Unit 3 – Belief Systems

Map of World Belief Systems

Timeline

                   

Important TermsReligion:• Organized beliefs and rituals of a culture• Usually associated with a “god” (deity) or

“spiritual force” (worship)

Social Philosophy:• A set of guiding principles that a community

follows• They have a great influence on how the

community behaves

Main BeliefsBelief 

System/Symbol

Place of Origin/Holy Text Main Beliefs Essential Elements

Hinduism India

Reincarnation: Belief that the soul comes back in another form after the body’s deathDharma: the overall values and rules of HinduismKarma: the behavior of a Hindu (thoughts and actions)

Caste System: Social order of separate castes (classes) through Karma – people move up or down the caste system

Vedas

Brahmins

Kshatriyas

Vaishyas

Shudras

untouchables

Main BeliefsBelief 

System/Symbol

Place of Origin/Holy Text Main Beliefs Essential Elements

BuddhismIndia (but

moved out)

• Began in India but was not accepted (Hindu social order was too strong)

• Missionaries spread Buddha’s teachings through Asia

Four Noble Truths:• Everyone suffers• Suffering caused by

desires• To end suffering – end

desires• To end desires – follow the

Eight-Fold Path

Right: Views, Resolve, Speech, Conduct, Livelihood, Effort, Mindfulness, Concentration-----

India

China

Korea

Japan

Southeast Asia

Main BeliefsBelief 

System/ Symbol

Place of Origin/ Holy Text Main Beliefs Essential 

Elements

TaoismChina/ Tao Te Ching

Founded by Laozi• Live in harmony

with nature• Yin and Yang

create balance

Follow Dao (The Way) of nature (accept the things that you cannot change)

Legalism

China/-----

Founded by Han Feizi• People are

basically evil

Harsh laws and strict punishmentForce and power are necessaryBe true to government, not family

Main BeliefsBelief 

System/Symbol

Place of Origin/Holy Text Main Beliefs Essential Elements

Confucianism China

Founded by Confucius• People are basically

good• Good conduct and

being moral = good government and social harmony

Golden Rule – Do unto others as you would have them do to you

Filial Piety: respect your eldersFive Relationships:Ruler → SubjectFather → SonHusband → WifeOlder brother → youngerFriend = Friend

Analects

Main BeliefsBelief 

System/Symbol

Place of Origin/Holy Text Main Beliefs Essential Elements

Judaism Middle East

Monotheism: belief in one God• Kicked out of

Palestine by the Romans during the Diaspora, and scattered through Europe

• God will send a Messiah (savior) to them someday

Ten Commandments: Guidelines for Behavior – follow God’s laws for the Messiah to come

Torah (first 5

books of Old Test)

Main BeliefsBelief 

System/Symbol

Place of Origin/Holy Text Main Beliefs Essential Elements

Christianity Middle East

Monotheism: belief in one God• Jesus Christ is the

Son of God and the Messiah

• Jesus’ death provided salvation for those who believe

• Roman Empire initially persecuted Christians, then converted to it

Ten Commandments: Guidelines for Behavior • Belief in Christ brings

salvation and heaven after death

• Simple rules brought many converts to Christianity

Bible

Main BeliefsBelief 

System/Symbol

Place of Origin/Holy Text Main Beliefs Essential Elements

Islam Middle East

Monotheism: belief in one God• Follow Allah in all

things above everything else

• Mohammed is the Messiah who spread the word of God

• Religious laws of Islam are so important that they often become political laws also

Five Pillars of Faith:• Faith: Shahada “there is

no God but Allah and Mohammed is his profit

• Prayer: Five time/day facing Mecca

• Charity: Zakat, give alms to the poor

• Fasting: no food or drink while sun is up during Ramadan

• Pilgrimage: Hajj, journey to Mecca once in your lifeQur’an

(Koran)

Main BeliefsBelief 

System/ Symbol

Place of Origin/ Holy Text Main Beliefs Essential 

Elements

Animism

Africa/ -----

• Worship spirits in nature (trees, animals, etc.)

• Worship their ancestors

Great respect for the natural world

Shintoism

Japan/-----

• Spirits of “Kami” exist in all things, including their emperor

• Shrines built at places of beauty in nature (Torii Gates)

Great respect for the natural world