The word religion is derived from Latin “religionem” meaning the respect for what is sacred and reverence for the gods. The contemporary definition states that it is an organized collection of beliefs, cultural systems and word views that connect humanity with an order of existence. The word religion is often interchangeably used with faith or belief system.
However there are those who oppose this, arguing that religion differs from private belief system. Most of the world`s religions offer the answers to the origin of life and universe along with moral and ethic codes of conduct. It is estimated that there are, currently, over 4.200 religions worldwide.
When it comes to the classification of religion, there are five distinctive branches: Abrahamic, Iranian, Indian, African and Indigenous and folk.
There are numerous aspects to consider concerning religion such as the origin and the development, different types of religion and the teachings behind them. There are also other issues religion is concerned with such as economics, health, violence, law and science.
The documentaries and video materials complied in this category are looking into the above mentioned issues.
TV3 brings us a documentary on Ireland`s cults such as “The Palmarians”, “The House of Prayer” or the “Scientologists”. See their structural complexity, hierarchy and means of funding. The story also includes the experiences of their former members and their current views of these churches. It also gives you a chance to look inside these churches and see what exactly is going on.
Discover the origin and history of Christianity in Abkhazia in a documentary that combines these stories of the past and video materials into a fascinating tale. Witness some of the monuments, monasteries and the stories about the saints in a documentary directed by Sergei Yazvinskiy.
Ancient mythologies around the world are filled with tales of demons and gods from beezlebub, djinn, lamia to baal and satan. This documentary is looking into these mythological creatures from the perspective of Christianity. Also have a chance to see the history of witchcraft, demon possession and how people used the above mentioned terms to their benefit in times of war.
Latest Documentaries
380 Views 0 Comments 44:41
Christmas or Christmas Day is derived from the old English word ‘Crīstesmæsse’ meaning ‘Christ's Mass’. It is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed most commonly on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world.While the month and date of Jesus' birth are unknown, by the early-to-mid 4th century, the Western Christian Church had placed Christmas on December 25, a date later adopted in the East. Although some churches celebrate on the December 25 of the older Julian calendar, which corresponds to January 7 in the Gregorian calendar.Watch this documentary and discover the very origin of Christmas, from the establishment of the date of celebration to the present day. Find out how it was celebrated before in comparison with the contemporary customs.
320 Views 0 Comments 58:42
The movie that has stirred up so much interest in Watchtower history and controversial flip-flops in doctrine. Includes interviews and testimonies of ex-JWs and JW elders. Many JWs have watched this and left the organization. 1986
192 Views 0 Comments 01:18:52
This is actually a video rebuttal to an anti-Mormon video called The Bible vs. The Book of Mormon. It mostly consists of evidences of The Book of Mormon.
181 Views 0 Comments 01:22:04
In this presentation, recorded at the April 2014 Book of Mormon Evidence Conference held in Orem, UT, Jake Hilton answers one of the most common questions people ask Mormon Evidence: "Why does Book of Mormon geography even matter? Why is this information even important?" Jake answers that question with what he calls THE GREAT EIGHT. This is a "transformation" presentation. Watch to find out why, and discover the POWER of Book of Mormon Evidence for yourself.
210 Views 0 Comments 01:24:21
Journey of Faith - The New World, chronicles the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Thoughtful insights from 32 top scholars continue the journey into the Book of Mormon's thousand-year span, aiding understanding of this sacred text. Mormon's description of the land, religious history, culture, and traditions create a fascinating mosaic. Filmed on location in Guatemala and Mexico.
202 Views 0 Comments 01:24:58
www.eternal-productions.org Exploring the Wonders of Creation, Conscience, and the Glory of God! God's wonders surround us. And these marvels reveal much about our Creator. Through creation we glimpse His power and wisdom, His majesty and care. Creation is speaking to those who will listen...Join us on a remarkable journey of discovery as we explore the Creator's handiwork and what His creation reveals about His character. Survey the unimaginable size of the universe and ponder the vast energy present in all matter. Examine the elegant water molecule essential to all life and discover how God combines these molecules to form beautiful and symmetrical snow crystals. Learn about the incredible complexity of DNA and the miraculous workings of the tiny seed. From the design functionality of birds to the incredible transformation of butterflies, these and many other features of creation are highlighted in this visually stunning presentation. God of Wonders is a breath-taking tour of God's creation wonders, visible and invisible, and the greatest wonder of all -- His redeeming love!
306 Views 0 Comments 01:29:23
Wayne May's two-part presentation at the November 2013 Vernal, UT Book of Mormon Evidence Conference. His incredible evidence leaves little (to no) doubt: The Book of Mormon is true and could have ONLY happened in North America.
232 Views 0 Comments 01:55:06
You will be shocked at the details of this video and it is not for the faint of heart. DO NOT watch this unless you want to know the truth. Even if you already know the history, this video will challenge even you.
123 Views 0 Comments 02:51:06
For the first time in history, Christianity in China, especially the House-Church, is given an honest and comprehensive account. The film answers the question raised by many people outside China: how did the number of Chinese Christians increase from 700,000 in 1949 to approximately 70 million today, despite communist control?
229 Views 0 Comments 43:55
Islam is one of the biggest and most influential religions in the world. Their doctrine specifies that if you can you must visit the holy city of Mecca. This National Geographic documentary shows the pilgrimage that millions of people make each year into Mecca, complete with all the holy rituals and traditions.
208 Views 0 Comments 45:37
The historian Tristram Hunt explores how Protestantism has affected the lives of people in the Protestant revolution. This is a story of a revolution that has affected all people in the West, and almost every country in the world. It is a revolution that affects the very structure of existence – what we do to live, who we vote, we’re going to war and how we see ourselves as individuals and as nations. The series investigates the scientific, cultural, economic and political movement with the help of leading academic witnesses, and concludes that the scope of Protestantism is so profound that it is impossible to imagine the modern world without it. The series explores how the revolutionary nature of the reform shaped the world we live in today, modern art of war in Iraq. When Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the church door at Wittenberg, he unleashed a revolution in thinking and events that have both amazed and horrified him.Of modern capitalism to the nuclear family form, Protestantism has shaped the Western world in its image, and this is the dramatic story of how and why this happened. Tristan says: “Now that the traditional culture of Protestantism has fallen in the UK, which wanted to show how an elemental force that this religion has been in shaping our modern world.” Of the books we read, political parties vote, the way we live and love, the Protestant revolution continues to resonate. “As Britain struggles with its sense of national identity and the forces of evangelical Protestantism growing worldwide understanding of that faith, its meaning and legacy seems more vital than ever.”
197 Views 0 Comments 01:24:51
"Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple", is a 2006 documentary film made by Firelight Media, produced and directed by Stanley Nelson. The documentary reveals new footage of the incidents surrounding the Peoples Temple and its leader Jim Jones who led over 900 members of his cult to a settlement in Guyana called Jonestown, where he orchestrated a mass suicide with poisoned Flavor Aid, in 1978. It is in the form of a narrative with interviews with former Temple members, Jonestown survivors, and persons who knew Jones at various stages.
360 Views 0 Comments 59:10
Diarmaid MacCulloch teacher – one of the leading historians in the world – reveals the origins of Christianity and explores what it means to be Christian. Diarmaid MacCulloch When a young boy, his parents used to drive around historic churches. Little did they know that they had created a monster, with the history of the Christian Church to become his life’s work. In a series sweep in four continents, Professor MacCulloch goes in search of forgotten origins of Christianity.1. First Christianity. The shift of the family history it started when the apostle Paul was Christianity from Jerusalem to Rome. Instead, it shows that the true origins of Christianity are found further east, and at one point he was about to succeed in Asia, including China. The headquarters of Christianity could have been Bagdad, not Rome, and if it had happened then Western Christianity have been very different.2. Catholicism: The Rise of Rome unpredictable. More than a billion Christians look to Rome, more than half of all Christians on the planet. But how a small Jewish sect of rural first-century Palestine, who preached the virtue of humility and poverty, become the religion of Western Europe – the unflinching obedience rich, powerful and hopes of the faithful?3. Orthodoxy – From Empire to Empire. Today, Eastern Orthodox Christianity flourishes in the Balkans and Russia, with over 150 million members worldwide. It’s different Catholicism or Protestantism – worship is carefully choreographed, the icons get the faithful to a mystical union with Christ, and everywhere there is a symbol of a fierce-looking bird, the eagle with two heads.4. Reform: The individual before God. The Amish are a peaceful people today, but five centuries ago, their ancestors were regarded as some of the most dangerous in Europe. They were the radicals – the protesters – who destroyed the Catholic Church. In the fourth part of the series, Diarmaid MacCulloch sense of the Reformation, and how a faith based on obedience and authority gave birth to one based on individual conscience.5. Protestantism – The Gospel Explosion. Diarmaid MacCulloch an overview of the emergence of an exuberant expression of faith that has spread around the world – evangelical Protestantism. Today is associated with conservative politics, but the story is clearly unexpected. It’s easy to forget that the evangelical explosion has been driven by a concern for social justice and the assertion that one could be in direct emotional relationship with God.6. God in the Dock. Life history Diarmaid MacCulloch makes it a symbol of a distinctive feature of Western Christendom – the skepticism, a tendency to doubt what has transformed Western culture and Christianity. In the final program of the series, asked that the change came. He challenges the simplistic notion that faith in Christianity has been steadily leaking to the relentless advance of science, reason and progress, and instead shows how the tide of evil faith flows back in.
161 Views 0 Comments 48:05
Dispatches investigates the violence and intimidation against Muslims who convert to Christianity in Britain. Dispatches reporter Antony Barnett meets former Muslims who live under the threat of reprisals from their former communities. Many still live in fear. Interview with a family who have been expelled from their homes and a convert whose brother was beaten close to death.The investigation uncovers a network of churches support converts from Islam who have to worship under a veil of secrecy. It is estimated that about 3,000 Muslims who have converted to Christianity living in Britain.The conversion to another religion for a Muslim is not just considered a taboo act by some believers. The demand for certain Islamic texts converts – also known as apostates – be punished severely for having abandoned their faith. In several Islamic countries, the death penalty is imposed. Here in Britain, Dispatches discovers a form of popular justice is carried out on our streets. A Christian bishop tells Dispatches issue that will not be long before a British convert is killed, and calls on Muslim leaders to take action.
285 Views 0 Comments 01:42:53
Self-observation brings man to the realization of the need for self-change. And in observing himself a man notices that self-observation brings about certain changes in their internal processes. He begins to understand that self-observation is an instrument of self-change, half awake.In 1920, there appeared a man unknown in Europe, having lived through some extraordinary experiences in the East, His name was Ivanovich Gurdjieff. This is the story of his early years.The film was made in the place where the imposing mountains, rarely photographed and deserts of Afghanistan, and has been widely recognized for its unique visual beauty.
433 Views 0 Comments 58:54
Professor Robert Winston presents a definitive three-part documentary series on the history of humanity’s search to understand the nature of God.God’s story is an epic journey across continents, cultures and eras exploring religious beliefs of his early incarnations, through the development of the major religions of the world and the state of religious faith in a scientific age.The series examines the roots of religious beliefs in prehistoric societies and the different ways in which the sense of humanity of the divine developed. It looks at the divergence between the religions that worship a range of deities and those that represent strict monotheism.The series begins with Professor Winston examine the many religions that believe in different gods and explores why mankind started to believe in God.The answer to that question, says Professor Winston, can be found in the caves where our ancestors came to their gods and where in the fields where people still ask for help, in the cities where our ancestors have been honored temples and the gods are appeased with sacrifices.“But above all the answer,” says Professor Winston, “lies in the human desire to be united with something bigger than ourselves.”
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