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Religions of the Religions of the WorldWorld

September 17, 2012September 17, 2012

A. monotheism - A. monotheism - The belief in one The belief in one god.god.

B. polytheism - B. polytheism - The belief in many The belief in many gods.gods.

Mono = oneMono = onePoly = manyPoly = manyTheism = belief in god (or gods)Theism = belief in god (or gods)

ReligionReligion

1.1. ChristianityChristianity 33%33%

2.2. IslamIslam 21%21%

3.3. HinduismHinduism 14%14%

4.4. BuddhismBuddhism 6%6%

5.5. SikhismSikhism .36%.36%

6.6. JudaismJudaism .22%.22%

Major World Major World ReligionsReligions

NOTES: As of 2005. This list includes only organized religions and excludes more loosely defined groups such as Chinese or African traditional religions.Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica, www.adherents.com.

1.1. JudaismJudaism

2.2. ChristianityChristianity

3.3. IslamIslam

Largest Largest Monotheistic Monotheistic ReligionsReligions

JudaismJudaism Oldest of Southwest Asian Oldest of Southwest Asian religions –religions –32003200 years old years old

MonotheisticMonotheistic Followers called Followers called JewsJews Basic laws and Basic laws and teachingsteachings come come from a book called the from a book called the TorahTorah (first five books of Christian (first five books of Christian Bible)Bible)

Religious Religious centercenter is in city of is in city of Jerusalem in Jerusalem in IsraelIsrael

Evolved 2,000 years ago from Evolved 2,000 years ago from the teachings of the teachings of JudaismJudaism in in Southwest AsiaSouthwest Asia

MonotheisticMonotheistic largestlargest religion with 2 religion with 2 billion followersbillion followers

Christianity

Based on teachings of Based on teachings of Jesus ChristJesus Christ ChristiansChristians believe he believe he is the Son of Godis the Son of God

Teachings are recorded Teachings are recorded in the in the New TestamentNew Testament of of the Biblethe Bible

Three major groups are Three major groups are Roman Roman CatholicCatholic, , Protestant, and Eastern Protestant, and Eastern OrthodoxOrthodox

IslamIslam

Originated in Originated in Southwest Southwest AsiaAsia in 613 A.D. in 613 A.D.

MonotheisticMonotheistic Based on the teachings of Based on the teachings of MuhammadMuhammad

Followers are called Followers are called MuslimsMuslims and worship God, and worship God, who is called who is called AllahAllah in in ArabicArabic

Holy book is called Holy book is called QurQur’’anan

Two major divisions of Two major divisions of Islam are Islam are SunniSunni and and ShiiteShiite

Bell Ringer: Vocabulary

Define the following terms in your notes:-Jewish Diaspora-Resurrection-Apostles-Sunnah-Abraham *-Jesus Christ *-Muhammad *

JudaismJudaism• Origin & background: It originates from the ancient Hebrew people. It’s the 1st monotheistic religion in the world. The main laws and teachings of the religion come from the Torah (the 1st 5 books of the Hebrew Bible)

• According to the Torah, Abraham (the father of the Hebrew people) was chosen by God (Yahweh) to move his family from Mesopotamia to Canaan. This was the beginning of the Hebrews.

• Another key figure in Judaism was Moses.- According to the Torah, Moses led the Hebrews out of slavery in Egypt sometime between 1300-1200BC. (The Exodus).

- After the Exodus Moses was given the Ten Commandment by God.

• The 10 Commandments became the foundation for civil & religious law for Judaism.

• Observant Jews follow many strict laws and rituals that guide daily life and the ways they worship.

Followers worship in a synagogue (place of worship).

• Today about 14 million people (Jewish people) practice Judaism.

• Most of these Jewish people live in Israel & the United States.

• Judaism has influenced both Christianity & Islam.

ChristianityChristianity

• Christianity is based on the Gospels, life & teachings of Jesus, ancient Hebrew law, and the death of Jesus.

These teachings can be found in the Christian text called the Bible (Old & New Testaments).

The first 4 books are called the Gospels • The Gospels are written by followers of Jesus and his teachings. Some were actually disciples of Jesus who later became known as Apostles.

• Peter, the first pope and one of the first apostles. The rock on which the church was built

Why was Christianity so appealing to so many people allowing it to spread quickly?

•It embraced all people (men, women, rich and poor)Open to all people•Gave hope to the powerless.•Appealed to those upset with the extravagances of Rome.•Offered a personal relationship with God.•Promised Eternal Life. Goal- Heaven

IslamIslam• Background: The followers of Islam are called Muslims. The word Islam means “submission to the will of Allah”. They believe in one God “Allah”. • The religion was founded by Muhammad in A.D.610

• They also accept the prophets of Judaism (Abraham) & Christianity (Jesus Christ).

• Muslims follow the practices & teachings of the Qur’an (Islamic Holy Book), which Muhammad said was revealed to him by Allah.

Five Pillars of IslamIslam is a direct simple faith, stressing the need to obey the will of Allah. This means following the 5 Pillars of Islam.

•Belief (believing there is no deity but the One God, and Muhammad is the messenger)•Prayer (performing the prescribed prayers 5 times daily)•Charity (giving parts of one’s wealth to the poor, “giving alms”)•Fasting (refraining from food or drink from dawn to sunset through the month of Ramadan)•Pilgrimages (making at least one pilgrimage to Makkah or Mecca in one’s lifetime. This journey is called the “Hajj”).The goal of Islam is to reach Paradise.

Shari’ah A set of practical laws to regulate their daily lives.It is based on scholars interpretations of the Quran and the examples set by Muhammad in his life.It regulates all aspects of Muslim life: family, business, government, and moral conduct.Today:As of 2000 there were 1.1 billion followers of Islam.

HinduismHinduismVedasVedasUpanishadsUpanishadsCasteCasteAtmanAtmanDharmaDharmaKarmaKarmaBrahminsBrahminsBrahmanBrahmanMokshaMokshaReincarnationReincarnationBuddhismBuddhismBuddhaBuddhaEnlightenmentEnlightenmentNirvanaNirvana

Bell Ringer: Bell Ringer: VocabularyVocabulary

Hinduism

• One of the World’s oldest religions

• Mostly ethnic religion concentrated in India

• Polytheistic

Offshoot of Offshoot of Hinduism, Hinduism, developeddeveloped about about 263 B.C. in India263 B.C. in India

PolytheisticPolytheistic FFoundedounded by by Siddhartha Siddhartha Guatama (aka the Guatama (aka the BuddhaBuddha))

Buddhism

RRejectsejects Hindu caste Hindu caste systemsystem

Promotes the Promotes the correctcorrect way way of living in order to of living in order to reach an reach an enlightenedenlightened spiritual state called spiritual state called nirvananirvana

Origins of Hinduism: Aryan + Indus People = Indian Civilization. The most important product of this merger was the introduction of Hinduism.

The religion of Hinduism is based on the ancient Aryans religious beliefs. What we know about these beliefs comes from the Vedas (a collection of hymns & religious rituals).

The Vedas are the oldest Hindu sacred text.

HinduismHinduism

The Vedas were memorized & delivered as long hymns or songs by priest speaking Sanskrit (ancient Aryan language.)The Vedas were passed down from generation to generation in oral form and were not written down for hundreds of years.

Hinduism

Hinduism is the religion of most Indian people. Early Hindu believers believed in a great universal spirit called Brahman.

Upanishads - an explanation of Vedas that is in depth and breaks them down as well.

They believed each person had a soul or inner self called Atman.

The soul could be reborn over and over again into different forms. This is called reincarnation.

Hinduism

Reincarnation - the belief that Atman (inner soul) can be reborn over and over into a higher or lower form. Much of this is based on Karma.

Do good deeds? Move up a caste. Do bad deeds? May move down in the caste system.

The divine law of dharma, rules karma: the law requires that a person perform the duties or responsibilities of their particular caste. If you do your duties (good dharma & live with good karma) one will be reincarnated into a higher caste. Hinduism

• Caste System = Social class or social order of Indian civilization• Brahmin - highest level of the caste (priests)

• It was also brought in by the Aryans.• Early on there were only 4 castes & one group outside the caste system called the outcastes or untouchables.

• Eventually many more castes developed usually tied to one’s job.

Hinduism

Almost 800,000,000 people worldwide practice Hinduism

Known as the world’s oldest organized religion (dating back to 1500 BC)

It is polytheistic, but today followers primarily worship Vishnu (the preserver of the universe) & Siva (the creator & destroyer).

Hinduism TodayHinduism Today

Hinduism

Goal of Hinduism is MokshaReached highest level of enlightenment

Released from reincarnation

Merged with the spirit of Brahman

Hinduism

Origins: Buddhism originates in India around 528 BC when Siddhartha Gautama (aka) Buddha established the concepts and methods for reaching enlightenment.

Founder of Buddhism: Siddhartha (Buddha).

BuddhismBuddhism

Born into nobility around 563 BC in Born into nobility around 563 BC in northern Indianorthern India

Son of a wealthy prince = sheltered, Son of a wealthy prince = sheltered, comfortable lifecomfortable life No understanding of the harshness of No understanding of the harshness of lifelife

Left home – saw death, sickness, & Left home – saw death, sickness, & sufferingsuffering

Wanted to understand pain & suffering Wanted to understand pain & suffering by seeking wisdomby seeking wisdom

Age 29 – left family to wander seeking Age 29 – left family to wander seeking wisdom & understanding to human wisdom & understanding to human sufferingsuffering

Siddhartha (Buddha)Siddhartha (Buddha)

Buddhism

Tried different methods while Tried different methods while seeking wisdomseeking wisdom• Fasting & strict disciplineFasting & strict discipline

• Ate 1-7 grains of rice a dayAte 1-7 grains of rice a day• Could see his backbone through Could see his backbone through stomachstomach

• Decided this might Decided this might notnot be the best be the best wayway

• MeditationMeditation• Meditated for days before Meditated for days before discovering true path to discovering true path to enlightenmentenlightenment

• Took a new name: Buddha Took a new name: Buddha “Enlightened One”“Enlightened One”

Buddhism

Believed in reincarnationBelieved in reincarnation Dependent upon the life a person Dependent upon the life a person leadsleads

Good = rewarded; Evil = punishedGood = rewarded; Evil = punished Salvation/Enlightenment attained Salvation/Enlightenment attained by knowing and following:by knowing and following: ““4 Noble Truths”4 Noble Truths” ““Eightfold path” or “Middle way”Eightfold path” or “Middle way”

Teachings of BuddhaTeachings of Buddha

Buddhism

1.Everything in life is suffering and sorrow.

2.The cause of suffering is people’s selfish desires.

3.The way to end suffering is to end desire.

4.The way to end desire is by following the 8-fold path.

4 Noble Truths4 Noble Truths

Buddhism

This is a path to enlightenment. Each step must be mastered along the way. When you reach the end and finally become enlightened you will find “Nirvana”

Nirvana - The goal of Buddhism (is a perfect spiritual peace where one is released from the cycle of reincarnation.)

Eightfold Eightfold Path/Middle WayPath/Middle Way

Buddhism

• There are about 350 million followers of Buddhism.

Buddhism TodayBuddhism Today

Combines elements of Hinduism and Combines elements of Hinduism and IslamIslam

Founded by Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Founded by Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, (1469-1538) (1469-1538)

Preach the way to enlightenment Preach the way to enlightenment

and God.and God. Strict monotheismStrict monotheism the brotherhood of humanitythe brotherhood of humanity reject idol worship, and the reject idol worship, and the oppressive Hindu concept of caste. oppressive Hindu concept of caste.

SikhismSikhism

   

                                                         The Khanda -- the Sikh symbol

ConfucianismConfucianism• background- Took root in china during a time of civil war.

• Developed by Confucius due to the Rulers loss of the “Mandate of Heaven”- the Chinese belief that a ruler’s power stemmed from divine authority.

• Beliefs- Confucianism is less a religion than a philosophy and a way of life.

• Central ideas- Stress Civic Responsibility, provides people with an ethical system to follow based on five basic relationships. The most important being parent and child- filial piety.

• His main goal was to influence government through his teachings

Geographical distribution of prevailing organized religions throughout the world:

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http://www.religioustolerance.org/worldrel.htm