A country such as the Netherlands is very multicultural containing many different faiths. In this article you read a synopsis of the most common beliefs.


Catholicism

Christian faith that God as Holy Trinity (the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit) is worshiped. In the Catholic Church contains images of Jesus, Mary and other saints. Catholicism is a centuries AD. and enabled + / - 1.1 billion believers. The main distribution areas are Southern Europe and South America. The holy book is the Bible and the holy places Bethlehem, Jerusalem and Rome. The religious buildings are the church and monastery where religious people, the priest, bishop, monk and the Pope. In Catholicism believe in heaven and hell. They celebrate important holidays are Christmas and Easter.


Protestantism

Christian faith in which God is worshiped. It will read the Bible and it is essential that you have at home one or more. The symbol for Protestantism is a cross, pictures of Jesus or other saints do not see them. This belief has arisen between the 15th and 16th centuries and has + / - 450 million believers. Major settlements are North-West Europe and North America as Bethlehem and Jerusalem holy sites. For Protestants, the church is the religious building along with the pastor as a person. Also in this faith they believe in heaven and hell. Protestants are major holidays for Easter and Pentecost.


Judaism

Judaism is one of the oldest religions believe in one God, with Moses as the main prophet. 13 years as boys or girls 12 years, they mature for the Jewish faith. Around 2000 years BC. this belief has created and + / - 15 million believers. The main ranges are Israel, the U.S., Russia and Europe. If this belief is the holy book and Talmud Torah. Jerusalem is the holy place. The religious building is a synagogue with the rabbi as a person. Major holidays, Yom Kippur, Chanukah, Rosh Hasjona.


Islam

Religion with Allah Almighty Creator is honored. Founded by Prophet Muhammad, in the mountains near Mecca received a series of divine revelations. This belief originated in the 7th century AD. with + / - 1.2 billion believers. Key distribution areas are the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia. The holy books are the Koran and the Hadith. Holy places of Islam, Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem. Religious building is the mosque with the imam as a person. Islam also believes in a heaven after death and hell. Major holidays are the Sugar and sacrifice.


Buddhism

In Buddhism, there is no God but spoke of an inner development with the goal of self enlightenment. The founder was Prince Siddhartha Gautama, who left his wealth to search for the truth. Siddhartha became the Buddha (enlightened) called. Faith is 5 century BC. created by + / - 420 million believers. The main distribution areas, Sri Lanka, China, Japan and East Asia. Holy books of Buddhism, the Pali canon, Dhammapada, and the Tibetan Book of the Dead. Faith has no feathered sacred sites. The religious buildings are temples and monasteries as a person with a monk. After death there is rebirth (reincarnation) in which you go to a few 100 years back is another human being on earth. A major holiday is Vesakha Puja, this is the birthday of Buddha.


Hinduism

The oldest major religion in which Brahman (as creator), Vishnu (the protector) and Silva (as destroyer), the most important gods. The origin of this belief began about 3000 years BC. with + / - 850 million believers. Key distribution areas, India, Nepal and Central Asia. The sacred books are read in the Ramayana, Vedas and the Mahabharata. The river Ganges is the holy river. Religious building is the temple as a person with the Brahman (priest). Hinduism believes in reincarnation, then you need not fear of death. Major holidays that are celebrated, Holi and Diwali.