Christianity
Photo: Håkan Svensson (Xauxa), CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Christianity is the world's most prolific religion, with more than 2.38 billion followers, and churches, cathedrals and chapels on every continent including Antarctica. Many of those are s.
While the great majority of religious people in some countries—such as most of Europe, the Americas, Oceania, the Philippines and Timor-Leste—are at least nominally Christian, Christianity is a minority religion in most of East Asia and the Middle East, while Africa is nearly evenly divided between Muslims and Christians. Christianity has influenced the culture of the countries it is or has been dominant in and has been influenced by pre-existing local cultures, traditions and religions as well, and many important buildings bear witness to the Christian faith of today and bygone eras.
UnderstandFor God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life
DenominationsIn the first few centuries of Christianity, there were passionate arguments about some key aspects of the faith:
DestinationsThe Holy Land today is divided between Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian territories. * Jerusalem, Israel. The holiest city in the religion, site of Jesus' crucifixion and also a holy city for Judaism and Islam.
TalkChurches tend to use the local language, though this is by no means true in all cases.
SeeMany Christian houses of worship, particularly many Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican ones, are spectacular buildings. On their exteriors, many churches have stone carving, for example in their tympana and niches.
DoIn many Christian churches, a man should remove his hat, and in some, a woman is expected to cover her head.
BuySome churches have a money box where visitors can pay for candles and booklets or give to the church or its various missions and charities. Others have cafes or gift shops.
EatThere is no equivalent to Muslim halal or Jewish kashrut in most Christian denominations, as per a vision experienced by St. Peter, Christians are no longer required to follow the dietary laws of the Old Testament.
DrinkMore traditional churches usually offer wine (with alcohol) as part of a communion service. Others, including most Evangelical churches, will offer a non-alcoholic replacement such as grape juice.
SleepSome monasteries and convents offer accommodation to travellers.
RespectVisiting a place of worship entails diverse expectations regarding conservative dress and respectful behavior, with individual churches exhibiting varying practices.
See also
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Christianity" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Håkan Svensson (Xauxa), CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons