1. Unit 4
Belief Systems

2. Belief Systems Definitions: - Religion - Social Philosophy
Beliefs of….
- Animism, Shintoism, Taosim, Confucianism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Islam, & Christianity
Expansion of…
- Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, & Islam
Map and Timeline

3. Map of World Belief Systems
Confucianism
Taoism
Christianity
Judaism
Shintoism
Islam
Hinduism
&
Buddhism
Animism

4. Timeline of Belief Systems
2100
1800
1500
1200
900
600
300
300
600
900 1
Animism
Hinduism
Judaism
Christianity
Islam
Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism
Shintoism

5. Important Terms Religion:
- Organized set of beliefs and rituals of a culture
- Usually associated with a “god” (diety) 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

6. Great respect for nature Shintoism Japan Hinduism India Vedas
System
Origin
Holy Text
Main Beliefs
Culture Affect
Animism
Africa
Ancestor Worship; Worship spirits of nature (trees, animals)
Great respect for nature
Shintoism
Japan
The Spirits of “Kami” exist in all things including their emperor
Great respect for natural world (especially the ruler)
Hinduism
India
Vedas
Reincarnation
Lead a good life
Buddhism
India (moved to China)
4 Noble Truths
Learn to accept what life brings you
Taoism
China
Tao Te Ching
Follow nature: accept things you cant change
Don’t challenge the natural process
Confucianism
Analects
All need to accept their role in society
Respect for elders, parents, and country
Judaism
Middle East
Torah (Old Testament)
1 God – Monotheism
God will send a messiah to save them
Follow the 10 Commandments so the messiah will come
Christianity
Bible (Old/New Testament)
1 God; Jesus is the son of God and the messiah
Simple rules won many converts to Christianity
Islam
Koran (Qur’an)
1 God; Follow Allah; Mohammed is the messiah who spread his word
The religion laws of Islam are so important that they become political laws of nations

7. Animism

8. Shintoism

9. Taoism

10. Confucianism

11. Hinduism

12. Buddhism

13. Judaism

14. Christianity

15. Islam

16. Expansion of Religion
Missionaries
Trade
Military Conquest
Exploration

17. Buddhism
Began in India but was not accepted there (the Hindu social order was too strong)
Missionaries: people who spread religion by teaching others about the beliefs

18. Judaism Kicked out of Palestine by the Romans
Removed from Palestine during the Diaspora – the scattering of the Jewish people during the 1st century CE
Most Jews went to the cities of Europe where they lived in ghettos, there was much persecution and oppression

19. Christianity
After the death of Jesus, missionaries (disciples) spread his world
Roman Empire:
Persecuted Christians
Slowly accepted Christian ideas
Eventually became the official religion
Romans spread Christianity throughout the empire

20. Islam
Out of Mecca, east to India, went across North Africa and on into Spain
Islam spread by military conquest
Arab (Muslims – followers of Islam) were also great traders

21. Essential Elements of Selected Belief Systems
HINDUISM: Important Terms 1. Reincarnation: The belief that the soul comes back in another form after the body’s death 2. Karma: Behavior of a Hindu (Thoughts & Actions) 3. Dharma: The overall values and rules of Hinduism 4. Caste System: The social order of separate castes (classes of people) through Karma – people move up or down the caste system which organized Indian society by the type of job a person held

22. BUDDHISM: “Four Noble Truths” 1. Everyone Suffers 2
BUDDHISM: “Four Noble Truths” 1. Everyone Suffers 2. Suffering is caused by Desire 3. To end suffering, End your desires 4. To end your desires – follow Eightfold Path to reach Nirvana (State of supreme bliss)

23. CONFUCIANISM: “5 Relationships” 1. Father to Son 2
CONFUCIANISM: “5 Relationships” 1. Father to Son 2. Older Brother to Younger Brother 3. Husband to Wife 4. Ruler to Subjects 5. Friends = Friends

24. ISLAM: “5 Pillars of Faith” 1
ISLAM: “5 Pillars of Faith” 1. Recite: Say each day “there is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his prophet” 2. Pray: 5 times a day, facing Mecca 3. Charity: Give regularly to the poor 4. Fast: Go without food or drink from sunrise to sunset during the Holy Month of Ramadan 5. Pilgrimage: Try to make a journey (hajj) to Mecca at least once in your life

25. Essential Questions
What concept – important to Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism – has become an important element of Chinese culture?
a. They accept what life brings them
b. They accept their role in society
c. They don’t look for change
What do the religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all have in common?
a. All started in the Middle East
b. Jerusalem is a sacred city for all three
c. Monotheism (belief in one God–same God)
d. All follow ethical (morally good) set of rules for behavior

26. Questions continued…..
3. What are the various methods that were used to spread religions to other lands? a. Missionaries b. Military conquest c. Trade d. Migration - Diaspora – forced (Ex. Jews by the Romans) - Willing – (ex. Buddhism, Pilgrims to America) 4. What are 4 of the main principles of Confucianism? a. Education is important for a well run society b. Government officials should be good role models for society c. Everyone should know and accept their role in society d. Respect your elders (Filial Piety)