WORLD RELIGIONSWORLD RELIGIONS

Culture UnitCulture Unit

66thth gradegrade

What is Religion?What is Religion?

►► Religion is an organized belief system.Religion is an organized belief system.

►► There are rules, standards, and expectations of There are rules, standards, and expectations of

obedience to these rules.obedience to these rules.

►► Leaders teach and ensure the teachings of the Leaders teach and ensure the teachings of the

religion are being followed.religion are being followed.

►► Some leaders are called ministers, Rabbis, priests, Some leaders are called ministers, Rabbis, priests,

bishops, prophets, monks, etcbishops, prophets, monks, etc……..

►► Religion answers questions about the creation, the Religion answers questions about the creation, the

purpose of life, and life after death.purpose of life, and life after death.

FIVE WORLD RELIGIONS

There are 5 basic world religions which have served as foundations for many other religions and church groups throughout the world. They are:

The 3 Abrahamic Faiths of:

Judaism

Christianity

Islam

Hinduism

Buddhism

Abraham lived about 2000 years BC (before the birth of Christ)

Abraham was a man of great faith. His belief system was based on the monotheism. This means that he believed in one God who was also the creator of all things.

Abraham prayed often and was promised that he would become the father of many nations. He and his wife Sarah were very old and without children. He did not know how this promise would come about.

Sarah convinced Abraham that he should take one of her servants as a wife. Abraham took Hagar and Hagar had a son named Ishmael.

A few years later, Sarah also had a son. This was considered to be a miracle because of her age. They named him Isaac.

Hagar became jealous of Isaac and felt that Abraham would favor him over Ishmael. Sarah expressed her worries and asked Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away.

Abraham gave them an inheritance and sent them away into the desert.

Through Ishmael’s lineage, the Arab nations were born. The Prophet Mohammad, is a descendant of these people. It was through the Prophet Mohammad that the nation of Islam, also known as the Muslim Religion, began.

Abraham kept Isaac close and raised him as a Hebrew. He taught him his belief system.

Isaac had a son named Jacob, who had 12 sons known as the 12 tribes of Israel. Moses was born and organized the tribes and led them out of Egypt to the land of Cannan.

Judaism begins. Through Judaism, Jesus Christ is born. Some Jews believed Jesus was the Messiah of the world. Messiah means Savior. Many Jews did not believe he was the promised Messiah. Those who followed Jesus’ teachings became known as Christians.

Abraham

(2000BC)

Ishmael Isaac

Hagar Sarah

Sons

Ishmael has many sons and eventually they become the beginning of the Arab Nations.

Mohammad (600AD) is visited by an angel and is given information that is written into a Holy book called the Quran, the Islamic Religion is organized.

Jacob has 12 sons. They become the 12 Tribes of Israel. Moses frees them from Egypt and organizes religious teachings establishing Judaism. Holy book is the Torah, which are the first 5 books in the Old Testament.

Jesus is born and teaches (30AD) that he is the Messiah (Savior of the world). Those who become his followers are called Christians. Apostles organize the Christian church.

The Beginning of the 3 Abrahamic Faiths

What is Judaism?What is Judaism?

►► Originated in Southwest Asia (also known as the Middle Originated in Southwest Asia (also known as the Middle East) about 3500 years ago (1500BC)East) about 3500 years ago (1500BC)

►► MonotheisticMonotheistic-- belief in one God.belief in one God.

►► Organized into a religion by Moses.Organized into a religion by Moses.

►► Jewish law is very important to the people.Jewish law is very important to the people.

►► Holy Book Holy Book –– The Torah (first 5 books of the Old The Torah (first 5 books of the Old Testament).Testament).

►► Spiritual leaders are called Rabbis.Spiritual leaders are called Rabbis.

►► Followers of Judaism worship in Synagogues and Temples.Followers of Judaism worship in Synagogues and Temples.

►► Jewish heritage and linage is of great worth to the people. Jewish heritage and linage is of great worth to the people. NonNon--practicing Jews still consider themselves to be Jewish. practicing Jews still consider themselves to be Jewish.

►► Food Restrictions: No pork, Kosher foods (no mixing of Food Restrictions: No pork, Kosher foods (no mixing of dairy and meats). No Shell fish.dairy and meats). No Shell fish.

►► About 12 million in the world.About 12 million in the world.

What is Christianity?What is Christianity?

►► Followers of Jesus Christ (33AD).Followers of Jesus Christ (33AD).

►► Jesus is the promised Messiah (Savior) spoken of in the Jesus is the promised Messiah (Savior) spoken of in the Old Testament.Old Testament.

►► Jesus as the literal son of God.Jesus as the literal son of God.

►► Jesus dies and is resurrected on the 3Jesus dies and is resurrected on the 3rdrd day.day.

►► MonotheisticMonotheistic-- Belief in one God. (The Father, the Son, and Belief in one God. (The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one in purpose.)the Holy Spirit are one in purpose.)

►► Christians worship in churches and chapels.Christians worship in churches and chapels.

►► Holy Book is the Holy Bible.Holy Book is the Holy Bible.

►► Holidays: Christmas and EasterHolidays: Christmas and Easter

►► No Food RestrictionsNo Food Restrictions

►► 2 billion followers.2 billion followers.

What is Islam?What is Islam?

►► Islam means Peace and Submission.Islam means Peace and Submission.

►► Began 1400 years ago in Mecca. (600AD)Began 1400 years ago in Mecca. (600AD)

►► Followers are called Muslims.Followers are called Muslims.

►► MonotheisticMonotheistic-- belief in one God.belief in one God.

►► Mohammad the Prophet teaches and organizes Islam.Mohammad the Prophet teaches and organizes Islam.

►► Jesus, Moses, and Abraham are also considered to be Jesus, Moses, and Abraham are also considered to be prophets. Mohammad is believed to be the last prophet.prophets. Mohammad is believed to be the last prophet.

►► The Holy book is the QurThe Holy book is the Qur’’an and the an and the SunnahSunnah

►► There are 5 Pillars of Faith: 1. pray 5x a day, 2. give There are 5 Pillars of Faith: 1. pray 5x a day, 2. give money to the poor, 3. fasting during Ramadan, 4. visit money to the poor, 3. fasting during Ramadan, 4. visit Mecca, 5. Believe in God.Mecca, 5. Believe in God.

►► Second largest Religion in the World with 1.5 billion.Second largest Religion in the World with 1.5 billion.

►► Food Restrictions: No porkFood Restrictions: No pork

All 3 of these religions have many branches and churches. Most of the population on the earth are followers of one of these 3 religions.

The oldest is Judaism, followed by Christianity, and then Islam. Christianity ranks number one in the number of followers, Islam is 2nd, Judaism is 13th.

Today, most religious sects (groups) can be traced to the basic teachings of each of these religions.

HINDUISM

Hinduism is one of the worlds’ oldest religions with over 900 million followers. There is no known single founder. It began in the Indus Valley known as Pakistan today.

About 80% of all the people in India are followers of Hinduism. It is a Polytheistic Religion. This means the belief in more than one god.

Hindus believe in an eternal soul called Brahman who created all things and is in all things. They also worship Ram, Shiva, Lakshmi, and Hanuman.

Hindus believe that life is a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth governed by Karma. How you live life will determine what your next life will be like.

Birth

Life

Death

Rebirth

Life

Death

Cycle of life based on Karma

This cycle is sometimes called “Reincarnation”

The Vedas are holy writings and the Holy book of the Hindu people. Hindus believe that the things written in the Vedas were given to scholars to write down by Brahman so that the people will know how to live their lives.

Hindus have many celebrations. The most well known one is Diwali, the Festival of Lights.

Also Holi, the return of Spring.

BUDDHISM

Buddhism focuses on the true nature of life and learning the deeper meaning of life. Buddhism teaches that all life is interconnected, so compassion is natural and important.

Buddhism is about 2,500 years old. There are 376 million followers worldwide.

Siddhartha Gautama founded Buddhism as he was studying ways to improve the meaning of his life in the 6th century BC. Followers believe he became the “Buddha” after he became enlightened with perfect understanding.

Buddhists believe that they should strive to become enlightened as well by following Buddha’s teachings.

What is Buddhism?What is Buddhism?

►► There is no belief in a personal god.There is no belief in a personal god.

►► It is not centered on a relationship with a god.It is not centered on a relationship with a god.

►► Change is always possible.Change is always possible.

►► 2 main types of Buddhism: 1. Theravada, 2. Mahayana; 2 main types of Buddhism: 1. Theravada, 2. Mahayana; there are many more.there are many more.

►► Many festivals (Many festivals (egeg. . VesakVesak, O, O--Bon)Bon)

►► Worship both at home or in temples.Worship both at home or in temples.

►► Morality, meditation, and wisdomMorality, meditation, and wisdom

►► Holy writing called Holy writing called TripitkaTripitka and Diamond Sutraand Diamond Sutra

►► Belief in reincarnation (birth, life, death, and rebirth)Belief in reincarnation (birth, life, death, and rebirth)

All 5 world religions are important to the majority of the world’s population. Understanding them gives us greater understanding of why people do what they do.