Canadian Faiths: Denominations, Sects and Cults.

"Canada continues increasingly to be a culturally diverse society. It´s comprised of thousand-year cultures, new religions, and growing ethnic communities. Canada´s wealth is measured in its myriad of people of different color, race, background, and faith. Listed here are some of the faiths and beliefs."
– (Paraphrased from Mutifaith Council of Ontario.)

Denominations

Christianity

"Christianity - (1) a monotheistic system of beliefs and practices based on the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus, and emphasizing the role of Jesus as savior. (2) the collective body of Christians throughout the world and history. "
– (WordNet ® 2.0, © 2003 Princeton University)

• Christianity.com
  Contains articles, bible readings, and information about the Christian faith.

- Catholic -

• Catholic Online
  Features information on the catholic faith, news on Christian matters, and pictures of multiple Christian things.
• New Advent
  contains an extensive catholic encyclopedia, bible readings, information on the fathers, almanacs, and more.

- Eastern Orthodox -

• Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto (Canada)
  Gives information about Canadian parishes and programs, and the Orthodox faith.
• Orthodox History
  Outlines origins of the Orthodox Church, beliefs and practices.

- Protestant -

• St. Paul's Church Defenders
  Has information on Protestantism and the history of the faith, as well as some pictures.

Buddhism

"The basic doctrines of early Buddhism, which remain common to all Buddhism, include the “four noble truths”: existence is suffering (dukhka); suffering has a cause, namely craving and attachment (trishna); there is a cessation of suffering, which is nirvana; and there is a path to the cessation of suffering, the “eightfold path” of right views, right resolve, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. Buddhism characteristically describes reality in terms of process and relation rather than entity or substance."
– http://www.answers.com/topic/buddhism

• BUDDHISM The religion's core beliefs
  Reviews core beliefs, practices and Noble Truths.
• Buddhism in Canada
  Lists locations.

Hinduism

"A body of religious and philosophical beliefs and cultural practices native to India and characterized by a belief in reincarnation and a supreme being of many forms and natures, by the view that opposing theories are aspects of one eternal truth, and by a desire for liberation from earthly evils."
– WordNet 2.1 Vocabulary Helper

• Hinduism: The Basics
  One of the world's oldest living religions. Includes books, history, beliefs, and the magazine Hinduism Today.

Islam

"At the core of Islam is the Qur'an, ...
The ethos of Islam is in its attitude toward Allah: to His will Muslims submit; Him they praise and glorify; and in Him alone they hope. However, in popular or folk forms of Islam, Muslims ask intercession of the saints, prophets, and angels, while preserving the distinction between Creator and creature. Islam views the Message of Muhammad as the continuation and the fulfillment of a lineage of Prophecy that includes figures from the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament, notably Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and Jesus. "
– http://www.answers.com/topic/islam

Note: There are several different groups of Muslims, but all of them, in every country and community, regard their faith as a bond between them, and as a major part of their identity. The largest Muslim group is the Sunni Muslims - who make up 90% of the world's Muslims. The other main group is the Shi'ite Muslims, who are particularly strong in Iran.

• IslamiCity.com
  Provides Islam beliefs in text, audio and video. Also, a good reference for non-Muslims who are searching about Islam Muslims.
• Islam Online
  Is a one stop source for news, information and a host of interactive services, which include Cyber Counsellor, Ask about Islam, Discussion Forum, Live dialogue and Fatwa sessions.
• Islam101
  Is an educational site on Islam, its civilization and culture. It includes an introductory course on Islam and presents Islamic views on contemporary issues.
• Shi'ite Encyclopedia
  Both Shia and Sunni perspectives are presented.
• The Canadian Society of Muslims
  Educational articles from a Sunni-Hanafia perspective.

Judaism

"The religion of the Israelites of the Bible and of the Jews of today, based on the teachings of the Torah. Judaism involves the belief in one God, whose Chosen People are the Jews. Abraham is considered the founder of Judaism, although Moses, who delivered the laws of God to the Israelites, is also an important figure."
– "Judaism." The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2002. Answers.com 30 Nov. 2005. http://www.answers.com/topic/judaism

• Judaism 101
  Is an encyclopedia of information about Judaism, Jewish practices, holidays, people and beliefs. For beginners, intermediate or advanced readers.

Sikhism

The core beliefs of Sikhism are belief in one God and the teachings of the Ten Gurus, enshrined in Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book.
– "Sikhism." Wikipedia. Wikipedia, 2005. Answers.com 30 Nov. 2005. http://www.answers.com/topic/sikhism

• Sikhs.org
  Contains information about the lifestyles, history, beliefs and more about the Sikh religion.
• Sikhnet
  Explores the history and evolution of Sikhism and its culture. Includes a beautiful article, with photographs, on the Golden Temple.

Sects

"A sect is a small religious group that has branched off of a larger established religion. Sects have many beliefs and practices in common with the religion that they have broken off from, but are differentiated by a number of doctrinal differences. In contrast, a denomination is a large, well established religious group."
– http://www.answers.com/topic/cult

• The Bahá'ís
  Is a world religion based on the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh. He explained that there is only one God and one human family, and that all religions are spiritually united.
• Canadian Unitarian Council
  Affirms and promotes the inherent worth and dignity of every person; justice, equity, and compassion in human relations; and the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all.
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
  Joseph Smith founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, colloquially called Mormons. Mormons believe that families are a central part of God's plan for humans, and they encourage family togetherness and strong family connections.
• Seventh-day Adventists
  Doctrinally, are heirs of the inter-faith Millerite movement of the 1840's. As the name suggests, the two foremost doctrines of the church centre around the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath (Saturday) and belief in the second advent of Jesus Christ.
• Mennonite Church
  Theological roots are in the Anabaptist wing of the sixteenth century European Protestant Reformation. In small communities of faith, believers gathered to study the Bible believing that their own understanding of the scriptures should shape how they lived their lives ahead of the doctrines of the church.
• The Salvation Army in Canada
  Founded in 1865 by William Booth, has spread from London, England, to many parts of the world. It came to Canada in 1882, where it has become part of the fabric of the nation. It is presently active in well over 100 countries including Canada.

Cults

"The term cult is now often used to refer to contemporary religious groups whose beliefs and practices depart from the conventional norms of society. These groups vary widely in doctrine, leadership, and ritual, but most stress direct experience of the divine and duties to the cult community. Such cults tend to proliferate during periods of social unrest; most are transient and peripheral."
– http://www.answers.com/topic/cult

• Doukhobors
  Today, some Canadians identifying themselves as Doukhobors follow the communal, religious and pacifist life of the sect, while others live and work within the broader Canadian community. The Doukhobor communities estimate that as many as 30,000 practise the faith in Canada, mostly in Saskatchewan and British Columbia. The Sons of Freedom, a small splinter Doukhobor sect, emphasize communal living and action, ecstatic religious doctrine, and anarchic attitudes towards external regulation.
• International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)
  Followers of Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, more popularly known the Hare Krishna Movement.
• Church of Scientology
  Founded by L. Ron Hubbard.
• Reverend Moon and the Unification Church
  Founded by Reverend Moon.
• Feng Shui
  Means 'wind, water' and traditionally symbolizes the space between heaven and earth - the environment where we live.
• Falun Gong (A.k.a. Falun Dafa)
  Means Law of the Wheel Breathing Exercise. Through exercises, meditation and study its aim is to purify the mind and body and improve moral character. Li Hongzhi, also known as "The Master" or "Master Li", introduced Falun Gong to Beijing in 1992. It has since spread to other counties including Canada.

Primitive Religions

"Probably most of the human race through the ages has adhered to primitive religion. It is still widely practiced today in its pure form among preliterate peoples; in addition, many members of major religions (including Christianity) partake of primitive thought and practice to varying degrees."
– http://www.leaderu.com/wri-table2/primitive.html

• Animism
  The "Primitive Religions" were born in the five Continents, more than 3,000 years ago, mostly in the form of "Animism", because they believed that everything has a "soul", an "anima" in Latin, a "spirit"... including animals, plants, rocks, mountains, rivers, stars... each "anima" is powerful, spiritual, that can help or hurt them, including the souls of the dead, the "ancestors".
• Myths and Legends
  An extensive list of myths and legends from North American Native Peoples and also myths from around the world.
• Encyclopedia Mythica
  is an on-line encyclopedia on mythology, folklore, and legend. It contains thousands of articles, and hundreds of images and stories.