Since October 22, every other Monday night, a group of interested people at the First Congregational Church in Wiscasset have been meeting to learn about and discuss the major religions of the world. There are four planned sessions, each on a different religion, under the leadership of Gwendolyn B. Moore, a Buddhist, assisted by Rev. John P. Potter, the minister of the church.

Moore earned her Master of Divinity at the Harvard Divinity School in 2000. She also has Masters Degrees in Education and in Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Moore is presently Chief Capacity Building Officer, Volunteers of America Northern New England, Inc. located in Brunswick, and founder of the Gwen Moore Children of China Fund, which is managed under the auspices of Pro-Literacy Worldwide, Syracuse, N.Y.

The class on "Comparative Religions of the World" with 30 to 50 people at each of the two Monday evenings so far, has already reviewed the foundation teachings and practices of Buddhism and Islam. Both of the classes and discussions have been informative and lively.

The oldest of the religions they will discuss is Buddhism followed by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Buddhists are estimated to be six percent of the world population with approximately 376 million adherents and 1.5 million in the U.S. The Buddhists practice meditation, including mantras and devotion to deities. They teach that all life includes suffering. Suffering is caused by desire and attachment. Suffering can be eliminated by following the Eightfold Path that leads to enlightenment and nirvana.

The Islamists (Shiite and Sunni etc.) are estimated to be 21 percent of the world with approximately 1.5 billion adherents, also with 1.5 million in the U. S.

Islam is the religion of allegiance to one God, Allah, that began historically with the prophet Muhammad.

The Islamists practice the teachings of the Five Pillars of Islam, which broadly are: a confession of faith, daily prayer, an alms tax or tithe, a pilgrimage to Mecca and fasting during Ramadan.

On Monday, Nov. 19 Judaism teachings and practices were examined. Judaism adherents worldwide are estimated to number 14 million. This number includes four million in the U.S.

This final class begins with a potluck supper at 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 3. It will deal with Christianity which, including all sects and denominations, has estimated adherents of 2.1 billion, or 33 percent of the world population. Of those, some 230 million live in the U. S.

Interested adults are welcome at either of the remaining classes.