March 29th

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By respecting each other, we can quell any argument about who created our Earth and all it contains. Over thousands of years in every country of the world, religions, and the way each person worships God, have changed. Rather than delve into every religion, I'll concentrate on England and America.

Today, on Good Friday, Christians remember the death of Jesus. Sad Friday, I used to call it.

Christianity emerged in the area around Palestine and Israel in the mid-1st century AD. Christianity spread initially from Jerusalem throughout the Near East, into places such as Syria, Assyria, Mesopotamia, Phoenicia, Asia Minor, Jordan and Egypt. In the 4th century it was successively adopted as the state religion by Armenia in 301, Georgia in 319, the Aksumite Empire in 325, and the Roman Empire in 380. It became common to all of Europe in the Middle Ages and expanded throughout the world during Europe's Age of Exploration from the Renaissance onwards to become the world's largest religion. 

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In England, Henry VIII made the first break away from traditional Catholic religion. Born on 28 June, he reigned from 21 April 1509 until his death in 28 January 1547. He was lord, and later king, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France. Besides his six marriages, Henry VIII is known for his role in the separation of the Church of England from the Roman Catholic Church. 

Persecuted by the English, the Quakers left for America. In 1682, William Penn received a grant which the King called Pennsylvania. The first settlement of Philadelphia quickly became one of the largest in the New World.

Before the invasion from abroad, Native American beliefs were deeply rooted in their culture. Until this day, they believe everything to be sacred from a mountain to a bee. They honor, love and respect the Creator and Mother Earth as well as every living thing. The Elders keep the culture alive and share an understanding that everything is part of the One.

In the early 18th century, many Amish and Mennonites immigrated to Pennsylvania for a variety of reasons. A group of traditionalist Christian church fellowships formed a subgroup of the Mennonite churches. The Amish are known for simple living, plain dress, and reluctance to adopt many conveniences of modern technology.

Today there are 2 billion Christians, one third of humanity. Christianity divided into the Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Church in the Great Schism of 1054. The Protestant Reformation split the Catholic Church into many different denominations.

The United Kingdom has been through many changes in their spiritual beliefs.

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In Iron Age Britain and France, Druid priests carried out religious rituals. The Romans, who visited and later conquered France and Britain, met the nature-loving Druids and wrote about their beliefs and rites. Although these writings may not always have been completely truthful, it is clear that the Druids were an important group of people in many Iron Age societies.

Now days, the United Kingdom respects the different races and religions of all its citizens.

Representing the rights of all in 1826, the UCL University offered places to students of any race, class or religion and welcomed female students on equal terms with men. Beforehand, university education in England was restricted to males of the Church of England. The university challenged discrimination. Spiritual and moral systems offered by religious rituals, such as dress, diet and prayer, form an integral part of traditions and beliefs. 

The Jewish faith Judaism continues its ancient practices amongst the other UK citizens from the world. Their UK population is the second largest in the world. 

Others include: Islam, Bahá'í Faith, Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism. 

Where reasonably practicable, the needs of people from all religious backgrounds, and also of those with no religious affiliation, are valued. However, nobody should impinge upon the needs and freedoms of others. Terrorist attacks from one group of believers against another can never be tolerated. Peace depends on respecting one another.