What is Religion?

1. What does the word “religion” mean to you?
[Go around the circle and have everyone take a turn answering the question]

• Many think religion is a way groups of people believe in the god of their understanding

• Some people believe religion is a huge system of tons of different beliefs

• Some people believe religion is a set of rules that are in place to help us behave better and make us less fearful
  Some people believe religion is a guide to help them connect to people, nature and everything around them

2. There are many different religions all over the world. Can you name any?
[Go around the circle and have everyone take a turn answering the question]

• Buddhism

• Christianity

• Hinduism

• Islam

• Judaism

• Sikhism

• Humanism

3. We’ll call anything that has over a million followers, a “Big Religion.” How many different “Big Religions” are there all over the world?
[Go around the circle; any child who feels comfortable should feel free to guess a number]

• There are about 20 big religions

4. How many different “Smaller Religions” do you think there are?
[Go around the circle; any child who feels comfortable should feel free to guess a number]

• There are more than 730 established religions in the world, which are broken down into more than 3200 different groups. That’s a lot of religions and beliefs!

Activity - Option 1: Pieces of the Pie

Materials Needed:
Paper
Markers
Scissors

[Use this template and cut out the wedges.]

Directions:

• The object of this activity is to complete a whole pie, so you want to utilize all ten pieces.

• The kids can then write the name of a differing religion on each wedge (see below for a list of religions). If a child is more comfortable with drawing pictures, they can draw a symbol or a picture that represents each religion (see the graphic of religious symbols)

• Once all of the triangles (wedges) are cut and labelled, take the time to talk about each of the religions listed. This is a great opportunity to ask the kids why they chose that particular religion

• Once everyone has shared a bit about their religion, place the triangle wedges in a circle or pie formation, with all of the sides and tips meeting. This represents all of the different religions and people in the room uniting together

List of 10 Religions

Baha'i                                               Buddhism   

Christianity                                     Hinduism                                       

Islam                                               Jainism                                                    

Judaism                                          Shinto

Sikhism                                           Taoism

Activity - Option 2:  Story Time

[In order to complete this activity, your group will need a copy of one of the suggested books. Our library has a collection of books dedicated to each Soul Talk which is updated constantly! You can visit our library at the link below. Search for the World Religions section.] https://spiritualplaydate.com/spiritual_playdate_library 

Since our Soul Talk was about What is Religion?, we are going to read a book out loud. As you listen, start to think about how this story relates to what we just spoke about.

There are many different people and religions that make up the world. When we get to know different religions, we are also getting to know the various people all around us. Is there anything in particular you would like to learn about someone who practices a religion you are interested in?

[Invite the group to find a relaxing position, take a mat or towel, if you are working on a hard floor. They may sit or lie down to be comfortable. Speak slightly slower in a soft, soothing tone throughout, pausing briefly between sentences. You may play soft, instrumental music in the background while reading the meditation script]

Welcome to our Meditation Time: The time where we relax and connect to the spirit in and around us. I invite you to sit or lie down and make yourself comfortable. Quietly do that now.

[Wait until the group is settled, then read the meditation script]  [Optional: Begin music.]

I am going to guide you through our meditation to help you relax.    Let’s close our eyes, and let’s start by putting our hands on our bellies, and taking a deep, long breath in.  Feel your belly rise as you breathe in – to the count of 1, 2, 3.  Then feel your belly fall, as you slowly breathe out – to the count of 1, 2, 3.  Now breathe in – 1, 2, 3.  And slowly breathe out like a tire losing air – 1, 2, 3.  Continue to breathe in and out slowly and steadily.  Relax your body into the floor beneath you.  Keep breathing.

The universe is bigger than any of us can imagine.  And our planet Earth is a small part of that universe.  Our Earth has many different continents, countries, and people.  And each person is unique, just like you.  And as many people as there are on our planet, there are just as many different ways that people think about and celebrate god.  [Pause.]  There is so much to discover about these different paths to god that we call “religions”.  Many people spend their lifetimes learning about them, and still never learn everything there is to know.  [Pause.]  Each religion brings with it its own special practices and traditions … prayers, songs, rituals.  But the one thing they all have in common is recognizing and appreciating god’s energy in our world and in us.  So let’s take a moment to do that now, ourselves.  Let’s recognize and appreciate god’s energy, by whatever name, in our world and in us.  [Long pause.]

Now let’s take one more deep breath, and slowly let it out.  Now slowly open your eyes and slowly roll to the side and sit up to end our time of meditation.
  

[Optional: Turn off music] [Optional: Say: Please return your cushion to its starting place]

Choose One:

Closing Affirmation - Option 1:

Turn to the person to your right, look them in the eye and say "I am happy I could share this time with you and hear about your beliefs."

Closing Prayer - Option 2:

The light of god surrounds us
The love of god enfolds us
The power of god protects us
The presence of god watches over us
Wherever we are, god is and all is well!