Faiths Represented
Hinduism
Hinduism is an eternal religion and has no human founder. Hindus practice non-violence and believe in God’s cosmic law of ‘Karma’ (thoughts, emotions and deeds). They accept that the body is mortal while the soul is immortal and reincarnates until it finds salvation. Hindus seek no converts and believe that no particular religion teaches the only way to salvation above all others, but that all genuine religious paths are facets of God’s pure Love and Light, deserving tolerance and understanding. Three of Loughborough’s Hindu communities are affiliated to the Council of Faiths. They are mostly Gujarati speakers at the Shree Ram Krishna centre and mostly Punjabi at the Geeta Bhawan. There is also a BAPS Swaminarayan community in the town, who place emphasis on both spirituality and social service.
Islam
Islam is a way of life that continues to spread the same message as the previous prophets, since the time of Prophet Adam, which is the belief in One Absolute God. The last and final Prophet was Muhammad (peace be upon him). Muslims obtain guidance from the Qur’an (the revealed word of God) and the Sunnah (the blessed teachings of the final Prophet Muhammad). Islam is a peace loving way of life based on justice, brotherhood and family, which form the foundations of practicing the faith.
Bahá’í
The Bahá’í Faith is the youngest of the world’s independent religions, and the central message of it’s founder Bahá’u’lláh is that humanity is one single race and the day has come for its unification in one global society. A worldwide Bahá’í community, representative of most of the nations, races and cultures has a common vision of “the earth as one country and mankind as its citizens”.
Brahma Kumaris
The Brahma Kumaris practice meditation and philosophy of Raj Yoga, an ancient wisdom which has a spiritual and value based approach to life. The Meditation aims to reconnect the soul to the Supreme Soul (God) in a natural way to re-awaken our lost inner peace and wisdom. As a service to the community, courses are offered in self awareness and self development. The focus is on how to put these intrinsic values of the soul back into our lives.
Christianity
Christians believe that God created the world and continues to be an active presence in it. They read the Bible as Holy Scripture and pray both in private and when they gather as churches. Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and as such, reconciles God and humanity. There are thousands of Christians in Loughborough and over 20 local churches.
Quaker
Quakers, also known as the Religious Society of Friends, say that there is something sacred in all people. All people are equal before God. Religion is about the whole of life. In stillness we find a deeper sense of God’s presence. True religion leads to respect for the Earth and all life upon it. Each person is unique, precious, a child of God.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Proclaiming Jesus Christ to be the Saviour of the world, we embrace all His teachings found in the Bible, Book of Mormon and other scriptures that testify of Him, and believe in continuing revelation from God through present-day prophets. The primary aim of this international church is to strengthen families and have individuals develop the security, peace and love that gospel living brings.
Charnwood Grove of Druids
The word Pagan covers a group of related nature based religions including Druidry, Wicca and Shamanism. Pagans believe that the Earth itself is sacred and not just something created by a divine or sacred being, that divinity is equally male and female and that we are responsible for living as creatively and sensitively as possible. For Pagans there is no book of revealed wisdom or all knowing Guru; we seek inspiration from nature, from the ever turning wheel of the seasons and from our own hearts.
Sikh
Sikhism is a way of life and philosophy that was founded over 500 years ago by Guru Nanak. Sikhism preaches a message of devotion and remembrance of God at all times, truthful living, equality of mankind, social justice and denounces superstitions and blind rituals. We believe that there is only one God and he belongs to us all, believers and non-believers. He loves us all. There should be no discrimination on the basis of ones faith, caste, colour or country.
Judaism
Judaism is a collection of spiritual, cultural and legal traditions. Jews believe in one God. The core text of the Torah has been and continues to be interpreted. The cultural traditions vary across the world, but most Jews consider themselves to be part of one family, including those who think of themselves as secular and atheist. The core text may be simply stated as a commandment "To love God and to love your neighbour as yourself."
