ABSTRACT

Art has been included customary and possible dimensions to speak by man with holiness. In
this age, since the dimension was not sourced from right and truth for man and good names of
providence did not come to seek the veil of idolatrous, symbols and motifs appear the occult
meanings and themselves are showy of theological facts. The art can
appear as religion, because from our sight of principle of knowledgeable, art and religion are
intertwined naturally. Every ingenious demonstrate the mysteries that don’t appear except with
brightness of intellectuality, and it is for having a share of the divine realm, which is the agency
cause
of manifesting artistic works. The ingenious should attract to the truth to create the making
clear
beautiful faces by assisting God diffusion. Ingenious lives in the shadow of the verbal
knowledge tree.
In this sense, if we look closely, we can find very similarities between religious and artistic
knowledge: knowledge of art is as immediate and direct as religious knowledge. In the
knowledge of
art, the reason was not discussed as well acquired knowledge. Therefore, in this study, i
investigate
the religious influence on architecture, especially on the architecture of religious buildings such
as
temples, churches and mosques.

RELIGION
Religion is a fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a group of
people. These set of beliefs concern the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, and involve
devotional and ritual observances. They also often contain a moral code governing the conduct
of human affairs.

Ever since the world began, man has demonstrated a natural inclination towards faith and
worship of anything he considered superior/difficult to understand. His religion consisted of
trying to appease and get favors from the supreme being he feared. This resulted in performing
rituals (some of them barbaric) and keeping traditions or laws to earn goodness and/or
everlasting life.

Christianity has always stressed a personal relationship with God as the touchstone of religion.
When God created Adam and Eve, He walked with them in the Garden of Eden, in the cool of
the day, and enjoyed their fellowship. Religion was, and still is, a close, personal, and satisfying
relationship with the creator God.

Down through the ages men have devoted their entire life to enjoying this personal relationship
with a God who loves the fellowship of human beings. Abraham was called the ‘friend of God’
in 2 Chronicles 20:7 and James 2:23. Genesis 18:17 -- “Then the Lord said, ‘Shall I hide from
Abraham what I am about to do?’” Exodus 33:11 says, “The Lord would speak to Moses face
to face, as a man speaks with his friend.” David is called a man after God’s own heart in 1
Samuel 13:14 and Acts 13:22. The list is endless.

Blaise Pascal (French Mathematician, Philosopher, and Physicist 1623-1662) said, “There is a
God shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but
only by God, the creator, made known through Jesus.”

Christianity is more than a religion; it is a relationship with Jesus Christ. John 15:9 says, “As
the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now continue in my love.” John 15:15, “I have
called you friends.” John 17:24, “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where
I am.” John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this that he lay down his life for his friends.”
In John 10; Jesus makes several statements demonstrating His deep love for us -- “I am the
good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. I know my sheep and my
sheep know me -- and I lay down my life for the sheep.”

Jesus summarized the true meaning of religion in Matthew 22:37-40, “Love the Lord your God
with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as
yourself.”

Religion is the set of beliefs, feelings, dogmas(principal) and practices that define the relations
between human being and sacred or divinity(GOD). A given religion is defined by specific
elements of a community of believers: dogmas, sacred books, rites, worship, sacrament, moral
prescription, interdicts, organization. The majority of religions have developed starting from a
revelation based on the exemplary history of a nation, of a prophet or a wise man who taught
an ideal of life.

A religion may be defined with its three great characteristics:

 Believes and religious practices

 The religious feeling i.e. faith
 Unity in a community of those who share the same faith: the Church. It is what
differentiates religion from magic.

The study of disappeared or existing religions shows the universal character of this
phenomenon and a very large variety in the ritual(series of actions performed in a order)
doctrines and practices.
One generally distinguishes the religions called primitive or animists, the Oriental religions
(Hinduism, Buddhism, Shintoism, Confucianism, Taoism...) and the religions monotheists
derived from the Bible (Judaism, Christianity, Islam). Christianity has itself given birth to
several religions or Christian Churches (Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelic...)
Type of Religion-
1 hinduism- Hinduism is the world’s oldest religion, according to many scholars, with
roots and customs dating back more than 4,000 years. Today, with about 900 million
 followers, Hinduism is the third-largest religion behind Christianity and Islam. Roughly
95 percent of the world’s Hindus live in India. Because the religion has no specific
founder, it’s difficult to trace its origins and history. Hinduism is unique in that it’s not
a single religion but a compilation of many traditions and philosophies.
 Hinduism embraces many religious ideas. For this reason, it’s sometimes referred to as
a “way of life” or a “family of religions,” as opposed to a single, organized religion.
 Most forms of Hinduism are henotheistic, which means they worship a single deity,
known as “Brahman,” but still recognize other gods and goddesses. Followers believe
there are multiple paths to reaching their god.
 Hindus believe in the doctrines of samsara (the continuous cycle of life, death, and
reincarnation) and karma (the universal law of cause and effect).
 One of the key thoughts of Hinduism is “atman,” or the belief in soul. This philosophy
holds that living creatures have a soul, and they’re all part of the supreme soul. The
goal is to achieve “moksha,” or salvation, which ends the cycle of r ebirths to become
part of the absolute soul.
 One fundamental principle of the religion is the idea that people’s actions and thoughts
directly determine their current life and future lives.
 Hindus strive to achieve dharma, which is a code of living that emphasizes good conduct
and morality.
 Hindus revere all living creatures and consider the cow a sacred animal.
 Hinduism is closely related to other Indian religions, including Buddhism, Sikhism and
Jainism.

2.Budhism -
Buddhism is the world's fourth-largest religion with over 520 million followers, or over 7%
of the global population, known as Buddhists. Buddhism encompasses a variety
of traditions, beliefs and spiritual practices largely based on original teachings attributed to the
Buddha and resulting interpreted philosophies. Buddhism originated in ancient India as
a Sramana tradition sometime between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE, spreading through much
of Asia. Two major extant branches of Buddhism are generally recognized by
scholars: Theravada (Pali: "The School of the Elders") and Mahayana (Sanskrit: "The Great
Vehicle").
Most Buddhist traditions share the goal of overcoming suffering and the cycle of death and
rebirth, either by the attainment of Nirvana or through the path of Buddhahood. Buddhist
schools vary in their interpretation of the path to liberation, the relative importance and
canonicity assigned to the various Buddhist texts, and their specific teachings and practices.
Widely observed practices include taking refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha,
observance of moral precepts, monasticism, meditation, and the cultivation of
the Paramitas (virtues).

3. Paganism-
Paganism has been broadly defined as anyone involved in any religious act, practice, or
ceremony which is not Christian. Jews and Muslims also use the term to refer to anyone outside
their religion. Others define it as religions outside of Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, and
Buddhism, while some simply define it as being without a religion.
In the strictest sense, paganism refers to the authentic religions of ancient Greece and Rome as
well as surrounding areas. It originated from the Neolithic (Stone Age) era. The term, pagan,
is derived from the Latin word, paganus, which means a country dweller. The pagan usually
has a belief in many gods (polytheistic), but only one is chosen as the one to worship which
represents the chief god and supreme godhead.

As Christianity progressed into the present age, a pagan became referred to anyone not being
a Christian, and paganism denoted a non-Christian belief or religion. If the religion did not fit
into the Judeo-Christian-Islamic or Eastern mould, then one practicing that religion was said
to be involved in paganism.

4.judaism –

Judaism is defined as the totality of beliefs and practices of the Jewish people, as given
by G-d and recorded in the Torah (Hebrew Bible) and subsequent sacred writings of Judaism.
The Jewish people believe by definition that G-d is the single creator and animator of the world.
He has no helpers, no children and no rivals.

G-d is everywhere and has no properties (for that matter,G-d granted humanity the gift
of free choiceneither is He really a “he.”) In Jewish belief, G-d is the invisible force behind
everything that happens and knows everything, past present and future.
G-d granted humanity the gift of free choice. When people follow His ways (as outlined in the
Torah), G-d rewards them. These rewards can be in this world, as well as in the World to Come,
which comes after death.

Just as every individual works hard toward achieving personal perfection through following
G-d’s ways, so is the entire world heading toward a time of eternal peace and plenty. This time
is known as the era of Moshiach (or Messiah). During this time, Jews will return to the Land
of Israel and rebuild the Holy Temple in Jerusalem (see below). A most amazing feature of this
time is that death will cease, and the dead will be brought back to life.

Judaism- udaism began about 4000 years ago with the Hebrew people in the Middle East. Abraham, a Hebrew
man, is considered the father of the Jewish faith because he promoted the central idea of the Jewish faith: that there
is one God. At the time many people in the Middle East worshipped many gods. It is said that Abraham and his wife
Sarah, who were old and childless, were told by God that their children would be as plentiful as the stars in the sky
and that they would live in a land of their own -- the Promised Land. This gradually came true.

Abraham's son, Isaac had a son, Jacob, also called Israel. In this way the descendants of Abraham came to be known
as the Israelites. God promised the Israelites he would care for them as long as they obeyed God's laws. While still
traveling, the Hebrews lived in Egypt where they were enslaved. Moses, a Hebrew, was chosen by God to lead the
 Hebrew people out of Egypt. Moses led the Hebrew people out of the Sinai Desert toward the promised land. At
Mt. Sinai, God gave Moses the Law which would guide the Israelites to today. The laws were called the Ten
Commandments and form the basis of the Torah, the book of Jewish law.

It took many years for the Israelites to finally get to what they thought was the Promised Land - Canaan. After some
fighting the Jews established the Israelite kingdom. After many years, Canaan was conquered by the Assyrians, the
Babylonians and then eventually the Romans. The Israelites once again found themselves enslaved, this time by
Babylonians. The Israelites were then taken over by Romans who destroyed much of what had been built in
Jerusalem by the Israelites. Most of the Jews were scattered all over the region and eventually moved from place to
place to avoid persecution which continues to this day. The dispersion of the Jews is called the Diaspora.

The worst persecution of the Jews was during World War II by the Nazis who murdered more than six million Jews
or a third of the world's Jewish population. This was called the Holocaust. Beginning in the 1880's Jews began
returning to their homeland in growing numbers, this time to avoid persecution where they lived. After World War
II, many Jews believed that for the Jewish people and culture to survive, Jews needed to live in their own country
where all Jews from anywhere in the world would have the right to live and be citizens. In 1948, Palestine was
divided up and a Jewish state of Israel was formed in the land that was once called Canaan, surrounded by countries
with predominantly Muslim populations. Since Muslims also claimed rights to the land where the Jews were living,
there was conflict, which continues to this day in the Middle East.

Today nearly fourteen million Jewish people live all over the world. Approximately half of them live in the United
States, one quarter live in Israel, and a quarter are still scattered around the world in countries in Europe, Russia, South
America, Africa, Asia and other North American and Middle Eastern countries. Anyone born to a Jewish mother is
considered a Jew.

Jewish people believe in the Torah, which was the whole of the laws given to the Israelities at Sinai. They believe
they must follow God's laws which govern daily life. Later legal books, written by rabbis, determine the law as it
applies to life in each new place and time.

1. Worship no other God but me.

2. Do not make images to worship.
3. Do not misuse the name of God. Observe the Sabbath Day (Saturday).
4. Keep it Holy.
5. Honor and respect your father and mother.
6. Do not murder.
7. Do not commit adultery.
8. Do not steal.
9. Do not accuse anyone falsely. Do not tell lies about other people.
10. Do not envy other's possessions.

6 Sikhism-

Sikhism is a monotheistic religion, or a religion that believes in one God. The followers are
called "Sikhs", and their holy book is the Guru Granth Sahib. An estimated 27 million people
are followers of Sikhism, which then makes it the ninth largest religion in the world. A popular
 place where this religion is practiced is in Asia. Sikhs are usually identified by the Turban that
they wear, but not all wear turbans as it is not required.
Sikhism was started around 1500 by Guru Nanak Dev, the first of the "Ten Gurus". It took on
a distinct identity in 1699, celebrated by Vaisakhi. This is when Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth
guru, started the baptism with Khande di Pahul, and the Sikhs were required to keep the 5 Ks.
This is the Khalsa.
7 islam – The word Islam means 'submission to the will of God'.

Islam is the second largest religion in the world with over 1 billion followers. The 2001 census
recorded 1,591,000 Muslims in the UK, around 2.7% of the population.

 Muslims believe that Islam was revealed over 1400 years ago in Mecca, Arabia.
 Followers of Islam are called Muslims.
 Muslims believe that there is only One God.
 The Arabic word for God is Allah.
 According to Muslims, God sent a number of prophets to mankind to teach them how to
live according to His law.
 Jesus, Moses and Abraham are respected as prophets of God.
 They believe that the final Prophet was Muhammad.
 Muslims believe that Islam has always existed, but for practical purposes, date their religion
from the time of the migration of Muhammad.
 Muslims base their laws on their holy book the Qur'an, and the Sunnah.
 Muslims believe the Sunnah is the practical example of Prophet Muhammad and that there
are five basic Pillars of Islam.
 These pillars are the declaration of faith, praying five times a day, giving money
to charity, fasting and a pilgrimage to Mecca (atleast once).

8 christanity –

Christianity is the most popular religion in the world with over 2 billion adherents. 42 million
Britons see themselves as nominally Christian, and there are 6 million who are actively
practising.

 Christians believe that Jesus was the Messiah promised in the Old Testament.
 Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
 Christians believe that God sent his Son to earth to save humanity from the consequences of
its sins.
 One of the most important concepts in Christianity is that of Jesus giving his life on the Cross
(the Crucifixion) and rising from the dead on the third day (the Resurrection).
 Christians believe that there is only one God, but that there are three elements to this one
God:
 God the Father
 God the Son
 The Holy Spirit
 Christians worship in churches.
 Their spiritual leaders are called priests or ministers.
 The Christian holy book is the Bible, and consists of the Old and New Testaments.
 Christian holy days such as Easter and Christmas are important milestones in the Western
secular calendar