahá'ís recognise Zoroaster, the Buddha, Jesus Christ and the Prophet Muhammad as Manifestations of God, each providing appropriate guidance for their particular time and society.

Bahá'ís are obliged to choose one of three "obligatory" prayers each day: a short prayer to be said between noon and sunset: a medium prayer to be said three times through the day; or a long prayer that can be recited any time in a 24-hour period. The prayers are said privately and not in congregation. Before reciting the prayers Bahá'ís wash their hands and face.

Baha'i's fast for one month (19 days), sunrise to sunset, each year, from 2 March to 20 March. There are exemptions from the requirement to fast for those who are ill, pregnant, breast-feeding, menstruating, or who have been travelling substantial distances. Fasting, like all Bahá'í observances, is a matter of personal conscience and Bahá'ís are not obliged to account for their actions with respect to these observances to anyone.

Local Bahá'í communities meet for the Nineteen Day Feast on the first day of each of the nineteen months in the Bahá'í year. This meeting includes a period for worship, a period for consultation with the community's local elected council (the Local Spiritual Assembly), where there is one, and a period of socialising. If necessary, the Feast may be held on another day in the Bahá'í month.

The timing of the Bahá'í day follows middle-eastern practices in that the day starts at the sunset of the previous day in the Gregorian calendar. Thus, for example, Naw-Ruz begins at sunset on 20 March and finishes at sunset on 21 March. However the date is always shown as 21 March. Bahá'í holy days always fall on the same dates each year. Back to top

Buddhism

Buddhism is a spiritual tradition, founded by Siddhartha Guatama in India, that focuses on personal spiritual development and the attainment of a deep insight into the true nature of life. Buddhism is different from many other faiths for it is not centred on the relationship between humanity and God.

Buddhists do not believe in a personal creator God and does not have the concept of a saviour, nor of heaven and hell in the popular sense. Buddhism encourages people to test its teachings against personal experience.

The faith is 2500 years old; there are about 350 million Buddhists worldwide; the path to enlightenment or Buddhahood is through the practice and development of morality, meditation and wisdom.

Admission to the monastic sangha involves the following :

* Karma - actions have consequences so our lives are conditioned by our past actions

* Rebirth - consciousness continues after death and finds expression in a future life

* Liberation from Karma - by following the Buddha's path one escapes the cycle of craving and suffering

* The Four Noble Truths - the essentials of Buddhism

* Enlightenment - the highest goal of life is to reach enlightenment

* Dharma - the teachings and hence the way to Nirvana

Buddhists can worship both at home or at a temple.

Festivals play a big part in the life of a Buddhist. Wesak is the most important of the Buddhist festivals and is celebrated in May. It celebrates Buddha's birthday and marks the day of the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death. Other holy days include: Dharma Day which marks the beginning of the Buddha's teaching; Sangha Day which celebrates the spiritual community and Paranirvana day that marks the death of the Buddha. Back to top

Christianity

Christians believe in one God who created the universe and created human beings to have a special relationship with him.

The doctrine of the Trinity states that there is one eternal being of God - indivisible, infinite. This one being of God is shared by three co-equal, co-eternal persons, the Father, the Son, and the Spirit.

Christianity began about two thousand years ago as a radical movement within Judaism. It is rooted in the life and teaching of Jesus of Nazareth.

After 3 years of teaching, Jesus was executed by crucifixion, but brought to life again - the resurrection, showing God's powers over death and suffering and that death is not the end. The Christian church was founded after Jesus Christ's death, by his disciples.

There are various traditions, within the Christian Churches:

* The eastern or Orthodox tradition

* The Catholic traditions - Eastern Rite and Roman Rite

* Protestants - including Anglicanism, Lutheranism, Baptism, Quakerism, Methodism, Presbyterianism and many others.

The Christian scriptures, known collectively as the Bible, are central to Christian belief and practice. Some believe them to be the literal words of God whilst others see them as human writings informed by the Spirit of God.

Christians do not have any universally agreed dietary regulations, although some Christians abstain from certain foods during Lent. Some Christians, particularly from the Protestant traditions, refrain on principle from taking alcohol.

Sunday is generally considered as the day of Assembly for Christian worship, although some such as the Seventh Day Churches observe Saturday as the holy day. Back to top

Hinduism

Hinduism is over 5000 years old and the major religion of India. The Hindu way of life is referred to as the Sanatana Dharma (the eternal religion) and has no precise traceable beginning or single founder.

Hindus worship both at the temple (Mandir) and in their own homes where there may be a shrine or small area for worship. Hindu worship involves sacred images, prayers and involves making personal offerings to a deity.

There is no set day of the week designated for worship although the religious calendar is busy with the celebration of many festivals. These include Janmashtami (celebrating the appearance of Lord Krishna), Holi, the Spring festival of colours, and Diwali - the festival of lights which marks the beginning of a new Hindu year. Hindu festivals usually coincide with the movements of the sun and moon and with seasonal changes.

Hindus follow the sacred texts known as the Vedas (meaning knowledge). The Vedas are divided into two broad groupings - sacred writings known as the Shruti (that which is heard) and Smriti (that which is remembered).

Hindu traditions allow the use of a variety of symbols, names, terms and images, which are authorised by the Vedas to enable people to worship the divine in ways which are appropriate to them. Most Hindus in the UK adhere either to a philosophy of Advaita (monism) or Dvaita (monotheistic) but both accept the existence of One Supreme God known as Brahman, Parmatama or Bhagavan.

The Deities that are usually worshipped include Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Krishna, Rama and Parvati. Different Hindu communities may have their own divinities who they worship, but these are simply different ways of approaching the Ultimate.

There are a number of core ideals and values shared by most Hindus including respect for elders; regard for guests; tolerance of all races and religions; vegetarianism; appreciation of equality and sacredness of the cow whose milk sustains human life. Most Hindus believe that existence is a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, governed by Karma.

Most Hindus are vegetarian and those who eat meat normally abstain from beef. Hindu vegetarianism arises from a belief in ahimsa (non-harming) and generally means that meat, fish, eggs or animal products (food cooked in or containing animal fat) are not eaten. Sometimes onions and garlic are not eaten and alcohol may be avoided. Many Hindus observe fasts or vrats (vows) at certain times. Back to top

Islam

Islam, with Christianity and Judaism, is one of the main monotheistic world faiths. 'Islam' means 'submission to the will of God', and is based on the teachings of the Qur'an (or Koran). The Qur'an, written in Arabic, is divided into surahs (chapters). The Hadith are accounts of the words and actions of the Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) and his companions.

The main principles of Islam are:

* Belief that there is only one God (Allah)

* The Prophet Mohammed was given the Holy Qur'an as guidance for mankind

* Life after death

Muslims believe that over a period of 23 years the Prophet Mohammed (570 - 632CE) received revelations from Allah through the Angel Jibreel (Gabriel). The founding event for the Muslim community (or Ummah) was the Prophet Mohammed's five hundred kilometre migration, or Hijra, from Makka in Arabia to Madina 622CE. This marks the start of the Muslim dating system, "A.H" (after Hijra).

From Arabia, Islam spread far afield into Persia, the Indian sub-continent, and parts of Africa & Europe.

The essentials of Muslim practice are set out in what are known as the 'Five Pillars of Islam'. These are:

* Shahadah - The declaration of faith that there is only one God (Allah) and Mohammed is His Prophet.

* Salat - prayers are said 5 times daily while facing towards Makka (before sunrise, noon, mid/late afternoon, just after sunset, and night).

* Zakat - the giving of alms or money to the poor.

* Ramadan - fasting during Ramadan, the ninth month of the calendar. At the end of Ramadan Eid al'Fitr is celebrated - a key event in the Muslim calendar.

* Hajj - making the pilgrimage to Makka at least once a lifetime - but only if one can afford it.

Friday is the day of congregational prayers in the Mosque (known as Salat al-Jum'ah prayers), and during prayer worshippers face Makkah. Women are not obliged to participate in congregational prayers, except at Eid. There are usually separate mosque entrances for Muslim women and men, and they perform wudu (ablutions) before entering the prayer room. Clothing ought to be modest and shoes must be removed when visiting a Mosque. Modesty is an important concept in Islam and for women it involves covering the full body - this is interpreted variously. Traditionally, this has involved wearing a hijab or veil of varying kinds.

A spiritual leader in Islam is known as an Imam who is the leader of the prayers.

Muslims do not eat pork or food which contains the by-products of pigs. Other animals need to be slaughtered according to Islamic ritual, which involves saying prayers during slaughter and a method of slaughter that allows the blood to flow from the animal's body. The meat is then Halal, which means permitted. Fish is permitted but foods containing the by-products of non-halal meat are forbidden. Alcohol is prohibited under Islamic law, as are drinks or food containing alcohol.

The two principal branches within Islam are the Sunni and Shi'a traditions. 90% of the World's Muslims are Sunni. Sufism (Tasawwuf) is a mystical tradition in Islam to which either Sunni or Shi'a Muslims might adhere. Back to top

Judaism

The Jewish population in the UK consists of both Sephardi and Ashkenazi Jews. Sephardi is the name given to Jews who came originally from Spain, Portugal and the Middle East. However, the majority of Jews in the UK today are descendants from two periods of immigration by Ashkenazi Jews - Jews of Central and East European origin. English is normally used among UK Jews, but Hebrew and Yiddish are also spoken. There are a number of different Jewish traditions present in the UK including Orthodox, Hasidic, Haredi (sometimes referred to as Ulta-Orthodox), Reform, Progressive and Liberal.

The origins of Judaism are set out in the Tenakh or Hebrew Bible.

Judaism has a number of important dietary regulations known as Kashrut (meaning suitable). Animals, birds and fish might be either Kosher (permitted) or Treif (forbidden). Animals that can be eaten are all those with split hooves and which chew the cud such as sheep, cows and deer. Pigs, rabbits and horses are unacceptable. Fish with fins and scales are permitted but shellfish are not.

Jewish law states that a male baby is circumcised on the eighth day of his life, and at the age of thirteen there is a Barmitzvah (son of commandment) ceremony in which a young male becomes a fully responsible member of the community. This has been paralleled by the introduction of the Batmitzvah (daughter of commandment) ceremony which began in Progressive Judaism and has spread to Orthodox circles.

Judaism is derived from the Jewish scriptures, referred to by Christians as the Old Testament and known among Jews as the Tenakh. This is an acronym of the names of the three constituent sections: the Torah, the Nevi'im and the Ketuvim.

The Shabbat (or Sabbath) is central to Jewish life. It is observed as a day of worship, rest and peace. Shabbat begins about half an hour before sunset on a Friday evening and ends at nightfall on Saturday night. During Shabbat it is forbidden for Jews to engage in any activity that is considered as work. This rule is interpreted in various ways by different Jewish traditions.

A spiritual leader of the Jewish faith is a Rabbi and the principal place of communal worship is the Synagogue. with a sheitel (wig).

Significant festivals in the Jewish calendar include Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year), Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Pesach (Passover), Shavuot (Pentecost), Hanukah and Purim. Back to top

Sikhism

Sikhism is rooted in the teachings of ten Gurus - spiritual leaders considered as divine teachers who conveyed God's word. The first Sikh Guru was Guru Nanak Dev who was born in 1469 in the Punjab during a time of religious conflict. The fifth and ninth Guru's were martyred for their faith under the Mughal Empire in India. The tenth and last Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, completed the spiritual and temporal structure of the Sikh faith by instituting Amrit Pahul, the initiation into the Khalsa Panth (Sikh community).

The Sikh religion embraces and teaches balanced living, equality and respect towards all religions and ways of life. Family life and equality towards women are considered very important.

Sikhs adhere to and can be identified by the 5 "Ks":

* Kesh (hair) - Sikhs are required not to cut their hair. Sikh men cover their hair with a turban and some women also wear turbans.

* Kangha (comb) - this is worn in the hair and symbolises orderly spirituality.

* Kara - an iron or steel bangle, a symbol of spiritual allegiance.

* Kachhera - knee length trousers which symbolise agility and modesty.

* Kirpan - a curved sword, a reminder of dignity and self-respect.

There are no strict dietary requirements, but many Sikhs are vegetarian or do not eat beef. Meat is only permitted if it is jhatka - the animal is killed instantaneously with one stroke. Those Sikhs who eat meat should not eat halal meat (meat from animals killed according to Muslim law).

Sikh worship takes place in a Gurdwara, which means 'the door of the guru' or 'the gateway to God'. An elected committee runs the Gurdwara. The Holy Scriptures are known as the Adi Granth or the Guru Granth Sahib and have 1430 pages.

Every day of the week is equally holy for Sikhs, but in the UK the Gurdwara is usually visited at weekends. The service consists of reading of scriptures and common prayer, followed by the sharing of a sweet food. This is followed by a communal meal known as Langar which is free to all who attend - a symbol of the openness and acceptance of the Sikh faith. Shoes must be removed in the Gurdwara and men and women are required to cover their head as a mark of respect. Sikhs believe there is only one God, the creator of life, and believe in an afterlife of enriched opportunities and reincarnation.

Sikhs celebrate the birthdays of the first and tenth Gurus - Guru Nanak Dev and Guru Gobind Singh, as well as the martyrdom days of the fifth and ninth Gurus.

Children born into a Sikh family are considered Sikh from birth and a naming ceremony may take place at the Gurdwara. Both men and women can be fully initiated into the Sikh religion at a 'confirmation' ceremony called Amrit.

Guru Gobind Singh instituted that all Sikh men should take the surname Singh, meaning lion, and Sikh women take the name Kaur, meaning princess. This was part of Sikhism's rejection of the caste system where people's professions were reflected in their surname. Sikhs will often have a third name which is derived from a place. Over the years, names have changed, but many Sikh names still reflect this. First names can be common to both men and women and this reflects their belief of total equality. Back to top

Statistics

A question on religion was introduced on the Census in England and Wales for the first time in 2001, although such a question had been asked in Northern Ireland on previous Censuses. It was introduced in order to provide more comprehensive information about people's cultural background and give a better understanding of racial and religious identity. It also reflected the fact that an increasing number of people actually define their identity by their religion. Although, the Census religion question was a voluntary question, over 92 per cent of people chose to answer it.

According to the 2001 Census Christianity was the most common faith (61.5%) in Greenwich. The next largest religious groups were Muslim (4.3%) followed by Sikh (2.2%), Hindu (2.0%) and Buddhists (0.9%), Other religions (0.3%) and Jews (0.2%).

The Census also provided information about the distribution of religion to ward-level. See the document below. Back to top

Greenwich Peninsula Chaplaincy

If all goes to plan, by 2007 the Dome will have become a sports and leisure complex (hosting concerts and sports events). A hotel next to the Dome will follow, then new homes, and by 2021 there will be around 10,000 new homes, enough office space to fill two and a half Canary Wharf towers, some light industrial units, retail and service facilities, and a new secondary school.

Meetings during the past couple of years between Meridian Delta Ltd. (the developer), Greenwich Borough Council officers, the borough's Multifaith Forum and the borough's Ecumenical Borough Deans have resulted in a multifaith chaplaincy project.

A steering group (Greenwich Peninsula Chaplaincy Steering Group) was set up in March 2003 to look at ways of meeting the spiritual and other needs of the new community developing in the Greenwich Peninsula area.

The steering group includes members of various faiths and has now been established as a trust with the group's members as trustees. A Council of Reference (of faith group leaders) was also appointed to advise the steering group and to ensure good communication with the faith communities.

The Rev'd Malcolm Torry was appointed Site Chaplain in 2003. His task is to co-ordinate the group's activities and to facilitate communication between the developer, the borough, and the faith communities.

The Steering Group has already appointed three volunteer chaplains to work amongst the construction workers on the site, and is now planning to appoint some more.

Chaplains, who will need to be able to offer at least half a day a week, will first of all serve amongst the construction companies building the new development. Then they will be chaplains to the new music and sports arena, retail outlets, office space, and other institutions; and to the residents as the housing is built.

There will be a Faith Space for the chaplaincy, the faith communities and community activities to use, first of all in a temporary building and then in the Greenwich Pavilion: the glass building (currently to the north of the dome) which is to be rebuilt half way down the eastern side of the peninsula.

Both Meridian Delta Ltd. and the borough are insistent that the faith communities work together on the Peninsula. Both the Multifaith Forum and the Borough Deans are clear that what is required is a multifaith approach, i.e., not an interfaith approach. The faith communities will provide a single chaplaincy service (ensuring that anyone who requests pastoral care within a particular tradition should receive it), will pursue dialogue with each other, and in general will do together whatever in good conscience they can agree to do together in order to serve the new diverse community on the Peninsula. The different traditions will worship separately.

It is the first time that the faith communities have been asked to work together in this fashion from the very beginning of a large new development. The task will not be easy, and will require much patience, a certain amount of innovation, and a great deal of goodwill.

If you think that you might have the qualities required of a volunteer chaplain, and you are able to offer at least half a day a week, then please write for details to:

The Rev'd Malcolm Torry, St. George's Vicarage, 89 Westcombe Park Road, London SE3 7RZ, tel. 020 8858 3006, fax. 020 8305 1802, email: malcolm@mtorry.freeserve.co.uk

For further information on the steering group's activities you can visit their website at:
http://www.greenwich-peninsula-chaplaincy.org.uk/index.html Back to top