The Christian Science Church, often called the Church of Christ, Science, was founded in 1879 by a woman named Mary Baker Eddy. Founded in Massachusetts, the Church focuses on physical healing through prayer, and does not recognize the presence of illness as a permanent or unresolvable issue.

Mary Baker Eddy was an invalid who learned from Phineas Quimby about the possibility of curing illness via natural means, or without medicine at all. In 1966, Eddy was severely injured following a nasty fall on ice, and during her recovery, she read the Bible. When she realized that healing came not from man, but from spiritual enlightenment, she was instantly cured of her injury and illnesses.

That was enough to convince Eddy to focus on healing and religion, and in 1875, she released the first edition of her book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. Soon she had a nice following, and in 1879, the Christian Science Church was incorporated in Massachusetts. Eddy was named the head pastor of the Mother Church, and wrote the Manual of the Mother Church in order to outline how it should be governed.

Today, the church boasts over 2500 congregations in over 70 countries, with up to 400,000 followers. They believe in the teachings of the Bible, and that the death of Jesus on the cross was to atone for the sins of man. They call God the Father-Mother, thus eliminating any thoughts of gender. One of the main tenants of the church is that sickness does not really exist; we just think it does. With the healing power of prayer, anything is possible.

Though each meeting of the church is not led by a particular pastor, there are certain traditions followed, and the following text is one of those. This is to be read at every meeting as a reminder of the purpose of the church:

There is no life, truth, intelligence, nor substance in matter.
All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation, for God is All-in-all.
Spirit is immortal Truth; matter is mortal error.
Spirit is the real and eternal; matter is the unreal and temporal.
Spirit is God, and man is His image and likeness.
Therefore man is not material; he is spiritual.

Viewed as both a religion and a philosophy, Confucianism is based on the teachings of Confucius from the 6th and 5th century BC. Confucianism doesn’t claim that there is a Heaven or a spiritual leader, such as God or Allah, but it doesn’t deny it either. It can often be described as a state of openness and wondering.

Confucianism, founded in China, has around 5 million followers worldwide. Interestingly enough, Confucianism is not a term recognized by the Chinese. It was actually coined in the 18th century by the English-speaking world as a way to define the practice and followings of Confucius.

Born in 551 BC in what is now the Shantung Province, Confucius was raised by his mother after his father passed away when he was three. As a teenager he served in minor government offices, and married when he was 19 years old. In his thirties, he began an illustrious teaching career, focusing on six arts: ritual, music, archery, mathematics, calligraphy, and charioteering. Confucius developed concepts that applied to society, education, and government, and hoped to spread the word through a political career. But he didn’t seem to fit in anywhere on the political ladder, and so his hopes for a career stagnated.

At 67, he returned to his home to begin in-depth writing of all his philosophies. He passed away at the age of 73.

Followers of Confucianism have a very optimistic view of the world. Human beings are believed to have the power to becoming awe-inspiring and life-changing sages, a belief that extends to everyone, but perhaps especially those who appear to live ordinary, quiet lives, much as Confucius himself did. There are no specific traditions or rituals necessary to follow Confucianism, but several followers will choose to follow a combination of religions, including Hinduism or Buddhism, as well as adhering to the teachings of Confucius.

Just as every religion has its own unique origin and system of belief, so each religion has its own idea of what the afterlife will be like. Does life simply end and our bodies turn back to the earth, with no soul to carry on? Do we ascend from our physical bodies and join those who have gone before on a heavenly plane of existence? Do we come back to earth as someone else, to learn from — or pay for — our mistakes? Do we get another chance, or is this all we have?

Here is a brief overview of some of the more common afterlife beliefs:

Buddhism. When a person dies, they leave their worldly body and breathe life into another. The Buddhist believes in reincarnation, returning to earth again and again, each time in search of a higher level of understanding. When enlightenment is reached, the journey is done. This could take numerous lifetimes to achieve, and sadly, some might never achieve it at all.

Christianity. Christians believe in Heaven and Hell as real places, not as only states of being or philosophical places. Heaven is where all the rewards are for those who have done as they should while on earth, and followed the teachings as best they could. It is reserved for those who have recognized and repented of their sins. Hell is the place for those who do not have faith, and those who have embraced sinful ways rather than repenting from them. Some Christians also believe in purgatory, a place where the soul is kept in limbo until the Judgment Day, when everyone, living or dead, will finally be judged for their sins and sent to either Heaven or Hell.

Islam. Those who follow the Islamic teachings believe in Paradise and Hell, which are quite similar to the Christian versions of Heaven and Hell. Those who give themselves fully to Allah and to His teachings and wishes are destined for Paradise, while those who do not heed His word are destined to Hell for all eternity.

Judaism. Belief in the afterlife varies widely, from nothing to a kind of shadowy promise, something similar to Heaven. Historically, there has been little mention of the afterlife in texts, and it is not considered a “goal” or something to be focused on in order to have purpose in life.

Hinduism. Much like the Buddhist belief systems, Hindus believe that your good deeds here on earth account for something in the afterlife. Reincarnation will bring the Hindu back again and again, until enlightenment is reached.

Every religion has a creation story they look to as their beginning. Sometimes the creation story is not tied to a particular religion or belief, but instead tells the history of a particular people or place. The creation stories are all very different, but they hold common elements — that the world came to be by divine intervention of some kind, and that everything grew from one central point, whether that be a place, a person, or a simply act of faith.

The Hopi Indians have a creation story of their own, one that has been handed down through generations.

The world began in the mind of the Creator, but there was no form or shape — it was only thought. The Creator created a person, whom he called his nephew, to serve as his agent in making all things infinite into things that were finite and could be touched and experienced. With elements from the universe, nine worlds were created. Those worlds were then covered in water, and given wind and breezes to blow over them.

Then the Spider Woman was created, and she created life. She mixed up the earth and created two beings, then set about creating all the plants that covered the earth. The beings were sent to opposite ends of the earth, and one was charged with making solid land, while the other was charged with creating sound, thus making the land vibrate. They had no language, so that was created for them as well, and they were to sing the songs of the Creator.

Humans were made of white, yellow, black, and red earth, and they were created in groups of four. These people were then given four distinct languages, and the only instruction was to honor the Creator in all they said and did. But over time, the people became divided, and forgot their reason for being there. Only a few people remembered, and those people were told to join with the ants under the earth, where they would be safe while the Creator destroyed the world He had created.

Again and again this happened, and each new world was a bit less beautiful than the one before it. They lost things along the way, such as the ability to read each other’s thoughts, and the companionship they shared with all the animals of the world, who were now all wild and no longer tame.

The world the Hopi believe in right now is the one we currently inhabit, but eventually, the world will be destroyed again, and only those who remember the Creator’s lessons will be allowed to continue to the next world that is waiting for them.

You might have seen the statue on postcards, in television shows, or in movies. The massive “Christ the Redeemer” statue can be found in Brazil, where it overlooks the city of Rio de Janeiro from a great height, arms outstretched in benevolence.

Considered the largest art deco statue in the world, the carefully-sculpted image of Christ stands over 130 feet tall and is over 90 feet wide. It weighs almost 700 tons and has a place high above the city, at an elevation of 2300 feet. It sits on the Corcovado Mountain in the Tijuca National Park.

In the 1850s, a priest named Pedro Maria Boss approached Princess Isabel about erecting a religious monument. The idea was bounced about for many years but effectively tabled in 1889, when Brazil became a republic and laws condoning the separation of church and state were put into place. The idea was raised again in 1921 by a group called the Catholic Circle of Rio. Money was raised via donations, and several options for the statue were considered, including a massive cross, or Jesus holding a globe in his hands. The final chosen work was that of Jesus with outstretched arms, inviting all faithful to come to him.

The statue was built out of reinforced concrete with a soapstone outer layer, making it easier to build, more cost-effective, and better able to stand up to weather conditions. Building the statue took nine years, and the monument was finally opened to the public in October 1931. Floodlights illuminated the statue, which was said to have cost $250,000 dollars to complete.

The use of soapstone paid off in 2008, when the statue was struck by lightning during a massive electrical storm. The city of Rio was plunged into chaos by the storm, but the statue took a direct hit of lightning without a single scratch. Soapstone is an insulator, which is the scientific reason that it was left unharmed; however, many see the strike as a religious sign.

Today, the statue is a place of pilgrimage for tourists and religious believers alike. The statue has become both a cultural icon and a place of prayer, even boasting a church at its base, which is often used for celebrations of weddings and other life-changing events. In 2007, it was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and hosts tens of thousands of visitors every year.

Wicca has often been referred to as a part of witchcraft. It is a neopagan religion, one that has been practiced since the early 20th century. It became more popular in the 1950s and 1960s when a British man named Gerald Gardner brought it into the mainstream.

There are many different Wicca beliefs, depending upon the Wicca tradition one prescribes to. Most Wiccans believe in both a God and a Goddess, which are complementary to each other, like Yin and Yang. The Goddess is often symbolized as the Earth, while the God is compared to the Sun. The Goddess might also be considered the Moon Goddess, or the Triple Goddess, meaning the Maiden, Mother, and Crone. Regardless, the Goddess sees and conceives all, so there is nothing She does not know. The God, sometimes also known as the horned God, is the inspiration within her.

Wiccans vary in their beliefs on the afterlife and reincarnation. Most of them choose to focus on this life and leave the details of the afterlife to the Goddess. It is believed that within all respects, what you do in this life will affect your lot in the next…so therefore, focusing on this life can only be the best thing a person could do.

But are Wiccans really Witches, as modern pop culture might have us believe? Wiccans do believe in magic, a force they believe can be controlled and applied through witchcraft or sorcery. But many Wiccans believe that the magic is in the earth itself, and is a force of nature that can be called upon, but never controlled. There are many rituals performed by Wiccan followers that might be considered witchcraft; however, they are considered white magic, the equivalent of prayers for healing, infertility, banishing of negativity, protection, and the like.

There are several rites of passage within the Wicca religion, and several festivals celebrated around the yearly calendar that pay homage to the earth and all that surrounds it. One of the most popular Wicca morality creeds is “an it harm none, do what ye will.” This creed makes it clear that Wicca followers can do what they want to do as long as it does not infringe on the rights of others.

Are Wicca actually Witches? The question of whether witchcraft exists is one that has been debated for thousands of years, and there is no clear answer. However, the rituals or “workings” of the Wicca followers are meant for good, not evil — and perhaps the intent is much more important than the question of whether or not the wizardry is real.

Find any Jewish celebration, and you are bound to find wonderful food to accompany it. Some foods are prepared in a traditional style, all of which goes back to certain Scriptures that call for that preparation.

For instance, the prohibition of making fire on the Sabbath has led to the use of slow cooking stews in many times of Jewish cuisine. The Jewish people have long held their traditions firmly in place while learning to savor many of the same foods as their gentile neighbors.

In ancient times, certain foods were considered more desirable than others. Those includes legumes, wild plants, wheat, barley, olives, dates, pomegranate, figs, grapes, and mutton. Today, these foods are still popular additions to the Jewish plate, but other foods have crept in as well, depending upon the area in which a Jewish person was raised.

Bagels, Knishes, and Borscht are all foods that were eaten by Jewish people in Europe and Russia. The people there were often very poor, and the foods reflect a simple style. In the United States, some Jewish staples include Matzah balls, gefilte fish, falfalel, and hummus.

Kashrut is the rule of Jewish law that says what can and cannot be eaten. Animals with cloven hooves and those that chew their cud are forbidden, and those animals that are allowed for eating must be slaughtered and prepared in the kosher way. All blood must be drained, and certain parts of the animal are not suitable for eating. All fruits and vegetables must be examined carefully for bugs, as bugs are not allowed to be eaten.

Meat, including the flesh of both animals and birds, cannot be eaten with dairy products. Even utensils that have been used in meat products cannot then be used in dairy products. There must be at least six hours between the consumption of dairy products and meat products, though some prefer to rinse the mouth with water and eat a piece of neutral bread to stand in for the waiting period.

Anything that has fins and scales can be eaten, but shellfish cannot. Since wine was often used in pagan rituals, grape products that are not created by Jews are deemed inappropriate. This also includes baking powders made with cream of tartar, which is a leavening created as a by-product of the wine-making process.

Keeping kosher can be a difficult thing to do, so many Jews compromise. They might keep kosher at home, but relax their standards when they are in a restaurant. Some adhere to kosher rules when ordering from a menu. Still, others stay very traditional and don’t order foods unless they are prepared in a kosher restaurant, while even that is not acceptable to those who stay the most traditional. In that case, most foods are made in the home, and only foods consumed in Jewish gatherings are permitted.

Many religions have rules about what foods should be eaten, and what foods should not be. In Islam, everything in life is connected to faith, including the foods you choose to put into your body.

Muslims should never eat to excess, and only eat when they are hungry. Any animal that is slaughtered should be slaughtered under the name of Allah, in a prayerful manner. Always remember those who are hungry, and feed them if you can. This includes not only humans, but animals as well.

Pray to Allah before eating, and give thanks afterward. Put only food in your body that have been approved by the scriptures. Chicken, fish, olive oil, healthy meats, and honey are especially recommended. Any fruits or vegetables that have been grown in the natural way and are unprocessed are also highly recommended.

What should Muslims avoid? Any meat that has been slaughtered in a way not consist with Islamic practice should be avoided. Never eat anything that comes from a pig, including lard. Gelatine, commonly used to make Jello, should be avoided if the gelatine came from an animal that was not considered clean. If an animal died before slaughter, the meat cannot be prepared for human consumption. Also, carnivorous animals or birds of prey should never be eaten.

Any form of blood, such as that found in a very rare steak, is not to be eaten. Any form of alcohol, even those used in cooking, should be avoided as well. In fact, Muslims are encouraged to avoid establishments that sell alcohol, and should not sit at a table where alcohol is being served.

Keep in mind that some additives are not approved as well. Usually, those additives that begin with an “E” on the label are from animals that have not been slaughtered in the approved way.

If you are not of the Islamic religion, it is important to follow the guidelines concerning Islam and food when you are with Muslim guests. Be careful to prepare only foods you know are alright for them to eat, and if you are in doubt, always ask!

Respect for the life of everyone, including the life of animals, has long been a central theme in Hinduism. Though some Hindus might have eaten the meat of the cow in ancient times, today the cow is revered as a sacred animal. Mahatma Gandhi once wrote, “If someone were to ask me what the most outward manifestation of Hinduism was, I would suggest that it was the idea of cow protection.”

Though there is no clear basis for worshiping the cow, the mention is often made in Hindu scripture. Lord Krishna, one of the most important people in Hindu texts, was said to be a cowherd. In fact, one of his holy names is “Govinda,” which translates to “one who brings satisfaction to the cows.” The thought of the cow providing milk and nourishment to nations is also a reason why the animal is now considered sacred.

Cows in India are often allowed to roam free. This religious practice has bumped into some serious problems, as over 40,000 cows are allowed to roam the streets of India. In heavily populated places such as New Delhi, the cows can cause traffic jams, rip open garbage in neighborhood trash cans, and injure themselves while wandering about. Many places have compromised and employed “cow catchers” to load the cows into transport vans and take them to a sanctuary or preserve outside of the cities, where they will be cared for throughout their lives.

However, the cow catchers — or anyone else, for that matter — must be very careful not to injure the cow in any way, as injuring or killing a cow is a significant offense in the Hindu religion. In fact, doing just the opposite is preferred: offering food to the cow, such as bits of bread or fruit, is considered good luck.

In addition to the living, breathing cows who are revered by so many in India and other countries, Hindu temples often feature statues and other icons that depict the cow. For instance, Nandhi the Bull is considered a protector, and a small image of him is often found near or in temples and altars.

The love of the cow has become so deeply ingrained in Hindu culture that the government has championed pro-cow legislation, and is even considering outlawing butchers in the cities, out of a desire to ensure that all cows in the country are safe.

Vatican City, or the Vatican, is a sovereign city-state located in Rome, Italy. It is surrounded by walls, and has a population of about 800 people. The Vatican sits on about 110 acres and is home to the Pope, the leader of the Catholic Church.

Vatican City came into existence in 1929 with the Lateran Treaty, which spoke of Vatican City as a new creation, and not as a reminder of the Papal States that were previously in central Italy. But for hundreds of years before the Vatican was created, Popes lived in the area where the Vatican now stands. Before 1377, Popes resided on Caelian Hill, on the opposite side of Rome.

A full half of Vatican City is filled with gardens, consisting of priceless works of art, fountains, and sculptures. Vatican City also holds several properties scattered about Rome and Italy, and those are openly shared with the public. St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, various museums, and St. Peter’s Square are all features of Vatican City. The Apostolic Palace, in Vatican City, is the residence of the Pope.

The Pope has complete control over Vatican City in one of the world’s few non-hereditary monarchies. The Vatican is one of the few countries who is not a member of the United Nations; rather, it remains a permanent observer state, neutral to conflict. Because of the small size of Vatican City, it is one of the few countries that cannot host a foreign embassy.

Vatican City has its own police force, known as the Corpo della Gendarmeria. This police force handles all criminal investigations, law enforcement, public order, traffic control, and the like. Vatican City also has its own bank, it’s own currency, and is a non-commercial state, sustained only by the sale of postage stamps, periodicals, museum admissions, and tourist mementos.

The Vatican Library and the Vatican Museum contain what is considered some of the rarest, most priceless items in world history. Under the Hague convention, the works of art in Vatican City are protected in the event of armed conflict — meaning that to destroy or damage them is considered an international crime.

But Vatican City is looking forward as well — soon it will become the first carbon-neutral nation in the world, offsetting the carbon footprint by the growth of sustainable forests, and setting an example for the rest of the modernized world.

Vatican City is currently home to Pope Benedict XVI, and it the site of pilgrimages for not only Catholics, but those who are interested in the history of the Catholic Church and the priceless works of art it has collected over the centuries.