ABSTRACT
In societies where totemic beliefs exist, the totem animal is regarded as sacred and is not normally killed or eaten by the members. This common belief is said to unite them more closely, and they are under strong obligations to help one another in time of need. As with other religions, there are certain seasonal ceremonies which take place in order to celebrate these beliefs. An even stranger feature of many religions is the practice commonly known as sacrifice. One of the strangest features of sacrifice, to the student of religion, is why it has been practised by so many different peoples in so many different places throughout history. The New Testament part of the Bible provides the historical foundation for the Christian religion. At Easter, Christians celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus. The Christian Gospel or 'good news' has from earliest times been concerned not just with the death of jesus but also the Resurrection.
