Western ReligionsWestern Religions1.1. JudaismJudaism

2.2. ChristianityChristianity

3.3. IslamIslam

JudaismJudaism

MonotheisticMonotheistic Sacred Texts – The Torah, TalmudSacred Texts – The Torah, Talmud

– Torah is the most sacred text and Torah is the most sacred text and consists of 5 booksconsists of 5 booksGenesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and

Deuteronomy.Deuteronomy.

– Other laws and customs written down Other laws and customs written down later make up the Talmudlater make up the Talmud

Founded by Abraham, Isaac and Founded by Abraham, Isaac and MosesMoses

AbrahamAbraham At age 75, God made a At age 75, God made a

covenant with Abraham covenant with Abraham that would make Jews that would make Jews the “chosen people”.the “chosen people”.

Abraham had a son Abraham had a son Isaac at 100 years old.Isaac at 100 years old.

Isaac has a son Jacob Isaac has a son Jacob (renamed Israel) who (renamed Israel) who fathers the Twelve fathers the Twelve Tribes of Israel.Tribes of Israel.

Covenant with AbrahamCovenant with Abraham

God made the God made the descendants of descendants of Abraham the Abraham the “Chosen people”“Chosen people”

Cannan would one Cannan would one day belong to the day belong to the Israelites as their Israelites as their “promised land”“promised land”

MosesMoses

Born in Egypt while the Jews Born in Egypt while the Jews were enslaved.were enslaved.

Is adopted by the Pharaohs Is adopted by the Pharaohs daughter, but is forced to flee daughter, but is forced to flee Egypt.Egypt.

Moses leads the Jews out of Moses leads the Jews out of Egypt, unleashes the ten Egypt, unleashes the ten plagues, brings the ten plagues, brings the ten commandments down from commandments down from Mount Sinai and leads the Jews Mount Sinai and leads the Jews to the edge of the sacred land to the edge of the sacred land of Canaanof Canaan

Ten CommandmentsTen Commandments "I am the LORD your God who brought you out of the land "I am the LORD your God who brought you out of the land

of Egypt, from the house of slavery. Thou shalt have no of Egypt, from the house of slavery. Thou shalt have no other gods before Me... .." other gods before Me... .."

"Do not make a sculpted image or any likeness of what is in "Do not make a sculpted image or any likeness of what is in the heavens above..." the heavens above..."

"Thou shalt not swear falsely by the name of the LORD..." "Thou shalt not swear falsely by the name of the LORD..." "Remember ["Remember [zachorzachor] the Sabbath day and keep it holy" ] the Sabbath day and keep it holy" "Thou shalt honor your father and your mother..." "Thou shalt honor your father and your mother..." "Thou shalt not murder" "Thou shalt not murder" "Thou shalt not commit adultery." "Thou shalt not commit adultery." "Thou shalt not steal." "Thou shalt not steal." "Thou shalt not bear false witness against your neighbor“"Thou shalt not bear false witness against your neighbor“ "Thou shalt not covet your neighbor's house..." "Thou shalt not covet your neighbor's house..."

David and SolomonDavid and Solomon

David reunites the David reunites the Twelve Tribes of Twelve Tribes of Israel as the second Israel as the second king of Israel.king of Israel.

David’s son Solomon David’s son Solomon continues the continues the Kingdom of Israel and Kingdom of Israel and its influence spreads.its influence spreads.

Solomon builds his Solomon builds his capital at Jerusalem.capital at Jerusalem.

The Fall of IsraelThe Fall of Israel

Revolts erupted in Israel Revolts erupted in Israel after the death of Solomon.after the death of Solomon.

By 722 B.C. the Israelites By 722 B.C. the Israelites were conquered by the were conquered by the Assyrian empireAssyrian empire

In 586 B.C. the Babylonians In 586 B.C. the Babylonians capture Judah and exile the capture Judah and exile the Jews to Babylonia.Jews to Babylonia.

After being freed by the After being freed by the Persian ruler Cyrus many Persian ruler Cyrus many Jews returned to Judah.Jews returned to Judah.

InfluenceInfluence

Judaism has left a large imprint on Judaism has left a large imprint on history.history.

The morals taught have influenced The morals taught have influenced Western civilization for centuries.Western civilization for centuries.

Both Islam and Christianity are based Both Islam and Christianity are based on the teachings of Judaism.on the teachings of Judaism.

Judaism is the oldest of all Western Judaism is the oldest of all Western religions.religions.

ChristianityChristianity

MonotheisticMonotheistic Sacred Texts – The BibleSacred Texts – The Bible

– Old Testament – Hebrew BibleOld Testament – Hebrew Bible– New Testament – Life and Teachings of New Testament – Life and Teachings of

Jesus ChristJesus Christ Three Major DenominationsThree Major Denominations

– CatholicsCatholics– Eastern ChristianityEastern Christianity– ProtestantsProtestants

Christianity

Orthodox Catholicism

Protestantism

Lutherns, Calvanists, Baptists, Evangelicists

Great Schism

1378-1417

Protestant Reformation

1500’s-1600’s

History of ChristianityHistory of Christianity Jesus Lived and taught from around 3 B.C.-30 Jesus Lived and taught from around 3 B.C.-30

A.D.A.D. In the 4In the 4thth century A.D. Christianity becomes a century A.D. Christianity becomes a

legal religion in the Roman Empirelegal religion in the Roman Empire 391 A.D. Christianity becomes central religion in 391 A.D. Christianity becomes central religion in

Roman Empire.Roman Empire. Emperors use Christianity to create unityEmperors use Christianity to create unity Christianity becomes a basis for governing in Christianity becomes a basis for governing in

Europe.Europe. In the 7In the 7thth Century A.D. Christianity becomes Century A.D. Christianity becomes

threatened by Islam.threatened by Islam. Remains the major world religion todayRemains the major world religion today

IslamIslam

MonotheisticMonotheistic Sacred TextsSacred Texts

– Qur’ an (Koran)Qur’ an (Koran) Final Revelation of God to humanityFinal Revelation of God to humanity Correction of Jewish and Christian ScripturesCorrection of Jewish and Christian Scriptures

MuhammadMuhammad– Muslims believe that God revealed his direct Muslims believe that God revealed his direct

word for humanity to Muhammad (c. 570–632) word for humanity to Muhammad (c. 570–632) through the angel Gabriel and earlier prophets through the angel Gabriel and earlier prophets

MuhammadMuhammad

In the year 610 A.D. Muhammad was In the year 610 A.D. Muhammad was first visited by the Angel Gabriel who first visited by the Angel Gabriel who commanded him to recite verses commanded him to recite verses sent by Godsent by God

He preached monotheism and He preached monotheism and accepted the teachings of Judaism accepted the teachings of Judaism and Christianity but said he was sent and Christianity but said he was sent to complete and perfect these to complete and perfect these teachings by God.teachings by God.

Foundation of IslamFoundation of Islam

In his home of Mecca he was persecuted In his home of Mecca he was persecuted and forced to flee in what is known as and forced to flee in what is known as Hijra, or migration.Hijra, or migration.

He went to Medina where he set up the He went to Medina where he set up the first Muslim community.first Muslim community.

Muhammad led a force that defeated the Muhammad led a force that defeated the Meccans and founded Islam thereMeccans and founded Islam there

During Muhammad’s life he created the During Muhammad’s life he created the basis for the Muslim religion.basis for the Muslim religion.

Five Pillars of IslamFive Pillars of Islam 1) Shahada: Testifying to God's One-ness1) Shahada: Testifying to God's One-ness

– The declaration "There is no God but Allah and The declaration "There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is His prophet." Muhammad is His prophet."

2) Salat: Prayer. 2) Salat: Prayer. – Five prayer times each day: Five prayer times each day: – early morning, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, eveningearly morning, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, evening

3) Zakat: Giving charity. 3) Zakat: Giving charity. 4) Sawm: Fast 4) Sawm: Fast

– During month of During month of RamadanRamadan, daylight hours. , daylight hours. 5) Hajj: Pilgrimage. 5) Hajj: Pilgrimage.

– Every Muslim man and woman (if physically and Every Muslim man and woman (if physically and economically able) should try to make the pilgrimage to economically able) should try to make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their life-time. Mecca at least once in their life-time.

SunniSunni

Sunni’s make up 90% Sunni’s make up 90% of Islamic followers.of Islamic followers.

Following Following Muhammad’s death, Muhammad’s death, Sunni’s claim that the Sunni’s claim that the following leaders were following leaders were rightful leaders.rightful leaders.

The Sunni caliphs The Sunni caliphs ruled the Arab world ruled the Arab world until after World War I.until after World War I.

Shiite’sShiite’s

Has roughly 1 Has roughly 1 million followersmillion followers

Believed that Ali, Believed that Ali, Muhammad’s Muhammad’s cousin was the true cousin was the true successor.successor.

They follow the They follow the leader of Immam, leader of Immam, which means: which means: LeaderLeader

JihadJihad

an an Islamic term, from the Arabic root , from the Arabic root ǧhdǧhd ("to exert utmost effort, to ("to exert utmost effort, to strive, struggle"), which connotes a strive, struggle"), which connotes a wide range of wide range of meanings: anything : anything from an inward spiritual struggle to from an inward spiritual struggle to attain perfect attain perfect faith to a political or to a political or military struggle to further the military struggle to further the Islamic cause Islamic cause

Eastern ReligionsEastern Religions

HinduismHinduism

henotheistic religionshenotheistic religions They recognize a single deity, and They recognize a single deity, and

view other Gods and Goddesses as view other Gods and Goddesses as manifestations or aspects of that manifestations or aspects of that supreme God supreme God

Shruti, Bhagavad Gita, Smriti Shruti, Bhagavad Gita, Smriti

Basic IdeasBasic Ideas The term The term HinduismHinduism is not a is not a

single well-defined religion, single well-defined religion, in the sense that Hinduism in the sense that Hinduism consists of several schools consists of several schools of thought and traditions of thought and traditions

All Hindus believe in a All Hindus believe in a supreme cosmic spirit called supreme cosmic spirit called Brahman, who is worshipped Brahman, who is worshipped in many forms such as in many forms such as Vishnu, Shiva or Shakti Vishnu, Shiva or Shakti

Religion to the Hindu is the Religion to the Hindu is the eternal search for the divine eternal search for the divine BrahmanBrahman

Vishnu

BeliefsBeliefs Dharma:: (individual ethics, duties and (individual ethics, duties and

obligations), obligations), Samsāra:Samsāra: R Reincarnationeincarnation, or the soul's , or the soul's

transmigration through a cycle of birth and death transmigration through a cycle of birth and death Karma: Karma: "actions", leading to a cause-and-effect "actions", leading to a cause-and-effect

relationship relationship Moksha:Moksha: (salvation) for every soul through a (salvation) for every soul through a

variety of paths (known as variety of paths (known as margsmargs or or yogasyogas), such ), such as as BhaktiBhakti (devotional service), (devotional service), KarmaKarma (selfless (selfless action) and action) and JñānaJñāna (enlightenment, knowledge), (enlightenment, knowledge), Raja (meditation) and belief in God (Raja (meditation) and belief in God (Īshvara)Īshvara)

HistoryHistory

The classical theoryThe classical theory of the origins of of the origins of Hinduism traces the religion's roots to the Hinduism traces the religion's roots to the Indus valley civilization circa 4000 to 2200 Indus valley civilization circa 4000 to 2200 BC BC

The caste system was closely linked to The caste system was closely linked to Hinduism.Hinduism.– The Caste system was based on Social classes The Caste system was based on Social classes

and set up complex rules to govern every and set up complex rules to govern every aspect of a persons life.aspect of a persons life.

– People could not change the caste they were in People could not change the caste they were in in this life, but could hope to attain a higher in this life, but could hope to attain a higher level in their next life.level in their next life.

BuddhismBuddhism

Religion, PhilosophyReligion, Philosophy focusing on the teachings of the focusing on the teachings of the

Gautama Buddha Gautama Buddha No God only the attempt to reach No God only the attempt to reach

NirvanaNirvana– It denotes being free from mind-It denotes being free from mind-

contaminants such as lust, anger or contaminants such as lust, anger or craving and is thus a state of great inner craving and is thus a state of great inner peace and contentment -- it is the end peace and contentment -- it is the end of suffering of suffering

The BuddhaThe Buddha

Gautama was born a prince Gautama was born a prince around 563 B.C.around 563 B.C.

Prophets foresaw him being Prophets foresaw him being a wandering holy man.a wandering holy man.

Seeing suffering he left the Seeing suffering he left the comfort of his palace to comfort of his palace to understand the source.understand the source.

For years he wandered and For years he wandered and meditated, finally meditated, finally understanding the cause of understanding the cause of and cure for suffering.and cure for suffering.

"I teach one thing and one "I teach one thing and one thing only: suffering and the thing only: suffering and the end of suffering"end of suffering"

4 Noble Truths4 Noble Truths 1. All Life is Full of Suffering1. All Life is Full of Suffering 2. The cause of suffering is 2. The cause of suffering is

nonvirtue, or negative deeds and nonvirtue, or negative deeds and mindsets such as hatred and desiremindsets such as hatred and desire

3. The only cure for suffering is to 3. The only cure for suffering is to overcome nonvirtueovercome nonvirtue

4. The way to overcome nonvirtue is 4. The way to overcome nonvirtue is to follow the Eightfold path.to follow the Eightfold path.

Noble Eightfold Path Noble Eightfold Path Wisdom Wisdom

– 1.1. Right view: the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism must be fully Right view: the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism must be fully understood by the Buddhist practitioner understood by the Buddhist practitioner

– 2.2. Right intention: deals with the Buddhist practitioner's Right intention: deals with the Buddhist practitioner's reasons for practicing Buddhism,reasons for practicing Buddhism,

Ethical conduct Ethical conduct – 3.3. Right speech: deals with the way in which a Buddhist Right speech: deals with the way in which a Buddhist

practitioner would best make use of his or her words practitioner would best make use of his or her words – 4.4. Right action: deals with the proper way in which a Buddhist Right action: deals with the proper way in which a Buddhist

practitioner would act in his or her daily life practitioner would act in his or her daily life – 5.5. Right livelihood: not to engage in trades or occupations Right livelihood: not to engage in trades or occupations

which, either directly or indirectly, result in harm to other living which, either directly or indirectly, result in harm to other living beings beings

Mental discipline Mental discipline – 6.6. Right effort: Buddhist practitioner's continuous effort to Right effort: Buddhist practitioner's continuous effort to

keep his or her mind free of thoughts that might impair his or keep his or her mind free of thoughts that might impair his or her ability to realize the other elements of the Noble Eightfold her ability to realize the other elements of the Noble Eightfold Path; Path;

– 7.7. Right mindfulness: Buddhist meditation. Right mindfulness: Buddhist meditation. – 8.8. Right concentration: is concerned broadly with the practice Right concentration: is concerned broadly with the practice

of Buddhist meditation. of Buddhist meditation.

Buddhism v. HinduismBuddhism v. Hinduism

Buddhism grew out of Hindu Buddhism grew out of Hindu traditionstraditions

Both believed in karma and a cycle Both believed in karma and a cycle of rebirthof rebirth

Buddhists rejected the many gods of Buddhists rejected the many gods of Hinduism and the Caste SystemHinduism and the Caste System

QuestionsQuestions

How are all religions similar?How are all religions similar? Why have different religions Why have different religions

appeared in different areas of the appeared in different areas of the world?world?

Why is there religious hatred?Why is there religious hatred? Are Religions supposed to promote Are Religions supposed to promote

peace?peace? Will we ever know one true religion?Will we ever know one true religion?